US History Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business, technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, thriller, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, opening pages

Peter specializes in high-quality fiction and nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business and technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, literate thrillers, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, and some boy-oriented young adult.

Query Peter through the QueryTracker link on his FinePrint profile. FinePrint asks writers not to submit to more than one FinePrint agent at a time and to follow the selected agent's preferred submission method.

Nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, true crime, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal

Alison Lewis represents nonfiction across cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, literary true crime, and select literary fiction. She is drawn to distinctive voice and perspective, excellent prose, social or political imagination, vivid narratives, hidden or forgotten worlds, and writers challenging entrenched power.

Submit to only one Frances Goldin Literary Agency agent at a time. Alison Lewis is not accepting unsolicited queries for fiction and memoir. For other nonfiction, send a query to atl@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction the agency asks for a query letter and first 10-15 pages in the body of the email, for other nonfiction send a query letter and attach a prepared proposal if available.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, sports

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Peter represents commercial and literary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Peter Steinberg where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

Historical fiction, romance, magical realism, horror

Immersive, atmospheric stories across genres, especially historical fiction—gothic or moody tales, BIPOC romances rooted in heritage, and magical realism with political nuance. Feminist retellings that reclaim overlooked voices and narratives on identity and ancestry. Folklore-inspired horror

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, narrative non-fiction, cultural history, creative non-fiction, food writing, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She seeks fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly from underrepresented communities. She favors character-driven literary fiction that borrows from genre elements, narrative nonfiction that reorients understanding of history and culture, and creative nonfiction that appeals to heart, mind, and humor. For Young Adult she prefers realistic, emotional stories whether contemporary or historical.

Submit via Roma's QueryManager form. Include query letter, synopsis, comparable books, and upload first 20 pages for fiction or full proposal for nonfiction. One agent at a time, but can submit to up to three ALA agents if first passes.

Literary fiction, cultural history

Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters

Literary fiction and works of cultural history.

Queries should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line.

Literary fiction, memoir, politics, journalism, cultural history, biography

Wants: Query letter

Literary fiction and nonfiction in the areas of memoir, politics, journalism, cultural history, and biography. In fiction: beautiful writing, unforgettable characters, family stories, socially engaged writing, and compelling plots

Send queries to the attention of Max Moorhead at max@mmqalit.com

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, biography, cultural studies, history, current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 10 pages

Literary fiction and a wide variety of narrative nonfiction (including biography, cultural studies, history/current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, and science)

Send queries directly to michael@mmqalit.com with subject line 'query' and include synopsis, publication history, brief bio, and excerpt up to 10 pages

Mysteries, thrillers, cozies, contemporary romance, romcoms, upmarket women's fiction, memoirs, narratives, cookbooks, self-help, mg fiction, ya fiction, historical narratives

Adult Fiction: High-stakes mysteries and thrillers, and funny cozies––especially ones featuring ensembles, intergenerational family dynamics, and/or main characters outside of law enforcement, military, or journalism; contemporary romance and romcoms; upmarket women's fiction. Adult Non-Fiction: memoirs, narratives, cookbooks involving family heritage, self-help with concrete takeaways, empowerment, cultural tradition, and parts of history not typically taught in school. MG and YA: commercial fiction, including contemporary fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, and thriller––including ones with spooky or paranormal elements––especially ones that grapple with identity and/or intersectionality with fresh perspectives.

Use QueryManager link provided

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, essay collections

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She seeks literary family sagas, genre-blending fiction, heists and cons that critique power systems, murder mysteries with humor, literary fiction about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ protagonists, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high-heat romance, historical fiction with unexpected settings, middle-grade adventures and slice-of-life, Young Adult queer and anticolonial revenge stories, narrative nonfiction connecting journalism to personal experience, and microhistories described as love letters to niche topics.

Submit via QueryManager submission form. Include polished query letter, bio, and manuscript pages according to genre guidelines. Select one agent at ALA to submit to initially.

Literary fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery, suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, current affairs

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

Elizabeth is interested in literary fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romance, mystery/suspense, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, and current affairs.

Submit electronically to the appropriate agent at the address listed on the official submissions page. For adult fiction, send query letter, synopsis, author bio, and first three consecutive chapters up to 30 pages pasted in the email. Only query one agent at a time.

Adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, romance, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter

Anne represents adult fiction, with public listings and author-facing materials emphasizing genre and commercial fiction including science fiction, fantasy, horror, thriller, mystery, historical, romance, commercial, and literary fiction.

Submit through Anne Tibbets' QueryTracker or QueryManager form. Do not query Anne at the same time as another Donald Maass Literary Agency agent.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, nonfiction, science writing, memoir, history, cultural criticism, journalism

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Sarah represents literary and upmarket fiction and a wide range of nonfiction, including science writing, literary memoir, revisionist history, cultural criticism, and urgent journalism.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Sarah Fuentes where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime, thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, irish literature, british writers, european writers

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Gráinne is looking for literary and commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime and thriller with a distinctive often feminist lens, intergenerational family stories, speculative and uncanny fiction, grounded science fiction, smart narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, debut American voices, Irish literature, and British and European writers with US or international appeal.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select Gráinne Fox where available. UTA requires the first 15 pages of any manuscript or book proposal and asks writers not to query multiple UTA literary agents.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, contemporary novels, fantasy, science fiction, magical realism, horror, mysteries, middle grade fantasy, picture books, graphic novels, arts, pop culture, nature, psychology, cultural history, science, wellness, occult

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Literary and upmarket fiction, non-fiction book proposals, select children's books, and graphic novels. In fiction, she's looking for contemporary novels (with or without speculative elements), fantasy, grounded science fiction, magical realism, horror, and mysteries. In non-fiction, she's interested in projects that explore the arts, pop culture, nature, psychology, cultural history, science, wellness, and the occult

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction. For graphic novels, Maria is only considering projects by a single creator both writing and illustrating the book.

Young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, romance, women's fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, faith-based books, illustrators

YA (all subgenres except sci-fi), thrillers/suspense/mystery, horror, contemporary, romance, new adult, women's fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, faith-based/inspirational fiction and nonfiction, true crime, illustrators. Welcomes BIPOC and disabled main characters.

Query via agency submission process

Voice-driven fiction, short story collections, narrative nonfiction, science, history, biography, memoir, pop culture

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 3 chapters

Voice-driven fiction, short story collections, narrative nonfiction (especially science, history, biography, memoir, and pop culture)

Query her directly at renee@mmqalit.com with word 'query' in subject line, attach excerpt up to three sample chapters as Word document

Pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, history, folktale-inspired horror, fantasy, gothic mystery, romance, puzzle-driven mysteries, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In non-fiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture. In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie.

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Fantasy, historical fiction, romance, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, true crime, music, religion, history, wellness, psychology, science

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In non-fiction, she is particularly drawn to true crime, music (almost any genre, but especially blues and classic rock), religion, and history (especially ancient civilizations or intellectual history). She also likes expert-driven wellness, popular psychology, and other science-related ideas (especially in biology or physics). In fiction, she is interested in fantasy, historical, romance (especially fantasy, historical, or LGBTQ), speculative, and psychological thrillers.

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, pop psychology

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In terms of fiction, he is seeking literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense and romance. In terms of non-fiction, he is looking for business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, and pop psychology.

Address your query to the attention of the agent you feel is the best match for your work. Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, culture, politics, science, natural history

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 30 pages

Literary and commercial fiction that put immersive storytelling and authentic emotional consequences front and center. In nonfiction, deeply reported narrative nonfiction, history and singular memoir

Send query letter and first 30 pages (fiction) or query letter and book proposal (nonfiction) to aram@mmqalit.com with 'Query' in subject line

Women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery, thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, book club fiction, pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, memoirs, lifestyle, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In terms of fiction, she is seeking women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery and thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, and smart book club fiction. In terms of non-fiction, she is looking for pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, unique memoirs, lifestyle (health, wellness, relationships, parenting), narrative, and platform based non-fiction

For fiction queries, please format email subjects as 'Fiction: TITLE or GENRE or CREATOR NAME' and non-fiction queries as 'Non-Fiction: TOPIC or TITLE or CREATOR NAME'

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, current affairs, science, investigative journalism, cultural criticism

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 10 pages

Bold voices and writers with a strong point of view; in nonfiction, she seeks perspective-changing ideas packaged in narrative form

For fiction submissions, please include your query letter, bio, and the first 10 pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. For nonfiction submissions, please include your query letter and bio and proposal if available.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, history, biography, memoir, journalism

Diverse group of fiction and nonfiction writers, including literary and commercial novelists for adults and young readers, historians, biographers, memoirists, journalists, strategists, adventurers, and entertainers

Online submission form

Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.

Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, cultural history, current affairs, memoir, politics, science, sports, technology

Literary and commercial fiction, as well as nonfiction spanning cultural history, current affairs, memoir, politics, science, sports, and technology. Nonfiction interests range widely from data and surveillance to sports, food culture, and military history. Particularly interested in authors and projects with the potential for both critical recognition and commercial success.

Submit queries through the contact and submissions form available on the Aevitas Creative Management website, or contact the agency by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, picture book manuscript, referral note if applicable

Alex Reubert is a literary agent at HG Literary. He is pursuing books that demand he keep reading by style or story, including literature in translation, novels set outside the U.S., upmarket and literary fiction, narrators looking back on their lives, upmarket romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies, and prose by poets or musicians.

Submit to Alex Reubert through his official QueryManager link. HG Literary asks for electronic submissions only. Unless an agent-specific form asks otherwise, send a query letter and the first five pages in the body of the query, no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Mention referrals in the first line. Query only one HG Literary agent at a time.

Literary fiction, mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, historical fiction, contemporary women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, popular science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 5 to 10 pages, writing credentials

Maria Carvainis Agency represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction with special interest in literary and mainstream fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, historicals, contemporary women's fiction, young adult and middle grade, memoir, biography, history, business, psychology, pop culture, and popular science.

Email a query letter, a synopsis of the work, the first 5 to 10 pages, and a note of any writing credentials to mca@mariacarvainisagency.com. Attachments must be Word documents or PDF files. Queries are also accepted by post.

Nonfiction, how-to, health, wellness, science, technology, nature, outdoors, true crime, history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, brand books

Wants: Query letter

John is building a wide-ranging nonfiction list including how-to, health and wellness, science, technology, nature and outdoors, true crime, quirky history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, and brand-led book programs.

Email john@defliterary.com with QUERY: at the beginning of the subject line, followed by the book title. Include a brief description of yourself and the project. Attachments are not opened unless requested.

Chick lit, commercial, contemporary, cozy fantasy, cozy romantasy, crime, detective, police, family saga, fantasy, fantasy: magical realism, fantasy: urban, graphic novel, historical, horror, lgbtq and, literary, middle grade, military, espionage, multicultural, mystery, new adult, offbeat, quirky, romance, romantasy, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, young adult

Query Letter, Synopsis, One Paragraph Pitch, Comparable Books, First 10 Pages

Submit through Query Manager. Unsolicited queries sent to his email address will be deleted unread.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, short stories, narrative nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Leigh Feldman Literary is particularly interested in historical fiction, contemporary YA, literary fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction. The agency is not interested in adult or YA paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, romance, thrillers, mysteries or picture books.

Email a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal to query@lfliterary.com.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, genre fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, psychology, history, science, art, business books, biography, memoir

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample

She looks for commercial fiction and is interested in brilliant novels, fun beach reads, gripping nonfiction narratives, inspirational memoirs or biographies, and instructional self-help titles.

Send query letter via email with full query in body of email, not as attachment. Include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in the body of the email below the query letter.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essays

Wants: Query letter

Ellen treasures working with brilliant authors of literary fiction and loves to handle well-written popular commercial fiction. She represents memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essayistic work, and the odd quirky book. She enjoys guiding established authors' careers and loves discovering fresh talent and new voices.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples until requested.

History, science, medical, politics, biography, literary fiction, poetry, theology

Wants: Query letter

Don roams widely in terms of subject areas and categories, but what catches his attention first is the author's voice. He is particularly drawn to historians, scientists, medical writers, political commentators, novelists, poets, and theologians.

Send a query letter using the online form to one agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples unless requested.

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, history, science, sports, technology, business, pop culture

Wants: Query letter, full proposal

Howard Yoon works exclusively with nonfiction writers, especially reported narratives, memoir, history, science, sports, technology, business, and popular culture. He represents leading experts and thought leaders, and has a soft spot for underdog stories and voices of the underserved.

Query Howard Yoon via the contact or query button on his WME Books profile page. For nonfiction, include a query letter addressed to him and a full proposal. WME asks writers to query one agent at a time, if there is no response in six weeks, writers may try another WME Books agent.

Literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, nonfiction, graphic memoir, journalism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Imaginative, genre-bending literary fiction and capacious historical novels that push boundaries, beautifully told queer stories, and smart, feminist romance. In nonfiction, projects that probe assumptions and invite nuance, with special attention to queer, trans, and underrepresented experiences, as well as narratives exploring culture, technology, food, and the environment.

Submit your query via Query Manager at the link provided. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and sample pages as appropriate for your project.