US Literary Fiction Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

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, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, mystery, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction, trade nonfiction

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

The agency works with commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thrillers and mysteries, romance, children's books, women's fiction, general fiction, literary fiction with a strong narrative hook, and trade nonfiction.

Email agent@ethanellenberg.com, indicating the agent, manuscript title, and genre in the subject line. Paste all materials in the body: for fiction, query letter, 1-2 page synopsis, and first 50 pages, for nonfiction, query letter, outline, and sample chapters up to 50 pages.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.

Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.

Thriller, mystery, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, adult fiction, horror, suspense

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Barbara is looking for high-octane thrillers, edgy mysteries, literary, upmarket and commercial YA and adult fiction, suspense, horror and anything with a unique voice.

Email Barbara.queries@wordonelit.com with the query letter and first 10 pages of the work in the body of the email.

Poetry, literary nonfiction, literary fiction, investigative nonfiction, translation, criticism, music writing, food writing, cookbooks, children's

Wants: Query letter

Erika seeks projects that excite, invigorate, argue or surprise across poetry, literary nonfiction and fiction, investigative nonfiction, translation, criticism, music writing and food writing/cookbooks. In children's literature, she seeks inclusive work for children with gender-expansive identities and families.

Submit through Erika Stevens's QueryManager form. Submit to only one SLM agent at a time, no response within 12 weeks means pass.

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, climate fiction, speculative fiction, ya, narrative non-fiction

Literary, climate, and speculative fiction, occasional YA. Stories that hold up a mirror to our culture in new ways, queer and trans coming-of-age fiction (particularly from horror perspective). Narrative non-fiction chronicling recent history, cultural trends, technology, social rules. Work that is subversive in prose, style, or subject

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, speculative fiction, literary thrillers, narrative nonfiction, longform journalism, essays, academic crossover

Wants: Query letter, first 20 pages

Fiction that grapples with climate change; ambitious multigenerational novels or family sagas; speculative fiction; literary thrillers; dark or darkly comic domestic fiction. Narrative nonfiction on climate, environment, institutional corruption, big idea books, object histories. Academic writers with narrative sensibilities

Email emma@triangle.house with a query letter and first 20 pages (or full proposal) in the body of an email. Please include QUERY in your subject line

Literary fiction, non-fiction in cultural criticism, food, popular culture, journalism, science, current affairs

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Plot-driven literary novels, non-fiction that is creatively critical, unique perspectives, a great cookbook, and above all, original prose

Send a query letter to monika@triangle.house describing your project along with the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email in a normal-sized font

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.

Narrative nonfiction, idea-driven nonfiction, science, technology, nature, social justice, psychology, culture, literary memoir, cultural criticism, essays, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, psychological thriller, romantic comedy

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

Caroline Eisenmann is drawn to narrative and idea-driven nonfiction shaped by expansive curiosity, especially work that makes hidden structures more legible, including science, technology, nature, social justice, psychology, culture, capitalism, deeply reported narratives, literary memoir, cultural criticism, and essays. In adult literary and upmarket fiction, she responds to speculative elements used for emotional truth, obsession, ruthless narrators, intimacy and its discontents, social issues on a human scale, underrepresented voices, visceral prose, vivid consciousness, driving plot, upmarket psychological thrillers, and romantic comedies.

Send Caroline Eisenmann a query at ce@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction, include a query letter and the first 10-15 pages in the body of the email. For other nonfiction, send a query letter and attach a proposal if prepared. Submit to only one Frances Goldin agent at a time.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, science, nature, journalism, current events, food, lifestyle, subcultures

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Lisa represents fiction and nonfiction. In fiction, she looks for literary and upmarket novels, contained settings, unique communities, family sagas, complex relationships, strong writing, voice, diverse voices, and page-turning momentum. In nonfiction she represents narrative, science, nature, journalism, conversation-changing current events, food/lifestyle, and deep dives into subcultures or topics that help readers live better.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select Lisa Grubka 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, 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

Music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, literary fiction, humor, science

Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, sample pages

Writers in the world of music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, young adult, literary fiction and humor. Also interested in science and any authors with great ideas and an equally strong platform. He tends to have a soft spot for all Beatle related projects.

Send query letter that includes a brief summary of your novel or the scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book in question, and the first five pages for fiction only.

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.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first ten pages

Abby Walters represents upmarket and literary fiction, especially voice-led, psychologically deep novels about flawed characters at moments of rupture. She is interested in desire, power, class, addiction, creativity, self-mythologizing, strong settings outside the United States, narrative momentum, and witty or scandal-led women's fiction.

Send a query letter, author bio, and the first ten pages of the manuscript to awalters@dblackagency.com. The agency does not accept paper, phone, mail, or fax queries and asks writers to query one agent at a time.

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.

Debut fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, biography, film, television

Wants: Query letter, short bio, synopsis, chapter breakdown, first three chapters, book proposal

Priya represents fiction, nonfiction, authors, and screenwriters, with AALA-listed interests including debut fiction, horror, mystery, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, and biography.

Email submissions to contact@lotuslit.com with a short bio, query letter, brief synopsis, chapter breakdown, and first three chapters as a Word document. Nonfiction submissions should include a proposal and detailed information on competing books.

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.

Nonfiction, fiction, literary fiction, short stories, business, leadership, psychology, health, wellness, technology, memoir, public affairs

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Christy is Partner and Co-Head of UTA Publishing. She represents influential nonfiction authors and institutions as well as bestselling novelists and short story writers, with a list spanning business, leadership, psychology, health, wellness, technology, memoir, public affairs, literary fiction, and commercial fiction with strong storytelling and voice.

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select Christy Fletcher 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, 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, narrative nonfiction, writing rooted in place, crime, literary suspense, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Duvall represents literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with interests including writing rooted in place, especially the South, multigenerational storytelling, crime, literary suspense, and graphic novels.

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

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.

Speculative fiction, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, self-help, spiritual, occult, nature memoir, nature non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In fiction, she is particularly drawn to speculative, atmospheric, and voice-driven narratives for both adult and young adult audiences. She has a soft spot for hybrid genres, such as horror-romance or speculative thrillers, and books with big hooks. On the non-fiction side, she is interested in self-help, spiritual (Marina loves the woo woo!), and the occult. She's also very keen to find poignant nature memoirs and other nature-based non-fiction.

Please use this format in the subject field of your email: 'Marina or BOOK TITLE or CREATOR NAME or GENRE'

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

Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first 3 chapters, book proposal

Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and mysteries as well as literary writers, and smart narrative nonfiction

Please send query letter in the body of your email to querymb@sjga.com, and then send the following as an attachment: the first three chapters of your book (for fiction) or your complete book proposal (for nonfiction)

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, mysteries, speculative fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Kirby represents both literary and commercial authors. He seeks manuscripts that straddle the fence with upmarket expression combined with a genre element or plot device. For literary work, he's drawn to rich, sweeping stories that encompass a time or place, or tightly written, narratively innovative stories with award potential. His commercial interests include thrillers, mysteries and speculative fiction. He also represents nonfiction from leaders and journalists in science, culture and current affairs, plus pop culture including music and comedy.

For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. Include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com.

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.

Romance, literary fiction, creative memoirs

Reading tastes include almost everything (she currently favors romance, literary fiction, and creative memoirs), especially interested in uplifting diverse artists from rural communities

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, horror, short stories, cookbooks, cultural issues, food, journalism, lgbtq and issues, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, full proposal

Kima Jones is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. Her official QueryManager genre list also includes short stories, cookbooks, cultural and social issues, food, gardening, journalism, LGBTQ+ issues, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, and women's issues.

Submit to Kima Jones through the QueryManager link on Triangle House Literary's official staff page. Her QueryManager asks for a query letter and the first 10 pages, or for nonfiction the full proposal. Do not query Kima if you have queried another Triangle House agent.

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.