US Memoir Literary Agents Open to Submissions

Narrative nonfiction, history, science, politics, environment, business, memoir, literary fiction, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, fantasy

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Diana Finch is currently taking only nonfiction queries, including memoir, until further notice. Her official page lists favorite nonfiction categories as narrative nonfiction, history, science, progressive politics, environmental books, business, and memoir. The same page also describes fiction interests in strong storytelling for adult, YA, and middle grade, literary fiction with unique or unexpected elements, and selected genre fiction other than romance, but fiction submissions are currently closed.

Use the official Diana Finch Literary Agency Submittable page. Include a full query letter and sample material. The Submittable page asks fiction writers for the first ten pages or so, and nonfiction writers for a full proposal and sample chapters, the agency blog currently says fiction submissions are closed and only nonfiction queries, including memoir, are being taken until further notice.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, middle grade, children's, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, credentials

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy, memoir, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, juvenile books, picture books and illustrators.

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and ten pages in the body of the email. Check individual Publishers Marketplace profiles for agent-specific requirements.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, social science, popular science, popular psychology, memoir, nature writing

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Allison Malecha represents a small, selective list split between fiction and nonfiction. In literary and upmarket fiction she is drawn to messy family stories, outsider perspectives, narratives that take readers somewhere unexpected, sharp and imaginative line-level writing, emotional movement, strong sense of place, gothic novels in fresh settings, and complex friendship novels. In nonfiction she wants generous yet galvanizing narrative nonfiction with historical or international dimensions, social science, pop science, pop psychology, memoir tied to larger current issues or expertise, and nature writing from underrepresented voices.

Submit through Allison Malecha's official QueryManager form. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Her form asks for author bio, why Trellis, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, and the first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, middle grade, children's, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, credentials

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy, memoir, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, juvenile books, picture books and illustrators.

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and ten pages in the body of the email. Check individual Publishers Marketplace profiles for agent-specific requirements.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, middle grade, children's, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, credentials

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, science fiction/fantasy, memoir, history, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, juvenile books, picture books and illustrators.

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and ten pages in the body of the email. Check individual Publishers Marketplace profiles for agent-specific requirements.

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Alia is interested in narrative nonfiction, memoir, and literary fiction.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, young adult, children's books, biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, popular culture

Wants: Query letter

Thompson Literary is always on the lookout for both commercial and literary fiction, as well as young adult and children's books. Nonfiction is their specialty, with interests including biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, and popular culture.

All agents at Thompson Literary Agency are now accepting queries through Query Manager. Please click to view agent bios, which have specific query instructions for each.

Narrative non-fiction, memoir, historical fiction, literary fiction, history, pop culture, cultural studies, women's studies, natural history, children's

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Katherine loves books that explore the lesser-known territories of human experience.

For fiction, include a cover letter listing previously published work, a one-page summary and the first five pages in the body of the email (not as an attachment). For non-fiction, query first. When a proposal is requested, include an author biography, overview, chapter-by-chapter summary, marketing and publicity plan, analysis of competitive titles, and sample chapters or text.

Adult nonfiction, history, memoir, popular science, parenting, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, full proposal, bio

Dara Kaye represents adult nonfiction that tells great stories, from serious history and memoir to pop science and parenting. She is drawn to projects with international potential, books that make the familiar world feel new and surprising, academics, journalists, experts who communicate original research to mainstream audiences, and memoirists with memorable perspectives.

Query Dara Kaye through the WME Books profile or submissions flow. For nonfiction projects, send a query letter, attach the full proposal as an MS Word document, and include your bio. WME asks writers to query one agent at a time and says writers may try another WME Books agent if they have not heard back in 6 weeks.

Adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, magical realism, horror, rom-com, women's fiction, science fiction

Wants: Pitch

Jen represents adult, YA and middle-grade fiction, plus narrative nonfiction and memoir. She does not represent picture books, novellas or high fantasy.

Email Jen Nadol with a pitch at Jen.Nadol@theunteragency.com. If there is no response within three months, consider it a pass.

Nonfiction, psychology, history, memoir, humor, pop culture, illustrated books, self-help, big idea nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, marginalized voices

Rachel Sussman is an agent at Chalberg & Sussman. She represents a wide range of serious and unserious nonfiction, including psychology, history, memoir, humor, pop culture, and illustrated titles. She is open to queries for nonfiction only and is especially interested in thought-provoking self-help, big idea, and narrative projects from historically marginalized voices.

Email Rachel Sussman at rachel@chalbergsussman.com for nonfiction queries. Chalberg and Sussman lists her as open to nonfiction only.

Memoir, essay collections, wellness, cookbooks, women's fiction, book club fiction, fiction

Wants: Query letter, first twenty-five pages

Mia represents smart books for smart women, including bestselling memoir, platform-driven essay collections, wellness, cookbooks, women's fiction, character-driven fiction, stories that play with form, and book club fiction.

Email queries@parkfinebrower.com and specify Mia Vitale plus the category and genre in the subject line. Adult fiction submissions should include a query letter and roughly the first 25 pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter.

General fiction, literary fiction, anthology, biography, business, cooking, health, history, politics, current affairs, humor, lifestyle, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, pop culture, reference, sports, true crime, general nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Bill focuses heavily on sports and nonfiction, with AALA-listed interests including biography, business, cooking, health, history/politics/current affairs, humor, lifestyle, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, pop culture, reference, sports, true crime, general nonfiction, general fiction, and literary fiction.

Contact Bill Ames at bill@amesliterary.com for submission instructions, which vary based on genre, length, and topic.

Health, wellness, self-help, parenting, nutrition, cooking, baking, cocktails, mind body spirit, lifestyle, nature, gardening, narrative nonfiction, business, pop culture, memoir, reference, sports

Wants: Query letter, platform information, author qualifications

Coleen focuses on nonfiction, including health, wellness, inspirational self-help, parenting, nutrition, cooking, baking, cocktails, mind-body-spirit, lifestyle, nature and gardening, narrative nonfiction, business, pop culture, memoir, reference, and sports.

Email queries only to coleen@theosheaagency.com or rights@theosheaagency.com. Include a brief summary and platform or qualifications. No attachments.

Narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, memoir, sports, health, business, political books, pop culture, social justice, women's issues, underrepresented voices, commercial fiction, literary fiction, illustrated books, graphic novels, young adult, middle grade, children's books

Wants: Query letter, nonfiction proposal, overview, table of contents, chapter outline, target audience, marketing plan, competitive titles, author bio, sample chapters, synopsis, comparable titles, ten to twenty sample pages

Lisa Leshne is most passionate about narrative nonfiction and memoir highlighting extraordinary stories from diverse voices, women, underdogs, and leaders. She mainly acquires in sports, business, political, health, prescriptive, and pop-culture genres, and is always seeking exceptional literary and commercial fiction. The agency is especially interested in narrative and prescriptive nonfiction with social justice, women's issues, and underrepresented voices; sports, health, business, political, and pop-culture topics; exceptional commercial and literary fiction; and select illustrated, graphic novel, young adult, middle grade, and children's books.

Submit through The Leshne Agency's official QueryManager form for fastest response, or email submissions@leshneagency.com with a query letter. Do not do both. For email queries, put QUERY as the first word in the subject line followed by the title. For nonfiction, include a complete proposal with overview, table of contents and chapter outline, target audience, marketing or promotion plans, comparable titles, bio, and at least 2 fully written sample chapters. For fiction, include author information, title, genre, word count, hook or tag-line, brief synopsis, inspiration if relevant, comparable titles, and 10-20 sample pages.

Big idea nonfiction, memoir, pop culture, pop science, psychology, philosophy, prescriptive nonfiction, ecology, cultural history, social history, narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, biography, essays, criticism, cookbooks, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter

Lauren Hall is especially interested in wide-ranging nonfiction, including big idea books, high-concept and outward-facing memoir, pop culture, pop science, psychology, philosophy, voicey prescriptive projects, ecology, cultural and social history, deeply reported narrative, investigative journalism, biography, essays and criticism, and select design-driven books and cookbooks. She is also interested in select literary and commercial fiction, particularly absurdist or surreal but not fantastical narratives and characters with vivid inner lives.

Email submissions to lauren@foliolit.com. Include the word QUERY and the title of the project in the subject line. Lauren Hall does not accept physical queries through the mail.

Nonfiction, faith, culture, memoir, practical nonfiction, children's books

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Morgan Strehlow is listed as a literary agent at The Bindery. Her agenting is associated with nonfiction, faith and culture, memoir, practical nonfiction, and selected children's projects.

Use the agent-specific submission link from Morgan Strehlow's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.

Fiction, nonfiction, women's issues, children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult, history, science, pop culture, memoir, big ideas, graphic novels, subsidiary rights, film rights, television rights, stage rights

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, outline, picture book dummy, graphic novel sample

Susan Schulman is Founder and Literary Agent at Susan Schulman Literary Agency. The agency represents its own clients domestically and internationally and specializes in subsidiary rights. It has particular interest in fiction and nonfiction books for, by, and about women and women's issues, all levels of children's books including picture books, middle grade, and young adult, history, science, pop culture, memoir, and authors/projects that explore big ideas about the world and being human. Susan is currently looking with particular interest for projects in the vein of The War That Ended Peace, Caste, Quiet, and 1599.

Send submissions to the individual agent best positioned to represent the work, using the official Susan Schulman Literary Agency submissions guidance. For fiction, send a description, brief synopsis, and first 10 pages pasted below the query. For nonfiction, send an informative description, full outline, and first 10 pages pasted below the query. For picture books, send a project description, complete outline, dummy, and at least one full-color sample. For graphic novels, send 10 illustrated pages with text as a PDF and a synopsis in the email body.

Fiction, nonfiction, faith, culture, memoir, practical nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Ingrid Beck is listed as a literary agent at The Bindery. Her list is associated with adult fiction and nonfiction with faith, culture, memoir, and practical nonfiction elements.

Use the agent-specific submission link from Ingrid Beck's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.

Literary fiction, mainstream fiction, memoir, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Yvette loves reading across genres and has a special fondness for literary fiction and memoir.

Submit through The Leshne Agency's current submission route for Yvette Greenwald. Follow current agency guidelines before querying.

Nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal narrative, narrative journalism, psychology, women's issues, history, education, science, health, wellness, sports, humor, food, culture, natural history, animals, religion, spirituality, african american issues

Wants: Query letter, brief bio, first twenty five pages, synopsis, proposal

Joanne Wyckoff represents a wide array of nonfiction and has experience working with academics and experts in diverse fields to develop books for a broad market. She has a particular love of memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal narrative, and narrative journalism, and is always looking for writers with strong, original voices who explore a subject in new and surprising ways. Her list includes psychology, women's issues, history, education, science, health and wellness, sports, humor, food and culture, natural history and animals, religion and spirituality, and African American issues.

Email queries to submissions@carolmannagency.com and include Joanne Wyckoff's name in the subject line. For nonfiction, send a query letter with a brief bio, a synopsis or proposal, and the first 25 pages of the manuscript pasted into the body of the email. Attachments will not be opened. A pass from one agent is a pass from the agency, so do not submit to more than one Carol Mann agent.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, horror, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, graphic nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, nature, science, food, travel, pop culture, cultural criticism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, full outline, sample art

Jane Chun is interested in stories centering marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. In fiction and nonfiction she is drawn to compelling, fresh voices with intimacy, rich inner worlds, and emotional depth. She is interested in literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction across adult, middle grade, and young adult; select nonfiction; and graphic novels or graphic nonfiction. In fiction she is open to contemporary, historical, fantasy, science fiction, speculative, and horror. In nonfiction she is looking for memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, books about nature, climate and science, and books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism.

Submit to Jane Chun through her official QueryManager form. If QueryManager is not working, email queryjane@transatlanticagency.com, but do not submit through both methods. For email queries, include the book title, category or genre, word count or estimated page count for graphic work, and author bio. Fiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis, and first ten pages in the body of the email. Nonfiction should include a brief introduction, full outline, and first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. Graphic novels or nonfiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis or outline, and at least five illustrated pages with text, or ten script pages and sample art if five pages are not available.

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, women's fiction, young adult, romance, health, wellness, psychology, memoir, current events, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters

Jennifer Weis specializes in high-concept, cleverly plotted book club fiction of all categories and nonfiction with new voices and new angles on perennial subjects. Above all, she is looking for books with a hook, a strong voice, and a powerful plot. The Weis Agency submissions page says it seeks high-concept, intricately plotted fiction of all categories, including psychological and domestic suspense, women's fiction, selected young adult, high-concept thrillers in unusual settings, and romance with a positive conclusion. In nonfiction, the agency wants new voices, fresh angles on provocative subjects, authors with platform, and compelling narratives that read like fiction, including health and wellness, psychology, memoir, current events, and narrative nonfiction of special interest to women.

Submit to Jennifer Weis via email at jweis@theweisagency.com or through the QueryTracker page linked from the official Weis Agency submissions page. Fiction submissions should include a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters attached as a Word document. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter and proposal with author credentials, detailed outline, and sample chapters attached as a Word document.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, family saga, historical fiction, humor, lgbtq and, multicultural fiction, mystery, romance, short stories, suspense, thriller, women's fiction, cultural nonfiction, social issues, entertainment, film, food writing, journalism, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, true crime

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first ten pages or proposal

Hannah Strouth is looking for literary and upmarket fiction as well as select nonfiction. She gravitates toward nuanced, emotionally deep work, stories about connection and disconnection, what haunts people literally or metaphorically, resilience, dark, edgy, or gritty stories, pop culture, narrative nonfiction, self-help, memoir, books that teach readers to be better humans or see the world through a fresh lens, and diverse voices and experiences.

Submit through Hannah Strouth's official linked QueryManager form. The form asks for author bio, project information, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or for nonfiction, the full book proposal. Greenburger says not to query more than one Greenburger agent at a time.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, suspense, thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, sample chapter

Julie Stevenson represents literary and upmarket fiction, suspense and thrillers, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and YA. She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, authorial command of voice, and strong narrative tension. She loves outsiders, weirdos, innovators, and work that explores the depths of human experience and facets of ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, social class, and regional background.

Email queries directly to julie@mmqalit.com. Format the subject as Query: BOOK TITLE, category. Include the first 10 pages of the manuscript, or for nonfiction a sample chapter, pasted into the body of the email with no attachments.

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, history, biography, art history, cultural criticism, poetry

Wants: Query letter, first five to ten pages

Rob McQuilkin is a partner at Massie McQuilkin & Altman. He specializes in fiction, memoir, history, cultural criticism, and poetry; MMQA's contact page says he focuses on literary fiction as well as narrative nonfiction and nonfiction in memoir, history, biography, art history, and cultural criticism.

Email a query to the attention of Rob McQuilkin at info@mmqalit.com. Include Query in the subject line, a brief description of the project, relevant personal or professional information, and the first 5-10 pages pasted into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time, if one agent passes, you may query another. MMQA accepts electronic submissions only and does not represent screenplays.

Adult literary fiction, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, family sagas, memoir, self-help, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, brief bio, book description

She responds to voice and character-driven stories that draw her in and give her a new perspective on a world she doesn't know, or make her think more deeply about a world she does know. She seeks books with a heart and writers with wonderful storytelling abilities. She is particularly interested in finding emerging and underrepresented voices, and loves books that focus on diversity and explore the experiences of BIPOC people.

Send an email query to querymiriam@defliterary.com with a brief description of your book, a brief relevant bio, the first chapter pasted in the body of your email, and what you feel the heart of your book is in one or two sentences. Attachments will not be opened.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, biography, journalism, memoir, self-help

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Mason seeks innovative, boundary-pushing literary fiction, engrossing upmarket and commercial fiction, and nonfiction that amplifies traditionally underrepresented voices in publishing. He is particularly interested in working with queer authors and LGBTQIA+ themes.

Send a brief email describing yourself and your project to mason@defliterary.com with the word "QUERY" in the subject line and the first five pages of your manuscript or proposal pasted in the body of an email. Attachments will not be opened unless requested.

Nonfiction, memoir, faith, culture, poetry, children's books

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

John Blase is listed as a literary agent at The Bindery and is associated with nonfiction, memoir, faith and culture, poetry-adjacent writing, and selected children's work.

Use the agent-specific submission link from John Blase's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.

Nonfiction, faith, culture, memoir, practical nonfiction, children's books

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Trinity McFadden is listed as a literary agent at The Bindery. Her agenting is associated with nonfiction, faith and culture, memoir, practical nonfiction, and selected children's projects.

Use the agent-specific submission link from Trinity McFadden's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, thought leadership, health, wellness, spirituality, science, psychology, culture, business

Wants: Query letter, proposal

Rachel works with original visionaries, culture-shifters, and thought leaders on nonfiction narrative projects and memoir, with emphasis on books that create broad cultural impact.

Submit nonfiction narrative projects and memoir through Wave Literary's QueryTracker form. Wave does not read screenplays or poetry and replies only if interested in exploring further.

Literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural history

Wants: Query letter, first five to ten pages

Maria Massie is a partner at Massie McQuilkin & Altman and specializes in literary fiction, memoir, and cultural history. MMQA's contact page says Maria seeks literary fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction and will not accept commercial fiction or YA.

Email a query to the attention of Maria Massie at info@mmqalit.com. Include Query in the subject line, a brief description of the project, relevant personal or professional information, and the first 5-10 pages pasted into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time, if one agent passes, you may query another. MMQA accepts electronic submissions only and does not represent screenplays.

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, biography, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first five to ten pages, bio

Lane Zachary is looking for fiction and nonfiction that are beautifully crafted and have the capacity to change the way readers see and live in the world. Her background includes memoirs and biographies, and the official MMQA about page lists her long publishing career and authors recognized by major prizes and bestseller lists.

Email queries directly to lane@mmqalit.com. Include the word Query in the subject line, include a query letter describing the project plus relevant personal or professional information, and paste the first 5-10 pages into the body of the email. Query only one MMQA agent at a time.

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, reportage, social history, cultural history, memoir, poetry

Wants: Query letter, sample chapters

Alice represents a wide range of nonfiction, including voice-driven narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, reportage, social and cultural history, and memoir, literary fiction, and a select list of poets.

Send a query letter briefly describing your project and professional background, along with up to three chapters of sample material. Do not query more than one agent.

Commercial nonfiction, commercial fiction, health and well-being, psychology or self-help, politics and current affairs, memoir, personal finance, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, women's bookclub fiction

Wants: Query letter

Women's bookclub fiction, Epic juicy generational sagas, Historical mysteries and thrillers, Genre mash-ups, A great triplets thriller, Activist fiction or fiction that illuminates a topical or societal issue in a new way, Experts bringing new ideas that can help people in their everyday lives

Query via QueryTracker only - we do not accept unsolicited proposals or manuscripts

Literary fiction, historical fiction, suspense, magical realism, multicultural fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, journalism, travel, popular science, women's issues, parenting, food writing, young adult, business, sports, pop culture

Wants: Query letter, bio, publishing history, proposal or manuscript status

Felicia Eth is interested in literary accessible fiction, historical and suspense novels with a literary bent that transcend genre, magical realism or multicultural fiction, narrative nonfiction including memoir, journalism, unusual travel books, popular science, psychological and social concerns, women's issues, fresh parenting ideas, and culinary writing. She may occasionally consider strong short story collections, crossover YA, idea-driven business books, sports books, and pop culture.

Send an email query to feliciaeth.literary@gmail.com or submit by hardcopy to the agency address. For fiction, write a query letter introducing yourself, the book, and your writing background, and wait for a response before sending sample pages unless requested. For nonfiction, introduce the idea, what has already been written, your background and expertise, and your platform.