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US Biography Literary Agents

102 agents · 75 currently open to submissions

Biography attracts 37+ agents across the United States, spanning everything from presidential chronicles like Robert Caro's multi-volume Lyndon Johnson series to intimate memoirs, scientific breakthroughs, and cultural histories. The category splits between celebrity memoirs with built-in audiences, investigative biographies requiring extensive research and legal clearances, and personal narratives that read more like literary nonfiction. Some agents focus on historical figures and political personalities, while others seek contemporary subjects in entertainment, sports, or social movements. Academic biographies often need different positioning than commercial life stories, and agents vary widely in their appetite for controversial subjects or lesser-known figures. Platform matters significantly for memoir, though breakthrough biographical narratives about compelling subjects can succeed based on storytelling alone. Many agents who represent biography also handle history, science writing, or literary fiction, making their client lists worth studying for submission strategy. Consider whether your project fits the investigative journalism model, the personal narrative approach, or the scholarly biography tradition when identifying the right representatives.

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Represents

Grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, comparable books, biography

Looking for

Gracie is interested in grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, and narrative nonfiction examining culture and social issues. Across young adult and adult categories, she's interested in underrepresented voices, inventive storytelling, and delicious prose.

How to submit

Submit via Query Manager only. Include query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, and comparable books. Do not query via email.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Music history, music journalism, memoir, biography, narrative non-fiction, media, film, tv, essay, literature, pop culture, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages

Looking for

David specializes in music-related nonfiction, biography, narrative nonfiction, and young adult and middle-grade fiction. He seeks contemporary, adventure, thriller, and mystery in Young Adult and Middle Grade fiction.

How to submit

Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Nonfiction, popular reference, business, health, psychology, poker, spirituality, self-help, humor, cookbooks, pop culture, biography, women's issues, decorating, crafts, music

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Sheree is currently only considering nonfiction, including popular reference, business, health, psychology, poker, spirituality, self-help, humor, cookbooks, pop culture, biography, women's issues, decorating, crafts, music, and related adult nonfiction.

How to submit

Email a one-page nonfiction query in the body of the email to shereebee@aol.com. Put Query and your name in the subject line. Do not send attachments unless requested.

Last checked 15 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, women's fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, memoir, graphic memoir, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history, biography, lifestyle, careers, health, medicine, parenting, cooking, nutrition, gardening, gift books

Looking for

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is interested in literary fiction, upscale commercial women's fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction especially by journalists, travelogues, memoirs including graphic memoirs, social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history and biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books.

How to submit

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is currently closed to submissions so the agency can focus on existing clients.

Represents

Literary fiction, fiction, memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, contemporary issues, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Cynthia Cannell Literary Agency represents fiction as well as memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, and nonfiction on contemporary issues.

How to submit

The agency contact page says it is not currently accepting unsolicited queries. The public contact email is info@cannellagency.com, but writers should not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, business, health, science, pop culture, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Personal recommendation only

Looking for

Joëlle represents adult fiction and nonfiction. The agency no longer accepts children's books, YA, middle grade, picture books, screenplays, novellas or poetry.

How to submit

Joelle Delbourgo Associates is currently closed to queries except through personal recommendation.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, literary commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, domestic thriller, biography, history, science, sports, travel

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Anne-Lise Spitzer is president of Spitzer Agency. Current public materials describe interest in narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, literary commercial fiction, mysteries, legal, psychological, and domestic thrillers, plus biography, history, science, sports, and travel.

How to submit

The Spitzer Agency site says it is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Represents

History, biography, art, architecture, science, religion, literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, fantasy

Looking for

Howard Morhaim represents authorities in history, biography, art, architecture, science, and religion, as well as canonical authors in literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.

How to submit

Howard Morhaim does not accept unsolicited submissions at any time. The agency says he only considers exclusive submissions that come as recommendations from colleagues or clients.

Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography

Looking for

Joy Harris works primarily with literary fiction, strongly written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir, and biography. She is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters.

How to submit

The Joy Harris Literary Agency is not accepting unsolicited submissions at this time according to its official contact page.

Represents

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, cookbooks

Looking for

Robin Straus Agency represents high quality adult fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, and cookbooks.

How to submit

Robin Straus Agency is not accepting new unsolicited submissions at this time according to the official submissions page.

Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, history, military history, biography, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Michael Congdon is President of Don Congdon Associates. He has represented a variety of commercial and literary fiction as well as nonfiction, including history, military history, biography, and narrative nonfiction.

How to submit

Michael Congdon is no longer taking on new clients and is permanently closed to queries according to the official Don Congdon Associates agents page.

Represents

Adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, retellings, beach reads, family drama, amish romance, clean fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, history, biography, science, sports, memoir

Looking for

Lindsay Guzzardo is founder of Keystone Literary Agency and a literary agent for adult fiction and nonfiction. She is drawn to high-concept, commercial premises with clear, marketable hooks and strong voices. Her fiction tastes include classic retellings, beach reads, family dynamics, mother-daughter and sister relationships, Amish romance and fiction, wholesome clean fiction and romance, cozy small-town romance and fiction, rich historical fiction, fiction featuring historical figures, European-set fiction, dark psychological and domestic suspense, and past/present family dramas. She welcomes nonfiction proposals from journalists and experts in history, biography, science, sports, narrative nonfiction, and memoir with a strong platform.

How to submit

Submit through Lindsay Guzzardo's official QueryManager form during the first week of the month. The linked QueryManager page was checked on 2026-05-25 and says she is not accepting queries at this time because she opens during the first week of the month.

Last checked 6 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, fiction, politics, current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Gary Morris has worked on books in many categories, including politics and current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, and literary fiction.

How to submit

Gary Morris is currently not accepting unsolicited queries. The David Black Agency submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Gary Morris is not listed there as open.

Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, mystery, thriller, middle grade, young adult, history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, popular science, children's books

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Gina represents literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults and children. In fiction she looks for upmarket novels, mysteries and thrillers, middle grade, and young adult. Nonfiction interests include history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, and popular science.

How to submit

Gina Maccoby is currently closed to submissions. When open, email a query with the word QUERY in the subject line to query@maccobylit.com with no attachments. Check the official agency site for reopening.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, history, biography, politics, psychology, lgbtq and, women's issues, arts, investigative journalism, thrillers, historical fiction, multicultural fiction

Looking for

Ellen Geiger represents a broad range of fiction and nonfiction. Her special interests include multicultural and social issues, change, history, biography, progressive politics, psychology, gay and women's issues, the arts, serious investigative journalism, good thrillers, novels that provoke and challenge the status quo, historical fiction, and multicultural works.

How to submit

Ellen Geiger is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026
Represents

Biography, history, memoir, popular culture, music writing, journalism, politics, health, parenting, practical nonfiction, contemporary affairs, social issues, general reference

Looking for

Nonfiction across popular culture, biography, history, politics, journalism, memoir, parenting, health, practical nonfiction, contemporary affairs, social issues, and general reference. Accepts submissions through referral only.

How to submit

Sarah Lazin accepts submissions through referral only. Prospective clients should seek an introduction from an existing client, publishing professional, or conference contact.

Last checked 15 Jun 2026Via Other
Represents

General fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, biography, history, african american literature

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

The Philip G. Spitzer Literary Agency lists genres and specialties as general fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, biography, history, and African American literature.

How to submit

The agency is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Last checked 14 Jun 2026
Represents

Historical narrative, biography, offbeat fiction, nonfiction, children's books, nature writing

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

William has a long-running interest in historical narratives, biography, slightly offbeat fiction and nonfiction, children's books, and nature writing.

How to submit

William Reiss is closed to submissions according to the current John Hawkins and Associates agent profile.

Last checked 13 Jun 2026
Represents

Adult fiction, adult non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, biography, memoir, middle grade, young adult, picture books

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10 pages

Looking for

In Adult Fiction she seeks captivating settings and relatable characters that highlight virtues like empathy and self-sacrifice in historical, literary/upmarket, romance, or fantasy/science fiction genres. In Adult Non-fiction she wants well-researched titles that make complex topics accessible, biography and memoir that connect diverse readers, and books about poverty and justice. For children's literature, she loves books that can be read aloud and shared with families, especially middle grade, and seeks books with hopeful, informative, or lyrical tones.

How to submit

Starting January 2026, queries must be submitted through QueryManager only. Address your query to the specific agent you think would be the best fit. Only send one query to Dunham Literary as agents share queries with each other when appropriate.

Last checked 3 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy mystery, middle grade, young adult

Looking for

Carrie Pestritto represents projects across a range of genres and is drawn to immersive writing, engaging voices, meticulous world-building, and compelling premises. LDLA lists her interests as adult narrative nonfiction, biography/memoir, commercial fiction with a literary twist, fresh chick-lit, romance, upmarket women's fiction, near-historical fiction from about the Gilded Age on, mystery/thrillers for a female audience, cozies, and high-concept commercial MG and YA in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres, especially featuring POC or marginalized characters, high stakes, and exciting plot lines.

How to submit

Carrie Pestritto is currently closed to queries. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and says writers should submit to one agent at a time with one complete project. Carrie's official linked QueryManager page says she is not accepting queries at this time and suggests checking colleagues' bios while she is closed.

Last checked 22 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, history, politics, current affairs, science, biography

Looking for

Nonfiction that illuminates contemporary issues and shapes public discourse, particularly from academics whose research reaches beyond academia, narrative journalists, and historians who explore politics, history, current affairs, and science with fresh perspective and rigor

How to submit

Submit your query through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include a clear description of your project, your relevant credentials and expertise, and sample pages or a synopsis as appropriate to your genre.

Last checked 12 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, music history, self-help, cookbook, psychology, cultural studies

Looking for

Clients who ask big questions, explore fascinating subcultures, and serve as paradigm-shifters in their fields. Particularly interested in performing artists and public figures successful in one medium whose talents and perspectives extend into narrative nonfiction. Represents thought leaders, journalists, doctors, psychologists, and cultural figures whose work inspires, entertains, and educates while challenging conventional thinking.

How to submit

Online submission form

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, popular culture, business, biography

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Laura Yorke Literary Services focuses on helping writers develop and represent strong nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, pop culture and related adult projects.

How to submit

The official site gives Laura Yorke's contact email but does not publish detailed current query guidelines.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Investigative journalism, history, current affairs, science, memoir, biography, literary fiction

Looking for

Investigative journalists, thought leaders, memoirists, and prominent academics working in investigative journalism, history, current affairs, science, and big ideas that reshape public discourse. Books with intellectual rigor and cultural impact, particularly those exploring complex social and political subjects.

How to submit

Submit to Aevitas Creative Management using their contact and submissions form available on their website. Include a query letter describing your project, along with relevant credentials and platform information. Address submissions to the New York office.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Nonfiction, biography, narrative nonfiction, memoir, food writing, food politics, cookbooks, lifestyle, parenting, psychology

Wants: Query letter, nonfiction proposal, sample chapter

Looking for

Angela Miller represents general nonfiction, biography, narrative nonfiction, memoir, food writing, food politics, cookbooks, lifestyle, parenting, psychology, and authors or writers with significant platforms. Her official profile says she is looking for new talent as well as established authors and writers with significant platforms, excellent writing, and proposals she can help develop from concept to sale.

How to submit

Folio asks writers to review Folio agents, choose the right agent, and follow the submission guidelines on the individual agent page. Angela Miller's official profile does not publish a direct query email or form, so no specific public submission route is currently available on the official page.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

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

Looking for

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction and fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult and juvenile work, picture books, and illustration.

How to submit

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Consult the agent's Publishers Marketplace profile for any agent-specific requirements. Do not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, international fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical biography, memoir, business, science

Looking for

Both seasoned authors and new voices in fiction and nonfiction. She specializes in literary fiction and has a soft spot in her heart for international fiction hailing from the homeland of authors like William Trevor, Edna O'Brien, and Zadie Smith, not to mention Rohinton Mistry, Mario Vargas Llosa and J.M. Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer. She is also interested in continuing to build a narrative nonfiction list in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science

How to submit

Email: christina@unionliterary.com

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via Email

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