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US Book club fiction Literary Agents

56 agents · 38 currently open to submissions

Book club fiction represents one of publishing's most commercially driven categories, targeting readers who gather monthly to discuss accessible literary novels with discussion-worthy themes. These manuscripts typically blend literary sensibilities with page-turning plots, often featuring family sagas, historical narratives, or contemporary stories exploring relationships, secrets, and moral dilemmas. Think books like *The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo* or *Where the Crawdads Sing* that spark conversation while maintaining broad appeal. The category frequently overlaps with upmarket women's fiction, historical fiction, and literary fiction, though agents often distinguish between literary novels that happen to work for book clubs versus manuscripts specifically crafted for that market. Some agents prefer character-driven narratives with multiple timelines, while others seek contemporary stories addressing social issues or family dynamics. Before submitting, research each agent's recent deals and client lists to understand whether they represent literary fiction with commercial appeal or focus specifically on accessible, discussion-friendly narratives that publishers can position for book club marketing campaigns.

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Represents

Women's fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, science fiction, paranormal, horror, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural issues, lgbtq and, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Haley is building a list in adult women's fiction, book club fiction, grounded genre fiction, romance, memoir, narrative nonfiction, true crime, cultural, LGBTQ+ and women's issues, plus young adult and middle grade across contemporary, mystery, fantasy, science fiction and horror.

How to submit

Submit through Haley Casey's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time and to review each agent's bio, wishlist, and QueryManager page before submitting.

Last checked 15 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Suspense, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, romance, book club fiction, women's fiction, women's issues, practical nonfiction, pop culture, pop science, education, social science, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Laurie is looking for adult suspense, romance, book club fiction, women's fiction, practical nonfiction, women's issues, pop culture, pop science, education, social science, and young adult with a strong commercial hook.

How to submit

Submit through Laurie Dennison's QueryManager form. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time and to review each agent's bio, wishlist, and QueryManager page before submitting.

Last checked 15 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thriller, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, romance

Looking for

Erin Niumata represents book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, and romance.

How to submit

Erin Niumata's official profile links to QueryManager, but her official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries and will open again before the end of the year.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, literary suspense, thriller, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime, upmarket fiction, crime fiction, literary horror

Looking for

Danya Kukafka is interested in literary fiction with propulsive storylines, literary suspense, sophisticated thrillers, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime attuned to cultural conversations, upmarket fiction, crime fiction with a literary bent, literary horror that plays with form and structure, lightly speculative fiction, expansive literary fiction, dark coming-of-age, and fun sophisticated upmarket fiction.

How to submit

Danya Kukafka is currently closed to queries. Her official Trellis profile links to QueryManager, and the linked QueryManager page states that she is not accepting queries at this time and will be closed through the summer.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Sharon's list includes upmarket fiction of all sorts, from smart, complex women's fiction to unexpected suspense fiction and romance to hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. She also occasionally takes on compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists, experts, or emerging voices with a promising platform.

How to submit

Submit only through Query Manager. Include query letter in the body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Last checked 2 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Book club fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction

Looking for

Jamie Chambliss is drawn to literary and upmarket or book club fiction, and to narrative nonfiction, especially work dealing with food, pop culture, the quirks of human nature, stories within science and sports, and forgotten corners of history.

How to submit

Jamie Chambliss is currently closed to queries according to her official Folio profile.

Last checked 25 May 2026
Represents

Fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, thriller, fantasy, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first several chapters, proposal

Looking for

Jennifer Herrera is currently open to fiction queries and closed to unsolicited nonfiction queries. In fiction, she loves character-driven thrillers, upmarket book club fiction, and imaginative fantasy. Her nonfiction interests include books about big ideas, especially smart, issue-driven work from journalists and writers with professional expertise in science, psychology, philosophy, economics, prescriptive, lifestyle, history, and the stories of underrepresented groups.

How to submit

Jennifer Herrera is currently closed through her official linked QueryManager or QueryTracker page because she is only open to queries from the 1st through the 14th of each month. When open, submit fiction through the official QueryManager or QueryTracker link. The David Black submissions page says to query only one agent at a time, include a concise query letter, and for fiction include the first several chapters. Nonfiction queries should include a proposal, but Jennifer is currently closed to unsolicited nonfiction.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, business books, diverse voices

Looking for

Lisa Abellera represents adult literary, upmarket/book club, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and crossover speculative fiction. In children's fiction she represents all fiction genres in middle grade and YA. She responds to well-crafted prose, strong hooks, high personal stakes, complex and sympathetic characters, tangible sense of place, lush world-building, non-Western cultural aspects, emotionally immersive fiction, and underrepresented voices. In limited nonfiction, she is looking for middle grade prescriptive projects and adult prescriptive business books for women or by women.

How to submit

KC and A links Lisa Abellera's QueryMe or QueryManager form from the official team page. The linked form currently says Lisa Abellera is not accepting unsolicited queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, women's issues, cross-cultural nonfiction, history, humor, quirky nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Liza Dawson specializes in smart, plot-driven bestselling fiction; memorable, confidently written literary fiction; page-turning thrillers with spycraft, foreign intrigue, or unusual careers; mysteries with brainy detectives; literary fiction for book clubs; and breakout historical novels. In nonfiction she is drawn to cross-cultural and women's issues by experts, narrative history, memoirs about escape from closed or repressive societies, and books by journalists and poets making sense of place, race, the environment, Wall Street, Washington, or the South.

How to submit

Liza Dawson is currently closed to queries according to her official profile. Her profile says to send only a query letter in the body of the email to queryliza@lizadawsonassociates.com, and the agency submissions page says to query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, sweet romance, historical nonfiction, memoir

Looking for

Mara Cobb is an agent at Lighthouse Literary. She is drawn to strong and feisty protagonists, antagonists with redemptive arcs, curveball plots, surprising twists, and books that are impossible to put down. Her wishlist includes MG with spunky characters navigating life changes with joy and humor; YA with believable, authentic characters, including dystopian, contemporary, and romance; adult Christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary, historical, and sweet romance; and adult nonfiction including historical nonfiction, relevant topics for today's readers, and occasional memoir with a strong author platform.

How to submit

Mara Cobb uses QueryTracker or QueryManager, but the official linked form currently says she is not accepting queries and expects to open again in spring 2026.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial romantic comedy, speculative fiction, thriller, upmarket fiction, book club fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Maria represents a broad range of fiction from commercial rom-coms to radical speculative fiction, subversive thrillers, and upmarket book club fiction. She is drawn to character-driven stories, unusual perspectives, genre-bending work, and pitchable high concepts.

How to submit

Maria Napolitano will reopen to queries in the first half of 2026 according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, mystery, speculative fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea nonfiction, wellness, history, sports, collaborative writers

Looking for

Mark Tavani is VP of Business Strategy and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. He represents both fiction and nonfiction. His fiction list includes a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction, especially fiction that entertains and enriches readers. In nonfiction, he represents work that illuminates or inspires and works with experts and journalists, especially in narrative nonfiction, big ideas, wellness, history, and sports. He also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in those spaces.

How to submit

Mark Tavani is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official David Black profile. The general David Black submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Mark Tavani is not listed there.

Last checked 25 May 2026
Represents

Commercial fiction, select nonfiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, older young adult, fantasy, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, suspense, mystery, romance, psychological horror, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, requested materials

Looking for

Marlene Stringer represents commercial fiction and select nonfiction. Her official wishlist includes book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line, historical fiction, contemporary and historical women's fiction, older YA in fantasy and contemporary, crime fiction, all types of thrillers, suspense, all types of mysteries, romance except erotic romance, psychological horror, and magical realism.

How to submit

StringerLit uses QueryManager and accepts queries only through the linked form, but Marlene Stringer's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is closed to catch up on requested manuscripts. When open, use the official QueryManager link only, queries sent otherwise are deleted unread. Submit to only one StringerLit agent at a time and only one manuscript at a time.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, mystery, suspense, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Rebecca Scherer is an agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in women's fiction, crime and mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket or literary-leaning fiction.

How to submit

Rebecca Scherer is presently closed to queries except by referral according to her official JRA contact page.

Last checked 25 May 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, domestic suspense, historical fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Amy Cloughley seeks authors with unique, clear voices and smart, tightly written prose. She leans toward grounded literary, upmarket, and commercial novels with a distinct sense of place, page-turning mystery, domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists, well-researched historical fiction, book club fiction with a fresh perspective, small-town contemporary characters, unexpected story arcs, suitable pacing, compelling protagonists, and narrative nonfiction immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry.

How to submit

Amy Cloughley is currently closed to unsolicited submissions. Her official Kimberley Cameron team page links to a QueryManager form, and the form currently states that she is not accepting queries at this time.

Last checked 22 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, historical fiction, book club fiction, business, history, memoir, popular culture, science

Looking for

Narratives in business, history, memoir, popular culture, and science that offer insight and practical wisdom; literary and historical fiction; and books designed to help readers live more meaningful lives

How to submit

Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include standard query materials appropriate to your genre.

Last checked 28 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Cozy fantasy, romance, romcoms, dark romance, sports romance, small town romance, commercial book club fiction, romantasy, thrillers, suspense, magical realism

Looking for

Cozy fantasy, all things romance (romcoms, dark romance, sports romance, small town romance), commercial book club fiction, romantasy, thrillers and suspense, and magical realism. Particularly drawn to stories with a strong voice and immersive relationships at their core

Represents

Romance, historical fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, non-fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, opening pages

Looking for

Christine is drawn to stories with high stakes and tension. The first pages must draw her in with action and curiosity. Lyrical writing, along with emotionality, physicality, and interiority, are all key components she looks for in a manuscript.

How to submit

Send a query letter with a synopsis of your book, your bio, and the opening 3 or 4 pages embedded in the body of your email. Do not send an attachment without a request to do so.

Last checked 3 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, young adult, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, mystery, suspense, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded science fiction, grounded fantasy, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, aapi voices, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Amy represents fiction, nonfiction, and YA. She is seeking upmarket and book club fiction, mystery or suspense elements, propulsive plots with beautiful writing, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded SFF by women of color, coming-of-age stories, global retellings, expert-driven narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, YA with murder and intrigue, immigrant stories, queer stories, girls working for justice, and light-hearted contemporary YA.

How to submit

Use the QueryManager route linked from Amy Bishop-Wycisk's Trellis profile and review her current wishlist before querying.

Last checked 26 May 2026Via QueryManager

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