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US Children's Literary Agents

257 agents · 144 currently open to submissions

Children's publishing spans picture books for preschoolers through middle grade novels for twelve-year-olds, with agents often specialising within these age bands rather than representing the full spectrum. Picture book agents typically seek stories under 1,000 words that work for read-alouds, while middle grade specialists look for novels around 20,000-50,000 words featuring protagonists aged 8-12 facing age-appropriate challenges. The success of series like Dav Pilkey's Captain Underpants demonstrates how humour and accessibility drive sales in this market. Some agents handle author-illustrators differently from text-only picture book writers, so read the submission guidelines carefully before sending. Educational backgrounds in child development or library science appear frequently among children's agents, reflecting the market's focus on developmental appropriateness alongside commercial appeal. 149+ agents in the United States actively seek children's manuscripts across these categories.

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Represents

Serious nonfiction, history, journalism, parenting, food writing, health, wellness, sports, self-help, memoir, science, nature, pop culture, big ideas, legal thriller, middle grade, young adult, picture books, graphic novels, children's nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, author bio

Looking for

Suzy Evans is a literary agent, attorney, author, and founder of Suzy Evans Literary Agency. In adult books she is looking for serious nonfiction, especially historians moving from academic to trade audiences and journalists with unique and significant things to say; smart parenting books with useful original hooks; food, health, wellness, sports with crossover appeal, self-help by experts with established platforms, riveting memoir, science and nature, pop culture, big idea books about controversial issues, small quirky books that surprise her, legal thrillers, and timely important books by and about smart, strong women. In children's books she loves middle grade and seeks lively engaging nonfiction, wacky or hilarious commercial MG fiction with series potential, graphic novels that bring history, literature, and historical figures to life, coming-of-age MG, YA fiction tackling difficult issues boldly, sweet lyrical picture books, contemporary MG/YA exploring diversity, and high-concept thrillers with film potential.

How to submit

Email Suzy Evans at suzy@evansliterary.com. For fiction, send a query and the first 15 pages of the manuscript. For nonfiction, send a query with a concise author bio. Suzy Evans says she reads all queries personally.

Last checked 4 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, speculative fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, children's books, commercial fiction, family saga, fantasy, graphic novels, historical fiction, humor, lgbtq and, literary middle grade, literary young adult, romance, science fiction, short stories, food, history, journalism, memoir, nature, pop culture, psychology, science, technology

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first thirty pages, proposal

Looking for

Renée is seeking narrative nonfiction, adult speculative, upmarket, and literary fiction, and children's books. She is interested in work centering POC and LGBTQIA+ voices and is particularly drawn to Black writers across the African diaspora. Her current QueryManager genres span adult fiction, children's categories, and nonfiction including arts, culture, food, history, journalism, memoir, nature, pop culture, psychology, science, technology, and travel.

How to submit

Submit through Renée Jarvis's QueryManager route. The current form asks for a query letter with bio, synopsis, AI disclosure, and the first 30 pages for fiction or a full proposal for nonfiction.

Last checked 3 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult nonfiction, cozy mystery, crime fiction, thriller, upmarket fiction, women's fiction, general fiction, illustrators, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio

Looking for

Natalie represents adult nonfiction, adult cozy mystery/crime, female-driven thrillers, upmarket women's/general fiction, illustrators, and all ages of children's literature, including picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Natalie Lakosil's QueryManager route linked from her Looking Glass profile.

Last checked 3 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adventure, children's books, juvenile, young adult, mainstream fiction, mystery, politics, law, romance, thriller, women's fiction, comic books, graphic novels, business, commerce, contemporary culture, popular culture, how-to, self-help, mind body spirit, relationships, sports

Wants: One page query letter, book proposal, sample chapter, complete manuscript

Looking for

Paul S. Levine is a literary agent and publishing attorney. His fiction interests include adventure, children/juvenile/YA, mainstream, mysteries, politics and law, romance, thrillers, women's fiction, comic books, and graphic novels. His nonfiction interests include business/commerce, children/juvenile/YA, contemporary and popular culture, how-to and self-help, mind/body/spirit, politics and law, relationships, and sports. He is not interested in science fiction, fantasy, or horror.

How to submit

Email Paul S. Levine a one-page query letter, preferably by email, at paul@paulslevinelit.com. No query-related phone calls. If interested, the agency will request material: for nonfiction, a book proposal and sample chapter, for memoir, a proposal and complete manuscript, for fiction, a complete polished manuscript. All requested submissions should be PDF attachments.

Last checked 3 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult nonfiction, journalism, investigative nonfiction, history, business, leadership, lifestyle, cookbooks, humor, gift books, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, middle grade, young adult, picture books

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, proposal

Looking for

Maile is interested in adult nonfiction and children's, middle grade, and YA fiction and nonfiction, especially work that amplifies underrepresented voices and untold stories. In adult nonfiction she wants journalistic deep dives, untold histories, business and leadership resources centering underestimated identities, lifestyle and cookbooks with a fresh personal hook, and unexpected humor and gift books.

How to submit

Submit to Maile Beal via QueryManager. Follow Arc Literary's guidelines: query letter, author bio, publishing history if applicable, first 25 pages for fiction, or nonfiction proposal with sample material. Do not query multiple Arc agents simultaneously.

Last checked 3 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's books, middle grade, young adult, picture books, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first fifty pages

Looking for

Brianne Johnson is a literary agent at HG Literary. She represents children's books of all stripes, especially character-driven middle grade and young adult fiction, and selectively represents picture books and adult fiction. She is interested in social justice stories, under-represented voices and perspectives, sex positivity, alternative lifestyles, quirky romances, well-researched historical fiction, witchy or mythy genre benders, humor, whimsy, darker settings, and stories that illuminate humanity in fresh and quirky ways.

How to submit

Submit to Brianne Johnson through her official QueryManager link. Her HG profile asks for a query letter, synopsis, and first fifty pages through QueryManager. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query only one HG Literary agent at a time.

Last checked 3 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, food, lifestyle, pop culture, history, business, big ideas, self-help, wellness, parenting, children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Neeti Madan is a partner at Sterling Lord Literistic. Her list includes literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, nonfiction, children's books, and select lifestyle, food, pop culture, history, business, big idea, self-help, wellness, and parenting projects. She is interested in voice-driven fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, books with a strong platform or expertise, and work for young readers from picture books through YA.

How to submit

Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's official submissions page and select Neeti Madan if the form offers an agent choice. SLL uses its online submissions portal rather than email queries. Include the requested query materials and follow the instructions in the portal.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's nonfiction, mystery, ghost story, poetry, theater

Wants: First twenty pages, bio, synopsis, proposal, sample chapter

Looking for

Stephen Fraser is Executive Agent at The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency and represents children's books in a wide range of genres. He is looking for good, original writing: picture books with delicious words, enduring middle grade stories with strong characters and plots, young adult novels with identifiable teens and hopeful, interesting stories for the soon-to-be adult, and nonfiction for children, both picture books and longer works, about original, child-friendly topics. He mentions a good mystery, a ghost story, poetry, theater, and work that dazzles him.

How to submit

For children's fiction queries, email Stephen Fraser at fraserstephena@gmail.com with the first 20 pages in the body of the email, plus a one-paragraph bio and one-paragraph synopsis. For nonfiction queries, attach the entire proposal as a Word document, including a sample chapter, and include a one-paragraph bio and one-paragraph synopsis in the email body. JDLA asks writers to query one agency agent at a time and does not accept snail-mail queries.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, speculative thriller, fantasy, romance, adult nonfiction, narrative history, food writing, beverage writing, self-help, popular science, young adult, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first fifty pages, proposal, full picture book text, graphic novel pitch package

Looking for

Sam Farkas is Global Rights Director and Literary Agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management and is open to queries. Above all, she is drawn to exemplary writing. In adult fiction she looks for upmarket fiction, especially historical; fast-paced high-concept speculative thrillers; lyrical and immersive fantasy with book club appeal; and romance that simmers. In adult nonfiction she seeks immersive narrative history, food and beverage writing, quirky self-help for millennials and Gen Z, and beautifully written pop science. She is also open to young adult and middle grade of all genres, especially voice-driven contemporary with a speculative twist, historical with modern sensibilities, fresh fantasy, tightly plotted thrillers, mysteries, horror, the very strange, and the very funny. Across categories she wants diverse and underrepresented voices.

How to submit

Email info@jillgrinbergliterary.com with the subject format QUERY: Title of Project by Your Name or Book Age Category and Genre or ATTN: Sam Farkas. Paste the query letter in the email body and address it directly to Sam. Attach materials as a docx file. Fiction submissions should include a query letter and the first 50 pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter and proposal. Picture book submissions should include the full text, and graphic novel submissions should include a full pitch package.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult books, children's books, illustrated projects, graphic novels, fiction, nonfiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, brands, illustrators, content creators

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full picture book text, portfolio link, sample

Looking for

Kathleen Ortiz represents content creators, authors, illustrators, and brands from around the world, with a focus on books and media for adults and children, especially projects with a visual element. She loves media and books that bring humor and joy and inspire others. She is interested in illustrated projects, graphic novels or otherwise, that feature pop culture, joy, encouragement, and humor, and she is interested in fiction and nonfiction for adults and children. She is also actively looking for contemporary romance in all genres, especially rom-coms, K-drama feels, second-chance-love stories, and slow burn romance.

How to submit

Email query@komediamanagement.com with the subject line Query for Kathleen Ortiz: Title. Query only one KOMM agent. Paste the query and samples into the email body because attachments will not be opened. Authors should include the first 5 pages of text, or the entire text for a picture book. Illustrators and content creators should include a portfolio link.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Romantic comedy, women's fiction, ghost stories, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, middle grade, picture books, graphic novels, children's books

Wants: Query letter, first fifty pages, proposal, sample chapter, complete poetry collection, full picture book text, graphic novel pitch package

Looking for

Katelyn Detweiler is a literary agent at Jill Grinberg Literary Management whose list spans all age groups and categories, with an emphasis on fresh perspectives and strong voices. She looks for voice and quality writing above all else. On the adult side, she wants smart, swoony rom coms, women's fiction with love in many forms, atmospheric ghost stories, thrillers or mysteries with emotional cores and compelling narrators, and sweeping historical or twisty dual-timeline intergenerational sagas. She is open to narrative nonfiction and memoirs that feel intimate, immersive, and as compelling as novels. In YA she likes fresh contemporary with humor and heart, magical realism, fantasy, speculative, historical, and light sci-fi grounded in teen experience. In MG she likes stories that capture the complicated moments of growing up, and she likes picture books that illuminate deeper truths in funny, inspiring, and unconventional ways.

How to submit

Email submissions to info@jillgrinbergliterary.com and address the query directly to Katelyn Detweiler. Use the subject format QUERY: Title of Project by Your Name or Your Book's Age Category and Genre or ATTN: Katelyn Detweiler. Paste the query letter in the email body. For fiction, send the first 50 pages as a docx attachment. For nonfiction, send a query letter and proposal with overview or outline, chapter summaries, comparable titles, a sample chapter, biography, and bibliography. Picture book submissions should include the full text, and graphic novels should include a full pitch package.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, contemporary children's books, lgbtq and, stem

Wants: Query letter, bio, comparable books, first ten pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Looking for

Lauren Scovel represents fiction, nonfiction, and children's books. She is looking to amplify underrepresented stories and voices across genres, especially literary and upmarket-crossover fiction, narrative nonfiction, and contemporary middle grade and YA with a timely, distinctive story, propulsive plot, and diverse cast. In adult fiction she is drawn to off-beat or speculative projects and work aimed at a millennial audience; in narrative nonfiction she likes stranger-than-fiction stories with expertise, curiosity, and beautiful writing; in children's projects she is especially interested in LGBTQIA+ and STEM subject matter.

How to submit

Submit to Lauren Scovel through the official QueryTracker or QueryManager form linked from the LGLA submissions page. The form asks for author details, biography, book details, query letter, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or the full proposal for nonfiction.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, psychological horror, fantasy

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, synopsis, picture book text, sample illustrations

Looking for

Paula is open to picture book texts, illustrator portfolios, author-illustrator picture book proposals, high-concept chapter books, middle grade mysteries and adventure stories, YA heists, thrillers and rom-coms, psychological horror, and fantasy with unique magic systems.

How to submit

Submit through Paula's QueryManager link or the ASH Literary submissions email, with a strong preference for QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple ASH Literary agents simultaneously or in succession.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, children's, memoir, biography, natural history, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women's fiction, health, fitness, young adult, faith, popular culture

Wants: Query letter, first 50 pages

Looking for

Laura represents a wide range of fiction, nonfiction and books for children. Her interests include memoir and biography, natural history, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, women's fiction, health and fitness, children's and young adult, faith issues and popular culture.

How to submit

Email Laura directly at lbp@cbltd.com and attach the first 50 pages of your project. Include 'lbpquery' in the subject line.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, picture books, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

She focuses on middle-grade fiction and nonfiction with the goal of amplifying underrepresented voices and experiences. She particularly loves stories with friendship ties, complicated family dynamics, and grief or loss. Being a New York native, anything based in NYC has her heart.

How to submit

Email queries to jky@cbltd.com with the first 10 pages of your manuscript in the body of the email with QUERY in the subject line.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Graphic novels, picture books, illustrated books, general fiction, authors, illustrators, content creators

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, portfolio link

Looking for

Kate represents authors and illustrators for graphic novels and picture books. KO Media welcomes all ages, including children's, middle grade, young adult, and adult, as long as there is a visual or illustrated component.

How to submit

Email query@komediamanagement.com with the subject line Query for Kate Rogers: Title. Paste query and samples only, attachments are not opened. Authors should paste the first five pages, picture book authors should paste the full text, and illustrators or content creators should include a portfolio link.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's fiction, adult fiction, women's fiction, speculative fiction, romance, fantasy, non-fiction, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, book proposal

Looking for

She loves women's fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, and debut fiction. On the children's side, she is interested in select Young Adult and Middle Grade. She loves strong characters and voice-driven stories that break out of the typical tropes of their genres, and she's always looking for unique new voices in stories.

How to submit

Use Suzie Townsend's QueryManager form. Include the query details and first five pages, or a full book proposal for non-fiction. Do not query more than one New Leaf agent at the same time.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, nonfiction

Wants: Querymanager form

Looking for

Cori Deyoe is actively looking to expand her list. She represents all subgenres of romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, and select nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Cori Deyoe's official QueryManager link. 3 Seas does not accept email queries, asks writers to use the QueryManager links on agent pages or the submissions page, and says no response within 12 weeks should be considered a pass.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via QueryManager

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