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.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Adult fiction, children's fiction, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters
A wide range of fiction from around the world for both adults and children as well as some non-fiction on subjects that intrigue her. Writing that is memorable and enduring. Particularly loves working with debut authors.
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.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult romance, science fiction, fantasy, children's fiction, children's nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author website
Sara Megibow is President and Senior Literary Agent of Megibow Literary Agency. She represents authors who write picture books, fiction and nonfiction across subgenres, middle grade in all subgenres, young adult in all subgenres, adult romance in all subgenres, and science fiction/fantasy for the adult market in all subgenres.
Email a query letter and the first 10 pages of the manuscript to saraquery@megibowliterary.com, along with an author website if available. Megibow Literary does not accept pitches by social media, phone, mail, or platforms other than email, and a pass from one agency agent is a pass from the agency.
Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, fantasy, horror, women's fiction, science fiction, pop culture, humor, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first twenty pages or proposal, artwork or portfolio link
Emily S. Keyes is actively searching for children's literature and select adult genre fiction that is not serious literature. She is generally looking for books for young readers and the young at heart, especially work that fosters the joy of reading in kids. In nonfiction she is looking for nonfiction picture books, interesting nonfiction for middle grade and YA readers, especially from creators with a platform, and select adult nonfiction.
Submit through Emily Keyes' official linked QueryManager page. The form asks for author information, title, word count, genre, query letter, optional synopsis, target audience, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, first 20 pages or full nonfiction proposal, and optional artwork, illustrations, or portfolio link.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Picture books, author-illustrators, nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary fiction, light fantasy, near-future dystopian, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, memoir, bipoc voices, diverse voices
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, picture book manuscript, portfolio
Allison is looking for author-illustrator picture books, nonfiction picture books, middle grade with voice and a strong main character, YA contemporary coming-of-age, fantasy grounded in reality, near-future dystopian and high-concept speculative work, psychological thrillers, twisty mysteries, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, and memoir. She is interested in diverse and BIPOC voices.
Email Allison Remcheck at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Picture book manuscripts should be attached as Word documents, dummies or portfolios as PDFs, first ten pages of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction should be pasted in the email, a synopsis attachment is welcome.
Children's books, adult contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, light fantasy, magical realism, romantic comedy, thriller, mystery, suspense, horror, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, full manuscript, full proposal, artwork samples
Savannah Brooks is an associate literary agent whose official personal site says she joined KT Literary in 2022 and represents all of kid lit plus adult contemporary and upmarket fiction, speculative/light fantasy/magical realism, romcoms, thrillers, mystery, suspense, and horror. She is especially interested in stories that teach her something new, add to a larger sociopolitical conversation, and highlight underrepresented identities and cultures.
Submit through Savannah Brooks's QueryManager route. The live form asks writers to check her website before submitting, confirm whether the project has been submitted to her before, and include author details, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, and full manuscript or nonfiction proposal, artwork samples may be uploaded if applicable. The form says she is only open to children's books by request or referral, so public unsolicited submissions should match the currently open adult categories.
Nonfiction, faith, business, leadership, culture, personal development, children's books
Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages
Alexander Field founded The Bindery and represents nonfiction, faith and culture, business, leadership, personal development, and selected children's projects.
Use the agent-specific submission link from Alexander Field's profile on The Bindery about page. The agency states every project submitted is considered.
Narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, select fiction, children's books
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
High-profile talent across narrative nonfiction, memoir, personal development, business, cooking, and select fiction and children's books
Email a query letter and accompanying material to queries@parkfinebrower.com, specify the agent name and category or genre in the subject line. Fiction queries include about the first 25 pages, YA or children's fiction include the first chapter or about the first 10 pages, nonfiction queries include a query letter.
Non-fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, prescriptive, christian, sports
Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, first five pages
She is passionate about stories that must be told and is drawn in particular to authors whose faith engages the wider world. Chris represents books across a broad spectrum of nonfiction including memoirs, narrative, prescriptive, Christian, and sports, and works with authors to develop books that are appealing and accessible to a broad audience.
Submit query letter including a brief summary of your project, short description of why you're writing it, any specific credentials, and first five pages for fiction only via the online form.
Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, adult, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
Contemporary & Upmarket fiction, Upmarket Romance, Speculative & Cozy Fantasy, Literary Thriller/Suspense/Psychological, Atmospheric & Genre-Bending, Fun & Offbeat, Graphic Novels, Big Ideas & Culture nonfiction, Literary Memoir
Send query and first 10 pages in body of email to helmsubmissions@gmail.com. No attachments will be opened.
Adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's literature, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels
Cooking, drinks, health/wellness, lifestyle, self-help, women's issues, memoir, cat content, underrepresented voices. Occasional adult fiction for existing clients or via referrals. Select children's literature in special circumstances.
Submit queries here: http:// queryManager.com or JenNewens
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal
Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.
Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, romance, speculative fiction
Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link
Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.
Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies
Wants: Query letter, first five pages, picture book manuscript, referral note if applicable
Alex Reubert is a literary agent at HG Literary. He is pursuing books that demand he keep reading by style or story, including literature in translation, novels set outside the U.S., upmarket and literary fiction, narrators looking back on their lives, upmarket romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies, and prose by poets or musicians.
Submit to Alex Reubert through his official QueryManager link. HG Literary asks for electronic submissions only. Unless an agent-specific form asks otherwise, send a query letter and the first five pages in the body of the query, no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Mention referrals in the first line. Query only one HG Literary agent at a time.
Illustrators, children's illustration, educational publishing, religious publishing
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Children's education and religion illustration projects, with a focus on pairing artists with children's publishing clients.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Literary fiction, nonfiction, children's fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample chapter
Sarah represents literary fiction, nonfiction, and children's 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, 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.
Commercial fiction, historical mystery, mystery, romance, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, women's fiction, young adult, children's
Wants: Query letter
Miriam is passionate about commercial fiction with strong voice and narrative drive, representing everything from children's through adult, with special emphasis on fantasy, science fiction, women's fiction, romance, thrillers, and historical mysteries.
Submit through Miriam Kriss's Codex Literary online query form. Codex asks writers to choose only one Codex agent and notes that it cannot represent authors who have worked with one of its agents on Reedsy or work-for-hire projects.
Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, young adult, children's, adult projects, illustration, author-illustrators, fantasy, magical realism, contemporary, romance
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, synopsis, artwork samples, portfolio link
Marissa is open to a wide range of children's book authors, illustrators and author-illustrators, and is especially looking for stories by underrepresented and marginalized creators.
Submit through Marissa Brown's QueryManager form. Query only one Pippin agent at a time.
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.
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.
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.
Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, young adult, children's, adult projects, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, picture book manuscript
Pippin Properties is devoted primarily to picture books, middle grade, graphic novels and young adult novels, while also representing adult projects on occasion.
Email Holly McGhee at ExclusivetoHolly@pippinproperties.com. Holly accepts exclusive queries only and requires six weeks to consider.
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.
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.
Picture books, author-illustrators, early readers, chapter books, heavily illustrated middle grade, novelty books, comics, jewish culture, bipoc voices, lgbtq and
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
Erica represents a selective list of authors and illustrators, especially illustrated books for children. She is interested in author-illustrator picture books, early readers, chapter books, heavily illustrated middle grade, novelty formats, comics, projects focused on Jewish culture and inclusive experience, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ bookmakers, and stories with zany heart and emotional depth.
Email Erica Rand Silverman at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Follow the agency's one-agent-at-a-time rule.
Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. She is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities.
Submit via QueryManager only during the first 15 days of each month. Include query letter, author bio, and sample pages as specified in agency guidelines.
Picture books, middle grade, chapter books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, portfolio link
Middle grade in all genres with children finding their space in their world, especially strong-willed underdogs or quirky, misunderstood, or overlooked children. Picture books that are funny and character-driven, beautifully written, or milestone moments with emotional endings. Commercial action-packed chapter book series for emerging readers.
Query via QueryManager with query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample pages. For picture book texts, must submit 3 completed texts and query only on the 1st day of each month. For illustrators, include portfolio link.
Author-illustrators, picture books, board books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, poetry
Wants: Query letter, portfolio link, picture book dummy, first three pages, bio, comparison titles
Authors and author-illustrators of books for children and teens, including board books, picture books, fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. She does not want adult projects and does very few chapter books or Young Adult projects.
Email the full text for board books or picture books in the body of the message. Author-illustrators should include a link to the dummy and sample illustrated pages, with no attachments. Longer works should include the first three pages, project description, bio information, relevant experience, recent comparison titles, audience notes, and why Mary Cummings may be a fit.
Author-illustrators, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's books
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, portfolio link, art samples, picture book dummy, first 20 pages, graphic novel sample
Author-illustrators who write their own picture books and graphic novels, Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, and Young Adult fiction. LK Literary Agency does not represent adult work, picture book text-only authors, or illustrators who are not yet writing their own work.
Email a cover letter with pitch, synopsis, contact information, and online presence in the body of the message. Novel submissions should paste the first 20 pages into the email. Emailed illustrator portfolios are accepted at 72 dpi, online portfolios are welcome, picture book dummies should be PDF attachments, and graphic novel submissions should include a PDF of two to three illustrated chapters with text.
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