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US Children's Literary Agents

259 agents · 146 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

General fiction, mystery, romance, suspense, thriller, fantasy, science fiction, juvenile fiction, business, finance, mind body spirit, lifestyle, cookbooks, african-american

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Felice and ArtHouse Literary represent a diverse and eclectic list, with particular interest in new voices, diverse perspectives, general fiction, mystery, romance, suspense/thriller, speculative fiction, juvenile fiction, business/finance, mind/body/spirit, lifestyle, cookbooks, and African-American work.

How to submit

Submit through the ArtHouse Literary QueryManager form listed on Felice Laverne's Publishers Marketplace profile.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Health, parenting, southern history, african-american interest, business, motivation, romance, young adult, children's, middle grade, christian living

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

Rom-com, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, health and wellness, advice and relationship, and true crime

How to submit

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Last checked 19 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's books, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, genre fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, romance, mysteries, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, full manuscript, illustration samples for children's books

Looking for

Clever voices and unreliable narrators, stories told from diverse perspectives, rich world building, strong character dynamics, and firsts—first love, first heartbreak, first loss, first divorce, etc. Novels featuring smart, strong, funny, and fierce women

How to submit

Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses

Last checked 16 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's books, middle grade, young adult

Looking for

Sandra Proudman is listed by Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency as a team member/agent. The official submissions page did not expose a detailed current Sandra-specific wishlist in this run because she is currently closed to queries.

How to submit

Sandra Proudman is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page.

Last checked 10 Jul 2026
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Alexandra Levick is growing picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult lists. She is interested in author-illustrated picture books and illustration portfolios, spooky or strange middle grade, YA across contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, and adjacent genres, and adult speculative, genre-bent, upmarket, literary, romance, horror, and fantasy work. She likes distinctive voice, strong themes, transportive stories, complex characters, layered narratives, intersectional feminist work, humor in dark stories, atmospheric YA horror, socially conscious horror, non-Western or diaspora folklore, dark futures with hope, ocean stories, rural stories, confined settings, and romances that stop her in her tracks.

How to submit

Alexandra Levick is currently closed to unsolicited queries. When open, she asks writers to query only one Writers House agent at a time and to send a personalized query letter plus the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email with no attachments through QueryManager, or by accommodation email only if needed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, board books, middle grade, christian fiction, memoir, suspense, mystery

Looking for

Andrea represents children's and adult books. Her listed favorite children's books are picture books, board books, and middle-grade fiction; her favorite adult books are Christian fiction, memoirs, suspense, and mystery.

How to submit

Inscriptions is currently closed for submissions. The official site says not to email manuscript submissions and to follow the site submission guidelines when open.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, memoir, graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult

Wants: Personalized pitch letter, first five pages

Looking for

Anjali Singh focuses on literary fiction and memoir and represents graphic novel writers and illustrators across all age ranges.

How to submit

Anjali Singh is currently closed to queries except by referral. For permitted referral queries, send a personalized pitch letter with the first five pages of the manuscript in the body of the email and the project title in the subject line to queries@anjalisinghagency.com. She will likely respond only if interested.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, poc fiction, intersectional fiction, young adult, middle grade, women's fiction, suspense, thriller, romance, lgbtq and fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, memoir

Looking for

Autumn Frisse is listed by Prentis Literary under Acquisition and is described as the agency gatekeeper who gives submissions a thorough look-through and can pass suitable work on for consideration. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists fantasy/science fiction, POC and intersectional fiction, young adult and middle reader, women's fiction, suspense/thriller, romance, LGBTQ+ fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, and limited memoir.

How to submit

Prentis Literary's official submissions page says submissions are closed and that submissions will be discarded. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Children's books, middle grade, young adult, adult nonfiction, adult books

Wants: Closed to queries

Looking for

Carrie Hannigan is a partner and literary agent at HG Literary. She specializes in children's books and represents a select, limited list of adult books. Her profile highlights children's, YA fantasy, and select adult nonfiction clients.

How to submit

Carrie Hannigan is closed to queries. HG Literary's official profile and submissions page both state that Carrie is closed to queries.

Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, genre fiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, children's literature

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Dara represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including literary and genre fiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, and children's literature. She is drawn to social issues, historically under-represented voices, found and chosen family, crossover appeal, high concepts, clever premises, and strong character development.

How to submit

Dara is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through her official online query form. Do not query two Hill Nadell agents simultaneously.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Latinx authors, spanish-language market, diverse authors

Looking for

Gaby Cabezut is Director of Foreign Rights and Agent at The Seymour Agency and a bilingual literary agent. The official page says she has an extensive background in digital publishing and tech, is passionate about diversity, uplifts Latinx authors through The Seymour Agency Mexico, and currently represents authors in LATAM for the Spanish market.

How to submit

Gaby Cabezut is currently closed to submissions according to the official Seymour Agency about page.

Represents

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

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Flannery Literary represents authors writing books for children and young adults, looking for strong writing, unique viewpoints, memorable stories, intriguing characters and thought-provoking dilemmas for young readers.

How to submit

Flannery Literary is currently not accepting queries.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, middle grade, children's, author-illustrators, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Julie considers fiction and nonfiction projects for children ages 0-12, including authors and author-illustrators of picture books, chapter books, graphic novels and middle grade. She wants kid-forward work with charm, strong writing, unexpected twists, empowerment, real kid life, nature, global perspectives and inclusive approaches.

How to submit

Julie accepts queries exclusively through QueryManager when open. She is currently closed to unsolicited queries, emailed or snail-mail queries will not receive a reply.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Historical fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, fantasy, suspense, thriller, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Kaitlyn is interested in historical fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, fantasy, suspense/thriller, and graphic novels across age groups, with emphasis on non-mainstream history, psychological or haunting horror, LGBTQ+ storylines, mental health angles, MG/YA and crossover fantasy, and commercial MG graphic novels.

How to submit

Kaitlyn is closed to queries. When open, submit through her official QueryManager route. Belcastro asks writers to read each agent's wishlist and submit to one agent at a time.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's fiction, adult fiction, select nonfiction, picture books

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first five pages, picture book text

Looking for

Leslie focuses on under-represented voices, especially work centering disability, poverty, women, neurodivergence, Judaism, Islam, and non-Western religions. She seeks books with a strong commercial premise, distinct prose, and multiple layers of meaning.

How to submit

Leslie accepts submissions only via QueryManager. Her usual process is to open to unsolicited queries for the first full week of each month, but the current form says she is closed until the new year. Required materials are a query letter, short bio, and first five pages, or complete picture book text or dummy.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, illustrated novels, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's, adult crossover, author-illustrators

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Lori considers fiction and nonfiction projects from picture books to New Adult/adult crossover books, plus author-illustrators creating picture books, illustrated novels and graphic novels. She is drawn to character-driven stories with accessible, authentic and unforgettable voices.

How to submit

Lori accepts queries solely through QueryManager when open. She is currently closed to unsolicited queries, emailed or snail-mail queries will not receive a reply.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Kidlit, picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, illustrators, author-illustrators

Looking for

Rosa Frazier is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. Her official Seymour profile says kidlit is her passion, with emphasis on picture books, middle grade, YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creatives, and encourages Caribbean and South American stories, folklore, and mythologies with representation of second languages and dialects. Illustrators and author-illustrators are also welcome when she is open to them.

How to submit

Rosa Frazier is currently closed to queries according to her official Seymour Agency profile and linked QueryManager status. Do not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction

Looking for

Beth Phelan is a Senior Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She represents middle grade and young adult fiction and nonfiction. She gravitates toward stories and characters that inspire, anything with humor and the bittersweet, powerful and unique storytelling, offbeat contemporary fiction, immersive fantasy, and profoundly resonant voices.

How to submit

Beth Phelan is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. GZLA asks writers to query only one GZLA agent at a time and to choose another agent only if the first passes.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices

Looking for

Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.

How to submit

Marietta B. Zacker is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. When GZLA agents are open, the agency asks writers to choose one person to query, query only one GZLA agent at a time, and use the agent link on the submissions page.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, authors, author-illustrators

Looking for

Eden Street represents more than 40 authors and author-illustrators of books for young readers from preschool through young adult. The official site does not expose a separate Liza Pulitzer Voges profile page, but the agency page confirms Eden Street's focus and client list.

How to submit

Eden Street is not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts according to the official submissions-guidelines page. The home page says the agency is full and unable to take on additional clients, except that it may be open to submissions at conferences.

Represents

Children's books, young adult, illustrated books, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Adriana is president and a literary agent at Stimola Literary Studio. Her profile emphasizes helping stories into being and building creative relationships across words and images.

How to submit

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Adriana Stimola is currently closed to submissions.

Represents

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

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Looking for

Essie White is founder/literary agent at Storm Literary Agency, a boutique agency focused on quality literature from authors and illustrators, especially children's books.

How to submit

Essie White is closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official submission guidance.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, stem, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio

Looking for

Heather considers picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction. Her interests include books that explore currently untapped spaces, STEM picture books, layered MG/YA nonfiction, and stories that inspire readers to seize opportunities in their own lives.

How to submit

Heather Cashman is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.

Represents

Graphic novels, children's fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, horror

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Looking for

Jas represents authors and illustrators of graphic novels across all ages, plus select children's prose fiction, and is genre agnostic with a special fondness for unsettling, horrifying, and absurd stories.

How to submit

Jas Perry is currently closed to queries according to the Looking Glass profile.

Represents

Practical nonfiction, cooking, personal finance, business, pets, animals, gardening, mental health, new age, history, science fiction, fantasy, children's books, bilingual books

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, proposal

Looking for

Kate is interested in practical nonfiction, including cooking, personal finance, business, pets and animals, gardening, mental health, and new age, plus history books about subcultures. In fiction she likes science fiction and fantasy with action, worldbuilding, and real-world cultures or histories. For children's books she likes titles that help parents and children explore the world together, including bilingual, travel, and multicultural books.

How to submit

Kate Davids is currently closed to queries according to Arc Literary's contact page.

Represents

Serious nonfiction, journalism, history, business, upmarket fiction, children's books

Looking for

Laura Dail is focused on representing serious nonfiction by journalists, historians, and business leaders, upmarket fiction, and select children's books. She is always seeking fresh, diverse voices and innovative partners.

How to submit

Laura Dail is currently closed to submissions according to the official LDLA submissions page, so there is no open submission route for her at this time.

Represents

Fiction, nonfiction

Looking for

Nicole Resciniti is President of The Seymour Agency. The official page says she loves discovering new talent and helping established authors take their careers to the next level, but does not expose a detailed current wishlist because she is closed to submissions.

How to submit

Nicole Resciniti is currently closed to submissions according to the official Seymour Agency about page.

Represents

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

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Rosemary is founder and CEO of Stimola Literary Studio. Her career is centered on books for children and young adults, and her current client list includes major children's and YA authors and illustrators.

How to submit

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Rosemary Stimola is not currently accepting new submissions.

Represents

Children's fiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, adult nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, literary fiction, romantic comedy, author-illustrated graphic novels

Looking for

Sara Crowe is founder of Sara Crowe Literary. She has 25 years of publishing experience and 20 years representing clients. She represents a diverse group of children's and adult fiction and nonfiction, from picture books to graphic novels to literary fiction and adult romantic comedies. Her official submissions page says she is looking for author-illustrated graphic novels, middle grade and YA fiction, children's and adult nonfiction, and adult fiction, specifically romantic comedies and literary fiction, with special interest in underrepresented voices.

How to submit

Sara Crowe is currently closed to queries according to the official Sara Crowe Literary submissions page.

Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, film rights, subsidiary rights

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Stephanie is president, senior agent, and subsidiary rights manager at Metamorphosis. Her profile says she represents fiction from children's to adult books and nonfiction projects with heart, but the submissions page says she is currently focused on running the company, legacy clients, and film subsidiary rights efforts.

How to submit

Metamorphosis says Stephanie Hansen is not open to queries at this time.

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