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.
Children's books, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrated books
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio
Victoria owns Storm Literary Agency and represents authors and illustrators, with a list focused on children's literature across age categories and genres except erotica romance.
Victoria Selvaggio is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, stem, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio
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.
Heather Cashman is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.
Children's books, middle grade, young adult
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.
Sandra Proudman is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page.
Historical fiction, horror, contemporary fiction, fantasy, suspense, thriller, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter
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.
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.
Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, genre fiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, children's literature
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
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.
Dara is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through her official online query form. Do not query two Hill Nadell agents simultaneously.
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
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.
Prentis Literary's official submissions page says submissions are closed and that submissions will be discarded. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.
Children's books, preschool, picture books, novelty, middle grade, young adult, thriller, science fiction, speculative fiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Jamie looks for an intense emotional experience in all categories. She seeks manuscripts that stay with her, whether the sweet pang of an 'Jamie Weiss Chilton love you' picture book or the shock of recognition of an honest window to the tween or teen psyche. For younger age groups, she looks for the hook that will make a book a must-have parenting or educational resource.
Visit agent's bio page, click on QueryManager link, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with work description, previous publishing credentials, short author bio, contact information, and appropriate sample materials based on format.
Picture books, middle grade, non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, author bio
Caryn looks for authentic, kid-appealing stories and art that disrupt the prevailing narrative in some way. She seeks characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book and loves stories that bring a good, cathartic cry, a huge belly laugh, some outrage, some new knowledge, and above all, hope. Social justice has been at the heart of her list since she started agenting.
Select one agent to query via QueryManager link on agent bio page. Submit query letter with work description, publishing credentials, author bio, contact information, and required sample materials based on format.
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
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.
Kate Davids is currently closed to queries according to Arc Literary's contact page.
Graphic novels, children's fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, horror
Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio
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.
Jas Perry is currently closed to queries according to the Looking Glass profile.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's authors, children's artists
Tracey Adams co-founded Adams Literary, a boutique agency dedicated to children's book authors and artists. The official submissions page describes the agency's interests as children's work across every age and genre, from picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction, historical novels, fantasy, books tackling contemporary issues, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books. Picture book submissions are considered only from author-artists.
Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to its official announcement. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.
Children's books
Query Letter, Author Bio, Sample Pages
Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample work. For novels: first 10 pages. For picture books: full text manuscript. For graphic novels: 10-20 sample page spreads or first 10 pages of script. For nonfiction: proposal and 1-3 sample chapters.
Adult general fiction, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, chapter books, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Adult general fiction and debut, women's fiction, especially friendship stories and romance, young adult issue-driven, middle grade friendship stories and mysteries, as well as chapter books (both fiction and nonfiction), narrative nonfiction for adults on topics such as health, pop culture, and memoir.
All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Query should include agent personalization, metadata with title, word count, age range, genre and comp titles, pitch paragraph, and author bio. Include synopsis and first ten pages.
Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, literature in translation
Will Morningstar is listed by Laura Gross Literary Agency as an Affiliate Agent. The official site confirms LGLA represents fiction, nonfiction, first-time writers, and children's/young adult and in-translation titles, but the Will Morningstar profile itself was JavaScript-blocked in static extraction and did not expose a detailed current wishlist in this run.
The official LGLA submissions page currently says Lauren Scovel accepts queries through QueryManager and Laura Gross is not open, and asks writers not to query by email or US mail. It does not expose a current Will Morningstar query route, so Will Morningstar should be treated as closed to unsolicited queries until the official site publishes one.
Children's books, young adult, picture books, middle grade, illustrated books
Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries
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.
Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Rosemary Stimola is not currently accepting new submissions.
Board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary, narrative non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She loves highly commercial Board Books, quirky and clever picture books, rich narrative nonfiction, commercial chapter books, and contemporary or genre-bent Young Adult. She's always seeking stories that center neurodiverse, disabled, and LGBTQ+ characters.
All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Query should include agent personalization, metadata with title or word count or age range or genre or comp titles, pitch, and author bio. Include synopsis and first ten pages.
SBR Media
Children's, chick lit, contemporary romance, new adult romance, psychological thriller
Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries
Katie is listed for children's, chick lit, contemporary romance, new adult, and psychological thriller.
Katie Monson is currently closed to submissions.
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
Trodayne Northern is Co-President and Lead Agent at Prentis Literary. The official about page says his passion is good storytelling, that science fiction and fantasy are his first love, and that his genre interests are wide-ranging. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers representation of traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists agency interest areas including 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.
Prentis Literary's official submissions page says submissions are closed and that submissions will be discarded. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, graphic novels, illustrators, adult genre fiction, pop culture, contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, novels in verse, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction
Jordan Hamessley represents diverse children's fiction from picture books through young adult, select adult genre and pop culture writers, graphic novelists, and illustrators. She is looking for stories that bring queer experience to the children's space across all age ranges. For picture books she is only looking for author-illustrators. In middle grade and young adult, she likes contemporary stories with heart and humor, queer joy, cozy or romantic fantasy, horror with ghosts, creepy forests, haunted houses, and murder, children's projects about space exploration, novels in verse, and graphic novel illustrators. In nonfiction, she is primarily looking for middle grade and YA STEM, space, math and science made fun, and underrepresented history including queer history.
Jordan Hamessley is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, even though the JABberwocky agents page still labels her open. When open, submit through her QueryManager page and query only one JABberwocky agent at a time.
Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, humor, inclusive stories, animals
Nancy Gallt is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She seeks stories that make people laugh and think, that reflect inclusiveness and support the well-being of young people, and that bring something special to a child's reading experience. She has a particular soft spot for books featuring animals.
Nancy Gallt 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.
Fuse Literary
Picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, children's fiction
Karly Dizon is an agent at Fuse Literary building KidLit universes with stories that matter. She is aggressively building her client list to boost marginalized voices, experiences, history, culture, folklore, and mythology. She loves children's fiction from contemporary to fantastical adventures, grand adventures, imperfect characters, and especially a strong voice that hooks the reader within the first page.
Karly Dizon is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page. When open, submissions go through her QueryManager link on the official Fuse profile. Unsolicited submissions sent to her conference, press, or rights email or through social media will be deleted unread.
Children's books, adult books
Linda Camacho is Senior Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. The official team and submissions pages say she has held foreign-rights, editorial, marketing, and operations roles at major publishers and Writers House, received an MFA from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and continues to work with colleagues and clients in both children's and adult categories.
Linda Camacho is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. GZLA asks writers to query only one agent at a time and says that if an agent passes, the writer may query another.
Fiction, speculative fiction, memoir, children's nonfiction, diverse voices
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first twenty pages
Leslie Varney is Co-President and Agent at Prentis Literary, a second-generation literary agency focused on high-quality fiction, speculative and otherwise, with rare forays into memoir. The agency centers traditionally marginalized groups who face barriers in publishing and remains open and receptive to all authors.
Prentis Literary submissions are currently closed. The official submissions page says submissions sent through the contact form will be discarded.
Adams Literary
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, children's illustration
Josh Adams runs Adams Literary with Tracey Adams and is a literary agent with editorial and business backgrounds. Adams Literary is exclusively dedicated to children's book authors and artists, with client work spanning picture books, middle grade, and young adult, including historical novels, fantasy, contemporary issue books, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books.
Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to the official announcement page.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, authors, author-illustrators
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.
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.
Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea books, literary fiction, commercial fiction, children's books, illustrated books
Gillian MacKenzie represents journalists, experts, academics, literary writers, nonfiction, select fiction, children's titles, and illustrated books. She is particularly drawn to cross-disciplinary explorations, narrative nonfiction, and big-idea books that offer a new lens onto the world.
Gillian MacKenzie is not accepting unsolicited submissions. The Gillian MacKenzie Agency submissions page says the agency is currently closed to unsolicited queries.
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
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.
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.
Picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, illustrated books
Elizabeth Bennett represents a balanced list of picture book, graphic novel, middle grade, and YA authors and illustrators. She loves books that pull at the heart strings, make her laugh, make her think, make her smile, and make even a reluctant reader want to read.
Elizabeth Bennett is accepting submissions by referral only and will not respond to unsolicited submissions.
Women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, romantic comedy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, humor, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Courtney represents women's fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance and rom-coms, horror, science fiction and fantasy, YA novels, humor, and nonfiction. Her list emphasizes work from underrepresented voices.
Check Handspun submission status and submit through the agency query system when open. Query each project once with the agency.
Illustration, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, science fiction, horror
Chelsea Hensley represents work across ages and genres, including illustration, picture books, middle grade, YA, adult fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, thrillers, romcoms, science fiction, horror, and BIPOC creators. Her official profile highlights lyrical prose, voice, intricate plots, complex emotional arcs, immersive worlds, bold formal or genre-blending work, smart mysteries and thrillers, arresting horror, fresh fantasy and sci-fi, and author-illustrator picture books.
Chelsea Hensley is currently closed to queries. Her official Mad Woman profile links to QueryManager, and the linked form states that she is not accepting queries while focusing on existing clients and clearing her inbox.
Children's books, fiction, nonfiction
See source page for more info
Marcia is not open to submissions at this time
Children's books, young adult, illustrated books, graphic novels
Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries
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.
Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Adriana Stimola is currently closed to submissions.
Fiction, nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels, picture books, pop culture, music, comedy, science, journalism, history, health, wellness, lgbtq and
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Allison represents fiction and nonfiction for all ages, with interests including YA, middle grade, graphic novels, select picture books, pop culture, music, comedy, science, journalism, history, and health and wellness. Her submissions page says she is not currently looking for picture books or illustrators.
Stimola Literary Studio says Allison Hellegers is closed to unsolicited submissions and is only open to queries from industry professionals, existing clients, and authors who attended a conference or seminar where she was on staff. Referral or conference authors may email the spelled-out SLS address with query materials.
Children's books, adult fiction, picture books
Query Letter, First Five Pages
Send a query letter and the first five pages of your manuscript within the email with no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript.
Contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, lgbtq, fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, pop culture, memoir, humor, creativity, craft, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter
She is primarily interested in fiction for adults, young adults and middle grade readers in contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction set in the 20th Century, LGBTQ issues, fantasy, magical realism, and science fiction. In non-fiction, she represents books by authors with demonstrable platforms in pop-culture, memoir, humor, creativity, and craft. She is also interested in graphic novels and memoirs for all ages.
Submit query via QueryManager only. No snail mail submissions will be considered.
Fiction, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, historical fantasy, magical realism, psychological horror, literary fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She is currently only open to graphic novel proposals. She seeks explorations of love, friendship, or familial bonds against fantastic backdrops, obscure retold fairy tales, women and girls in STEM, quirky middle grade, modernized mythologies, psychological horror/thrillers with speculative elements, literary and near-future science fiction, historical fantasy, magical realism, and internally consistent epic fantasy.
All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time. Include polished query letter, bio, and follow manuscript guidelines: novels submit 10-20 pages, graphic novels submit proposal with 10-20 sample pages and 2-4 full colored pages.
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