PairPi

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.

Refine search
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, ya, illustrated children's books

Looking for

Children's books across all formats, including picture books, middle grade, and young adult, with a particular interest in diverse voices, nonfiction narratives, and illustrated works for young readers

How to submit

Submissions should be directed through the Aevitas Creative Management contact and submissions form. The agency handles queries for Children's, Middle Grade, and Young Adult categories.

Last checked 22 Sept 2026Via Online Form

More US Genres

US Age-Led Searches

Children's Agents in Other Countries

Find the right literary agent

Filter the full directory by genre, country, submission method, and open status, then save agents and track your submissions.

Browse all agents