US Commercial fiction Literary Agents

Literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, horror, short stories, cookbooks, cultural issues, food, journalism, lgbtq and issues, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, full proposal

Kima Jones is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, memoir, hybrid texts, commercial fiction, poetry, speculative fiction, science fiction, and horror. Her official QueryManager genre list also includes short stories, cookbooks, cultural and social issues, food, gardening, journalism, LGBTQ+ issues, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, and women's issues.

Submit to Kima Jones through the QueryManager link on Triangle House Literary's official staff page. Her QueryManager asks for a query letter and the first 10 pages, or for nonfiction the full proposal. Do not query Kima if you have queried another Triangle House agent.

Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, visual books, film and television friendly projects

Wants: Query letter, online form

Kerry Sparks represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction and is always looking for books that combine a solid hook, great writing, and an undeniably fresh but relatable voice. Given her film and television background, she often gravitates toward books with a cinematic feel or visual element that could lend itself to film or television adaptation.

Submit to Levine Greenberg Rostan through the official online submission form. Kerry Sparks lists her LGR email on her profile, but the official agency submissions page directs authors to the online form for submissions.

Commercial nonfiction, cookbooks, lifestyle, memoir, pop culture, health, wellness, essay collections, illustrated books, gift books, feminist voices, underrepresented voices, select fiction, young adult, middle grade, poetry, ghostwriting

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample chapter, cover letter, manuscript

Katherine Latshaw is looking for commercial nonfiction including cookbooks, lifestyle, memoir, pop culture, health and wellness, social media-platformed projects, incisive essay collections, illustrated and gift books, feminist and underrepresented voices, select fiction, and seasoned collaborators and ghostwriters. Her official profile also lists nonfiction, cookbook, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, YA, middle grade, poetry, and ghostwriting.

Email submissions directly to klatshaw@foliolit.com. Folio asks writers to review all agents, follow the individual agent page guidelines, submit to one Folio agent at a time, query one project at a time, and prepare a polished completed novel or a complete nonfiction proposal with sample chapter as applicable.

Narrative nonfiction, science, health, memoir, history, politics, self-help, investment, business, women's issues, lgbtq and issues, parenting, humor, craft, cooking, lifestyle, entertainment, commercial fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first several chapters, proposal

Joy Tutela represents narrative nonfiction, science, health, memoir, history, politics, self-help, investment, business, women's and LGBTQ+ issues, parenting, humor, craft, cooking, lifestyle and entertainment, commercial and literary fiction, middle grade, and young adult.

Joy Tutela accepts new queries through the Manuscript Wishlist page linked from her official David Black profile. The David Black submissions page says writers should query only one agent at a time, include a concise query letter, and for nonfiction attach a proposal while fiction queries should include the first several chapters. The agency accepts queries by email submission or via QueryTracker or Manuscript Wishlist only, and does not accept queries by phone, mail, or fax.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, commercial nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Jennifer Chen Tran works with a wide range of authors and artists, including entrepreneurs, journalists, physicians, thought leaders, James Beard nominated chefs, and graphic novelists. Her official profile says she is deeply committed to amplifying voices from persons with disabilities, BIPOC, LGBTQ, underrepresented, marginalized, and neurodiverse communities, and to books with lasting positive social impact that inform, entertain, and inspire.

Submit to Jennifer Chen Tran through the QueryManager form linked from the official Glass Literary submissions page. Glass prefers queries that describe the book concisely, are well-written and typo-free, show an understanding of the marketplace and where the book fits, and, for nonfiction, show why the author is the best person to write the book. If interested, Glass will request the complete manuscript or proposal.

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, women's fiction, young adult, romance, health, wellness, psychology, memoir, current events, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters

Jennifer Weis specializes in high-concept, cleverly plotted book club fiction of all categories and nonfiction with new voices and new angles on perennial subjects. Above all, she is looking for books with a hook, a strong voice, and a powerful plot. The Weis Agency submissions page says it seeks high-concept, intricately plotted fiction of all categories, including psychological and domestic suspense, women's fiction, selected young adult, high-concept thrillers in unusual settings, and romance with a positive conclusion. In nonfiction, the agency wants new voices, fresh angles on provocative subjects, authors with platform, and compelling narratives that read like fiction, including health and wellness, psychology, memoir, current events, and narrative nonfiction of special interest to women.

Submit to Jennifer Weis via email at jweis@theweisagency.com or through the QueryTracker page linked from the official Weis Agency submissions page. Fiction submissions should include a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters attached as a Word document. Nonfiction submissions should include a query letter and proposal with author credentials, detailed outline, and sample chapters attached as a Word document.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction, speculative fiction, horror, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, graphic nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, nature, science, food, travel, pop culture, cultural criticism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, full outline, sample art

Jane Chun is interested in stories centering marginalized communities and prose that is cinematic and atmospheric with good rhythm. In fiction and nonfiction she is drawn to compelling, fresh voices with intimacy, rich inner worlds, and emotional depth. She is interested in literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction across adult, middle grade, and young adult; select nonfiction; and graphic novels or graphic nonfiction. In fiction she is open to contemporary, historical, fantasy, science fiction, speculative, and horror. In nonfiction she is looking for memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, investigative journalism, books about nature, climate and science, and books about food, travel, pop culture, and cultural criticism.

Submit to Jane Chun through her official QueryManager form. If QueryManager is not working, email queryjane@transatlanticagency.com, but do not submit through both methods. For email queries, include the book title, category or genre, word count or estimated page count for graphic work, and author bio. Fiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis, and first ten pages in the body of the email. Nonfiction should include a brief introduction, full outline, and first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. Graphic novels or nonfiction should include a brief introduction, synopsis or outline, and at least five illustrated pages with text, or ten script pages and sample art if five pages are not available.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, family saga, historical fiction, humor, lgbtq and, multicultural fiction, mystery, romance, short stories, suspense, thriller, women's fiction, cultural nonfiction, social issues, entertainment, film, food writing, journalism, memoir, narrative nonfiction, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, true crime

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first ten pages or proposal

Hannah Strouth is looking for literary and upmarket fiction as well as select nonfiction. She gravitates toward nuanced, emotionally deep work, stories about connection and disconnection, what haunts people literally or metaphorically, resilience, dark, edgy, or gritty stories, pop culture, narrative nonfiction, self-help, memoir, books that teach readers to be better humans or see the world through a fresh lens, and diverse voices and experiences.

Submit through Hannah Strouth's official linked QueryManager form. The form asks for author bio, project information, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 10 pages, or for nonfiction, the full book proposal. Greenburger says not to query more than one Greenburger agent at a time.

Narrative nonfiction, journalistic nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, literary fiction, science fiction, speculative fiction, folk tale, poetry

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Sophie is interested in smart narrative and journalistic nonfiction, memoirs from radical new voices, commercial and literary fiction with sci-fi, folk-tale, or speculative elements, and urgent poetry that plays with genre.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate that the query is for Sophie Pugh-Sellers.

Adult literary fiction, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, family sagas, memoir, self-help, young adult, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, brief bio, book description

She responds to voice and character-driven stories that draw her in and give her a new perspective on a world she doesn't know, or make her think more deeply about a world she does know. She seeks books with a heart and writers with wonderful storytelling abilities. She is particularly interested in finding emerging and underrepresented voices, and loves books that focus on diversity and explore the experiences of BIPOC people.

Send an email query to querymiriam@defliterary.com with a brief description of your book, a brief relevant bio, the first chapter pasted in the body of your email, and what you feel the heart of your book is in one or two sentences. Attachments will not be opened.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, biography, journalism, memoir, self-help

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Mason seeks innovative, boundary-pushing literary fiction, engrossing upmarket and commercial fiction, and nonfiction that amplifies traditionally underrepresented voices in publishing. He is particularly interested in working with queer authors and LGBTQIA+ themes.

Send a brief email describing yourself and your project to mason@defliterary.com with the word "QUERY" in the subject line and the first five pages of your manuscript or proposal pasted in the body of an email. Attachments will not be opened unless requested.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, young adult, pop culture, select non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first five pages

She seeks compelling stories with clear concepts, fresh voices and emotional heart that grab readers from the first page. She is especially interested in emerging writers and underrepresented voices, looking to develop long-term relationships.

Email a brief query letter containing information about your book, your bio, and the first five pages in the body of the email. Include the word 'query' and your book title in the subject line.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, chick lit, mystery, suspense, thriller, picture books, middle grade, young adult, memoir, celebrity biography, arts, popular culture, self-help, health, spiritual

Wants: Query letter, first pages, synopsis, bio

She seeks literary fiction with unique voices and commercial fiction including women's fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. For children's books, she wants picture books and character-driven middle grade and Young Adult with distinctive voices. In nonfiction, she represents memoirs, celebrity biographies, books about arts and popular culture, and empowering self-help titles.

For fiction queries, send the first twenty pages in the email body to jenndec@aol.com with a one-paragraph bio and synopsis. For nonfiction, attach the complete proposal as a Word document with a sample chapter, plus bio and synopsis in the email body.

Chick lit, commercial, contemporary, cozy fantasy, cozy romantasy, crime, detective, police, family saga, fantasy, fantasy: magical realism, fantasy: urban, graphic novel, historical, horror, lgbtq and, literary, middle grade, military, espionage, multicultural, mystery, new adult, offbeat, quirky, romance, romantasy, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, young adult

Query Letter, Synopsis, One Paragraph Pitch, Comparable Books, First 10 Pages

Submit through Query Manager. Unsolicited queries sent to his email address will be deleted unread.

Memoir, pop culture, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, romance, cookbook, non-fiction

Voice-driven pop culture writing that brings fresh perspective to contemporary culture, non-fiction histories that recast narratives by centering unexpected or previously unheard voices, and adult commercial fiction featuring diverse casts and original stories, particularly in mystery, thriller, romance, and horror

Submit via Query Manager only. Darga does not represent children's books, political or crime thrillers, fantasy or science fiction, or non-fiction in the self-help, how-to, or business categories.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, nonfiction, business, art, history, politics, sports, popular culture

Wants: Email query

Dan Mandel represents literary and commercial fiction, memoir, and nonfiction about business, art, history, politics, sports, and popular culture.

Email Dan Mandel at querydm@sjga.com. Greenburger asks writers to read each agent page, submit to only one Greenburger agent at a time, and query by email only, if there is no response within 8 weeks, writers may query another Greenburger agent.

Adult fiction, young adult fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, essays, current affairs, pop culture, psychology, nature, science

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Dana Murphy represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for adults and select fiction for teen readers. She wants fiction with heart, humor, specificity, surprise, high-concept hooks, confident voice, rom-coms, book club fiction, literary fiction with form or genre elements, mysteries, thrillers, horror, found family stories, and narrative nonfiction or essay collections about culture, pop culture, criticism, power structures, object histories, big ideas, and deeply researched cultural history.

Submit through Dana Murphy's official QueryManager form linked from Trellis. The form asks writers to review her wishlist and provide author bio, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal. Trellis asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window.

Commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, romantic comedy, young adult, true crime, self-help, business, pop culture, lifestyle, reality television

Wants: Online submission form

Courtney Paganelli enjoys voice-driven commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, heartwarming romantic comedies, relatable adult or YA novels with budding relationships, tough topics, complex family dynamics, paranormal activity or magical realism, atmospheric and creepy stories, whodunits, true crime, millennial-driven self-help, practical business, pop culture, lifestyle, and reality television.

Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan's official online submission form. Courtney Paganelli's official profile lists her direct LGR email, and the official submissions page directs submissions through the agency form.

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, romance, action adventure

Wants: Query letter

Caitlin Blasdell specializes in quality commercial fiction including science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and women's fiction. Liza Dawson's submissions page also lists commercial adult fiction, science fiction/fantasy, romance, mystery, and action/adventure for Caitlin, and her profile says she handles a few select middle grade and YA authors.

Send only a query letter in the body of the email to querycaitlin@lizadawson.com. Liza Dawson Associates asks writers to check each agent profile, use the agent's query email and guidelines, and query only one agent at a time, the agency does not represent screenplays.

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, romantasy, thriller, book club fiction, retellings, memoirs, narrative non-fiction, essay collections

Wants: Query letter

Aurora seeks commercial and upmarket fiction, particularly narratives with romantic or fantastical threads. She loves romance from smart romcoms to romantasy, with favorite tropes including forced proximity and rivals-to-lovers. She's drawn to thrillers like Megan Miranda's work and upmarket fiction with interesting female dynamics and moral dilemmas. For nonfiction, she wants select memoirs, narrative nonfictions, and essay collections on pop culture, modern dating, women's issues, and respectful true crime.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis, and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples unless requested.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essays

Wants: Query letter

Ellen treasures working with brilliant authors of literary fiction and loves to handle well-written popular commercial fiction. She represents memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essayistic work, and the odd quirky book. She enjoys guiding established authors' careers and loves discovering fresh talent and new voices.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples until requested.

Commercial fiction, horror, thriller, suspense, romance, mystery, young adult, non-fiction, true crime, essays

Wants: Query letter

Kristen seeks commercial fiction including horror, thriller/suspense, and romance. She wants horror novels with dark twists, ghosts, and romance, plus young adult slashers. For mysteries/thrillers, she prefers ambiguous endings, contained whodunits, and surprising twists. In romance, she loves second chances, beach settings, and coming-of-age stories, plus crossover romance with fantastical elements. She also accepts respectful true crime and personal essay collections.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. The query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include a manuscript, proposal, or writing samples. Do not send a manuscript or proposal until requested.

Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.

Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, young adult, children's books, biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, popular culture

Wants: Query letter

Thompson Literary is always on the lookout for both commercial and literary fiction, as well as young adult and children's books. Nonfiction is their specialty, with interests including biography, memoir, music, popular science, politics, social justice, adult illustrated, cookbooks, sports, health and wellness, fashion, art, design, and popular culture.

All agents at Thompson Literary Agency are now accepting queries through Query Manager. Please click to view agent bios, which have specific query instructions for each.

Commercial, contemporary, family saga, genre-bending, horror, lgbtq and, literary, multicultural, mystery, offbeat, quirky, short stories, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, cultural, social issues, current affairs, history, journalism, lifestyle, narrative, nature and ecology, politics, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, science and technology, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

She seeks writers driven by curiosity and discovery, whether through formal inventiveness in fiction or rigorous investigative journalism. She is drawn to poets who have turned to prose and writers whose dexterity with language allows them to articulate emotions or sensibilities. She loves moody atmosphere, setting-as-character, and fantastical elements in literary and upmarket fiction, particularly when genre elements explore where language fails us.

Send query letter and 5 sample pages to only one agent with the word QUERY and the title of your project in the subject line, or submit through Query Manager. Do not send attachments, include all materials in the body of the email.

Adult commercial fiction, young women's fiction, contemporary fiction with magic, mystery, thriller, upmarket fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages

Melissa is always interested in developing her adult commercial fiction list, with a particular eye out for vibrant and fun young women's fiction, stories with magic, mysteries and thrillers by authors from underrepresented backgrounds, and upmarket book club fiction.

Review individual agent biographies and submit query addressed to one agent at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the word "query" in subject line. For fiction, include first chapter or first 10 pages pasted into email body. Do not send attachments.

Commercial fiction, nonfiction, education, self-help, business, technology, fantasy, science fiction, art, film, television, true crime, spirituality, religion

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter, author bio

Global Lion says it is accepting submissions for all genres, including commercial fiction and nonfiction, education, self-help, business, technology, fantasy, science fiction, interesting subjects, art, and making-of books on film and television.

Submit through the Global Lion site or query route with full name, preferred email, standard query letter including title, genre, word count and audience, a sample chapter of about 20 pages or chapter synopsis, a short author biography, and links to social media or website URLs if available. Global Lion accepts exclusive submissions only.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, short stories, narrative nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Leigh Feldman Literary is particularly interested in historical fiction, contemporary YA, literary fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction. The agency is not interested in adult or YA paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, romance, thrillers, mysteries or picture books.

Email a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal to query@lfliterary.com.

Adult fiction, young adult, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, family saga, coming-of-age, rom-com, narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, sports, humor, pop culture, business, science, technology, social justice, human rights, feminist issues

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full proposal

JL is reviewing fiction and nonfiction projects: adult and YA contemporary, upmarket and commercial fiction, family stories, coming-of-age, rom-coms, plus prescriptive and narrative nonfiction, memoir, style, fashion, art, culture, mental health, spirituality, self-help, sports, humor, pop culture, business, science, tech, social justice, human rights and feminist issues.

Submit a query letter and first five pages or full nonfiction proposal through the Next Level Lit QueryManager form. Do not query JL by email.

Speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, fairy tale retellings, magical realism, horror, suspense

Dorian is actively building her list in YA and adult fiction, especially speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, reimagined fairy tales, magical realism, unique voices, contemporary novels with mystery, horror, suspense, and innovative storytelling.

QueryManager submissions

Narrative nonfiction, current events, history, journalism, science, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Andy encourages queries for narrative nonfiction, current events and history, journalism, science, literary and commercial fiction, and young adult fiction. He does not want poetry, short stories, adult romance, science fiction and fantasy, adult or teen paranormal, or film scripts.

Email queries to andyrossagency@hotmail.com. Keep the query under half a page, put Query in the email subject line, state the project category in the first sentence, and include a short book description and writing qualifications.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, speculative fiction, literary thrillers, narrative nonfiction, longform journalism, essays, academic crossover

Wants: Query letter, first 20 pages

Fiction that grapples with climate change; ambitious multigenerational novels or family sagas; speculative fiction; literary thrillers; dark or darkly comic domestic fiction. Narrative nonfiction on climate, environment, institutional corruption, big idea books, object histories. Academic writers with narrative sensibilities

Email emma@triangle.house with a query letter and first 20 pages (or full proposal) in the body of an email. Please include QUERY in your subject line

Commercial romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction, young adult fiction, cookbooks, food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, wellness

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In fiction, she is looking for commercial romance, adult and crossover fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction and select young adult fiction. She is drawn to stories that embrace genre conventions from a fun, fresh angle. In non-fiction, she is looking for cookbooks and food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, and wellness, especially when approached from a specific, unique perspective.

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Commercial nonfiction, commercial fiction, health and well-being, psychology or self-help, politics and current affairs, memoir, personal finance, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, women's bookclub fiction

Wants: Query letter

Women's bookclub fiction, Epic juicy generational sagas, Historical mysteries and thrillers, Genre mash-ups, A great triplets thriller, Activist fiction or fiction that illuminates a topical or societal issue in a new way, Experts bringing new ideas that can help people in their everyday lives

Query via QueryTracker only - we do not accept unsolicited proposals or manuscripts

Contemporary romance, thrillers, suspense, ya or na romance, commercial fiction, romantic comedies, fantasy, paranormal romance

Emotionally driven stories and swoony character arcs, contemporary romance, thrillers, suspense, YA/NA romance, commercial fiction, romantic comedies, and fantasy or paranormal romance, but only when the romance leads the way

Check agent's submission page

Mg, ya, graphic novels, contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, book club fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 5-10 pages

Stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. MG, YA, & Graphic Novels. Contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, and book club fiction. Non-fiction submissions and illustrators

Send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. I do not open attachments