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US Commercial fiction Literary Agents

264 agents · 171 currently open to submissions

Commercial fiction agents in the United States represent everything from book club favourites and beach reads to crossover literary novels with mainstream appeal. The category spans domestic thrillers like Gone Girl, women's fiction exploring family dynamics, workplace novels, and relationship-driven stories that prioritise plot momentum alongside character development. Some agents focus on upmarket commercial fiction that bridges literary and mainstream markets, while others prefer high-concept premises, series potential, or stories with film adaptation possibilities. The boundaries often blur with adjacent categories: romantic elements might push a manuscript toward romance agents, psychological complexity toward literary fiction representatives, or suspense threads toward thriller specialists. Many commercial fiction agents also handle memoir, young adult crossover titles, or genre fiction with commercial sensibilities. Before submitting, examine recent client deals and social media presence to understand whether an agent gravitates toward contemporary settings, historical backdrops, or specific themes like family secrets, second chances, or small-town dynamics.

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Represents

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, cookbooks

Looking for

Robin Straus Agency represents high quality adult fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, and cookbooks.

How to submit

Robin Straus Agency is not accepting new unsolicited submissions at this time according to the official submissions page.

Represents

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, mystery, suspense, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Rebecca Scherer is an agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in women's fiction, crime and mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket or literary-leaning fiction.

How to submit

Rebecca Scherer is presently closed to queries except by referral according to her official JRA contact page.

Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and voices, bipoc voices

Looking for

Monica Odom is founder and agent at Odom Media Management. The agency represents literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and serious nonfiction, with a foundational commitment to underrepresented voices, especially writers who identify as LGBTQ and/or people of color.

How to submit

Odom Media Management is currently closed to unsolicited submissions according to its official submissions page. The page says to check back with Monica Odom's QueryManager page for any updates about whether she is open to queries.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, history, military history, biography, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Michael Congdon is President of Don Congdon Associates. He has represented a variety of commercial and literary fiction as well as nonfiction, including history, military history, biography, and narrative nonfiction.

How to submit

Michael Congdon is no longer taking on new clients and is permanently closed to queries according to the official Don Congdon Associates agents page.

Represents

Commercial fiction, select nonfiction, book club fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction, older young adult, fantasy, contemporary fiction, crime fiction, thrillers, suspense, mystery, romance, psychological horror, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, requested materials

Looking for

Marlene Stringer represents commercial fiction and select nonfiction. Her official wishlist includes book club fiction that straddles the commercial/literary line, historical fiction, contemporary and historical women's fiction, older YA in fantasy and contemporary, crime fiction, all types of thrillers, suspense, all types of mysteries, romance except erotic romance, psychological horror, and magical realism.

How to submit

StringerLit uses QueryManager and accepts queries only through the linked form, but Marlene Stringer's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is closed to catch up on requested manuscripts. When open, use the official QueryManager link only, queries sent otherwise are deleted unread. Submit to only one StringerLit agent at a time and only one manuscript at a time.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, romance, genre fiction, commercial fiction

Looking for

Lori Perkins is the founder of L. Perkins Agency and founding agent at LPA. The official site says she has sold more than 2,000 titles, has had multiple New York Times bestsellers, oversees all aspects of the agency, and currently represents only a few select clients while splitting her time with Riverdale Avenue Books.

How to submit

Lori Perkins is currently closed to all queries according to the official L. Perkins Agency page.

Represents

Adult fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, women's issues, cross-cultural nonfiction, history, humor, quirky nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Liza Dawson specializes in smart, plot-driven bestselling fiction; memorable, confidently written literary fiction; page-turning thrillers with spycraft, foreign intrigue, or unusual careers; mysteries with brainy detectives; literary fiction for book clubs; and breakout historical novels. In nonfiction she is drawn to cross-cultural and women's issues by experts, narrative history, memoirs about escape from closed or repressive societies, and books by journalists and poets making sense of place, race, the environment, Wall Street, Washington, or the South.

How to submit

Liza Dawson is currently closed to queries according to her official profile. Her profile says to send only a query letter in the body of the email to queryliza@lizadawsonassociates.com, and the agency submissions page says to query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy

Looking for

Jessica Felleman represents a range of creators, loves fresh stories about magic, and looks for commercial and literary fiction featuring underserved voices, unforgettable places, and complicated families.

How to submit

Jessica Felleman is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, which says she closed on May 19 after her inbox crossed 800 new queries. Her official agency page says she accepts queries via QueryManager only.

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, fiction, politics, current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Gary Morris has worked on books in many categories, including politics and current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, and literary fiction.

How to submit

Gary Morris is currently not accepting unsolicited queries. The David Black Agency submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Gary Morris is not listed there as open.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026
Represents

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea books, literary fiction, commercial fiction, children's books, illustrated books

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Gillian MacKenzie is not accepting unsolicited submissions. The Gillian MacKenzie Agency submissions page says the agency is currently closed to unsolicited queries.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thriller, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, romance

Looking for

Erin Niumata represents book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, and romance.

How to submit

Erin Niumata's official profile links to QueryManager, but her official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries and will open again before the end of the year.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, literary suspense, thriller, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime, upmarket fiction, crime fiction, literary horror

Looking for

Danya Kukafka is interested in literary fiction with propulsive storylines, literary suspense, sophisticated thrillers, book club fiction, speculative fiction, experimental fiction, true crime attuned to cultural conversations, upmarket fiction, crime fiction with a literary bent, literary horror that plays with form and structure, lightly speculative fiction, expansive literary fiction, dark coming-of-age, and fun sophisticated upmarket fiction.

How to submit

Danya Kukafka is currently closed to queries. Her official Trellis profile links to QueryManager, and the linked QueryManager page states that she is not accepting queries at this time and will be closed through the summer.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fantasy, thriller, romance, commercial fiction

Looking for

Christina Hogrebe represents authors at every stage in their careers and is drawn to fun, escapist stories that also spark lively debate, especially fantasy, thriller, and romance. Her official profile says she would love to champion an author underrepresented in those categories.

How to submit

Christina Hogrebe is not currently accepting unsolicited queries. Jane Rotrosen Agency has general submission guidance for open agents, but Christina's official profile controls her current closed status.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026
Represents

General fiction, women's fiction, suspense, commercial fiction

Looking for

Andrea Cirillo has a strong affinity for female voices and primarily represents writers of general fiction, women's fiction, and suspense, many from debut novels.

How to submit

Andrea Cirillo is no longer accepting unsolicited queries. Jane Rotrosen Agency asks writers to submit to only one JRA agent, but Andrea's official profile states she is not accepting unsolicited queries.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via Form
Represents

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, science, memoir, technology, race, gender, class, disability, multicultural perspectives

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Looking for

Natalie Edwards represents adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and nonfiction. In fiction she is looking for literary fiction that breaks convention, upmarket fiction about subcultures and quirky communities, speculative fiction and magical realism where the strange or supernatural sharpens real-life stakes, grounded historical fiction, untraditional romance, contemporary work led by voice, complex characters, and deep interiority, and book club novels. In nonfiction she likes narrative nonfiction about niche corners of history and science, memoirs with a strong voice and a singular lens, and books that change how readers understand technology, social media, food, sports, medicine, race, gender, class, disability, or multicultural perspectives.

How to submit

Submit to Natalie Edwards through her official QueryManager link. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Natalie's form asks for a query letter, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Last checked 27 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, romantic comedy, paranormal romance, romantasy, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, fantasy, horror, thrillers, nonfiction, own voices, feminist literature

Looking for

Lauren Bieker is a literary agent and vice president at FinePrint. She is looking for commercial and upmarket women's fiction, romance including rom-coms, paranormal, and romantasy, YA and MG novels in most genres, and adult and YA science fiction, fantasy, horror, and thrillers. She primarily wants fiction but will consider nonfiction proposals, and she is looking for own voices stories, feminist and MeToo stories, and work by BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ authors.

How to submit

FinePrint directs authors to check Lauren Bieker's status and submit through her official QueryManager page. The linked QueryManager page currently says Lauren Bieker is not accepting queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

Last checked 26 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Horror, gothic romance, grounded fantasy, thriller, mysteries, commercial fiction, science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction, erotic fiction

Wants: Query letter, 10-20 pages, synopsis

Looking for

She seeks horror across almost all subgenres and age categories, gothic romance, grounded fantasy, thrillers and mysteries with non-cop protagonists, commercial fiction, science fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction featuring BIPOC and queer characters, and adult erotic fiction especially featuring BIPOC and LGBTQIA characters. She particularly welcomes stories by Honduran authors and Latine/x authors from Central America and the Caribbean.

How to submit

All ALA agents use Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time, but if one agent passes, you can submit to up to three agents at ALA. Submit 10-20 polished pages for novels.

Last checked 26 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, literary fiction, poetry, self-help

Looking for

Aemilia Phillips represents fiction and nonfiction, with interests in narrative nonfiction, hybrid memoir, commercial and literary fiction, select poetry, and self-help. She is excited by diverse writing with impactful stories, social justice issues, nonfiction that challenges how readers think, smart cultural critiques, complex characters, commercial projects with literary intelligence, and stories with a touch of magic.

How to submit

Aemilia Phillips is currently closed to queries according to the official Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency submissions page.

Last checked 25 Sept 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, brief bio, title/genre/word count

Looking for

Literary/commercial novels that tackle timely issues and uncomfortable relationship dynamics. High-concept, character-driven novels with one foot in genre. Delightful and emotionally engaging novels that can be read repeatedly. Character-driven thrillers, speculative, science fiction and fantasy that illuminate the world through imagined worlds.

How to submit

Submit through Query Manager with a brief bio including writing credentials, title or genre or word count, query letter, and first ten pages.

Last checked 24 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Women's fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, commercial fiction, horror, mystery, historical romance, poetry, picture books

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, bio, title/genre/word count

Looking for

She seeks stories that surprise and delight with characters readers can't stop thinking about and sharp writing. She wants high-concept, twisty stories with strong voices in women's fiction, thriller, and speculative fiction. She's particularly interested in timely commercial fiction where the personal intersects with world events, stories about female rage and friendships, complex family dynamics, incisive horror with social commentary, and atmospheric mysteries set in close-knit communities.

How to submit

Submit through Query Manager with a brief bio including writing credentials, title or genre or word count, query letter, and first ten pages.

Last checked 24 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, parenting, relationships

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Looking for

Ellen likes women's upmarket and commercial fiction, smart original thrillers and mysteries, sweeping or revisionist historical fiction, witty YA with big topics, narrative nonfiction, and books on parenting and relationships.

How to submit

Ellen Coughtrey is currently closed to queries. The Gernert Company asks writers to email info@thegernertco.com when querying open agents, indicate which agent they are querying, and include a query letter plus a sample chapter if appropriate.

Last checked 18 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Sharon's list includes upmarket fiction of all sorts, from smart, complex women's fiction to unexpected suspense fiction and romance to hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. She also occasionally takes on compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists, experts, or emerging voices with a promising platform.

How to submit

Submit only through Query Manager. Include query letter in the body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, narrative non-fiction, memoir, history, pop culture, children's non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Looking for

Jim is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. He wants to see more children's nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit to Jim McCarthy only via Query Manager at https:// queryManager.com or JimMcCarthy. Include query letter in body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers, horror

Looking for

She is always interested in seeing new women's fiction, romance, historical fiction, thrillers and horror. Nalini maintains a diverse client list and loves to find exciting new voices that utilize elements of different genres to tell their story.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 18 Oct 2026
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, adult fiction, adult nonfiction

Looking for

Sloan Harris is Co-Head of CAA's Books Department and serves on CAA's Board. Official CAA page text identifies him as representing narrative nonfiction, literary and commercial fiction, and memoir.

How to submit

CAA's official US literary agents page says writers should review agent profiles and use the submission button or link on an agent profile if that agent is open. Sloan Harris's static official profile did not expose a public agent-specific submission button or link in this run, so no public submission route is imported.

Last checked 17 Oct 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, credentials, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction and fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult and juvenile work, picture books, and illustration.

How to submit

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Consult the agent's Publishers Marketplace profile for any agent-specific requirements. Do not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, latinx voices, african-american voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Johanna is a senior agent at Writers House. Public profiles describe her as building a list across literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, YA fiction, graphic novels, and picture books, with interest in diverse voices, particularly Latinx and African-American writers.

How to submit

Writers House asks writers to email an individual agent with a query letter, credentials, what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Writers should consult the agent's individual profile for any specific requirements and should not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, commercial fiction

Looking for

Commercial novels with exciting premises and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales and speculative worlds infused with haunting, quietly wondrous magic. Fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature, as well as sharply funny rom-coms and graphic novels for all ages. Fearless storytellers who tackle big ideas and contemporary issues, with a commitment to marginalized authors and stories representing the full spectrum of human experience.

How to submit

Submit your query through Query Manager at the link provided. Erica only accepts submissions through this platform.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Looking for

Nonfiction across investigative journalism, untold histories, fashion and design, social justice, true crime, tech, business, science, philosophy, cities, and pop culture; literary and commercial fiction for adults.

How to submit

Jen only accepts submissions via Query Manager. Writers should submit through her dedicated Query Manager page at https:// queryManager.com or JenMarshall.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

General fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, history, thriller, suspense, popular culture, children's books

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Andrea Barzvi represents general fiction and nonfiction, including commercial fiction, history, thrillers and suspense, popular culture, and children's books.

How to submit

Consult Empire Literary's current submission guidance before querying, no direct public query route was confirmed in this pass.

Last checked 11 Oct 2026
Represents

Women's fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, memoir, self-help nonfiction

Looking for

Fresh voices in women's fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, historical fiction, mystery and suspense, as well as memoir and selected self-help nonfiction

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 11 Oct 2026
Represents

Cozy fantasy, romance, romcoms, dark romance, sports romance, small town romance, commercial book club fiction, romantasy, thrillers, suspense, magical realism

Looking for

Cozy fantasy, all things romance (romcoms, dark romance, sports romance, small town romance), commercial book club fiction, romantasy, thrillers and suspense, and magical realism. Particularly drawn to stories with a strong voice and immersive relationships at their core

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 11 Oct 2026

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