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US History Literary Agents

311 agents · 194 currently open to submissions

Historical fiction spans everything from meticulously researched literary novels like Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall to commercial sagas, biographical fiction, and genre-blending works that incorporate romance or mystery elements. The 105+ agents representing history work across vastly different approaches: some focus on specific eras like World War II or the American Civil War, while others seek fresh perspectives on underexplored periods or marginalised voices from the past. Many agents distinguish between literary historical fiction that prioritises prose and character development, commercial historical fiction with broader market appeal, and historical romance or historical mystery that blend genre conventions. Young adult historical fiction has carved out its own space, often focusing on coming-of-age stories set during pivotal moments like the Holocaust or the Civil Rights Movement. Before submitting, research each agent's recent deals and client announcements to understand whether they prefer intimate character studies, sweeping multi-generational sagas, or historically-grounded genre fiction, as submission guidelines often reflect these preferences.

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Represents

Narrative nonfiction, history, biography, politics, current affairs, foreign affairs, memoir, food, health, adventure, environment, travel, historical fiction

Wants: Query letter, first three pages

Looking for

Deborah is interested in narrative nonfiction in history, biography, politics, current and foreign affairs, memoir, food, health, adventure, the environment and travel, especially academic writers ready to move to more popular writing. For fiction, she is interested in great storytelling, especially in a historical context.

How to submit

Email queries only, with no attachments. For fiction, paste the first three pages into the email. For nonfiction, include evidence of a full-length book idea, author credentials, and market.

Last checked 16 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Young adult, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters, full proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

Laura represents YA, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction with speculative elements, and select contemporary and historical fiction. She is aggressively looking in adult horror, mystery, and thriller, and is interested in genre-crossing work.

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager. Follow standard query-letter format, query one Headwater agent at a time, and do not email queries.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, technology, history, world affairs, foreign policy

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first three chapters, book proposal

Looking for

Warren focuses primarily on fiction, with particular nonfiction interests in technology, history, world affairs, and foreign policy.

How to submit

Email a brief query letter directly to frazier@jhalit.com, or send a general query to jha@jhalit.com. Include genre, summary or synopsis, word count, and writing background. Fiction should include the first three chapters or opening chapter as one Word attachment, nonfiction should include a proposal as one Word attachment.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, biography, memoir, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel, health, medicine, science, multicultural

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author bio

Looking for

BJ Robbins represents quality fiction, both literary and commercial, and general nonfiction, with particular interest in memoir, biography, narrative history, pop culture, sports, travel and adventure, medicine and health. The agency is especially looking for literary/commercial crossovers with book-club potential, smart speculative fiction, and multicultural stories.

How to submit

Email BJ Robbins with a succinct description of the work, relevant bio information, and the first ten pages in the body of the email. Do not send attachments unless requested.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, book club fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal, sample chapters, bio, publishing history

Looking for

Amy Tannenbaum represents women's fiction, historical fiction, grounded speculative fiction, contemporary romance, thriller, psychological suspense, fiction in the sweet spot between literary and commercial, and works by marginalized voices.

How to submit

Send queries for Amy Tannenbaum to atannenbaum@janerotrosen.com. Include all material in the body of the email with no attachments. Jane Rotrosen Agency asks writers to query one agent at the agency and include a concise description, relevant bio, publishing history, and for fiction a synopsis and first three chapters or for nonfiction a proposal and sample chapters.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Thriller, literary fiction, serious nonfiction, science, history, public policy, medicine, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first three chapters, book proposal

Looking for

Anne has an eclectic list ranging from thrillers to literary fiction to serious nonfiction, with particular interests in science, history, public policy, medicine, and women's issues.

How to submit

Email a brief query letter directly to ahawkins@jhalit.com, or send a general query to jha@jhalit.com. Include genre, summary or synopsis, word count, and writing background. Fiction should include the first three chapters or opening chapter as one Word attachment, nonfiction should include a proposal as one Word attachment.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Practical nonfiction, business, health, wellness, mind body spirit, psychology, parenting, technology, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, pop culture, current affairs, women's interest, social trends, sports, fitness, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, suspense, thriller

Wants: Query letter, author bio

Looking for

Dana is interested in practical nonfiction by authors with smart, unique perspectives and established platforms, compelling narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, pop culture, current affairs, women's interest, social trends, sports and fitness, plus select literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and suspense/thriller.

How to submit

Email dananewmanliterary@gmail.com with QUERY and the title in the subject line. Send a one-page query letter in the body of the email with category, title, word count, project overview, credentials, publishing history, contact details, and disclosure of simultaneous submissions. Do not send attachments.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, food writing, journalism

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, author bio

Looking for

Kate is particularly interested in literary and upmarket fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction that contributes to conversations that move society forward, with strong narrative voices and clear confidence of intention.

How to submit

Submit through Kate Garrick's QueryManager form. Submit to only one SLM agent at a time, no response within 12 weeks means pass.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, true crime, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten to fifteen pages, proposal

Looking for

Alison Lewis represents nonfiction across cultural criticism, history, investigative journalism, popular science, social science, literary true crime, and select literary fiction. She is drawn to distinctive voice and perspective, excellent prose, social or political imagination, vivid narratives, hidden or forgotten worlds, and writers challenging entrenched power.

How to submit

Submit to only one Frances Goldin Literary Agency agent at a time. Alison Lewis is not accepting unsolicited queries for fiction and memoir. For other nonfiction, send a query to atl@goldinlit.com. For fiction, memoir, essays, or narrative nonfiction the agency asks for a query letter and first 10-15 pages in the body of the email, for other nonfiction send a query letter and attach a prepared proposal if available.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business, technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, thriller, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, opening pages

Looking for

Peter specializes in high-quality fiction and nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, popular science, spirituality, history, biography, pop culture, business and technology, parenting, health, self-help, music, food, literate thrillers, crime fiction, science fiction, fantasy, military fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, and some boy-oriented young adult.

How to submit

Query Peter through the QueryTracker link on his FinePrint profile. FinePrint asks writers not to submit to more than one FinePrint agent at a time and to follow the selected agent's preferred submission method.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, sports

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Peter represents commercial and literary fiction, science fiction and fantasy, young adult, narrative nonfiction, business, self-development, history, true crime, pop culture, humor, and sports.

How to submit

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Peter Steinberg where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

Last checked 13 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, nonfiction, science writing, memoir, history, cultural criticism, journalism

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Sarah represents literary and upmarket fiction and a wide range of nonfiction, including science writing, literary memoir, revisionist history, cultural criticism, and urgent journalism.

How to submit

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Sarah Fuentes where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

Last checked 12 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime, thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, irish literature, british writers, european writers

Wants: Query letter, first fifteen pages, proposal

Looking for

Gráinne is looking for literary and commercial fiction, literary suspense, crime and thriller with a distinctive often feminist lens, intergenerational family stories, speculative and uncanny fiction, grounded science fiction, smart narrative nonfiction, social history, human behaviour, debut American voices, Irish literature, and British and European writers with US or international appeal.

How to submit

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query form and select Gráinne Fox where available. UTA requires the first 15 pages of any manuscript or book proposal and asks writers not to query multiple UTA literary agents.

Last checked 12 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, genre fiction, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, psychology, history, science, art, business books, biography, memoir

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample

Looking for

She looks for commercial fiction and is interested in brilliant novels, fun beach reads, gripping nonfiction narratives, inspirational memoirs or biographies, and instructional self-help titles.

How to submit

Send query letter via email with full query in body of email, not as attachment. Include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in the body of the email below the query letter.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Historical fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

He represents historical fiction, women's fiction, science fiction and fantasy, and nonfiction of all stripes.

How to submit

Fiction submissions should include a cover letter listing previously published work, a one-page summary and the first five pages in the body of the email. Nonfiction submissions should query first, and when a proposal is requested, include an author biography, overview, chapter-by-chapter summary, marketing and publicity plan, analysis of competitive titles, and sample chapters or text.

Last checked 18 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Young adult, adult genre fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, horror, genre crossovers, queer fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, romance, romantic comedy, nerd culture, queer history

Wants: Query letter, first three chapters

Looking for

Rebecca Podos is Senior Agent at Neighborhood Literary. She is looking for young adult and adult genre fiction, with select nonfiction projects considered. Current fiction interests include character-driven fantasy rooted in folklore and culture, horror as a vehicle for otherness, identity, and trauma, fresh genre crossovers such as cozy science fiction and horror romance, queer contemporary and historical fiction, and romance or rom-com with a strong commercial hook and upmarket prose. In nonfiction she is interested in deep dives into nerdy topics such as TTRPGs, cosplay, and fandoms; strong narrative voice paired with expertise; and kid lit centering queer history.

How to submit

Rebecca Podos accepts queries only through QueryManager, but her official linked QueryManager page currently says she is closed to queries while working through her inbox. The Neighborhood submissions page says to include a query letter and the first three chapters when she is open.

Last checked 17 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, gothic fiction, narrative nonfiction, travel, health and wellness, ecology, nature, cultural criticism, indigenous voices, first nations voices, bipoc voices, queer voices, translation

Looking for

Maggie Sadler primarily seeks adult literary and upmarket fiction with distinct character voices, lyrical prose, and propulsive plots. She likes work that challenges or deconstructs genre, craft, or structural conventions; grounded magical elements; folklore and fairy-tale retellings, especially non-Western; unusual concepts; unreliable narrators; liminal spaces; atmospheric magical realism; gothic work outside the Deep South; historical fiction foregrounding marginalized perspectives; adult narratives in translation; and adult narrative nonfiction on travel, health and wellness, ecology and nature, and cultural criticism. She welcomes debut Indigenous, First Nations, BIPOC, and queer storytellers.

How to submit

Howland Literary uses QueryManager for submissions, but Maggie Sadler's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries during a short medical break.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, romance, retellings, beach reads, family drama, amish romance, clean fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, domestic suspense, history, biography, science, sports, memoir

Looking for

Lindsay Guzzardo is founder of Keystone Literary Agency and a literary agent for adult fiction and nonfiction. She is drawn to high-concept, commercial premises with clear, marketable hooks and strong voices. Her fiction tastes include classic retellings, beach reads, family dynamics, mother-daughter and sister relationships, Amish romance and fiction, wholesome clean fiction and romance, cozy small-town romance and fiction, rich historical fiction, fiction featuring historical figures, European-set fiction, dark psychological and domestic suspense, and past/present family dramas. She welcomes nonfiction proposals from journalists and experts in history, biography, science, sports, narrative nonfiction, and memoir with a strong platform.

How to submit

Submit through Lindsay Guzzardo's official QueryManager form during the first week of the month. The linked QueryManager page was checked on 2026-05-25 and says she is not accepting queries at this time because she opens during the first week of the month.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
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.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, business books, literary fiction, memoir, history, political nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Looking for

The Carr Agency represents bestselling writers of narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, business books, and literary fiction, with Parse continuing the agency model around editorial support, concept development, brand management, book deals, podcasts, newsletters, speaking, workshops, film, and television opportunities.

How to submit

The Carr Agency or Parse states it is closed to submissions. For non-submission inquiries, write to info at parseagency dot com.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Speculative fiction, cosmic horror, graphic novels, dark fantasy, epic fantasy, science fiction, dark academia, historical fiction, adult fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, synopsis

Looking for

Toni is interested in speculative fiction, cosmic horror, graphic novels, dark fantasy, epic fantasy, science fiction, dark academia, historical fiction, adult projects, select YA, lyrical prose, complex philosophical themes, anticolonial stories, and non-western mythological or historical inspirations.

How to submit

Toni V. Sluytman is currently closed to submissions according to the QueryManager route linked from the Looking Glass profile.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, progressive fiction, popular history

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Jennie is particularly associated with fun, innovative, diverse, and progressive adult science fiction and fantasy, with additional background in history and popular-history nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Jennie Goloboy's agency or query route when open. Follow the agency rule to query one DMLA agent at a time.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, romance, contemporary fiction, design, cooking, fashion

Looking for

Whitney Ross is an agent at High Line Literary Collective. She represents middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction across genres, with emphasis on historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy, romance, and contemporary fiction. She is also open to nonfiction in design, cooking, and fashion. She likes novels set in unusual time periods and locations, with or without fantastical elements; trickster-king motifs; subtle romances; tropes turned upside down; unusual takes on old favorites; compelling characters; and emotionally involving plotlines.

How to submit

Whitney Ross is currently closed to queries according to her official High Line profile and the official High Line submissions page.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026
Represents

Young adult, adult fiction, mystery, psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, romance, fantasy, historical fiction, women's fiction, marginalized voices

Looking for

Lesley Sabga is Media Rights Manager and Agent at The Seymour Agency. She loves intricate and vivid world-building, character-driven plots with commercial pacing, dark and twisty suspense or thrillers featuring strong female protagonists, mysteries with large casts where the pieces slowly fall into place, big sweeping love stories, voice-driven fiction for millennial women, and marginalized authors.

How to submit

Lesley Sabga is not open to general queries at this time. The official Seymour submissions page says she is accepting queries by referral only, and the official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, history, politics, current affairs, business, science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, sample pages

Looking for

Sandra looks for writers with something significant to say, who know how to say it in a distinctive and compelling way, and whose books help to make this a better world. She champions quality fiction and nonfiction that makes a difference in the world, and which have a lasting impact.

How to submit

Only open to queries which are solicited or come via referral. At this time, she is taking on new clients infrequently. Use QueryMe.Online or DijkstraCapron.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Adult fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, business books, diverse voices

Looking for

Lisa Abellera represents adult literary, upmarket/book club, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, suspense, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, and crossover speculative fiction. In children's fiction she represents all fiction genres in middle grade and YA. She responds to well-crafted prose, strong hooks, high personal stakes, complex and sympathetic characters, tangible sense of place, lush world-building, non-Western cultural aspects, emotionally immersive fiction, and underrepresented voices. In limited nonfiction, she is looking for middle grade prescriptive projects and adult prescriptive business books for women or by women.

How to submit

KC and A links Lisa Abellera's QueryMe or QueryManager form from the official team page. The linked form currently says Lisa Abellera is not accepting unsolicited queries, so there is no open submission route at this time.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fantasy, horror, mystery, thriller, dark academia, gothic horror, supernatural folklore, caribbean folklore, bipoc voices, lgbtq and, history, spirituality

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

Catherine is mainly focused on middle grade and young adult fantasy, horror, and mystery with lush settings, strong worldbuilding, atmospheric prose, isolated or contained settings, BIPOC characters by BIPOC authors, supernatural folklore, dark academia, feminine rage, witches, banshees, sirens, and gripping mysteries. Her Corvisiero profile also lists adult and YA fantasy, mysteries, thrillers, gothic horror, and nonfiction on Haitian and Louisianan Voodoo.

How to submit

Submit through Catherine Ross's QueryManager route when open. Her current Manuscript Wish List says to send a query letter, one-to-two-page synopsis, and the first ten manuscript pages through her query form, unsolicited email submissions and submissions using AI will not be considered.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, dark romance, romantasy, romance, speculative fiction, mystery, thriller, gothic, horror, historical fiction, rom com, magical realism, current events, true crime, science, history, narrative non-fiction, sports, politics, health, nutrition, pop culture, humor, music, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

Looking for

Jill seeks fiction and non-fiction by unrepresented voices, BIPOC and Latinx writers, disabled persons, and LGBTQ+ people. She wants commercial and upmarket fiction emphasizing dark romance, romantasy, speculative fiction, mysteries, thrillers, Gothic, horror, and historical fiction, plus food-centric novels and psychological suspense in the vein of Freida McFadden. For non-fiction, she seeks authors with big, timely, smart messages and deep dives into subcultures, social commentary, and historical projects.

How to submit

Submit via QueryManager at QueryManager.com or JillMarr. Include query letter, 1-page synopsis, brief bio with publishing history, and first 10-15 pages for fiction. For non-fiction, include query letter and full book proposal.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, history, cultural studies, science, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, sample pages

Looking for

She is most interested in well-written narrative non-fiction (particularly trade-friendly history, cultural studies, and science) as well as character-driven literary fiction for the adult market. She is especially interested in working with scholars (particularly historians) who are looking to transition from the academic market to a trade readership, as well as journalists.

How to submit

Submit through QueryMe.Online portal. Include query letter and appropriate materials as specified on the submissions page.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Thriller, suspense, horror, fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, speculative fiction, romance, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Vicky is interested in adult thriller and suspense with psychological, paranormal, supernatural or gothic elements, horror, dark fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult horror and fantasy, middle grade, and picture books from author-illustrators.

How to submit

Vicky's CMA profile links to QueryManager but states that she is currently closed to queries. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical fiction, fantasy, crime, adult fiction

Looking for

Alice Speilburg represents commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction for the adult market. She is drawn to culturally relevant nonfiction, especially by journalists, and in fiction has particular interest in immersive historical adventures, myth-based fantasy, and atmospheric crime.

How to submit

Alice Speilburg uses QueryManager. Her official agency profile says she is open to queries on the 10th through 16th of each month, but the linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries at this time and may close when she reaches capacity.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, idea-driven nonfiction, history, religion, spirituality, politics, personal development, business, cultural issues

Wants: Query letter, proposal

Looking for

Roger represents narrative and idea-driven nonfiction in history, religion and spirituality, politics, personal development, business, and cultural issues by leading scholars, journalists, activists, and musicians.

How to submit

Roger Freet is currently closed to queries.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, mystery, thriller, middle grade, young adult, history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, popular science, children's books

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Gina represents literary and upmarket fiction and narrative nonfiction for adults and children. In fiction she looks for upmarket novels, mysteries and thrillers, middle grade, and young adult. Nonfiction interests include history, biography, current events, long-form journalism, and popular science.

How to submit

Gina Maccoby is currently closed to submissions. When open, email a query with the word QUERY in the subject line to query@maccobylit.com with no attachments. Check the official agency site for reopening.

Last checked 13 Oct 2026Via Email
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 12 Oct 2026Via QueryManager

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