223 agents · 129 currently open to submissions
Picture book publishing remains intensely competitive, with 70+ agents representing everything from board books for toddlers to sophisticated illustrated narratives that appeal to both children and adults. The category spans traditional 32-page picture books, concept books teaching colours or numbers, biographical picture books like those in the Little People, Big Dreams series, and graphic novel hybrids that blur lines with early readers. Many agents specialise within narrower niches: some focus on diverse contemporary stories, others seek STEM-focused non-fiction, and several actively pursue picture book biographies or social-emotional learning themes. Author-illustrators often have different submission requirements than text-only writers, with many agents requesting finished art samples or detailed illustration notes rather than complete manuscripts. Before submitting, research whether agents prefer rhyming or prose texts, contemporary or classic storytelling approaches, and their recent deals to understand their position on trending topics like environmental themes or cultural authenticity.
Narrative nonfiction, music, pop culture, cookbooks, illustrated projects
Nonfiction authors including artists, witches, and revolutionaries; cookbooks about more than food, illustrated projects that inspire delight, and other nonfiction books that seek to change the world
Please use Query Manager to send Kara a query.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, select adult
Query Letter, Synopsis, One-sentence pitch, First 20 Pages, Book proposal for nonfiction
Rebecca is only accepting submissions via her personal QueryManager link. Please include your title, word count, genre, one-sentence pitch, synopsis, and query letter. For fiction, please include the first 20 pages of your manuscript. For nonfiction, please include your book proposal.
Picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, new adult fiction, adult fiction, adult non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first chapter, synopsis, full manuscript, sample chapter, book proposal
Picture books that are funny, unexpected, character-centric, interactive, or cover nonfiction/history. Middle-grade fiction with interactive elements, adventure/mystery stories with offbeat protagonists, and stories for kids who need consistent input. Young Adult/New Adult fantasy with big relationships, high-impact dangerous books, urban fantasy, and soapy drama. Commercial adult fiction including compelling fantasy, thrillers with bite, horror with romance, and weird feminist genre work.
Submit through QueryManager only. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture books need query and entire manuscript. Nonfiction needs full proposal with sample chapter.
Narrative non-fiction, women's fiction, thrillers, young adult, middle grade, picture books, cookbooks, literary works, suspense, horror, speculative fiction, popular science, astrology, tarot, lifestyle, humor
Wants: Query letter, first chapter
Literary works, women's fiction, thrillers/suspense and especially interested in works with horror elements, speculative fiction and spooky reads for both adult and children's markets. For non-fiction: narrative works, books on popular science (especially space), astrology, tarot, cookbooks, lifestyle, and fun/interesting works in humor category
Query via email to dca@doncongdon.com with 'Query' and agent's full name in subject heading
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, contemporary novels, fantasy, science fiction, magical realism, horror, mysteries, middle grade fantasy, picture books, graphic novels, arts, pop culture, nature, psychology, cultural history, science, wellness, occult
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
Literary and upmarket fiction, non-fiction book proposals, select children's books, and graphic novels. In fiction, she's looking for contemporary novels (with or without speculative elements), fantasy, grounded science fiction, magical realism, horror, and mysteries. In non-fiction, she's interested in projects that explore the arts, pop culture, nature, psychology, cultural history, science, wellness, and the occult
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. For graphic novels, Maria is only considering projects by a single creator both writing and illustrating the book.
Adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's literature, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels
Cooking, drinks, health/wellness, lifestyle, self-help, women's issues, memoir, cat content, underrepresented voices. Occasional adult fiction for existing clients or via referrals. Select children's literature in special circumstances.
Submit queries here: http:// queryManager.com or JenNewens
Children's fiction, young adult fiction, genre fiction, speculative fiction, non-fiction, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Susan Graham represents illustrators across format and age categories, genre and speculative fiction, select nonfiction, and children's and young adult prose. They are very interested in children's and young adult nonfiction.
Email query letters to mail@dclagency.com and paste the first ten pages of your manuscript below your letter. Address your email to a specific agent. Submitting to more than one agent at a time is permitted, but indicate which agents you are querying. Emails with attachments will not be opened.
Fiction, non-fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, adult fiction, adult non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks marginalized creators and diverse stories, prioritizing BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, genderfluid, neurodiverse, and disabled voices. She wants stories about found families, cozy grounded fantasy, queer love and community, magic and witches, heartbreak with hope, dark moody Young Adult/Adult writing, and narrative nonfiction about sciences and humanity.
Submit through Query Manager during the first week of each month (1st-7th). Select one agent at a time. Submit 10-20 polished pages for novels, complete manuscript for picture books, proposals for graphic novels and nonfiction.
Fiction, non-fiction, picture books, graphic novels
Query Letter, Synopsis, Sample Pages
Direct submission to an individual agent. For fiction: send informative description, brief synopsis and first ten pages in email body. For non-fiction: send informative description, full outline, and first ten pages in email body. For picture books: send informative description, full outline, dummy as PDF and full-color samples as JPEGs or PDFs. For graphic novels: send 10 illustrated pages with text as PDF and synopsis in email body.
Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
She is drawn to stories with a distinct voice, unexpected wit, aggressive pacing, punchy and/or emotionally resonant endings. She is especially eager to see authentic explorations of underrepresented cultures, relationships, and identities.
Submit via QueryManager only during the first 15 days of each month. Include query letter, author bio, and sample pages as specified in agency guidelines.
Fantasy, mystery, horror, speculative fiction, romance, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, one paragraph pitch, first 3 chapters
She is primarily looking for bold, emotional narratives with layered characters, lyrical and atmospheric writing, voicey genre-blending tales, big stakes, speculative worlds filled with haunting quietly wondrous magic, sharply funny rom-coms and coming of age narratives, witty and heartfelt picture books, and fearless storytellers tackling big ideas. She loves working with and supporting marginalized authors and their stories.
Submit materials via Query Manager.
Middle grade, young adult, upmarket adult fiction, grounded fantasy, adult romance, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels, picture books
Michaela is most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres, upmarket adult fiction, and grounded fantasy. They are also open to select adult romance, narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books. Specifically seeks sibling stories.
Submit only via Query Manager. Include full query in body, first 25 pages for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. Query only one agent at the agency at a time.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, horror, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, historical fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, romance, mystery
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages
Laura would love to find fantasy, spec fiction, alternate history, and horror with fresh, original, unexpected reimaginings. She seeks retellings that reinvent underlying traditions, gothic suspense or thrillers, romantasy that is more romantic fantasy than fantasy romance, high concept rom-coms, and sexy historical romance. She also wants thrillers and mysteries with dynamic, unexpected characters and rich psychological insights.
Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with a description of your work, previous publishing credentials, a short author bio, contact information, and for novels: first 10 pages of text.
Thriller, horror, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, adult fiction, board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, young adult fiction, young adult non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, author bio, first 10 pages
Lara is currently open to adult fiction queries only. She seeks thrillers, horror with purpose, historical fiction that feels immediate and hooky, and grounded and unexpected science fiction and fantasy. She is always excited to see unreliable narrators, twisty mysteries, eerie settings, psychological horror, and character-driven stories with sparks of magic.
Submit through QueryManager with a short query letter, author bio, contact information, and first 10 pages of text for novels. Complete the required fields in the submission form.
Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, picture books, narrative non-fiction, commercial fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, synopsis
For middle grade and young adult fiction, he seeks authentic kids' voices and rousing, high concept stories with realistic settings and science fiction preferred over fantasy. He is eager to find the next great picture book author/illustrator. For adults, he actively looks for narrative nonfiction in music, sports, history, popular science, big think, performing arts, health, business, memoir, military history, and humor, plus commercial fiction but is very selective.
Send query letter via email with full query in body, include first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction in body below query. For picture books include full text and dummy or sample art as PDF attachments no larger than 20MB. Query only one agent at agency at a time.
Picture books, middle grade, chapter books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, portfolio link
Middle grade in all genres with children finding their space in their world, especially strong-willed underdogs or quirky, misunderstood, or overlooked children. Picture books that are funny and character-driven, beautifully written, or milestone moments with emotional endings. Commercial action-packed chapter book series for emerging readers.
Query via QueryManager with query letter, author bio, contact information, and sample pages. For picture book texts, must submit 3 completed texts and query only on the 1st day of each month. For illustrators, include portfolio link.
Picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks characters who feel in-between, stories of self-discovery and character growth, explorations of sibling relationships and intergenerational families, and stories from creators whose voices have been traditionally underrepresented. She values cultural specificity and stories borne from personal experience.
Submit through QueryManager with query letter, author bio, contact information, and first 10 pages for novels or full text for picture books. Include synopsis and confirm work is not AI-generated.
Picture books, author-illustrators, nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary fiction, light fantasy, near-future dystopian, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, memoir, bipoc voices, diverse voices
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, picture book manuscript, portfolio
Allison is looking for author-illustrator picture books, nonfiction picture books, middle grade with voice and a strong main character, YA contemporary coming-of-age, fantasy grounded in reality, near-future dystopian and high-concept speculative work, psychological thrillers, twisty mysteries, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, and memoir. She is interested in diverse and BIPOC voices.
Email Allison Remcheck at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Picture book manuscripts should be attached as Word documents, dummies or portfolios as PDFs, first ten pages of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction should be pasted in the email, a synopsis attachment is welcome.
Nonfiction, practical lifestyle, how-to, wellness, mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, history, cultural criticism, ecology, food, social justice, illustrated books, literary estates
Wants: Query letter
Jenny represents award-winning nonfiction, including practical lifestyle and how-to projects, wellness and mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction about history, cultural criticism, ecology and the natural world, food, and social justice. For adults and kids, she loves highly designed books that inform and inspire through text and image.
Submit through Sterling Lord Literistic's submissions page and choose only one SLL agent to query. The agency says it can only respond if interested in seeing more material.
Nonfiction, how-to, health, wellness, science, technology, nature, outdoors, true crime, history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, brand books
Wants: Query letter
John is building a wide-ranging nonfiction list including how-to, health and wellness, science, technology, nature and outdoors, true crime, quirky history, investigative journalism, international relations, sports, parenting, business, illustrated books, and brand-led book programs.
Email john@defliterary.com with QUERY: at the beginning of the subject line, followed by the book title. Include a brief description of yourself and the project. Attachments are not opened unless requested.
Picture books, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, portfolio, sample pages
Kait specializes in picture books and graphic novels and is only accepting queries from illustrators.
Query Kait through the route linked from KT Literary and Kait Feldmann's website. She is only accepting queries from illustrators.
Children's books, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, genre fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, romance, mysteries, science fiction
Wants: Query letter, full manuscript, illustration samples for children's books
Clever voices and unreliable narrators, stories told from diverse perspectives, rich world building, strong character dynamics, and firsts—first love, first heartbreak, first loss, first divorce, etc. Novels featuring smart, strong, funny, and fierce women
Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses
Fiction, nonfiction, picture books, young adult
Wants: Query letter, sample chapter
Seth is looking for new voices, original ideas, and breathtaking creative angles in both fiction and nonfiction.
Seth Fishman 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.
Literary fiction, adult nonfiction, picture books, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Query letter
Mona seeks smart, resonating literary fiction and nonfiction for adults that speaks to cultural currents. She is closed except by referral and plans a one-month July 2026 opening for exceptionally crafted picture books from author-illustrators, adult literary fiction, and adult narrative nonfiction.
Submit through QueryManager only when open or by referral. Do not query multiple Great Dog agents.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Alexandra Levick is growing picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult lists. She is interested in author-illustrated picture books and illustration portfolios, spooky or strange middle grade, YA across contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, and adjacent genres, and adult speculative, genre-bent, upmarket, literary, romance, horror, and fantasy work. She likes distinctive voice, strong themes, transportive stories, complex characters, layered narratives, intersectional feminist work, humor in dark stories, atmospheric YA horror, socially conscious horror, non-Western or diaspora folklore, dark futures with hope, ocean stories, rural stories, confined settings, and romances that stop her in her tracks.
Alexandra Levick is currently closed to unsolicited queries. When open, she asks writers to query only one Writers House agent at a time and to send a personalized query letter plus the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email with no attachments through QueryManager, or by accommodation email only if needed.
Picture books, board books, middle grade, christian fiction, memoir, suspense, mystery
Andrea represents children's and adult books. Her listed favorite children's books are picture books, board books, and middle-grade fiction; her favorite adult books are Christian fiction, memoirs, suspense, and mystery.
Inscriptions is currently closed for submissions. The official site says not to email manuscript submissions and to follow the site submission guidelines when open.
Literary fiction, memoir, graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult
Wants: Personalized pitch letter, first five pages
Anjali Singh focuses on literary fiction and memoir and represents graphic novel writers and illustrators across all age ranges.
Anjali Singh is currently closed to queries except by referral. For permitted referral queries, send a personalized pitch letter with the first five pages of the manuscript in the body of the email and the project title in the subject line to queries@anjalisinghagency.com. She will likely respond only if interested.
Children's, young adult, middle grade, picture books
Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries
Flannery Literary represents authors writing books for children and young adults, looking for strong writing, unique viewpoints, memorable stories, intriguing characters and thought-provoking dilemmas for young readers.
Flannery Literary is currently not accepting queries.
Picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, middle grade, children's, author-illustrators, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter
Julie considers fiction and nonfiction projects for children ages 0-12, including authors and author-illustrators of picture books, chapter books, graphic novels and middle grade. She wants kid-forward work with charm, strong writing, unexpected twists, empowerment, real kid life, nature, global perspectives and inclusive approaches.
Julie accepts queries exclusively through QueryManager when open. She is currently closed to unsolicited queries, emailed or snail-mail queries will not receive a reply.
Children's fiction, adult fiction, select nonfiction, picture books
Wants: Query letter, author bio, first five pages, picture book text
Leslie focuses on under-represented voices, especially work centering disability, poverty, women, neurodivergence, Judaism, Islam, and non-Western religions. She seeks books with a strong commercial premise, distinct prose, and multiple layers of meaning.
Leslie accepts submissions only via QueryManager. Her usual process is to open to unsolicited queries for the first full week of each month, but the current form says she is closed until the new year. Required materials are a query letter, short bio, and first five pages, or complete picture book text or dummy.
Picture books, illustrated novels, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's, adult crossover, author-illustrators
Wants: Query letter
Lori considers fiction and nonfiction projects from picture books to New Adult/adult crossover books, plus author-illustrators creating picture books, illustrated novels and graphic novels. She is drawn to character-driven stories with accessible, authentic and unforgettable voices.
Lori accepts queries solely through QueryManager when open. She is currently closed to unsolicited queries, emailed or snail-mail queries will not receive a reply.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, narrative nonfiction, serious nonfiction, literary fiction, magical realism, surrealism, experimental fiction
Wants: Query letter
Rachel has a list spanning picture book, middle grade, young adult, narrative and serious nonfiction, and literary fiction. She is drawn to unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated family relationships, young protagonists, magical realism, surrealism and experimental style.
SLM lists Rachel as a junior agent, but the current submissions page only lists Jesseca, Eryn, Kate, Erika and Kristin as direct query recipients.
Kidlit, picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, illustrators, author-illustrators
Rosa Frazier is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. Her official Seymour profile says kidlit is her passion, with emphasis on picture books, middle grade, YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creatives, and encourages Caribbean and South American stories, folklore, and mythologies with representation of second languages and dialects. Illustrators and author-illustrators are also welcome when she is open to them.
Rosa Frazier is currently closed to queries according to her official Seymour Agency profile and linked QueryManager status. Do not send unsolicited queries while closed.
Poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, young adult
Wants: Query letter
Tasneem is looking across categories for work from marginalized authors, especially under the BIPOC umbrella. Interests include genre-inflected poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary MG/YA/adult, fantasy, YA/adult science fiction, and YA/adult romance.
Tasneem is currently closed to queries. The official Belcastro page links her QueryManager route, the linked form says she is closed until further notice, with a separate BIPOC-exclusive form noted there.
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
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.
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.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices
Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.
Marietta B. Zacker 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.
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