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US Illustrated / picture books Literary Agents

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.

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Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, authors, author-illustrators

Looking for

Eden Street represents more than 40 authors and author-illustrators of books for young readers from preschool through young adult. The official site does not expose a separate Liza Pulitzer Voges profile page, but the agency page confirms Eden Street's focus and client list.

How to submit

Eden Street is not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts according to the official submissions-guidelines page. The home page says the agency is full and unable to take on additional clients, except that it may be open to submissions at conferences.

Represents

Children's books, young adult, illustrated books, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Adriana is president and a literary agent at Stimola Literary Studio. Her profile emphasizes helping stories into being and building creative relationships across words and images.

How to submit

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Adriana Stimola is currently closed to submissions.

Represents

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Looking for

Essie White is founder/literary agent at Storm Literary Agency, a boutique agency focused on quality literature from authors and illustrators, especially children's books.

How to submit

Essie White is closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official submission guidance.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, stem, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio

Looking for

Heather considers picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction. Her interests include books that explore currently untapped spaces, STEM picture books, layered MG/YA nonfiction, and stories that inspire readers to seize opportunities in their own lives.

How to submit

Heather Cashman is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.

Represents

Graphic novels, children's fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, horror

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Looking for

Jas represents authors and illustrators of graphic novels across all ages, plus select children's prose fiction, and is genre agnostic with a special fondness for unsettling, horrifying, and absurd stories.

How to submit

Jas Perry is currently closed to queries according to the Looking Glass profile.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, illustrators, contemporary fiction, magical realism, fantasy, horror, romance, romantic comedy, romantasy, women's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, spirituality, self-help, health and fitness, parenting, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships and dating, true crime, bipoc voices, lgbtq and voices

Looking for

Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency. When she reopens, she is especially excited about BIPOC, diverse, and LGBTQ+ projects; illustrators for board books, picture books, illustrated MG, and illustrated covers; fiction and nonfiction picture books; MG contemporary, magical realism, contemporary or grounded fantasy, and horror; YA romcom, romantasy, fantasy, magical realism, and horror; NA contemporary romance, romcom, and romantasy; adult horror, dark romance, contemporary romance, romcom, romantasy, and women's fiction; and adult nonfiction including memoir, narrative, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships/dating, and true crime by experts with platforms.

How to submit

Lynnette Novak is currently closed to all queries according to the official Seymour Agency about page. The page says to watch her MSWL page for updates when she reopens, but no current open official query route is listed.

Represents

Children's books, young adult, picture books, middle grade, illustrated books

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Rosemary is founder and CEO of Stimola Literary Studio. Her career is centered on books for children and young adults, and her current client list includes major children's and YA authors and illustrators.

How to submit

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Rosemary Stimola is not currently accepting new submissions.

Represents

Children's fiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, adult nonfiction, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, literary fiction, romantic comedy, author-illustrated graphic novels

Looking for

Sara Crowe is founder of Sara Crowe Literary. She has 25 years of publishing experience and 20 years representing clients. She represents a diverse group of children's and adult fiction and nonfiction, from picture books to graphic novels to literary fiction and adult romantic comedies. Her official submissions page says she is looking for author-illustrated graphic novels, middle grade and YA fiction, children's and adult nonfiction, and adult fiction, specifically romantic comedies and literary fiction, with special interest in underrepresented voices.

How to submit

Sara Crowe is currently closed to queries according to the official Sara Crowe Literary submissions page.

Represents

Adult fiction, horror, science fiction, speculative fiction, romance, young adult, picture books, graphic novels, lgbtq and voices, underrepresented voices

Looking for

Sera Rivers is a literary agent at Speilburg Literary Agency. In adult fiction she is interested in subversive horror, grounded science fiction, speculative fiction, and underrepresented voices in the vein of Emily Henry. In kidlit she is interested in young adult LGBTQIA+, horror, non-Western folklore, culture and heritage, thriller, grounded science fiction, and speculative; picture books by author-illustrators only, especially horror and work by underrepresented authors and illustrators; and graphic novels by author-illustrators only.

How to submit

Sera Rivers is currently closed to queries according to the live official linked QueryTracker form. Her official Speilburg profile says she opens to adult fiction during the first 7 days of each month and is closed to unsolicited children's-book submissions except through conferences, requests, and referrals.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary middle grade, historical middle grade, literary middle grade, mystery middle grade, contemporary young adult, historical young adult, literary young adult, young adult mystery, juvenile nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, popular science

Looking for

Shari Maurer is an agent at The Stringer Literary Agency. The official Stringer site lists her fiction interests as picture books; middle grade contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery; and young adult contemporary, historical, literary, and mystery. In nonfiction, it lists juvenile YA and middle grade nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, parenting, and popular science.

How to submit

Shari Maurer is currently closed to queries according to the QueryManager or QueryTracker form associated with Stringer Literary. The official Stringer site says the agency works with Query Manager only, deletes queries sent otherwise unread, and closes submissions from time to time to catch up.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, christian market, secular market, trade nonfiction, topical nonfiction, professional nonfiction, inspirational nonfiction

Looking for

Stephanie Cardel is founder of Lighthouse Literary. Lighthouse Literary represents children's picture books, middle grade, and young adult fiction and nonfiction, as well as adult fiction and adult trade nonfiction for both the Christian and secular markets. Its adult nonfiction areas include topical, professional, and inspirational work.

How to submit

Stephanie Cardel is closed to unsolicited queries according to the official Lighthouse Literary submissions page. She may occasionally take pitches at conferences and open to conference attendees.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's authors, children's artists

Looking for

Tracey Adams co-founded Adams Literary, a boutique agency dedicated to children's book authors and artists. The official submissions page describes the agency's interests as children's work across every age and genre, from picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction, historical novels, fantasy, books tackling contemporary issues, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books. Picture book submissions are considered only from author-artists.

How to submit

Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to its official announcement. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Children's books, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrated books

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Looking for

Victoria owns Storm Literary Agency and represents authors and illustrators, with a list focused on children's literature across age categories and genres except erotica romance.

How to submit

Victoria Selvaggio is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, graphic novels, illustrators, adult genre fiction, pop culture, contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, novels in verse, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction

Looking for

Jordan Hamessley represents diverse children's fiction from picture books through young adult, select adult genre and pop culture writers, graphic novelists, and illustrators. She is looking for stories that bring queer experience to the children's space across all age ranges. For picture books she is only looking for author-illustrators. In middle grade and young adult, she likes contemporary stories with heart and humor, queer joy, cozy or romantic fantasy, horror with ghosts, creepy forests, haunted houses, and murder, children's projects about space exploration, novels in verse, and graphic novel illustrators. In nonfiction, she is primarily looking for middle grade and YA STEM, space, math and science made fun, and underrepresented history including queer history.

How to submit

Jordan Hamessley is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, even though the JABberwocky agents page still labels her open. When open, submit through her QueryManager page and query only one JABberwocky agent at a time.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, architecture, history, politics, natural history, true crime, science, environment, women's issues, parenting, cooking, psychology, health, wellness, diet, business, spirituality, picture books, lifestyle, sustainability, reference, sports, travel, gardening

Looking for

Regina Ryan Books is a Manhattan-based boutique literary agency primarily representing adult nonfiction. Its areas of interest include well-written narrative nonfiction, architecture, history, politics, natural history especially birds, true crime, science especially the brain, the environment, women's issues, parenting, cooking, psychology, health, wellness, diet, business, non-religious contemporary spirituality, children's picture books, lifestyle, sustainability, popular reference, sports, narrative travel, and gardening.

How to submit

Regina Ryan Books is currently closed to submissions according to the official submissions page.

Represents

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, humor, inclusive stories, animals

Looking for

Nancy Gallt is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She seeks stories that make people laugh and think, that reflect inclusiveness and support the well-being of young people, and that bring something special to a child's reading experience. She has a particular soft spot for books featuring animals.

How to submit

Nancy Gallt 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.

Represents

Authors, illustrators, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, gift books, middle eastern voices, disabled voices

Looking for

Lilly Ghahremani represents a wide range of authors and illustrators on both the adult and children's book sides. Her wishlist includes illustrators from the African diaspora and lesser-represented cultures, worldly children's books and art, children's stories rooted in cultural settings or personal experience, traditional cultural wisdom in modern children's books, children's nonfiction by experts, funny but smart picture books, books for kids of any age that center disabled characters, high-concept gift books with illustration or photography, and picture book, middle grade, and YA with Middle Eastern characters, settings, or themes.

How to submit

Lilly Ghahremani is closed to submissions at this time according to her official Full Circle profile, and the official submissions page says Lilly Ghahremani is closed except referrals. Full Circle accepts submissions via QueryManager only and does not review direct email or mailed submissions.

Last checked 5 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, children's fiction

Looking for

Karly Dizon is an agent at Fuse Literary building KidLit universes with stories that matter. She is aggressively building her client list to boost marginalized voices, experiences, history, culture, folklore, and mythology. She loves children's fiction from contemporary to fantastical adventures, grand adventures, imperfect characters, and especially a strong voice that hooks the reader within the first page.

How to submit

Karly Dizon is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page. When open, submissions go through her QueryManager link on the official Fuse profile. Unsolicited submissions sent to her conference, press, or rights email or through social media will be deleted unread.

Last checked 5 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, children's nonfiction, board books, novelty books, kidlit

Looking for

Joyce Sweeney is Director of Kid Lit and Agent at The Seymour Agency. They have a passion for all kinds of picture books, especially nonfiction projects and lyrical, emotional texts, and will consider tough subjects in picture books, board books, and novelty books. In middle grade they prefer younger, shorter projects and chapter books. They are actively looking for genre YA of all types, especially from underrepresented voices and queer perspectives. Graphic novels should be young, realistic, and preferably illustrated.

How to submit

Joyce Sweeney is currently closed to submissions according to the official Seymour submissions page, so there is no open query route for Joyce at this time.

Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, children's illustration

Looking for

Josh Adams runs Adams Literary with Tracey Adams and is a literary agent with editorial and business backgrounds. Adams Literary is exclusively dedicated to children's book authors and artists, with client work spanning picture books, middle grade, and young adult, including historical novels, fantasy, contemporary issue books, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books.

How to submit

Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to the official announcement page.

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.

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 4 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's books, commercial fiction, crime, lgbtq and, middle grade, mystery, picture books, psychological thriller, romance, thriller, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Analieze is interested in character-driven books with strong world-building, clear plot, and a gripping first page, especially contemporary romance, contemporary YA, cozy mystery, domestic suspense, romantic suspense, and suspense.

How to submit

Analieze Cervantes is currently closed to queries and on hiatus from agenting according to her current Manuscript Wish List profile.

Last checked 3 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, fantasy, science fiction, mystery, gaming

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages, portfolio link

Looking for

She seeks character-driven stories that explore what it means to be human while leaving room for hope, with diverse characters and high-stakes, fast-paced plots. She particularly wants author-illustrators for picture books, graphic novels, and non-fiction, cozy mysteries with fantasy and romance elements, and gaming-related books.

How to submit

Submit queries via QueryManager only. For picture books, send query with full text and portfolio link for author-illustrators. For middle grade and Young Adult or adult fiction, send query, synopsis, and first 10 pages. For non-fiction, send query, table of contents, and sample chapter. For graphic novels, send query only with materials available upon request.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, dystopian, middle grade, young adult, picture books, lgbtq and, marginalized voices

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Lisa likes upmarket and literary fiction with lyrical prose, memorable characters, and fast-moving plots, especially stories about friendships, parents and children, or people facing hardship due to gender. She is also interested in speculative fiction with literary/upmarket writing, cozy fantasy, sci-fi/fantasy partly set in our world, middle grade and young adult speculative work, and high-concept picture books.

How to submit

Lisa Gouldy is currently closed to queries, and email submissions will not be considered.

Last checked 1 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction

Looking for

Query Letter, Full Manuscript, First Ten Pages

How to submit

For picture books, paste the full text of your manuscript beneath your query letter. For chapter books through Young Adult, paste the first ten pages beneath your query letter. Illustrators should include website information and or or an attachment with the entire illustrated book project.

Last checked 30 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Speculative fiction, psychological horror, mystery, romance fantasy, literary fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Bonnie seeks underrepresented authors across all age groups. She wants speculative psychological horror mysteries, normalized queerness where it isn't the focus of the plot, romance fantasy with HEA required, and issue-driven stories addressing timeless social issues. For picture books, stories must be child-centered giving kids agency. For middle grade, she seeks stories based on kid-focused issues with magic elements.

How to submit

Send queries only through QueryManager. Anything sent to email or social media will be deleted immediately.

Last checked 30 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, illustrated books

Looking for

Elizabeth Bennett represents a balanced list of picture book, graphic novel, middle grade, and YA authors and illustrators. She loves books that pull at the heart strings, make her laugh, make her think, make her smile, and make even a reluctant reader want to read.

How to submit

Elizabeth Bennett is accepting submissions by referral only and will not respond to unsolicited submissions.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026
Represents

Illustration, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, science fiction, horror

Looking for

Chelsea Hensley represents work across ages and genres, including illustration, picture books, middle grade, YA, adult fiction, nonfiction, fantasy, thrillers, romcoms, science fiction, horror, and BIPOC creators. Her official profile highlights lyrical prose, voice, intricate plots, complex emotional arcs, immersive worlds, bold formal or genre-blending work, smart mysteries and thrillers, arresting horror, fresh fantasy and sci-fi, and author-illustrator picture books.

How to submit

Chelsea Hensley is currently closed to queries. Her official Mad Woman profile links to QueryManager, and the linked form states that she is not accepting queries while focusing on existing clients and clearing her inbox.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Illustrators, middle grade, young adult, picture books

Looking for

Closed to submissions except referrals. Represents primarily Middle Grade fiction, Young Adult fiction, and illustrators. Her wishlist includes illustration with a distinctive perspective, magical realism in Middle Grade and Young Adult, Young Adult fantasy, and diverse character-driven fiction.

How to submit

Full Circle accepts submissions through QueryManager only and does not review submissions sent directly by email or mail. Taylor is currently closed except referrals.

Last checked 19 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Illustrators, authors, children's books, picture books, middle grade, adult non-fiction

Looking for

Closed to submissions except referrals or requested materials. Represents children's books from toddler to teen and select adult nonfiction, and works with illustrators and creatives whose work can cross over to children's and adult markets.

How to submit

Full Circle accepts submissions through QueryManager only and does not review submissions sent directly by email or mail. Stefanie is currently closed except referrals or requested materials.

Last checked 19 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

She loves highly commercial Board Books, quirky and clever picture books, rich narrative nonfiction, commercial chapter books, and contemporary or genre-bent Young Adult. She's always seeking stories that center neurodiverse, disabled, and LGBTQ+ characters.

How to submit

All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Query should include agent personalization, metadata with title or word count or age range or genre or comp titles, pitch, and author bio. Include synopsis and first ten pages.

Last checked 17 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Children's fiction, adult fiction, picture books, graphic novels, pop culture non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages

Looking for

She values diversity and inclusion, in fiction she enjoys ensemble casts with distinct voices, stories about poor characters and communities, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context. She is particularly interested in art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, language/translation, and criminal justice reform.

How to submit

Submit query addressed to Alyssa Jennette at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the word "query" in the subject line. For fiction, include the first chapter or first 10 pages pasted into the body of the email. For nonfiction, include bio, credentials, social media analytics, and previous publications. Do not send attachments.

Last checked 14 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, children's, illustration, memoir, journalism, political nonfiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency represents fiction, nonfiction and children's book authors and illustrators, with a focus on diverse voices and previously untold stories through its SLM partnership.

How to submit

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency is not accepting submissions.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026

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