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US Literary fiction Literary Agents

403 agents · 268 currently open to submissions

Literary fiction in the US is less a single shelf than a set of expectations: sentence-level control, emotional pressure, and a reason the book should exist beyond plot. Writers working near Alice Munro-style domestic compression need different agents from writers aiming at experimental structure, politically engaged realism, or multigenerational family novels. The label can overlap with upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and memoir, so the submission decision is often about positioning as much as taste. Some agents want quiet character studies; others need a sharper hook they can sell without flattening the prose. Before submitting, look at recent deals and client lists to see whether an agent's literary interests run toward debuts, short-story writers, campus novels, or bigger social canvases. 148+ US agents on this page list literary fiction, but the fit is usually narrower than the label suggests.

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Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, story collections, elevated genre fiction, literary journalism, idea-driven books, history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, natural world

Looking for

Literary and upmarket fiction, story collections, and elevated genre fiction. She's drawn to novels with a distinct voice, and is especially interested in stories with setting-as-character, coming-of-age, family sagas, noir elements, narratives seeped in contemporary internet culture, and protagonists grappling with timeless questions around faith and desire. In non-fiction, she's looking for literary journalism and idea-driven books across history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, and the natural world. She enjoys narratives that refract a broader view of modern life, incisive cultural criticism, scholarly inquiries with literary sensibilities, and projects that demystify a subculture to reveal something consequential about society

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 19 Jul 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 18 Jul 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, illustrated projects

Looking for

Work that is fierce, sharp, nuanced, and uncompromising. In fiction, she is looking for work with that is inventive and strange, brave and honest, with humor and heart. She especially loves fiction that employs genre elements—whether evocatively surreal, slightly askew, or supernatural. In nonfiction, work that investigates culture, identity, sexuality, disability, and mental health is especially welcome

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 17 Jul 2026
Represents

Nonfiction, literary fiction

Looking for

Narrative nonfiction in science, history, big ideas, reportage, and smart culture writing with a sense of play. Also memoir plus—work that blurs the lines between memoir and straight nonfiction—and voice-driven literary fiction with bold plots and fresh, imaginative characters. Strong female and underrepresented voices, the strange and speculative, folklore, and projects that ignite cultural conversation.

How to submit

Submit your query through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form available on their website. Include your cover letter, manuscript details, and any relevant background information.

Last checked 15 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary nonfiction, culture criticism, essays, political nonfiction, history, popular science

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

Looking for

Erik represents fiction, literary fiction, general fiction with speculative elements, upmarket and commercial fiction, literary nonfiction, culture criticism, essays, political nonfiction and reporting, American history, and popular science.

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 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Jessica Rios is based in the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates, which represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. The agency seeks literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, and select young adult with crossover appeal. They focus on projects with strong potential across all rights including translation, film, television, and audio.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, contemporary coming of age, light speculative fiction, young adult, cozy mystery, cozy fantasy, contemporary romance

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Juliana loves commercial and literary fiction, stories that explore relationships and make her laugh, women's fiction, contemporary adult coming of age, light speculative fiction, young adult, cozy mysteries, cozy fantasies, and very select contemporary romance with a unique and strong hook.

How to submit

Submit through Juliana's QueryManager route from the agency submissions page. Send only one Rebecca Friedman Literary agent at a time, the agency may pass projects internally.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Laura Mamelok represents a range of fiction and non-fiction at Susanna Lea Associates' New York office. Her interests include literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, and select young adult with crossover appeal.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Represents

Literary projects, pop culture, music, memoir, illustrated projects

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Leah works on books at the intersection of literary and pop culture, music titles, memoirs, illustrated projects, and related projects.

How to submit

The official Europa Content page lists Leah's direct email as leah@europacontent.com. No detailed public query package requirements were confirmed in this pass.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, journalism, comedy, film, television, sports, music, pop culture, business, nonfiction

Looking for

Peter McGuigan is founder of Ultra Literary. The official Ultra page says its clients include established names in literature, journalism, comedy, film, television, sports, music, pop culture, and business, as well as prize-winning fiction writers. Peter McGuigan represents major clients and focuses on developing inspiring projects and guiding them to success.

How to submit

The official Ultra Literary page does not expose a public Peter McGuigan submission route or materials checklist in this run. Treat as limited or no public unsolicited route unless Ultra publishes agent-specific query instructions.

Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, young adult, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, mystery, suspense, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded science fiction, grounded fantasy, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, aapi voices, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal

Looking for

Amy represents fiction, nonfiction, and YA. She is seeking upmarket and book club fiction, mystery or suspense elements, propulsive plots with beautiful writing, historical fiction, literary horror, grounded SFF by women of color, coming-of-age stories, global retellings, expert-driven narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, history, pop culture, YA with murder and intrigue, immigrant stories, queer stories, girls working for justice, and light-hearted contemporary YA.

How to submit

Use the QueryManager route linked from Amy Bishop-Wycisk's Trellis profile and review her current wishlist before querying.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Investigative journalism, history, current affairs, science, memoir, biography, literary fiction

Looking for

Investigative journalists, thought leaders, memoirists, and prominent academics working in investigative journalism, history, current affairs, science, and big ideas that reshape public discourse. Books with intellectual rigor and cultural impact, particularly those exploring complex social and political subjects.

How to submit

Submit to Aevitas Creative Management using their contact and submissions form available on their website. Include a query letter describing your project, along with relevant credentials and platform information. Address submissions to the New York office.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, young adult romance, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, pop culture

Looking for

Cole Lanahan is listed by The Seymour Agency as a literary agent. He is interested in literary, contemporary, and upmarket fiction. For young adult romance, he wants big romantic, coming-of-age stories. In nonfiction, he is looking for memoirs, cookbooks, and pop-culture work. He says his favorite projects are books that move readers to tears, laughter, or a need to call their mom.

How to submit

The official Seymour Agency about page lists Cole Lanahan's contact as cole@theseymouragency.com. The current official contact or submissions page did not expose a separate Cole-specific QueryManager link or detailed materials checklist in this run, so use only the official Seymour contact route and verify current openness before querying.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, pop culture, children's books

Looking for

A wide range of nonfiction including narrative and expert-driven works, memoir, current affairs, and pop culture, as well as literary fiction and children's books

How to submit

Submit your query through the contact and submissions form available on the Aevitas Creative Management website, or contact the agency by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900. The agency is located at 19 W. 21st Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10010.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Online Form
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 8 Jul 2026Via Email
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.

Represents

Serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, graphic novels, history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, journalism, african american work, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult

Looking for

Tanya McKinnon is Principal at McKinnon Literary. She represents serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, and graphic novels. She is always looking for work that takes her beyond current boundaries, including history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, journalism, and sheer whimsy. In fiction she looks for story- and character-driven engrossing work with a strong voice. She has a particular interest in multicultural and African American work, has a passion for graphic novels for adults or young readers, and represents children's books from picture books through chapter books and middle grade readers to young adult.

How to submit

McKinnon Literary's official Tanya McKinnon profile confirms her interests but did not expose stable public submission instructions or a public query route in this run. No third-party submission details were imported.

Represents

Narrative nonfiction, literary journalism, idea books, politics, history, current affairs, memoir, academic crossover

Looking for

Tina Bennett is a CAA literary agent based in New York. Official CAA indexed profile text describes her specialties as narrative nonfiction, literary journalism, idea books, politics, history, current affairs, memoir, and academic crossover titles.

How to submit

CAA says writers can find query instructions by clicking an agent profile, and that open agents show a button or link on their profile to begin a submission. Tina Bennett's official CAA profile is the best agent-specific official link found in this run, but its dynamic page did not expose a separate materials checklist in static text.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction

Looking for

Layered and deeply satisfying upmarket fiction, bookclub fiction with light speculative elements, and science fiction and fantasy stories with fresh worlds and nuanced themes. Her taste is eclectic across genres and age ranges, and she welcomes queries from authors uncertain whether their work fits her list.

How to submit

Query Mary Moore through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include information about your manuscript and your writing background. She prefers to begin representation in one genre before expanding to others, though she is comfortable representing multiple genres and age ranges for established clients.

Last checked 2 Jul 2026Via Online Form
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 28 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, historical fiction, book club fiction, business, history, memoir, popular culture, science

Looking for

Narratives in business, history, memoir, popular culture, and science that offer insight and practical wisdom; literary and historical fiction; and books designed to help readers live more meaningful lives

How to submit

Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include standard query materials appropriate to your genre.

Last checked 28 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, pop culture

Looking for

CAA's official Daniel Kirschen profile identifies him as a literary agent representing authors and journalists across many genres, with a focus on literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and pop culture.

How to submit

CAA says writers should review available agent profiles and, if an agent is open to submissions, use the button or link on that agent's profile. Daniel Kirschen's official profile URL was verified as the best agent-specific page, but no profile-specific public submission link or material requirements were exposed in the text-rendered page during this run.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, crime fiction, non-fiction

Looking for

A broad range of both fiction and non-fiction, from literary novels to narrative non-fiction exploring contemporary issues, with a particular interest in authors whose work helps interpret and understand our times as well as our future.

How to submit

Submit through the contact and submissions form on the Aevitas Creative Management website, or contact the agency directly at the New York office.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Online Form
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 18 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry

Looking for

Fiction and nonfiction notable for compelling storylines, singular voices, and unique perspectives, across literary fiction, creative nonfiction, and poetry, from both established and emerging writers

How to submit

Submit through the contact and submissions form available on the Aevitas Creative Management website. You can also reach the agency by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900 or by mail at 19 W. 21st Street, Suite 501, New York, NY 10010.

Last checked 17 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Stephanie Cabot represents a range of fiction and non-fiction at the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates. The agency seeks literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, and select young adult with crossover appeal. They are always looking for new voices and good stories with strong international potential.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Stephen M. Morrison represents a range of fiction and nonfiction at Susanna Lea Associates' New York office. His interests encompass Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Women's Fiction, Crime, Thrillers, Narrative Nonfiction, Memoir, Current Affairs, Personal Development, Humor, and select Young Adult with crossover appeal.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, international fiction, narrative nonfiction, historical biography, memoir, business, science

Looking for

Both seasoned authors and new voices in fiction and nonfiction. She specializes in literary fiction and has a soft spot in her heart for international fiction hailing from the homeland of authors like William Trevor, Edna O'Brien, and Zadie Smith, not to mention Rohinton Mistry, Mario Vargas Llosa and J.M. Coetzee and Nadine Gordimer. She is also interested in continuing to build a narrative nonfiction list in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science

How to submit

Email: christina@unionliterary.com

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, 25-page sample for fiction or proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

Literary, upmarket, and speculative fiction including magical realism, fantasy, and science fiction. Strong essay collections, narrative nonfiction, archival works

How to submit

Currently closed to submissions except for by referral

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

Literary fiction with experimental and speculative bends. She is particularly excited by queer voices, Midwestern settings, and unique approaches to the form of the contemporary novel

How to submit

Send a brief query letter, including information on your publication history, current project, and any other relevant experience you bring to your work. Send a sample of the first ten pages of the work pasted into the body of the email

Last checked 10 Jun 2026Via Email

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