US Literary fiction Literary Agents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, biography, cultural studies, history, current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, science

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 10 pages

Literary fiction and a wide variety of narrative nonfiction (including biography, cultural studies, history/current events, hybrid work, memoir, popular culture, and science)

Send queries directly to michael@mmqalit.com with subject line 'query' and include synopsis, publication history, brief bio, and excerpt up to 10 pages

Music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, literary fiction, humor, science

Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, sample pages

Writers in the world of music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, young adult, literary fiction and humor. Also interested in science and any authors with great ideas and an equally strong platform. He tends to have a soft spot for all Beatle related projects.

Send query letter that includes a brief summary of your novel or the scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book in question, and the first five pages for fiction only.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, essay collections

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She seeks literary family sagas, genre-blending fiction, heists and cons that critique power systems, murder mysteries with humor, literary fiction about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ protagonists, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high-heat romance, historical fiction with unexpected settings, middle-grade adventures and slice-of-life, Young Adult queer and anticolonial revenge stories, narrative nonfiction connecting journalism to personal experience, and microhistories described as love letters to niche topics.

Submit via QueryManager submission form. Include polished query letter, bio, and manuscript pages according to genre guidelines. Select one agent at ALA to submit to initially.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first ten pages

Abby Walters represents upmarket and literary fiction, especially voice-led, psychologically deep novels about flawed characters at moments of rupture. She is interested in desire, power, class, addiction, creativity, self-mythologizing, strong settings outside the United States, narrative momentum, and witty or scandal-led women's fiction.

Send a query letter, author bio, and the first ten pages of the manuscript to awalters@dblackagency.com. The agency does not accept paper, phone, mail, or fax queries and asks writers to query one agent at a time.

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.

Speculative fiction, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, self-help, spiritual, occult, nature memoir, nature non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In fiction, she is particularly drawn to speculative, atmospheric, and voice-driven narratives for both adult and young adult audiences. She has a soft spot for hybrid genres, such as horror-romance or speculative thrillers, and books with big hooks. On the non-fiction side, she is interested in self-help, spiritual (Marina loves the woo woo!), and the occult. She's also very keen to find poignant nature memoirs and other nature-based non-fiction.

Please use this format in the subject field of your email: 'Marina or BOOK TITLE or CREATOR NAME or GENRE'

Young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, romance, women's fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, faith-based books, illustrators

YA (all subgenres except sci-fi), thrillers/suspense/mystery, horror, contemporary, romance, new adult, women's fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, faith-based/inspirational fiction and nonfiction, true crime, illustrators. Welcomes BIPOC and disabled main characters.

Query via agency submission process

Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, mysteries, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, first 3 chapters, book proposal

Fantasy, science fiction, thrillers, and mysteries as well as literary writers, and smart narrative nonfiction

Please send query letter in the body of your email to querymb@sjga.com, and then send the following as an attachment: the first three chapters of your book (for fiction) or your complete book proposal (for nonfiction)

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, mysteries, speculative fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Kirby represents both literary and commercial authors. He seeks manuscripts that straddle the fence with upmarket expression combined with a genre element or plot device. For literary work, he's drawn to rich, sweeping stories that encompass a time or place, or tightly written, narratively innovative stories with award potential. His commercial interests include thrillers, mysteries and speculative fiction. He also represents nonfiction from leaders and journalists in science, culture and current affairs, plus pop culture including music and comedy.

For fiction submissions, send an informative description, a brief synopsis and the first ten pages. For non-fiction submissions, send an informative description, a full outline, and the first ten pages of the manuscript. Include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com.

Adult nonfiction, memoir, history, pop culture, science, parenting, literary fiction, upmarket fiction

Wants: Query letter, proposal, manuscript

Anna Sproul-Latimer represents all types of adult nonfiction, from memoir and history to pop culture, science, and parenting, as well as select literary and upmarket fiction. She is drawn to buzzing, bright, curious authors with enthusiasm and national or international audiences, especially books with humor, vulnerability, honesty, refuge, and relief.

Send a query letter, proposal, and or or manuscript to submissions@neonliterary.com. Specify in the subject line that you are querying Anna. Neon Literary represents adult nonfiction and literary fiction for national audiences, accepts Word or Google Docs attachments or pasted pages, and cannot read mail, in-person, or phone queries unless previously agreed for accessibility reasons.

Pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, history, folktale-inspired horror, fantasy, gothic mystery, romance, puzzle-driven mysteries, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In non-fiction, she is drawn to narrative projects that bring niche subjects to a wide readership, particularly those that blend memoir with expertise. Her interests include pop culture, pop science, fashion, design, literary commentary, and the history of subcultures and counterculture. In fiction, she loves immersive atmosphere, sharp observation, twisty storytelling, and offbeat wit. She is especially interested in folktale-inspired horror and fantasy, gothic mystery and romance, fantasies featuring mundane magic, puzzle-driven mysteries, and cozy stories that feel hopeful yet grounded, like a Studio Ghibli movie.

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.

Romance, literary fiction, creative memoirs

Reading tastes include almost everything (she currently favors romance, literary fiction, and creative memoirs), especially interested in uplifting diverse artists from rural communities

Check agent's submission page

Literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, pop psychology

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In terms of fiction, he is seeking literary, commercial, mystery, thriller, suspense and romance. In terms of non-fiction, he is looking for business, history, politics, current affairs, memoir, health, wellness, sports, humor, pop culture, pop science, and pop psychology.

Address your query to the attention of the agent you feel is the best match for your work. 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.

Women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery, thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, book club fiction, pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, memoirs, lifestyle, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

In terms of fiction, she is seeking women's fiction, upmarket adult, commercial adult, domestic suspense, literary mystery and thrillers, historical, contemporary romance, and smart book club fiction. In terms of non-fiction, she is looking for pop science, business, psychology, cookbooks, unique memoirs, lifestyle (health, wellness, relationships, parenting), narrative, and platform based non-fiction

For fiction queries, please format email subjects as 'Fiction: TITLE or GENRE or CREATOR NAME' and non-fiction queries as 'Non-Fiction: TOPIC or TITLE or CREATOR NAME'

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, culture, politics, science, natural history

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, bio, first 30 pages

Literary and commercial fiction that put immersive storytelling and authentic emotional consequences front and center. In nonfiction, deeply reported narrative nonfiction, history and singular memoir

Send query letter and first 30 pages (fiction) or query letter and book proposal (nonfiction) to aram@mmqalit.com with 'Query' in subject line

Literary fiction, book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, narrative nonfiction, practical nonfiction, poetry, ya

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Literary and book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, narrative and practical nonfiction, as well as select poetry and YA

Email queries directly to Ashley at ashley@mmqalit.com with word 'query' and project title in subject line, include first 10 pages in body of email

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, current affairs, science, investigative journalism, cultural criticism

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 10 pages

Bold voices and writers with a strong point of view; in nonfiction, she seeks perspective-changing ideas packaged in narrative form

For fiction submissions, please include your query letter, bio, and the first 10 pages of your manuscript in the body of your email. For nonfiction submissions, please include your query letter and bio and proposal if available.

Upmarket fiction, literary fiction

See source page for more info

Esty is only accepting submissions via her personal QueryManager link.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, history, biography, memoir, journalism

Diverse group of fiction and nonfiction writers, including literary and commercial novelists for adults and young readers, historians, biographers, memoirists, journalists, strategists, adventurers, and entertainers

Online submission form

Literary fiction, prescriptive nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 20 pages

Adult literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction as well as memoir, narrative and prescriptive non-fiction, and cookbooks

Carrie is only accepting submissions via her personal QueryManager link. Please include your title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, and 20 sample pages in the form provided.

Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.

Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Fiction, middle grade, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, african-american fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Jon Cobb is a literary agent at HG Literary. He reads all genres of fiction and has particular interest in contemporary middle grade and YA, science fiction and fantasy, African-American fiction, literary fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. He also has a soft spot for track and field, geek culture, weird science, and cutting-edge technology.

Submit through Jon Cobb's official QueryMe.Online form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Literary fiction, mystery, suspense, memoir, cookbook

Upmarket fiction with strong commercial potential, particularly mystery, suspense, and psychologically layered narratives. Also select cookbooks and literary memoir from exceptional storytellers whose work resonates with national media and has film and television potential.

Submit through Query Manager at QueryManager.com or QueryLoriGalvin. Lori only accepts submissions via this platform.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, cultural history, current affairs, memoir, politics, science, sports, technology

Literary and commercial fiction, as well as nonfiction spanning cultural history, current affairs, memoir, politics, science, sports, and technology. Nonfiction interests range widely from data and surveillance to sports, food culture, and military history. Particularly interested in authors and projects with the potential for both critical recognition and commercial success.

Submit queries 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.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, picture book manuscript, referral note if applicable

Alex Reubert is a literary agent at HG Literary. He is pursuing books that demand he keep reading by style or story, including literature in translation, novels set outside the U.S., upmarket and literary fiction, narrators looking back on their lives, upmarket romantic comedy, memoir, psychology, narrative nonfiction, literary studies, art history, popular science, philosophy, cultural studies, and prose by poets or musicians.

Submit to Alex Reubert through his official QueryManager link. HG Literary asks for electronic submissions only. Unless an agent-specific form asks otherwise, send a query letter and the first five pages in the body of the query, no attachments. If it is a picture book, include the entire manuscript. Mention referrals in the first line. Query only one HG Literary agent at a time.

Literary fiction, speculative fiction, short story collections, international fiction, upmarket fiction, genre fiction, narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, journalism

Wants: Query letter

Audrey seeks literary fiction, grounded speculative fiction, story collections, international works, and upmarket and genre fiction with a literary bent. She is drawn to smart, voice-driven stories with a sense of humor and style. For nonfiction, she looks for select narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and human-centered journalistic deep-dives, with particular interests in food and dining, fashion, nightlife, dance, the cultures of the contemporary Middle East, and the American South.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples until requested.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essays

Wants: Query letter

Ellen treasures working with brilliant authors of literary fiction and loves to handle well-written popular commercial fiction. She represents memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular culture, history, politics, women's issues, biography, science, essayistic work, and the odd quirky book. She enjoys guiding established authors' careers and loves discovering fresh talent and new voices.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples until requested.

Literary fiction, thriller, young adult, memoir

Wants: Query letter

Great storytelling that gets into your head and heart, anything you can't stop thinking about. Books and stories that touch the soul, make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that haven't been told before or are told in a different way.

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples.

History, science, medical, politics, biography, literary fiction, poetry, theology

Wants: Query letter

Don roams widely in terms of subject areas and categories, but what catches his attention first is the author's voice. He is particularly drawn to historians, scientists, medical writers, political commentators, novelists, poets, and theologians.

Send a query letter using the online form to one agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples unless requested.

Literary fiction, young adult, narrative non-fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

For adult fiction, she seeks innovative literary fiction that is sharp, subversive, evocative, and genre-bending works including speculative concepts, ghost stories, and magical realism. For Young Adult, she wants high concept and voice-driven novels that are atmospheric and haunting. In nonfiction, she gravitates toward community-oriented narrative nonfiction with engaging research, social/cultural histories, and intersectional work that questions existing institutions and systems.

Starting January 15, 2025, she no longer accepts unsolicited email queries. Submit queries via Query Manager form with query letter and first 5 pages in the body.

Commercial, contemporary, family saga, genre-bending, horror, lgbtq and, literary, multicultural, mystery, offbeat, quirky, short stories, suspense, thriller, upmarket, women's fiction, cultural, social issues, current affairs, history, journalism, lifestyle, narrative, nature and ecology, politics, pop culture, psychology, relationship and dating, science and technology, women's issues

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

She seeks writers driven by curiosity and discovery, whether through formal inventiveness in fiction or rigorous investigative journalism. She is drawn to poets who have turned to prose and writers whose dexterity with language allows them to articulate emotions or sensibilities. She loves moody atmosphere, setting-as-character, and fantastical elements in literary and upmarket fiction, particularly when genre elements explore where language fails us.

Send query letter and 5 sample pages to only one agent with the word QUERY and the title of your project in the subject line, or submit through Query Manager. Do not send attachments, include all materials in the body of the email.

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

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.

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, nonfiction, graphic memoir, journalism

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Imaginative, genre-bending literary fiction and capacious historical novels that push boundaries, beautifully told queer stories, and smart, feminist romance. In nonfiction, projects that probe assumptions and invite nuance, with special attention to queer, trans, and underrepresented experiences, as well as narratives exploring culture, technology, food, and the environment.

Submit your query via Query Manager at the link provided. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and sample pages as appropriate for your project.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, investigative journalism

Sweeping narratives with voice-driven prose, particularly genre-bending projects that offer fresh perspectives. Timeless stories exploring migration, family, socioeconomic inequality, and speculative worlds that reveal complicated truths about our own reality. Also select narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism projects; across all genres, books that uplift historically underrepresented voices.

Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form or contact the agency directly by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900.

Suspense, literary fiction, commercial fiction, current affairs, politics, history

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Will is looking for original and unpredictable suspense novels, both literary and commercial, plus nonfiction focused on current affairs, politics, and history.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.

Literary fiction, nonfiction, children's fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Sarah represents literary fiction, nonfiction, and children's fiction.

Email info@thegernertco.com with a query letter describing the work, author information, and a sample chapter if appropriate. Indicate which agent you are querying, do not email agents directly.