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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, 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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Fiction, narrative non-fiction, literary novels, cultural criticism, essays, pop culture

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Marya seeks books that immerse, critique, delight, or illuminate. She represents literary novels, cultural criticism, voice-driven essays with a humorous or critical edge, and pop culture writing.

How to submit

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 sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent and send material to submissions@janklow.com.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, brief bio, title/genre/word count

Looking for

Literary/commercial novels that tackle timely issues and uncomfortable relationship dynamics. High-concept, character-driven novels with one foot in genre. Delightful and emotionally engaging novels that can be read repeatedly. Character-driven thrillers, speculative, science fiction and fantasy that illuminate the world through imagined worlds.

How to submit

Submit through Query Manager with a brief bio including writing credentials, title or genre or word count, query letter, and first ten pages.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, non-fiction, pop culture, criticism, fantasy

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

Jessica represents fiction across the literary and commercial spectrum, journalistic nonfiction, and select pop culture and criticism. She is drawn to intimate narratives that examine complicated relationships, great love stories, immersive fantasy worlds, and propulsive plots grounded by unforgettable characters. In nonfiction, she seeks fresh, thoroughly-reported narratives that examine systemic injustice focusing on individuals impacted by climate change, women's rights, mental health, and race relations.

How to submit

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. Please include the sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Please direct your submission to an individual agent.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, science, history, medicine, economics

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, synopsis

Looking for

She seeks plot-driven literary and smart commercial fiction, and narrative nonfiction across subjects including history, medicine, science, economics and women's issues. She looks for passion, erudition, and storytelling skill in every case.

How to submit

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 email body. Query only one agent at agency at a time.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, memoir, biography, history, science narratives, medical narratives

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Looking for

Jane is interested in women's commercial fiction and big think non-fiction. She loves to read commercial and literary fiction, memoir, biography and history, with particular interest in current events, politics, legal subjects, science and medical narratives.

How to submit

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 email body. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art as PDF attachments under 20MB.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, memoir

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Chris represents literary and upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and memoir.

How to submit

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

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Popular history, science, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, memoir, literary fiction, horror, genre fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

He is actively acquiring popular history and science, narrative-driven nonfiction, smart pop culture, and outward-looking memoir. He seeks books that will shift paradigms, understanding of the world, and ourselves. In fiction he seeks select plot-driven literary and literary-crossover novels, particularly elevated horror or genre-inflected narratives.

How to submit

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 sample pages in the body of the email below your query. Direct your submission to an individual agent.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, thriller, mystery, psychology, science, history, biography, diet, health, fitness, how-to, self-help, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, synopsis, first five pages

Looking for

Harvey loves great adult commercial and literary fiction and nonfiction books with a strong narrative voice in all disciplines, written by authors who already have an established professional platform in their field of expertise.

How to submit

Submit via email with a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email. Do not send attachments.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, historical fiction, women's fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first 5 pages

Looking for

She is interested in a wide range of fiction and always on the lookout for underrepresented authors. In general, she loves quirky-off beat storytelling that can deliver heartfelt and thoughtful messaging, characters with richly developed relationships, and stories that center around a fantastical or often-overlooked setting.

How to submit

Make your submission letter to the point and as brief as possible. Include a short synopsis of your work, an author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of your email, no attachments please. Do not query more than one agent at Harvey Klinger, Inc. at a time.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, business

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages

Looking for

Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. She actively seeks literary and commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. In nonfiction, she seeks memoir, narrative nonfiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, and business.

How to submit

Submit via email with a short synopsis of your work, author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. No attachments.

Last checked 1 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 26 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Nonfiction, practical lifestyle, how-to, wellness, mindfulness, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, history, cultural criticism, ecology, food, social justice, illustrated books, literary estates

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 26 May 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Novelists, memoir, narrative nonfiction, celebrity books, academic nonfiction, journalism, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

Lisa represents novelists and memoirists with narrative urgency, dramatic tension, multi-faceted characters, and a transporting sense of place, as well as experts, celebrities, academics, and journalists writing across nonfiction categories.

How to submit

Email the first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal to lgsubmissions@defliterary.com in the body of the message. No hard-copy submissions and no attachments.

Last checked 25 May 2026Via Email
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, fantasy, dystopian, mystery, horror, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, science fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Jenissa is looking for middle grade, YA, New Adult and adult projects, especially high-concept fantasy, near-future dystopia, mysteries in fresh settings, genre-blending horror and coming-of-age contemporary work centered on strong emotional journeys.

How to submit

Submit through Jenissa Graham's QueryManager form from her official BookEnds profile.

Last checked 15 May 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, mystery, domestic suspense, historical fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Amy Cloughley seeks authors with unique, clear voices and smart, tightly written prose. She leans toward grounded literary, upmarket, and commercial novels with a distinct sense of place, page-turning mystery, domestic suspense with sharp wit and unexpected twists, well-researched historical fiction, book club fiction with a fresh perspective, small-town contemporary characters, unexpected story arcs, suitable pacing, compelling protagonists, and narrative nonfiction immersed in a culture, lifestyle, discipline, or industry.

How to submit

Amy Cloughley is currently closed to unsolicited submissions. Her official Kimberley Cameron team page links to a QueryManager form, and the form currently states that she is not accepting queries at this time.

Last checked 21 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, adult genre-blending upmarket and literary fiction, accessible sci-fi and fantasy, high concept rom-coms, memoir, essays, wellness titles

Looking for

Middle Grade and Young Adult projects (fiction and non-fiction), adult genre-blending upmarket and literary fiction, accessible sci-fi and fantasy, high concept rom-coms, and memoir, essays, and wellness titles in the non-fiction space

How to submit

Currently closed to queries, save for referrals and conferences

Last checked 21 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Literary fiction and narrative nonfiction - ranging across history, cultural criticism, memoir, and biography - with the occasional young adult novel. She's particularly interested in distinctive voices, original perspectives, and writing that lingers

How to submit

Currently closed to general submissions but is selectively open to queries from authors she meets at conferences and other literary gatherings

Last checked 17 Jul 2026
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses

Last checked 16 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, adult nonfiction, picture books, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager only when open or by referral. Do not query multiple Great Dog agents.

Last checked 12 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Adrienne has a strong interest in literary fiction and nonfiction. Wales Literary Agency represents narrative-driven nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, and graphic novels.

How to submit

Wales Literary Agency is currently open to submissions by referral only.

Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, commercial fiction, literary fiction, poetry, self-help

Looking for

Aemilia Phillips represents fiction and nonfiction, with interests in narrative nonfiction, hybrid memoir, commercial and literary fiction, select poetry, and self-help. She is excited by diverse writing with impactful stories, social justice issues, nonfiction that challenges how readers think, smart cultural critiques, complex characters, commercial projects with literary intelligence, and stories with a touch of magic.

How to submit

Aemilia Phillips is currently closed to queries according to the official Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency submissions page.

Represents

Literary fiction, memoir, graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult

Wants: Personalized pitch letter, first five pages

Looking for

Anjali Singh focuses on literary fiction and memoir and represents graphic novel writers and illustrators across all age ranges.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, horror, speculative fiction, historical fiction, historical fantasy, narrative nonfiction, essays, graphic novels, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, full synopsis, first three chapters, first twenty five pages, graphic novel spreads, graphic novel rough pages, portfolio

Looking for

Anna Ange is a junior agent at Liza Dawson Associates. She is looking for adult literary and genre crossover, literary-forward novels with horror, speculative, or weird elements, true horror, queer historical fiction and historical fantasy before 1900, narrative nonfiction or essays on niche and surprising topics, adult graphic novels in fiction and nonfiction, and spooky or horror-adjacent middle grade prose or graphic novels.

How to submit

Anna Ange is currently closed to queries as of 2025-10-10. When open, prose queries should be sent to queryanna@lizadawson.com with the query in the email body, a full synopsis in a Word document, and the first three chapters or 25 pages in a Word document. Graphic novel queries should include a query, full story synopsis, at least five completed spreads, and any rough pages available. Anna does not accept script-only graphic novel queries. Query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, poc fiction, intersectional fiction, young adult, middle grade, women's fiction, suspense, thriller, romance, lgbtq and fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, memoir

Looking for

Autumn Frisse is listed by Prentis Literary under Acquisition and is described as the agency gatekeeper who gives submissions a thorough look-through and can pass suitable work on for consideration. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists fantasy/science fiction, POC and intersectional fiction, young adult and middle reader, women's fiction, suspense/thriller, romance, LGBTQ+ fiction, children's fiction, mystery, horror, literary fiction, and limited memoir.

How to submit

Prentis Literary's official submissions page says submissions are closed and that submissions will be discarded. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Literary fiction, women's fiction, mystery, thriller, narrative nonfiction, memoir, graphic memoir, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history, biography, lifestyle, careers, health, medicine, parenting, cooking, nutrition, gardening, gift books

Looking for

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is interested in literary fiction, upscale commercial women's fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction especially by journalists, travelogues, memoirs including graphic memoirs, social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women's issues, history and biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books.

How to submit

Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises is currently closed to submissions so the agency can focus on existing clients.

Represents

Literary fiction, fiction, memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, contemporary issues, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Cynthia Cannell Literary Agency represents fiction as well as memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, and nonfiction on contemporary issues.

How to submit

The agency contact page says it is not currently accepting unsolicited queries. The public contact email is info@cannellagency.com, but writers should not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, genre fiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, children's literature

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Dara represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including literary and genre fiction, graphic novels, narrative nonfiction, memoir, young adult, and children's literature. She is drawn to social issues, historically under-represented voices, found and chosen family, crossover appeal, high concepts, clever premises, and strong character development.

How to submit

Dara is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through her official online query form. Do not query two Hill Nadell agents simultaneously.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction

Looking for

Deborah represents a large variety of prominent and bestselling writers across literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction.

How to submit

Deborah Schneider is currently closed to queries. Gelfman Schneider says any queries not following current guidelines are deleted unread and that all listed agents are currently closed or referral-only.

Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Wales Literary Agency represents narrative-driven nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, and graphic novels. The agency does not represent self-help, how-to, children's books, romance, general genre fiction, mysteries, or screenplays.

How to submit

Wales Literary Agency is currently open to submissions by referral only.

Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, biography, history, business, health, science, pop culture, current affairs, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Personal recommendation only

Looking for

Joëlle represents adult fiction and nonfiction. The agency no longer accepts children's books, YA, middle grade, picture books, screenplays, novellas or poetry.

How to submit

Joelle Delbourgo Associates is currently closed to queries except through personal recommendation.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Wales Literary Agency represents narrative-driven nonfiction, memoir, science, nature, social justice, politics, health, food writing, culture, literary fiction, and graphic novels.

How to submit

Wales Literary Agency is currently open to submissions by referral only.

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