US Literary fiction Literary Agents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, middle grade, narrative nonfiction

Penelope represents literary and commercial fiction in adult, YA, and middle grade, as well as some narrative nonfiction. She is looking for an engaging voice.

Penelope Burns 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.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, narrative nonfiction, serious nonfiction, literary fiction, magical realism, surrealism, experimental fiction

Wants: Query letter

Rachel has a list spanning picture book, middle grade, young adult, narrative and serious nonfiction, and literary fiction. She is drawn to unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated family relationships, young protagonists, magical realism, surrealism and experimental style.

SLM lists Rachel as a junior agent, but the current submissions page only lists Jesseca, Eryn, Kate, Erika and Kristin as direct query recipients.

History, pop culture, science, memoir, investigative narrative nonfiction, issue-focused narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary thrillers, upmarket horror, family novels, coming of age

Sophie Brett-Chin is a Literary Associate at Folio Literary Management who is actively building her list. In nonfiction she is looking for history, pop culture, science, memoir, and investigative and issue-focused narrative nonfiction. In fiction she is drawn to propulsive plots that are beautiful on a technical and craft level, including upmarket and literary thrillers, upmarket horror that uses and subverts genre tropes to probe larger societal issues, and big-hearted novels about family or coming of age. Across genres she likes work that interrogates adolescence, especially teenage girlhood, as well as books about religion and ritual and books about the ocean. She is not looking for children's books at any level.

Sophie Brett-Chin is currently closed to unsolicited submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Narrative nonfiction, literary commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, legal thriller, psychological thriller, domestic thriller, biography, history, science, sports, travel

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Anne-Lise Spitzer is president of Spitzer Agency. Current public materials describe interest in narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, literary commercial fiction, mysteries, legal, psychological, and domestic thrillers, plus biography, history, science, sports, and travel.

The Spitzer Agency site says it is not accepting new clients for representation at this time.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, family saga, friendship fiction, psychological suspense, campus novel, love story, progressive politics, popular science, psychology, self-development, gender, pop culture, food writing, media studies, agriculture, housing

Sarah Phair represents a range of fiction and nonfiction for the adult market. In fiction she focuses on upmarket and literary fiction accessible to a wide audience, with beautiful language and elevated ideas, and particularly likes family sagas, friendship-centered stories, complex psychological suspense, campus novels, anti-heroines, and good love stories. In nonfiction she is interested in progressive politics, popular science, psychology, self-development, gender, pop culture, food, media consumption, food systems, agriculture, and housing.

Sarah Phair's official profile links to QueryTracker for submissions, but the linked QueryTracker form is currently closed and says she is not accepting queries at this time.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, illustrators, commercial fiction, literary fiction, diverse voices

Marietta B. Zacker is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is always looking for visual and narrative stories that reflect the world as it is rather than narrow bubbles, loves books that make readers feel, and avoids projects that set out mainly to teach a lesson. Across young adult, middle grade, and picture books, she looks for stories where young readers can identify with the actions and reactions of the characters, not the perspective of the author or illustrator, and where diversity is inherent and authentic. She is excited by soulful, insightful, well-crafted literary or commercial projects for any age group from young adult to the youngest readers.

Marietta B. Zacker is currently closed to queries according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. When GZLA agents are open, the agency asks writers to choose one person to query, query only one GZLA agent at a time, and use the agent link on the submissions page.

Science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, literary speculative fiction, climate fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Arley is primarily interested in adult speculative titles, including science fiction, fantasy, horror with speculative or fantastic elements, literary speculative fiction, and climate fiction.

Arley Sorg is currently closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Romance, fantasy, horror, lgbtq and, literary fiction, thriller, mystery, new adult, science fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Des is a literary agent at Metamorphosis. The agency submissions page lists romance, fantasy, horror, LGBTQ+, literary, thriller, mystery, New Adult, science fiction, and young adult among Des's categories.

Des Salazar's QueryManager route says they are closed at this moment and to consider submitting again when they are accepting more work in January and July.

History, biography, art, architecture, science, religion, literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, fantasy

Howard Morhaim represents authorities in history, biography, art, architecture, science, and religion, as well as canonical authors in literary fiction, thrillers, mystery, science fiction, and fantasy.

Howard Morhaim does not accept unsolicited submissions at any time. The agency says he only considers exclusive submissions that come as recommendations from colleagues or clients.

Book club fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction

Jamie Chambliss is drawn to literary and upmarket or book club fiction, and to narrative nonfiction, especially work dealing with food, pop culture, the quirks of human nature, stories within science and sports, and forgotten corners of history.

Jamie Chambliss is currently closed to queries according to her official Folio profile.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, biography

Joy Harris works primarily with literary fiction, strongly written commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction across a broad range of topics, memoir, and biography. She is drawn to a clear, original voice, an engaging point of view, and strong characters.

The Joy Harris Literary Agency is not accepting unsolicited submissions at this time according to its official contact page.

Adult nonfiction, memoir, journalism, reportage, hidden histories, prescriptive nonfiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, historical fiction, graphic novels

Kayla Lightner is primarily looking for adult nonfiction that can masterfully straddle the line between storytelling and teaching readers something new about the world or themselves. Her interests include memoir, journalism and reportage, hidden histories, and prescriptive nonfiction. More selectively, she looks for smart, propulsive literary and upmarket fiction with a speculative or historical lens and graphic novels for all ages.

Kayla Lightner is currently closed to queries according to the official Ayesha Pande Literary team and queries pages. Queries submitted by any method, including the contact page, when an agent is closed will not be considered.

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, new adult, adult fiction, romance, women's fiction, horror, dark comedy, satire, weird fiction, lgbtq and, black stories, paranormal romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Kaylyn is a junior literary agent interested in commercial, upmarket, and literary fiction for New Adult and adult audiences. She is seeking romance, women's fiction, horror, dark comedies and satires, weird fiction, Black stories and LGBTQ+ stories not centered around trauma, unique takes on classic stories, and paranormal romances.

Kaylyn Aldridge's QueryManager route is currently closed and says to check back in December, June, or July.

Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, mystery, speculative fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea nonfiction, wellness, history, sports, collaborative writers

Mark Tavani is VP of Business Strategy and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. He represents both fiction and nonfiction. His fiction list includes a wide range of literary and commercial fiction, book club novels, thrillers, mysteries, speculative fiction, and historical fiction, especially fiction that entertains and enriches readers. In nonfiction, he represents work that illuminates or inspires and works with experts and journalists, especially in narrative nonfiction, big ideas, wellness, history, and sports. He also represents collaborative writers who partner with authors in those spaces.

Mark Tavani is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official David Black profile. The general David Black submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Mark Tavani is not listed there.

Young adult, adult fiction, romance, women's fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, speculative fiction, science nonfiction, travel writing, cookbooks

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Nicole represents YA and adult fiction across romance, women's fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction, and is eager to champion diverse voices. In nonfiction she is focused on science-based works, especially biology, forensics, and medicine, plus travel narratives and cookbooks.

Nicole Payne is currently closed to submissions. The Confluence submissions page says to check for updates on when her QueryTracker will reopen.

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Rose focuses on stylistically subversive and thematically layered fiction, upmarket and smart commercial fiction with inventive structures, emotional depth, distinctive voices, braided narratives, unexpected points of view, and prose that takes creative risks.

Rose Conway is closed to queries and the Confluence submissions page says she will reopen via QueryTracker on 2026-05-01.

Literary fiction, speculative fiction, mystery, crime fiction, thriller, history, narrative nonfiction, technology, science, psychology, design

Roz Foster is Senior Agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. She is drawn to contemporary literary fiction, especially literary speculative fiction, elevated mystery, crime, and thriller, dark stories with philosophical gravity, spare perceptive prose, and work with emotional and intellectual depth. In nonfiction she is interested in history, narrative nonfiction, technology, science, psychology, and design.

Roz Foster is currently closed to queries according to both her official profile and the official Frances Goldin submissions page.

Adult fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, romance, psychological thriller, cozy mystery, memoir, young adult, middle grade, humor

Saba Sulaiman is Senior Agent at Talcott Notch. She is currently closed, but when open she looks for adult upmarket literary and commercial fiction, romance except paranormal, character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries, and memoir; young adult in all subgenres except paranormal, fantasy, and science fiction, especially contemporary realistic YA with heart, humor, and personality; middle grade that is smart, accessible, funny, sweet, or written with flair; and humor nonfiction. She looks for strong voices, unconventional narratives, complex relationships, fresh perspectives, multicultural perspectives, and themes of immigration, displacement, and cultural adjustment.

Saba Sulaiman is currently closed to queries according to her official Talcott Notch profile.

Literary fiction, memoir, history, sociology, philosophy, cultural studies, journalism, current affairs, international affairs, narrative nonfiction, progressive nonfiction, graphic fiction, graphic nonfiction, environment, legal affairs, justice system, race, science history, technology history, food culture, food history, speculative fiction

Sam Stoloff is President and Principal at Frances Goldin Literary Agency. He is interested in books that advance public conversation on crucial issues and groundbreaking work, including literary fiction, memoir, history, accessible sociology and philosophy, cultural studies, serious journalism on contemporary and international affairs, and narrative and topical nonfiction with a progressive orientation. His interests include literary graphic fiction and nonfiction, environmental sustainability, legal affairs and the justice system, books that dissect the right wing and American imperialism, the history of race in America, the history of science and technology, food culture and history, and fiction ranging from psychologically realistic to first-rate speculative literature.

Sam Stoloff is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to his official Goldin profile and the official Frances Goldin submissions page.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, crime fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, science writing, business books, history

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Sandra represents adult commercial and literary fiction, mystery, thriller and crime fiction, YA, narrative nonfiction, accessible science writing, business books, and history.

Sandra Bond is closed to all queries, her client list is full.

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

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.

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

Middle grade, fantasy, adult literary fiction, contemporary young adult, young adult, adult fiction, speculative fiction, underrepresented voices, marginalized voices

Serene Hakim is an agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. She represents authors in a variety of genres from middle grade fantasy to adult literary fiction to contemporary YA. She is particularly interested in YA and adult fiction with international themes, a variety of cultures, and underrepresented or marginalized voices. She is currently primarily focusing on YA/MG and taking on adult writers more selectively. She loves books that are joy-filled and full of heart, stories that delve deep into grief, and books that explore different meanings of family, home, and identity, especially with a speculative bend.

Serene Hakim is closed to queries according to the official Ayesha Pande Literary queries page. Queries submitted by any method, including the contact page, while an agent is closed will not be considered.

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

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.

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.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, food writing, cookbooks, memoir

Sharon Bowers is a literary agent at Folio Literary Management. She began her career as an editor at HarperCollins and has been an agent for over two decades. She represents award-winning novelists and a diverse list of nonfiction, including chefs and food writers.

Sharon Bowers is currently closed to submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Nonfiction, health, wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, food writing, drink writing, sustainability, running, fitness, memoir, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, crime fiction, mystery, thriller

Stephany Evans is an affiliate agent at Ayesha Pande Literary. Her official APL profile says she has represented nonfiction writers in health and wellness, spirituality, lifestyle, food and drink, sustainability, running and fitness, memoir, and narrative nonfiction for more than 25 years. She also represents women's fiction from literary to upmarket commercial, romance, crime fiction including mysteries and thrillers, and the occasional literary or commercial novel not aimed at a female market.

Stephany Evans is permanently closed to unsolicited queries according to her official APL profile and is listed as closed on APL's official queries page. Queries submitted by any method while she is closed will not be considered.

Literary nonfiction, narrative journalism, commercial fiction, adult fiction, adult nonfiction

Stuart Krichevsky founded Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in 1995 after a fifteen-year career at Sterling Lord Literistic. His official team profile says he has over four decades of agency experience, has represented dozens of New York Times bestsellers, and has a focus on literary nonfiction, narrative journalism, and commercial fiction.

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

Commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational, thriller, literary fiction, foreign rights

Susan Raihofer is Literary Agent and Foreign Rights Director at the David Black Literary Agency. She focuses on commercial fiction and nonfiction, including memoir, pop culture, music, inspirational work, thrillers, and a selective amount of literary fiction. Her official profile says her pop sensibility and literary heart come together around projects with soul and an edge.

Susan Raihofer is currently not accepting unsolicited queries according to her official David Black profile. The official David Black submissions page lists only other agents as currently accepting new queries.

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

Trodayne Northern is Co-President and Lead Agent at Prentis Literary. The official about page says his passion is good storytelling, that science fiction and fantasy are his first love, and that his genre interests are wide-ranging. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers representation of traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists agency interest areas including 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.

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

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, literary fiction, suspense, supernatural horror, speculative romance, romantasy, fantasy, adventure, romance, science fiction, magical fabulism, romantic comedy, speculative thriller

Victoria Marini is Agent and Founder at High Line Literary Collective. Her list spans upmarket and commercial adult and young adult work, from literary page-turners to commercial suspense, supernatural horror, whimsical speculative romantasy, big-world fantasy, adventure, romance, edgy science fiction, grounded magical fabulism, rom-coms, and speculative thrillers. She likes unforgettable authentic characters, hooky concepts with strong plotting and an emotional core, unique voices or visions, quirk, mystery, small-town hysteria, atmosphere, secrets, things that go bump in the night, charm, magic, and humor.

Victoria Marini is currently closed to queries according to her official High Line profile. Requested Thrillerfest 2025 materials have a specific official QueryTracker link, but general unsolicited queries are closed.

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, cookbooks

Robin Straus Agency represents high quality adult fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction, women's fiction, memoir, history, biography, psychology, popular culture, current affairs, science, parenting, and cookbooks.

Robin Straus Agency is not accepting new unsolicited submissions at this time according to the official submissions page.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, mystery, suspense, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction

Rebecca Scherer is an agent at Jane Rotrosen Agency. She represents commercial fiction across genres, with particular interest in women's fiction, crime and mystery, suspense, book club fiction, and upmarket or literary-leaning fiction.

Rebecca Scherer is presently closed to queries except by referral according to her official JRA contact page.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, underrepresented voices, lgbtq and voices, bipoc voices

Monica Odom is founder and agent at Odom Media Management. The agency represents literary and commercial fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and serious nonfiction, with a foundational commitment to underrepresented voices, especially writers who identify as LGBTQ and/or people of color.

Odom Media Management is currently closed to unsolicited submissions according to its official submissions page. The page says to check back with Monica Odom's QueryManager page for any updates about whether she is open to queries.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, nonfiction, history, military history, biography, narrative nonfiction

Michael Congdon is President of Don Congdon Associates. He has represented a variety of commercial and literary fiction as well as nonfiction, including history, military history, biography, and narrative nonfiction.

Michael Congdon is no longer taking on new clients and is permanently closed to queries according to the official Don Congdon Associates agents page.

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, essays, pop culture, arts, history, stem, linguistics, sports, philosophy, underrepresented voices

Mariah Stovall represents adult literary and upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, and essay collections by writers with strong voices and interdisciplinary perspectives. Across genres she is drawn to outsiders and stylish, inventive storytelling, especially where subcultures, social movements, and complex individuals intersect with pop culture, the arts, history, STEM, linguistics, sports, and philosophy. She is especially passionate about advocating for authors from underrepresented, marginalized, and minoritized groups, including writers without MFAs.

Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager, but Mariah Stovall's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries. When she reopens, follow the instructions on her QueryManager page and do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window.

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, magical realism, gothic fiction, narrative nonfiction, travel, health and wellness, ecology, nature, cultural criticism, indigenous voices, first nations voices, bipoc voices, queer voices, translation

Maggie Sadler primarily seeks adult literary and upmarket fiction with distinct character voices, lyrical prose, and propulsive plots. She likes work that challenges or deconstructs genre, craft, or structural conventions; grounded magical elements; folklore and fairy-tale retellings, especially non-Western; unusual concepts; unreliable narrators; liminal spaces; atmospheric magical realism; gothic work outside the Deep South; historical fiction foregrounding marginalized perspectives; adult narratives in translation; and adult narrative nonfiction on travel, health and wellness, ecology and nature, and cultural criticism. She welcomes debut Indigenous, First Nations, BIPOC, and queer storytellers.

Howland Literary uses QueryManager for submissions, but Maggie Sadler's official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries during a short medical break.

Big idea nonfiction, narrative journalism, history, science, cultural criticism, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, poetry

Mackenzie Brady Watson is actively looking for compellingly written, deeply researched books that help readers better understand the societal forces and systems shaping their realities and how they might think or behave differently, including big idea books, narrative journalism, history, science, and cultural criticism. On the fiction side, she is seeking emotionally evocative and voice-driven upmarket and literary fiction and poetry with a surprising hook.

Mackenzie Brady Watson is currently closed to queries according to the official SKLA submissions page.