US Memoir Literary Agents

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, commercial fiction, romance, women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, cozy mystery, middle grade, young adult

Carrie Pestritto represents projects across a range of genres and is drawn to immersive writing, engaging voices, meticulous world-building, and compelling premises. LDLA lists her interests as adult narrative nonfiction, biography/memoir, commercial fiction with a literary twist, fresh chick-lit, romance, upmarket women's fiction, near-historical fiction from about the Gilded Age on, mystery/thrillers for a female audience, cozies, and high-concept commercial MG and YA in contemporary, historical, mystery/thriller, horror, or fantasy genres, especially featuring POC or marginalized characters, high stakes, and exciting plot lines.

Carrie Pestritto is currently closed to queries. LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and says writers should submit to one agent at a time with one complete project. Carrie's official linked QueryManager page says she is not accepting queries at this time and suggests checking colleagues' bios while she is closed.

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

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

Currently closed to queries, save for referrals and conferences

Mystery or thriller, historical, ya contemporary, new adult, narrative nonfiction, memoir

Genre fiction, such as Mystery/Thriller, Historical, YA contemporary, and New Adult, as well as Narrative Nonfiction and Memoir, with a particular interest in underrepresented voices, untold multicultural stories, and any high concept or genre-bending works

Currently closed for submissions

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.

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.

Adult nonfiction, food writing, drink writing, health, medicine, wellness, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, memoir, essays, cultural criticism, pop culture, art, design, music, collaborative writing, cookbooks, leadership

Sarah Smith is President and Literary Agent at the David Black Literary Agency. She represents a wide list of critically acclaimed and commercially successful authors, including bestselling and award-winning nonfiction. She is interested in books that teach readers something new or offer a novel perspective, particularly food and drink, health, medicine, wellness, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, memoir, essays, and cultural criticism. She loves working with experts and is always interested in pop culture, art, design, music, the cultural zeitgeist, and collaborative writers who partner with authors on cookbooks, memoir, leadership books, and more.

Sarah Smith is not accepting unsolicited queries at this time according to her official David Black profile and the official David Black submissions page, which lists only other agents as currently accepting new queries.

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.

Fiction, nonfiction, memoir, personal growth, psychology, lifestyle, humor, pop culture

Terra Chalberg is an agent at Chalberg & Sussman. The official team page says that throughout her career as an agent she has represented a range of fiction and nonfiction writers. The agency represents fiction and nonfiction in areas including literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal growth, psychology, lifestyle, humor, and pop culture.

Terra Chalberg is closed to queries and not accepting submissions according to the official Chalberg and Sussman team page.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Adult fiction, young adult fiction, adult nonfiction, young adult nonfiction, history, cultural anthropology, arts, memoir, science fiction, fantasy, noir thriller, horror, mystery

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, table of contents, sample chapter, sample bibliography, first twenty five pages

Jael Morrill represents adult and young adult fiction and nonfiction. In nonfiction she wants rarely told history, cultural anthropology, arts, and memoir from marginalized voices, especially disability, queer experiences, and people hurt by fundamentalist movements. In fiction she wants immersive science fiction and fantasy, fresh takes on noir thrillers, horror with hope, campy mysteries, speculative elements, queer characters, whimsical worldbuilding, and witty but grounded dialogue.

Jael Morrill is currently closed to queries while catching up on her inbox. When open, nonfiction submissions should include a query, 1-2 page synopsis, table of contents, sample chapter, and for history a sample bibliography. Fiction submissions should include a query, 1-2 page synopsis, and the first 25 pages. JDLA asks writers to query one agent at a time and does not accept snail mail 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.

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.

Adult fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, thrillers, mystery, book club fiction, historical fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, women's issues, cross-cultural nonfiction, history, humor, quirky nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Liza Dawson specializes in smart, plot-driven bestselling fiction; memorable, confidently written literary fiction; page-turning thrillers with spycraft, foreign intrigue, or unusual careers; mysteries with brainy detectives; literary fiction for book clubs; and breakout historical novels. In nonfiction she is drawn to cross-cultural and women's issues by experts, narrative history, memoirs about escape from closed or repressive societies, and books by journalists and poets making sense of place, race, the environment, Wall Street, Washington, or the South.

Liza Dawson is currently closed to queries according to her official profile. Her profile says to send only a query letter in the body of the email to queryliza@lizadawsonassociates.com, and the agency submissions page says to query only one Liza Dawson Associates agent at a time.

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, ya, middle grade, crime fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction

Literary and upmarket commercial fiction (including select young adult and middle grade), crime fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction

Currently closed for unsolicited submissions

Fiction, speculative fiction, memoir, children's nonfiction, diverse voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first twenty pages

Leslie Varney is Co-President and Agent at Prentis Literary, a second-generation literary agency focused on high-quality fiction, speculative and otherwise, with rare forays into memoir. The agency centers traditionally marginalized groups who face barriers in publishing and remains open and receptive to all authors.

Prentis Literary submissions are currently closed. The official submissions page says submissions sent through the contact form will be discarded.

Nonfiction, fiction, politics, current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction

Gary Morris has worked on books in many categories, including politics and current events, biography, memoir, practical nonfiction, commercial fiction, and literary fiction.

Gary Morris is currently not accepting unsolicited queries. The David Black Agency submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and Gary Morris is not listed there as open.

Nonfiction, self-help, psychology, health, narrative nonfiction, memoir, parenting, business

Jan Baumer represents solely nonfiction. She is particularly interested in measurable experts in their field, including impressively credentialed authors or authors with a built-in following, who want to change minds, change the world, or change how people think, interact, and live day to day. Her categories include smart self-help, psychology, expert and research-driven health, narrative nonfiction, memoir, parenting, and business, and she is open to well executed nonfiction proposals outside those lanes.

Jan Baumer is currently closed to submissions according to her official Folio profile.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, sweet romance, historical nonfiction, memoir

Mara Cobb is an agent at Lighthouse Literary. She is drawn to strong and feisty protagonists, antagonists with redemptive arcs, curveball plots, surprising twists, and books that are impossible to put down. Her wishlist includes MG with spunky characters navigating life changes with joy and humor; YA with believable, authentic characters, including dystopian, contemporary, and romance; adult Christian fiction, new adult, women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary, historical, and sweet romance; and adult nonfiction including historical nonfiction, relevant topics for today's readers, and occasional memoir with a strong author platform.

Mara Cobb uses QueryTracker or QueryManager, but the official linked form currently says she is not accepting queries and expects to open again in spring 2026.

Book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thriller, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, romance

Erin Niumata represents book club fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, thrillers, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, mystery, and romance.

Erin Niumata's official profile links to QueryManager, but her official linked QueryManager page currently says she is not accepting queries and will open again before the end of the year.

Adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism, historical fiction, romance, contemporary fiction, book club fiction, narrative nonfiction, history, science, memoir, technology, race, gender, class, disability, multicultural perspectives

Wants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, comparable books, first twenty pages, full nonfiction proposal, ai disclosure

Natalie Edwards represents adult literary fiction, upmarket fiction, and nonfiction. In fiction she is looking for literary fiction that breaks convention, upmarket fiction about subcultures and quirky communities, speculative fiction and magical realism where the strange or supernatural sharpens real-life stakes, grounded historical fiction, untraditional romance, contemporary work led by voice, complex characters, and deep interiority, and book club novels. In nonfiction she likes narrative nonfiction about niche corners of history and science, memoirs with a strong voice and a singular lens, and books that change how readers understand technology, social media, food, sports, medicine, race, gender, class, disability, or multicultural perspectives.

Submit to Natalie Edwards through her official QueryManager link. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager. Do not submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window. Natalie's form asks for a query letter, one-sentence pitch, comparable books, AI disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Narrative nonfiction, sports, business, history, politics, fitness, memoir, cookbooks

David Black specializes in a wide array of narrative nonfiction, including sports, business, history, politics, fitness, memoir, and personally compelling subject areas. His official profile says he is not currently accepting unsolicited queries.

David Black is not currently accepting unsolicited queries. The David Black Agency submissions page lists the agents currently accepting new queries, and David Black is not listed there as open.

Fiction, memoir, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages, author bio

Novelists who have several compulsively readable yarns in their head and are committed to perfecting their craft as storytellers. She will advocate for memoirs that uncover the diversity of human experience, and take on non-fiction writers who are experts on a variety of topics such as personal development, health and sexuality, racial identity, Christianity and spirituality, diet and fitness, African American history, and pop culture.

Please send all email submissions to submissions@wsherman.com. We ask that you include your last name, title, and the name of the agent you are submitting to in the subject line.

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

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.

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

Contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction, lgbtq, fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, pop culture, memoir, humor, creativity, craft, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter

She is primarily interested in fiction for adults, young adults and middle grade readers in contemporary fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction set in the 20th Century, LGBTQ issues, fantasy, magical realism, and science fiction. In non-fiction, she represents books by authors with demonstrable platforms in pop-culture, memoir, humor, creativity, and craft. She is also interested in graphic novels and memoirs for all ages.

Submit query via QueryManager only. No snail mail submissions will be considered.

Adult fiction, adult non-fiction, children's books, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, biography, memoir, middle grade, young adult, picture books

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10 pages

In Adult Fiction she seeks captivating settings and relatable characters that highlight virtues like empathy and self-sacrifice in historical, literary/upmarket, romance, or fantasy/science fiction genres. In Adult Non-fiction she wants well-researched titles that make complex topics accessible, biography and memoir that connect diverse readers, and books about poverty and justice. For children's literature, she loves books that can be read aloud and shared with families, especially middle grade, and seeks books with hopeful, informative, or lyrical tones.

Starting January 2026, queries must be submitted through QueryManager only. Address your query to the specific agent you think would be the best fit. Only send one query to Dunham Literary as agents share queries with each other when appropriate.

Fiction, nonfiction, women's fiction, romance, thriller, horror, memoir, how-to, advice, relationships, health, wellness, politics, current events, history

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Latoya has represented fiction and nonfiction, with past interests including high-concept women's fiction, romance, thrillers, horror, memoir, how-to/advice, relationships, health and wellness, politics, current events, and history.

No current unsolicited-query route found on the official LCS site. Treat as closed unless a current official submissions page appears.

Narrative history, culture, philosophy, religion, spirituality, science, memoir, fiction

Narrative history, culture, philosophy, religion, spirituality, science, memoir and fiction

Check agent's submission page

Biography, history, memoir, popular culture, music writing, journalism, politics, health, parenting, practical nonfiction, contemporary affairs, social issues, general reference

Nonfiction across popular culture, biography, history, politics, journalism, memoir, parenting, health, practical nonfiction, contemporary affairs, social issues, and general reference. Accepts submissions through referral only.

Sarah Lazin accepts submissions through referral only. Prospective clients should seek an introduction from an existing client, publishing professional, or conference contact.

Narrative nonfiction, biography, memoir, music history, self-help, cookbook, psychology, cultural studies

Clients who ask big questions, explore fascinating subcultures, and serve as paradigm-shifters in their fields. Particularly interested in performing artists and public figures successful in one medium whose talents and perspectives extend into narrative nonfiction. Represents thought leaders, journalists, doctors, psychologists, and cultural figures whose work inspires, entertains, and educates while challenging conventional thinking.

Online submission form

Adult romance, romance, graphic novels, young adult, contemporary ya, memoir, adult nonfiction, lgbtq and, multicultural, art, cooking, crafts, diy, environmentalism, plants, animals, parenting, media criticism, feminism, queer theory, new adult

Wants: Query letter

Claire represents adult romance, graphic novels, young adult, nonfiction, memoir, and select picture books. They prefer funny, lighthearted, romantic, hopeful books with fast pace, high stakes, emotional development, commercial accessibility, a romantic main or subplot, and a strong hook.

Claire is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through QueryManager only, the agency says email submissions will not be reviewed. Queries should address them as Claire or Mx. Draper.

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

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.

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