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US Narrative non-fiction Literary Agents

301 agents · 204 currently open to submissions

Narrative non-fiction attracts 100+ agents across the United States, though the category spans everything from immersive journalism and cultural criticism to personal essays with broader social themes. Some agents focus on investigative works in the tradition of books like *The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks*, while others prefer memoir-adjacent projects that blend personal experience with historical or scientific exploration. The category often overlaps with biography, popular science, and social commentary, making agent selection crucial for writers working at these intersections. Agents may specialise in particular subject areas such as environmental writing, medical narratives, or technology criticism, while others maintain broader interests across multiple non-fiction territories. Many expect a detailed book proposal rather than a complete manuscript, though submission guidelines vary significantly between agencies. Writers should examine each agent's recent deals and client announcements to understand whether they lean toward academic-adjacent works, mainstream commercial projects, or literary non-fiction with crossover appeal.

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Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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

Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 2 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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

Last checked 30 Sept 2026
Represents

Nonfiction, narrative nonfiction, big idea books, literary fiction, commercial fiction, children's books, illustrated books

Looking for

Gillian MacKenzie represents journalists, experts, academics, literary writers, nonfiction, select fiction, children's titles, and illustrated books. She is particularly drawn to cross-disciplinary explorations, narrative nonfiction, and big-idea books that offer a new lens onto the world.

How to submit

Gillian MacKenzie is not accepting unsolicited submissions. The Gillian MacKenzie Agency submissions page says the agency is currently closed to unsolicited queries.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

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.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, historical fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, romantasy, literary suspense, thrillers, contemporary fiction, short stories, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Elizabeth Pratt looks for fiction from diverse perspectives and emerging voices that turns the familiar on its head, recounts history from a different point of view, sheds light on something previously unnoticed, or makes readers think differently. Her wishlist includes character-driven literary fiction, family sagas, place-driven fiction, grief-centered fiction, historical fiction, genre-bending fiction, fantasy and romantasy that breaks common tropes, mythology or folklore retellings, formal experiments, literary suspense, contemporary fiction with young female characters, story collections, and select narrative nonfiction about theater, documenting history, people behind power, and the natural world.

How to submit

Elizabeth Pratt is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page. Trellis accepts unsolicited submissions only through QueryManager and asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window.

Last checked 27 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 27 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 27 Sept 2026
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.

Last checked 25 Sept 2026
Represents

Fiction, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages

Looking for

Juvenile and adult fiction and eye-opening narrative non-fiction, particularly stories of the natural world, visible or invisible, including the human mind and body, or of people and events previously overlooked. She is also taking on a select group of illustrators.

How to submit

Visit the About Us page for information about agents, their individual interests, and their query guidelines. Include a brief summary of your novel or scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book, and the first five pages for fiction only.

Last checked 25 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Upmarket literary fiction, literary non-fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, young adult fiction, young adult non-fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

She seeks first and foremost voice, a strong narrative, memorable characters, unusual premises, and underrepresented people, places, and perspectives, including #OwnVoices writers and stories.

How to submit

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

Last checked 25 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
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 23 Sept 2026
Represents

Fiction, narrative non-fiction, thriller, horror, science fiction, magical realism

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Carson seeks voice-forward fiction with distinct authorial voices and elevated, stylish writing across genres including thrillers, horror, science fiction, and magical realism, with a preference for novels that are hard to definitively categorize. In non-fiction, she looks for narrative works including previously untold history, intimate memoirs, or portraits of contemporary cultural phenomena.

How to submit

Submit query letter and 5 sample pages through Query Manager with the word QUERY and project title in subject line. Do not send attachments unless requested.

Last checked 20 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
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 19 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, narrative nonfiction, parenting, relationships

Wants: Query letter, sample chapter

Looking for

Ellen likes women's upmarket and commercial fiction, smart original thrillers and mysteries, sweeping or revisionist historical fiction, witty YA with big topics, narrative nonfiction, and books on parenting and relationships.

How to submit

Ellen Coughtrey is currently closed to queries. The Gernert Company asks writers to email info@thegernertco.com when querying open agents, indicate which agent they are querying, and include a query letter plus a sample chapter if appropriate.

Last checked 18 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Online submission form

Last checked 18 Sept 2026Via Online Form
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 17 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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

Last checked 16 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
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.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, contemporary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Looking for

Andrea Cascardi represents fiction and nonfiction for adult and children's authors and illustrators. Her official submissions page says she has broad taste but fiction needs an unforgettable voice, smart plotting, a big hook, and unique perspectives. She wants MG and YA with heart, humor, diverse characters, magical realism, pacy adventures, multilayered historical fiction, rom-coms, illustrated middle grade, graphic novels, MG nonfiction, graphic novel memoir, adult women's fiction, twentieth-century historical fiction, rom-coms with a twist, and contemporary fiction with voice, heart, and humor.

How to submit

Andrea Cascardi is currently only open to submissions through professional referrals, writing conferences or contests she personally attends, and queries she requests through social media pitch events. If she requests a submission, send the first five pages embedded in the query. Her contact page states she is currently not open to submissions.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026
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 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, thriller, speculative fiction, horror, memoir, narrative nonfiction, social justice, cultural criticism, true crime, essay collections

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Meredith represents adult fiction and nonfiction, including transportive fiction, dark or darkly humorous stories, thriller/speculative/horror elements, voice-driven memoir, narrative nonfiction, social justice writing, cultural criticism, true crime, and essays about race, class, and identity.

How to submit

Submit through UTA Publishing's official query route and select Meredith Miller where available. Do not query multiple UTA literary agents simultaneously.

Last checked 12 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction

Looking for

Sharon's list includes upmarket fiction of all sorts, from smart, complex women's fiction to unexpected suspense fiction and romance to hearty, unforgettable book club fiction. She also occasionally takes on compelling, fierce narrative nonfiction by journalists, experts, or emerging voices with a promising platform.

How to submit

Submit only through Query Manager. Include query letter in the body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, narrative non-fiction, memoir, history, pop culture, children's non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Looking for

Jim is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. He wants to see more children's nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit to Jim McCarthy only via Query Manager at https:// queryManager.com or JimMcCarthy. Include query letter in body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, popular science, culture, narrative nonfiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, literary mystery, magical realism, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages, author platform

Looking for

Kim primarily specializes in nonfiction and is actively seeking expertise- or platform-driven cookbooks, investigative journalism, self-help, health, wellness, social science, pop science, culture, and narrative nonfiction that adds nuance or makes niche subjects accessible. On a highly selective basis, she also considers adult upmarket and literary fiction, including contemporary and historical realism, literary mystery, magical realism, and near-future science fiction.

How to submit

Stonesong accepts electronic queries at submissions@stonesong.com, but the current submissions page does not list Kim among the named query recipients. Verify current route before querying Kim.

Last checked 18 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, adult fiction, adult nonfiction

Looking for

Sloan Harris is Co-Head of CAA's Books Department and serves on CAA's Board. Official CAA page text identifies him as representing narrative nonfiction, literary and commercial fiction, and memoir.

How to submit

CAA's official US literary agents page says writers should review agent profiles and use the submission button or link on an agent profile if that agent is open. Sloan Harris's static official profile did not expose a public agent-specific submission button or link in this run, so no public submission route is imported.

Last checked 17 Oct 2026
Represents

Health, wellness, science, psychology, spirituality, memoir, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction

Looking for

Authoritative books on health, wellness, science, and psychology, along with spirituality and inspirational memoirs that offer genuine insight or originality. Original cookbooks and narratives that illuminate compelling subjects or spark meaningful conversation, from practical wellness guides to deeply personal stories.

How to submit

Submit through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include query materials appropriate to your project. Address submissions to the New York office or use the agency's online submission system.

Last checked 17 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

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

Last checked 17 Oct 2026Via Online Form
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

Email: christina@unionliterary.com

Last checked 17 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction, fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, picture books, illustration

Wants: Query letter, credentials, synopsis, first ten pages

Looking for

Writers House represents adult and juvenile fiction and nonfiction, including literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, science fiction and fantasy, narrative nonfiction, history, memoir, biography, psychology, science, parenting, cookbooks, how-to, self-help, business, finance, young adult and juvenile work, picture books, and illustration.

How to submit

Email an individual Writers House agent with a query letter, credentials, an explanation of what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Consult the agent's Publishers Marketplace profile for any agent-specific requirements. Do not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 16 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, latinx voices, african-american voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Johanna is a senior agent at Writers House. Public profiles describe her as building a list across literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, YA fiction, graphic novels, and picture books, with interest in diverse voices, particularly Latinx and African-American writers.

How to submit

Writers House asks writers to email an individual agent with a query letter, credentials, what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Writers should consult the agent's individual profile for any specific requirements and should not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Last checked 15 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, military, sports, celebrity memoir, thriller, mystery, historical fiction, young adult, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science, theater, fiction, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Doug represents a mix of fiction and nonfiction, including narrative nonfiction, military, sports, memoir, thrillers, mysteries, historical fiction, young adult fiction, romance, music, style, business, home improvement, cookbooks, self-help, science, theater, and general fiction/nonfiction.

How to submit

Query by email. Historical agency guidance lists query@dgliterary.com as the submissions address and asks writers not to send sample material unless requested.

Last checked 11 Oct 2026Via Email

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