US Picture Books Literary Agents

Author-illustrators, picture books, board books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, poetry

Wants: Query letter, portfolio link, picture book dummy, first three pages, bio, comparison titles

Authors and author-illustrators of books for children and teens, including board books, picture books, fiction, literary nonfiction, poetry, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. She does not want adult projects and does very few chapter books or Young Adult projects.

Email the full text for board books or picture books in the body of the message. Author-illustrators should include a link to the dummy and sample illustrated pages, with no attachments. Longer works should include the first three pages, project description, bio information, relevant experience, recent comparison titles, audience notes, and why Mary Cummings may be a fit.

Author-illustrators, picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's books

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, portfolio link, art samples, picture book dummy, first 20 pages, graphic novel sample

Author-illustrators who write their own picture books and graphic novels, Middle Grade fiction and nonfiction, and Young Adult fiction. LK Literary Agency does not represent adult work, picture book text-only authors, or illustrators who are not yet writing their own work.

Email a cover letter with pitch, synopsis, contact information, and online presence in the body of the message. Novel submissions should paste the first 20 pages into the email. Emailed illustrator portfolios are accepted at 72 dpi, online portfolios are welcome, picture book dummies should be PDF attachments, and graphic novel submissions should include a PDF of two to three illustrated chapters with text.

Middle grade, young adult, picture books, illustration, author-illustrators, children's

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Jennifer represents authors, illustrators and author-illustrators with a distinct point of view and layered stories. She is interested in middle grade and YA with mind-expanding premises, survival stories, Dickensian sagas, puzzling plots, and middle grade about resilient kids sorting out messy lives.

Jennifer is currently closed to queries. Andrea Brown Literary Agency asks writers to select one agent, check that agent's bio and query status, and not query multiple ABLA agents simultaneously.

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.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's, illustration, memoir, journalism, political nonfiction, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency represents fiction, nonfiction and children's book authors and illustrators, with a focus on diverse voices and previously untold stories through its SLM partnership.

Charlotte Sheedy Literary Agency is not accepting submissions.

Picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first chapter, complete manuscript

Kaitlyn is looking for children's books (picture books through middle grade) in all categories, including fiction, graphic novels, nonfiction, and illustration. She is incredibly eclectic in her tastes, with a great affinity for emotional stories as well as funny stories. She is always looking for diversity in all forms, including but not limited to BIPOC, neurodiversity, and LGBTQ+.

Queries only accepted through QueryManager. Fiction requires query letter, first chapter, and synopsis. Picture book submissions should include short query and entire manuscript. Feel free to send 2-3 picture book submissions at one time.

Authors, illustrators, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's nonfiction, gift books, middle eastern voices, disabled voices

Lilly Ghahremani represents a wide range of authors and illustrators on both the adult and children's book sides. Her wishlist includes illustrators from the African diaspora and lesser-represented cultures, worldly children's books and art, children's stories rooted in cultural settings or personal experience, traditional cultural wisdom in modern children's books, children's nonfiction by experts, funny but smart picture books, books for kids of any age that center disabled characters, high-concept gift books with illustration or photography, and picture book, middle grade, and YA with Middle Eastern characters, settings, or themes.

Lilly Ghahremani is closed to submissions at this time according to her official Full Circle profile, and the official submissions page says Lilly Ghahremani is closed except referrals. Full Circle accepts submissions via QueryManager only and does not review direct email or mailed submissions.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, children's nonfiction, board books, novelty books, kidlit

Joyce Sweeney is Director of Kid Lit and Agent at The Seymour Agency. They have a passion for all kinds of picture books, especially nonfiction projects and lyrical, emotional texts, and will consider tough subjects in picture books, board books, and novelty books. In middle grade they prefer younger, shorter projects and chapter books. They are actively looking for genre YA of all types, especially from underrepresented voices and queer perspectives. Graphic novels should be young, realistic, and preferably illustrated.

Joyce Sweeney is currently closed to submissions according to the official Seymour submissions page, so there is no open query route for Joyce at this time.

Kidlit, picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, illustrators, author-illustrators

Rosa Frazier is a literary agent at The Seymour Agency. Her official Seymour profile says kidlit is her passion, with emphasis on picture books, middle grade, YA contemporary romance, mystery, and thrillers. She is drawn to underrepresented BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and disabled creatives, and encourages Caribbean and South American stories, folklore, and mythologies with representation of second languages and dialects. Illustrators and author-illustrators are also welcome when she is open to them.

Rosa Frazier is currently closed to queries according to her official Seymour Agency profile and linked QueryManager status. Do not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Science fiction, fantasy, children's books, middle grade, young adult, picture books

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Michelle is a literary agent at Storm with strong interest in heroic stories, science fiction, fantasy, and children's/young reader projects informed by her school and writing-contest background.

Follow Michelle Hauck's Storm Literary submission guidelines when available, no current direct query route was confirmed in this pass.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, children's nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Laurel represents picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, graphic novels, and select nonfiction.

Laurel Symonds is closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Children's fiction, adult fiction, picture books, graphic novels, pop culture non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first chapter, first 10 pages

She values diversity and inclusion, in fiction she enjoys ensemble casts with distinct voices, stories about poor characters and communities, and formats that are specific to a story and give it its own context. She is particularly interested in art/art history/art conservation, archaeology, mythology, language/translation, and criminal justice reform.

Submit query addressed to Alyssa Jennette at submissions@stonesong.com. Include the word "query" in the subject line. For fiction, include the first chapter or first 10 pages pasted into the body of the email. For nonfiction, include bio, credentials, social media analytics, and previous publications. Do not send attachments.

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Essie White is founder/literary agent at Storm Literary Agency, a boutique agency focused on quality literature from authors and illustrators, especially children's books.

Essie White is closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official submission guidance.

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.

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

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.

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.

Children's fiction, picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, memoir, middle grade non-fiction, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages, writing sample

Offbeat projects that break the mold, with particular interest in queer and BIPOC literature and writers. He wants to read something that moves him and connects on an intellectual, emotional or spiritual level. He specifically wants to see more middle grade fiction and nonfiction, and graphic novels.

Submit only via Query Manager. Include query letter in body and first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. For graphic novels, include first 25 pages of script plus illustrated pages if author or illustrator.

Middle grade, young adult, picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, upmarket fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Kari represents middle grade and YA at the heart of her list, plus picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, and upmarket fiction.

Kari Sutherland is currently closed to queries according to KT Literary's official agents page.

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, adult fiction, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction, adult nonfiction

Award-winning authors and illustrators of picture books and chapter books that present the world in unique and unusual ways, with characters that live vividly on and off the page. In nonfiction across middle grade, young adult, and adult categories, book ideas and platforms that tell untold stories by creators offering a distinctive perspective on current issues, hopes, and fears of both today and tomorrow.

Tricia accepts queries by request or referral, or from people who have attended conferences where she is faculty. Submit your query through the contact page on her website or through the agency's contact and submissions form.

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

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

Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's literature, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

Kelly champions writers and artists in nearly every category, format, and age group within children's literature. She works with debut authors and illustrators as well as bestsellers and award-winning creators.

Click on the QueryManager link in the agent's bio, follow the prompts, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with description of your work, previous publishing credentials, short author bio, contact information, and sample work as specified for your format.

Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, contemporary, fantasy, romance, suspense, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

She loves both contemporary and fantasy as well as the spooky and unexpected. She loves multi-generational stories, matrilineal magic, and is always happy to see high-concept contemporary romance. She also enjoys darker suspenseful reads and loves atmospheric settings that feel like a character. For picture books, she works on both fiction and nonfiction with interest in environmental and STEM themes, animals, emotional intelligence, and books for youngest readers including vehicle books.

Submit through QueryManager with query letter, author bio, publishing credentials, contact information, and sample pages. For novels: first 10 pages. For picture books text only: full manuscript. Response even if passing.

Science fiction, fantasy, graphic novels, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Kurestin wants to work with creators who are creatively ambitious, who have a wide range of ideas and are always pushing themselves to write what's most interesting and challenging to them. She's particularly drawn to illustrators with a strong sense of dynamic use of panels and movement on the page, and always loves a creature.

Submissions should be sent via Query Manager. Submit to one agent at a time at Root Literary.

Children's books, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrated books

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Victoria owns Storm Literary Agency and represents authors and illustrators, with a list focused on children's literature across age categories and genres except erotica romance.

Victoria Selvaggio is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, stem, historical fiction, fantasy, science fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, proposal, portfolio

Heather considers picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction. Her interests include books that explore currently untapped spaces, STEM picture books, layered MG/YA nonfiction, and stories that inspire readers to seize opportunities in their own lives.

Heather Cashman is currently closed to submissions according to Storm Literary Agency's official about or submission guidance.

Children's books, preschool, picture books, novelty, middle grade, young adult, thriller, science fiction, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages

Jamie looks for an intense emotional experience in all categories. She seeks manuscripts that stay with her, whether the sweet pang of an 'Jamie Weiss Chilton love you' picture book or the shock of recognition of an honest window to the tween or teen psyche. For younger age groups, she looks for the hook that will make a book a must-have parenting or educational resource.

Visit agent's bio page, click on QueryManager link, and complete all required fields including a short query letter with work description, previous publishing credentials, short author bio, contact information, and appropriate sample materials based on format.

Picture books, middle grade, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, author bio

Caryn looks for authentic, kid-appealing stories and art that disrupt the prevailing narrative in some way. She seeks characters that stick with her long after she has closed the book and loves stories that bring a good, cathartic cry, a huge belly laugh, some outrage, some new knowledge, and above all, hope. Social justice has been at the heart of her list since she started agenting.

Select one agent to query via QueryManager link on agent bio page. Submit query letter with work description, publishing credentials, author bio, contact information, and required sample materials based on format.

Graphic novels, children's fiction, picture books, middle grade, young adult, horror

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, portfolio

Jas represents authors and illustrators of graphic novels across all ages, plus select children's prose fiction, and is genre agnostic with a special fondness for unsettling, horrifying, and absurd stories.

Jas Perry is currently closed to queries according to the Looking Glass profile.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's authors, children's artists

Tracey Adams co-founded Adams Literary, a boutique agency dedicated to children's book authors and artists. The official submissions page describes the agency's interests as children's work across every age and genre, from picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction, historical novels, fantasy, books tackling contemporary issues, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books. Picture book submissions are considered only from author-artists.

Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to its official announcement. Do not submit unsolicited material while closed.

Children's books, young adult, picture books, middle grade, illustrated books

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Rosemary is founder and CEO of Stimola Literary Studio. Her career is centered on books for children and young adults, and her current client list includes major children's and YA authors and illustrators.

Stimola Literary Studio's submissions page says Rosemary Stimola is not currently accepting new submissions.

Board books, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary, narrative non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

She loves highly commercial Board Books, quirky and clever picture books, rich narrative nonfiction, commercial chapter books, and contemporary or genre-bent Young Adult. She's always seeking stories that center neurodiverse, disabled, and LGBTQ+ characters.

All submissions should be sent through Query Tracker. Query should include agent personalization, metadata with title or word count or age range or genre or comp titles, pitch, and author bio. Include synopsis and first ten pages.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, graphic novels, illustrators, adult genre fiction, pop culture, contemporary fiction, fantasy, horror, novels in verse, middle grade nonfiction, young adult nonfiction

Jordan Hamessley represents diverse children's fiction from picture books through young adult, select adult genre and pop culture writers, graphic novelists, and illustrators. She is looking for stories that bring queer experience to the children's space across all age ranges. For picture books she is only looking for author-illustrators. In middle grade and young adult, she likes contemporary stories with heart and humor, queer joy, cozy or romantic fantasy, horror with ghosts, creepy forests, haunted houses, and murder, children's projects about space exploration, novels in verse, and graphic novel illustrators. In nonfiction, she is primarily looking for middle grade and YA STEM, space, math and science made fun, and underrepresented history including queer history.

Jordan Hamessley is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page, even though the JABberwocky agents page still labels her open. When open, submit through her QueryManager page and query only one JABberwocky agent at a time.

Children's books, picture books, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, humor, inclusive stories, animals

Nancy Gallt is Co-owner and Literary Agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She seeks stories that make people laugh and think, that reflect inclusiveness and support the well-being of young people, and that bring something special to a child's reading experience. She has a particular soft spot for books featuring animals.

Nancy Gallt 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.

Picture books, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, illustrators, children's fiction

Karly Dizon is an agent at Fuse Literary building KidLit universes with stories that matter. She is aggressively building her client list to boost marginalized voices, experiences, history, culture, folklore, and mythology. She loves children's fiction from contemporary to fantastical adventures, grand adventures, imperfect characters, and especially a strong voice that hooks the reader within the first page.

Karly Dizon is currently closed to queries according to her official linked QueryManager page. When open, submissions go through her QueryManager link on the official Fuse profile. Unsolicited submissions sent to her conference, press, or rights email or through social media will be deleted unread.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, children's illustration

Josh Adams runs Adams Literary with Tracey Adams and is a literary agent with editorial and business backgrounds. Adams Literary is exclusively dedicated to children's book authors and artists, with client work spanning picture books, middle grade, and young adult, including historical novels, fantasy, contemporary issue books, literary stories, high-concept speculative fiction, unique fantasy adventure, humor, and character-driven picture books.

Adams Literary is currently closed to submissions and is only accepting new clients by referral from trusted sources according to the official announcement page.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's books, authors, author-illustrators

Eden Street represents more than 40 authors and author-illustrators of books for young readers from preschool through young adult. The official site does not expose a separate Liza Pulitzer Voges profile page, but the agency page confirms Eden Street's focus and client list.

Eden Street is not currently accepting unsolicited manuscripts according to the official submissions-guidelines page. The home page says the agency is full and unable to take on additional clients, except that it may be open to submissions at conferences.

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

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.

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