PairPi

US Romance Literary Agents

275 agents · 173 currently open to submissions

Romance remains one of publishing's most commercially successful categories, with 81+ agents actively building their client lists across subgenres from contemporary and historical to paranormal and romantic suspense. The category spans everything from closed-door inspirational romance to steamier erotic fiction, with many agents specializing in particular heat levels, time periods, or trope preferences. Some focus exclusively on historical romance in the vein of Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas, while others seek contemporary romance with strong diversity representation or LGBTQ+ storylines. Paranormal romance continues attracting agents despite market fluctuations, particularly urban fantasy romance and shifter stories. Many romance agents also represent women's fiction, young adult with romantic elements, or romantic thriller, making crossover potential an important consideration. Submission guidelines often request the first three chapters alongside a synopsis, with many agents specifically noting their preference for standalone novels with series potential rather than incomplete trilogies.

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Represents

Young adult fiction, adult romance, adult science fiction, adult fantasy, adult speculative fiction, middle grade fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters

Looking for

Books that challenge societal norms, especially gender norms, stories featuring queer characters or characters with disability, neurodiversity, chronic illness, or mental health challenges, atmospheric fantasies, speculative mysteries, and stories with complicated sibling relationships.

How to submit

Submit queries through Query Manager. Include query letter, synopsis, and first 3 chapters for fiction. Provide content warnings especially for sexual assault or OCD behaviors.

Last checked 30 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Memoir, pop culture, commercial fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, romance, cookbook, non-fiction

Looking for

Voice-driven pop culture writing that brings fresh perspective to contemporary culture, non-fiction histories that recast narratives by centering unexpected or previously unheard voices, and adult commercial fiction featuring diverse casts and original stories, particularly in mystery, thriller, romance, and horror

How to submit

Submit via Query Manager only. Darga does not represent children's books, political or crime thrillers, fantasy or science fiction, or non-fiction in the self-help, how-to, or business categories.

Last checked 29 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, nonfiction

Wants: Querymanager form

Looking for

Cori Deyoe is actively looking to expand her list. She represents all subgenres of romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, thrillers, mysteries, and select nonfiction.

How to submit

Submit through Cori Deyoe's official QueryManager link. 3 Seas does not accept email queries, asks writers to use the QueryManager links on agent pages or the submissions page, and says no response within 12 weeks should be considered a pass.

Last checked 27 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Adult fiction, young adult fiction, book club fiction, romantic comedy, literary fiction, mystery, thriller, horror, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, essays, current affairs, pop culture, psychology, nature, science

Wants: Query letter, comparable books, first twenty pages or proposal

Looking for

Dana Murphy represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction for adults and select fiction for teen readers. She wants fiction with heart, humor, specificity, surprise, high-concept hooks, confident voice, rom-coms, book club fiction, literary fiction with form or genre elements, mysteries, thrillers, horror, found family stories, and narrative nonfiction or essay collections about culture, pop culture, criticism, power structures, object histories, big ideas, and deeply researched cultural history.

How to submit

Submit through Dana Murphy's official QueryManager form linked from Trellis. The form asks writers to review her wishlist and provide author bio, title, word count, genre, query letter, comparable books, AI-use disclosure, and the first 20 pages or a full nonfiction proposal. Trellis asks writers not to submit to multiple Trellis agents during the 8-12 week review window.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Speculative fiction, horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, romance, upmarket fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first five pages

Looking for

Danai Christopoulou loves speculative fiction of all flavors, from horror and thriller to sci-fi, fantasy, and romance, especially from marginalized voices. They are mostly focused on adult fiction but are interested in YA with crossover appeal, and like upmarket fiction with nuanced plots from BIPOC, queer, neurodivergent, and other traditionally marginalized groups.

How to submit

Submit through Danai Christopoulou's official QueryManager form. Tobias agents only accept submissions through QueryManager, do not query more than one Tobias agent at a time. Danai's form asks for author bio, pronouns, marginalized or BIPOC identification questions, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, publication history, and the first 5 pages or a full nonfiction proposal.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

New adult, young adult, middle grade, picture books, romantasy, mystery, speculative fiction, comedy, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, picture book dummy, portfolio link

Looking for

Emily van Beek is looking for new adult coming-of-age stories with series potential, romantasy with a fresh hook, cozy mysteries with series potential, high-concept speculative fiction, family drama, comedy, rom-coms, high-concept and well-written YA with bold voice and emotional connection, exquisitely imagined middle grade, funny or mischievous middle grade, and picture books by author-illustrators with award-worthy artwork, character-driven series potential, and diverse creators featuring diverse stories.

How to submit

Email Emily van Beek at emily@foliolitmanagement.com with QUERY in the subject line. Send a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript in the body of the email. For picture books, attach a PDF dummy, portfolio links are welcome. Send queries to this address only because queries to other addresses may not be considered.

Last checked 26 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, romantic comedy, young adult, true crime, self-help, business, pop culture, lifestyle, reality television

Wants: Online submission form

Looking for

Courtney Paganelli enjoys voice-driven commercial fiction, dark psychological fiction, heartwarming romantic comedies, relatable adult or YA novels with budding relationships, tough topics, complex family dynamics, paranormal activity or magical realism, atmospheric and creepy stories, whodunits, true crime, millennial-driven self-help, practical business, pop culture, lifestyle, and reality television.

How to submit

Submit through Levine Greenberg Rostan's official online submission form. Courtney Paganelli's official profile lists her direct LGR email, and the official submissions page directs submissions through the agency form.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, science fiction, thriller, horror, true crime, romance, young adult, cookbooks, interior design, gardening, parenting, self-empowerment, memoir, biography

Wants: Query letter, proposal, sample pages

Looking for

Christine J. Lee is an Associate Literary Agent with interest in full-length literary fiction, sci-fi, thrillers, horror, true crime, romance, YA, cookbooks, interior design and gardening, parenting, self-empowerment, and memoirs or biographies touching on race, sex, class, and identity.

How to submit

Submit through The Leshne Agency's official QueryManager route or email a query letter to submissions@leshneagency.com, but do not do both. Email subject lines should begin with QUERY followed by the title. For fiction, include author information, title, genre, word count, hook or tagline, brief synopsis, comp titles, and 10-20 sample pages. For nonfiction, include a complete proposal with overview, table of contents, chapter outline, target audience, marketing or promotion plans, comps, bio, and at least two fully written sample chapters.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email or QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, women's fiction, middle grade, young adult, romance, action adventure

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Caitlin Blasdell specializes in quality commercial fiction including science fiction and fantasy, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, and women's fiction. Liza Dawson's submissions page also lists commercial adult fiction, science fiction/fantasy, romance, mystery, and action/adventure for Caitlin, and her profile says she handles a few select middle grade and YA authors.

How to submit

Send only a query letter in the body of the email to querycaitlin@lizadawson.com. Liza Dawson Associates asks writers to check each agent profile, use the agent's query email and guidelines, and query only one agent at a time, the agency does not represent screenplays.

Last checked 25 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link

Looking for

Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.

How to submit

Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Helen represents a broad list spanning fiction, nonfiction, and children's categories. AALA lists interests in debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal, science fiction/fantasy, thriller, romance, general and literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, middle grade, and young adult.

How to submit

AALA lists submissions as open, but no specific query route was available on the profile during this pass.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026
Represents

Mystery, thriller, speculative fiction, fantasy, horror, paranormal fiction, romance, literary fiction, humor, spirituality, science, sports, middle grade, young adult, book-to-film

Wants: Query letter, author bio, first 5-10 pages

Looking for

Jackson champions bold, voice-driven fiction, especially mystery, thriller, speculative, and fantasy, with interest in genre-bending and socially conscious stories that explore power, question systems, and illuminate the human condition.

How to submit

Email a query to jtkeeler1106@gmail.com with a brief pitch or query letter, short author bio, and first 5-10 pages pasted in the email body. No attachments.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, romantasy, thriller, book club fiction, retellings, memoirs, narrative non-fiction, essay collections

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Aurora seeks commercial and upmarket fiction, particularly narratives with romantic or fantastical threads. She loves romance from smart romcoms to romantasy, with favorite tropes including forced proximity and rivals-to-lovers. She's drawn to thrillers like Megan Miranda's work and upmarket fiction with interesting female dynamics and moral dilemmas. For nonfiction, she wants select memoirs, narrative nonfictions, and essay collections on pop culture, modern dating, women's issues, and respectful true crime.

How to submit

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis, and contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples unless requested.

Last checked 22 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, mystery, suspense, contemporary romance, sapphic romance, upmarket fiction, dark romance, dystopian, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Sade and Beck Literary are seeking romance, character-driven stories, unique trope mash-ups, books by BIPOC authors, mystery, suspense, thriller, contemporary romance, sapphic romance, upmarket fiction, dark romance, horror, dystopian, paranormal romance, fantasy, m/m romance, and speculative fiction.

How to submit

Submit through the Beck Literary Airtable form. The agency does not represent short stories, poems, plays, or scripts. No response after eight weeks means pass.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Horror, mystery, thriller, romance, cultural criticism, true crime, pop culture, lifestyle, illustrated books, general nonfiction

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Claire represents a wide range of adult fiction and nonfiction, especially horror, standalone psychological thrillers, mysteries, romcoms, diverse characters and authors, friendship stories, revenge stories, sharp voices, cultural criticism, true crime, pop culture, lifestyle guides, and illustrated gift books for adults.

How to submit

Follow the instructions on Helm Literary's submissions page.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, general fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis

Looking for

Liz focuses on dark fiction at the intersection of fantasy, romance, thriller, and horror. AALA lists interests in debut fiction, horror, new adult, paranormal, science fiction/fantasy, thriller, romance, and general fiction.

How to submit

Use the current Myth Literary submission route. AALA notes that nonfiction is closed, and asks for a complete query letter and full synopsis including spoilers.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal fiction, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, romance, general fiction, literary fiction, middle grade, young adult, children's fantasy

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Kesia represents debut fiction, horror, mystery, new adult, paranormal, science fiction/fantasy, thriller, romance, general and literary fiction, middle grade, young adult, and children's fantasy.

How to submit

Queries are considered only via QueryTracker.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Commercial fiction, horror, thriller, suspense, romance, mystery, young adult, non-fiction, true crime, essays

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Kristen seeks commercial fiction including horror, thriller/suspense, and romance. She wants horror novels with dark twists, ghosts, and romance, plus young adult slashers. For mysteries/thrillers, she prefers ambiguous endings, contained whodunits, and surprising twists. In romance, she loves second chances, beach settings, and coming-of-age stories, plus crossover romance with fantastical elements. She also accepts respectful true crime and personal essay collections.

How to submit

Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. The query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include a manuscript, proposal, or writing samples. Do not send a manuscript or proposal until requested.

Last checked 21 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance

Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise

Looking for

Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.

How to submit

Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.

Last checked 18 Jun 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Children's, young adult, romance, science fiction, fantasy, middle grade

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, sample pages

Looking for

She enjoys clever, heartfelt, and commercial middle grade and Young Adult in prose or graphic novel format across genres. In adult science fiction and fantasy, she seeks contemporary fantasy, near future science fiction, and romantic fantasy. She's drawn to character-driven stories about family and friendships from diverse protagonists, especially those passionate about arts, STEM, activism, and geeky fandoms.

How to submit

Submit through QueryMe.Online or thaole platform. Do not send queries to multiple agents at SDLA. Include query letter, 1-page synopsis, brief bio with publishing history, and first 10-15 pages for fiction.

Last checked 15 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary romance, horror, paranormal romance

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author bio, comparable books

Looking for

Lindsey is building a list in picture books, middle grade, young adult and new adult. She is open to fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary romance, horror and paranormal romance, with fresh concepts, strong voice, high stakes and emotional drive.

How to submit

Submit through Lindsey Aduskevich's QueryTracker form. Query only one Martin-Newens representative at a time.

Last checked 13 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Romance, lgbtq and stories, literary romance, gothic romance, romantasy, paranormal romance, romcoms

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

Looking for

David is actively seeking romance projects, especially LGBTQ+ stories, literary romance, gothic romance, romantasy, paranormal romance, charming romcoms, and cozy seasonal reads.

How to submit

Submit to David through the QueryTracker link supplied on the official L. Perkins Agency page.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Young adult fiction, science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Looking for

Bridget is open to all genres of YA and has a soft spot for layered emotional contemporary, sophisticated or unusual SFF, and immersive historical fiction. She also represents literary SFF, historical fantasy, literary fiction with genre elements or interesting structure, contemporary fiction with speculative elements, and adult rom-coms.

How to submit

Submit through Bridget's QueryManager form with a query and the first five pages. She is open for the first ten days of every month except December.

Last checked 11 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Mysteries, thrillers, cozies, contemporary romance, romcoms, upmarket women's fiction, memoirs, narratives, cookbooks, self-help, mg fiction, ya fiction, historical narratives

Looking for

Adult Fiction: High-stakes mysteries and thrillers, and funny cozies––especially ones featuring ensembles, intergenerational family dynamics, and/or main characters outside of law enforcement, military, or journalism; contemporary romance and romcoms; upmarket women's fiction. Adult Non-Fiction: memoirs, narratives, cookbooks involving family heritage, self-help with concrete takeaways, empowerment, cultural tradition, and parts of history not typically taught in school. MG and YA: commercial fiction, including contemporary fantasy, horror, romance, mystery, and thriller––including ones with spooky or paranormal elements––especially ones that grapple with identity and/or intersectionality with fresh perspectives.

How to submit

Use QueryManager link provided

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Young adult, fantasy, horror, thriller, romance, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters

Looking for

Young adult, fantasy, light horror, thriller, the occasional rom-com, graphic novels, and almost anything with a strong female lead.

How to submit

Queries should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction, young adult fiction, cookbooks, food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, wellness

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

In fiction, she is looking for commercial romance, adult and crossover fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction and select young adult fiction. She is drawn to stories that embrace genre conventions from a fun, fresh angle. In non-fiction, she is looking for cookbooks and food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, and wellness, especially when approached from a specific, unique perspective.

How to submit

Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.

Last checked 9 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Mg, ya, graphic novels, contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, book club fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, bio, first 5-10 pages

Looking for

Stories about identity, family relationships, and travel. MG, YA, & Graphic Novels. Contemporary romance, horror, speculative sci-fi, and book club fiction. Non-fiction submissions and illustrators

How to submit

Send a short description, short bio, and 5-10 pages of text pasted into the body of the email. I do not open attachments

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, historical fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, horror, women's fiction, romance, young adult fiction, memoirs, essays, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, brief sample in email body

Looking for

Literary fiction; historical fiction; sophisticated genre (crime, mystery, thrillers, horror); upmarket character-rich women's fiction and smart romance; realism-based young adult fiction; memoirs, essays, and narrative nonfiction. Nonfiction interests include: music, sports, wellness, the natural world, animal welfare, feminism, true crime, sociology, and culture both pop and serious.

How to submit

Submissions strictly via dedicated email address: submissions@dvagency.com

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Speculative fiction, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, self-help, spiritual, occult, nature memoir, nature non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages

Looking for

In fiction, she is particularly drawn to speculative, atmospheric, and voice-driven narratives for both adult and young adult audiences. She has a soft spot for hybrid genres, such as horror-romance or speculative thrillers, and books with big hooks. On the non-fiction side, she is interested in self-help, spiritual (Marina loves the woo woo!), and the occult. She's also very keen to find poignant nature memoirs and other nature-based non-fiction.

How to submit

Please use this format in the subject field of your email: 'Marina or BOOK TITLE or CREATOR NAME or GENRE'

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, romance, women's fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, faith-based books, illustrators

Looking for

YA (all subgenres except sci-fi), thrillers/suspense/mystery, horror, contemporary, romance, new adult, women's fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, faith-based/inspirational fiction and nonfiction, true crime, illustrators. Welcomes BIPOC and disabled main characters.

How to submit

Query via agency submission process

Last checked 8 Jun 2026Via Email

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