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US Romance Literary Agents

271 agents · 171 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

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, adult fiction, illustrators, contemporary fiction, magical realism, fantasy, horror, romance, romantic comedy, romantasy, women's fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, spirituality, self-help, health and fitness, parenting, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships and dating, true crime, bipoc voices, lgbtq and voices

Looking for

Lynnette Novak is an agent at The Seymour Agency. When she reopens, she is especially excited about BIPOC, diverse, and LGBTQ+ projects; illustrators for board books, picture books, illustrated MG, and illustrated covers; fiction and nonfiction picture books; MG contemporary, magical realism, contemporary or grounded fantasy, and horror; YA romcom, romantasy, fantasy, magical realism, and horror; NA contemporary romance, romcom, and romantasy; adult horror, dark romance, contemporary romance, romcom, romantasy, and women's fiction; and adult nonfiction including memoir, narrative, spirituality/New Age, self-help, health/fitness, parenting/family, motivational/inspirational, business, celebrity, lifestyle, pets, psychology, relationships/dating, and true crime by experts with platforms.

How to submit

Lynnette Novak is currently closed to all queries according to the official Seymour Agency about page. The page says to watch her MSWL page for updates when she reopens, but no current open official query route is listed.

Last checked 21 Aug 2026
Represents

Mystery, thriller, suspense, romance, fantasy, western

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Looking for

Gwyn accepts mystery, thriller, suspense, and all heat levels of romance in historical, contemporary, suspense, comedy, fantasy, and western subgenres. She especially likes unique characters, rarely used occupations, historical romance involving commoner characters, mysteries, fast-paced thrillers, large-scale schemes and scams, dark and gritty stories, and courtroom dramas.

How to submit

The agency is temporarily closed to new queries. When open, submit to only one agent with a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters.

Last checked 21 Aug 2026Via Form
Represents

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

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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

Represents

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, young adult, thriller, romance

Looking for

Lisa is interested in fantasy and science fiction with complex systems, cohesive worldbuilding, moral ambiguity, non-Western settings, marginalized protagonists, and stories driven by character choices. She also wants horror, YA fantasy, YA horror, YA science fiction, YA thriller, and YA romance, and likes non-traditional narrative structures.

How to submit

Lisa is closed to unsolicited queries. Do not send queries by email.

Last checked 5 Aug 2026Via Email
Represents

Women's fiction, historical fiction, mystery, romance, romantic comedy, horror, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, humor, nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Courtney represents women's fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, romance and rom-coms, horror, science fiction and fantasy, YA novels, humor, and nonfiction. Her list emphasizes work from underrepresented voices.

How to submit

Check Handspun submission status and submit through the agency query system when open. Query each project once with the agency.

Last checked 29 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Mystery, thriller, sf, fantasy, romance, ya, memoir, humor, pop culture, health and wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, new age, inspirational, technology, science, writing

Looking for

Mystery/thriller, SF/fantasy, romance, YA, memoir, humor, pop culture, health & wellness, cooking, self-help, pop psych, New Age, inspirational, technology, science, and writing

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 24 Jul 2026
Represents

Horror, speculative fiction, romantasy, fantasy, gothic, magical realism, contemporary romance, picture books, graphic novels

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 20 pages for graphic novels

Looking for

#OwnVoices Horror, Speculative, and Romantasy; Horror including body horror, femgore, horror romance, monster horror, folk horror; Gothic romance; Magical Realism; Indigenous/First Nations works; Cozy fantasies; Picture books with climate change and environmental STEAM themes

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager

Last checked 22 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 21 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Science fiction, fantasy, paranormal mysteries, queer romance, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Looking for

Science fiction with feels; Immersive Fantasy; Heists with paranormal/supernatural elements; Genuine Magical Realism; Queer Romance and alternative relationship structures; Speculative fiction that falls between genre cracks

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager

Last checked 21 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Women's fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, romance, lgbt, middle grade, memoir, narrative nonfiction, personal finance, business, true crime, sports, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, parenting

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

High-concept book club fiction, queer fiction, destination novels, emotionally satisfying reads, cozy fantasy, horror with modern commentary, and adult dystopian fiction

How to submit

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Last checked 19 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Health, parenting, southern history, african-american interest, business, motivation, romance, young adult, children's, middle grade, christian living

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Looking for

Rom-com, cozy mysteries, historical fiction, health and wellness, advice and relationship, and true crime

How to submit

Use The Knight Agency submissions page and the relevant QueryManager link, do not query multiple TKA agents simultaneously.

Last checked 19 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Nonfiction, mystery or suspense or thriller, historical fiction, contemporary or commercial, sapphic romance

Looking for

Stories that reveal the truths of what it means to be a human in our difficult, often oppressive, world. Always looking for writing from historically underrepresented groups, with special place for LGBTQIA+ folks

How to submit

Submit through QueryManager

Last checked 19 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

Email queries with specified subject headers to designated addresses

Last checked 16 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, romance, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, fantasy romance, paranormal romance, mystery, suspense, thriller, psychological thriller, young adult, contemporary ya, ya mystery, ya thriller, ya fantasy

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

Looking for

Christine is interested in upmarket fiction, women's fiction with crossover or multicultural appeal, romance including contemporary, romantic comedy, mystery/suspense, fantasy/paranormal, mainstream mystery/suspense, psychological thrillers, and emotionally layered contemporary, mystery, thriller, or fantasy young adult.

How to submit

Book Cents is currently closed to new submissions except by referral. When open, submit e-queries through the site submit button with a query and the first five pages. Book Cents does not send personalized responses unless interested.

Last checked 13 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror, romance

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Alexandra Levick is growing picture book, middle grade, young adult, and adult lists. She is interested in author-illustrated picture books and illustration portfolios, spooky or strange middle grade, YA across contemporary, fantasy, science fiction, and adjacent genres, and adult speculative, genre-bent, upmarket, literary, romance, horror, and fantasy work. She likes distinctive voice, strong themes, transportive stories, complex characters, layered narratives, intersectional feminist work, humor in dark stories, atmospheric YA horror, socially conscious horror, non-Western or diaspora folklore, dark futures with hope, ocean stories, rural stories, confined settings, and romances that stop her in her tracks.

How to submit

Alexandra Levick is currently closed to unsolicited queries. When open, she asks writers to query only one Writers House agent at a time and to send a personalized query letter plus the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email with no attachments through QueryManager, or by accommodation email only if needed.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
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.

Represents

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

Looking for

Autumn Frisse is listed by Prentis Literary under Acquisition and is described as the agency gatekeeper who gives submissions a thorough look-through and can pass suitable work on for consideration. The agency focuses on high-quality fiction, speculative and other, with rare memoir, and centers traditionally marginalized groups. The official genres page lists 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.

How to submit

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

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

Fantasy, romance, young adult

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

Looking for

Brianna is interested in fantasy, romance, and young adult.

How to submit

Brianna is currently closed. When Holloway is open, email submissions@hollowayliterary.com with the required subject header, query content, word count, genre, pitch, author bio, and first 15 pages pasted in the body.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, psychological thriller, contemporary romance, romantic comedy, young adult, science fiction, paranormal romance, thriller, nonfiction, cookbooks, memoir, self-help, lifestyle

Looking for

Mariah is interested in upmarket and commercial adult fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, contemporary romance and rom-coms, young adult science fiction, paranormal romance, thrillers and contemporary romance, plus nonfiction including cookbooks, memoirs, self-help, lifestyle and how-to.

How to submit

Mariah is currently closed to submissions.

Represents

Romance, women's fiction, southern gothic, alternate history, science fiction, fantasy, thriller, western, middle grade, young adult, nonfiction

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

Looking for

Nikki is interested in romance, women's fiction, Southern Gothic, alternate histories, grounded science fiction and fantasy, speculative thrillers, fresh westerns, MG and YA with cottage-core or floral magic elements, YA thrillers, and nonfiction on craft, screenwriting, North Carolina history, culinary subjects, hobbies, arts and crafts, and plants or herbs.

How to submit

Nikki is currently closed. When Holloway is open, email submissions@hollowayliterary.com with the required subject header, query content, word count, genre, pitch, author bio, and first 15 pages pasted in the body.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Romance, romantic comedy, women's fiction, thriller, psychological suspense, young adult

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

Looking for

Tara is seeking completed works with vibrant, fresh voices in romance, especially romantic comedies, women's fiction with fresh hooks, thrillers, psychological suspense, and contemporary young adult.

How to submit

Tara is closed to submissions until further notice except for personal recommendations and works requested at conferences or events. When open, One Track accepts electronic submissions through QueryManager with a query letter, synopsis, and attachment of the first three chapters.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Tasneem is looking across categories for work from marginalized authors, especially under the BIPOC umbrella. Interests include genre-inflected poetry, picture books, graphic novels, contemporary MG/YA/adult, fantasy, YA/adult science fiction, and YA/adult romance.

How to submit

Tasneem is currently closed to queries. The official Belcastro page links her QueryManager route, the linked form says she is closed until further notice, with a separate BIPOC-exclusive form noted there.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Thriller, suspense, horror, fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, speculative fiction, romance, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Vicky is interested in adult thriller and suspense with psychological, paranormal, supernatural or gothic elements, horror, dark fantasy, romantasy, magical realism, mystery, women's fiction, historical fiction, young adult horror and fantasy, middle grade, and picture books from author-illustrators.

How to submit

Vicky's CMA profile links to QueryManager but states that she is currently closed to queries. CMA asks writers to query only one CMA agent at a time.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, fantasy, thriller, romantic comedy, mystery, queer fiction, marginalized voices

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, synopsis

Looking for

Lee is interested in MG, YA, and adult projects across genres, especially fantasy, thrillers, romcoms, strong commercial hooks, high-concept premises, twists, ensemble casts, mysteries, diverse books, marginalized voices, and queer stories.

How to submit

Lee O'Brien is currently closed to queries according to the query guidelines linked from the Looking Glass profile.

Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

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

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Form
Represents

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

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

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

How to submit

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

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, horror, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, mythology, folklore retellings, romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Elizabeth represents thought-provoking upmarket and commercial fiction for adult and YA audiences, especially lush prose, complex characters, creative genre blends, boundary-pushing horror and speculative fiction, psychological terror, gothic atmosphere, macabre humor, dark mythology and folklore retellings, and unexpected love stories.

How to submit

Elizabeth is open only to referral and submission invitations, such as conference invitations. Existing pending submissions via Copps Literary Services QueryTracker remain under consideration. Queries sent by email or contact form will not be considered.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryTracker
Represents

Contemporary romance, young adult romance, adult romance, sweet romance, erotic romance, inclusive voices, subsidiary rights

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Looking for

Erica is senior agent and subsidiary rights assistant manager at Metamorphosis. Her profile says she seeks contemporary YA and adult romance from sweet to erotic, including inclusive manuscripts from Own Voices authors, and is not a fit for paranormal romance, historical romance, historical fiction, fantasy, or science fiction.

How to submit

Erica Christensen's QueryManager route currently says she is closed to unsolicited queries.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Young adult, science fiction, fantasy, contemporary romance

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Looking for

Jordy is looking for young adult across genres, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance without cheating or abuse. She is drawn to strong, funny, intelligent characters and well-developed friendships.

How to submit

Jordy Albert is currently closed to queries. When open, submit through her QueryManager route and follow Booker Albert's current guidelines.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via QueryManager

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