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US Self-help Literary Agents

81 agents · 55 currently open to submissions

Self-help publishing spans everything from habit formation guides like James Clear's Atomic Habits to relationship advice, career development, and personal finance instruction. The category splits between prescriptive how-to books with actionable frameworks and narrative-driven memoirs with self-help elements, though agents often handle these through different editorial approaches. Some focus on business-adjacent titles for professional development, while others seek psychology-based approaches to mental health, productivity, or life transitions. Platform expectations vary significantly: established coaches, therapists, or business leaders may submit with existing audiences, but compelling concepts from newer writers still find representation when paired with clear target markets and practical application. Many agents also consider self-help crossover projects that blend memoir elements with instructional content, or books targeting specific demographics like young adults navigating early career decisions. Research recent client deals to understand whether agents prefer research-heavy approaches, personal narrative frameworks, or step-by-step methodology books when preparing your submission materials.

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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 9 Jul 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, popular culture, business, biography

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Laura Yorke Literary Services focuses on helping writers develop and represent strong nonfiction, memoir, health, psychology, parenting, science, self-help, spirituality, pop culture and related adult projects.

How to submit

The official site gives Laura Yorke's contact email but does not publish detailed current query guidelines.

Last checked 9 Jul 2026Via Email
Represents

Prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, spirituality nonfiction, personal transformation, limited memoir, true crime nonfiction

Looking for

Tina Wainscott is an agent at The Seymour Agency. Official Seymour guidance lists her interest in prescriptive nonfiction, self-help, and spirituality nonfiction. Her official personal site says she is focused on spiritual, self-help, personal transformation, and limited memoir, with a later contact page noting spiritual/self-help and true-crime nonfiction.

How to submit

The official Seymour Agency about page says Tina Wainscott is taking submissions via referral. Her official personal site also says she is only taking queries through referrals and does not handle queries through her author-site contact address.

Last checked 8 Jul 2026Via Referral Only
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 18 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Stephanie Cabot represents a range of fiction and non-fiction at the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates. The agency seeks literary and commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, and select young adult with crossover appeal. They are always looking for new voices and good stories with strong international potential.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya

Looking for

Stephen M. Morrison represents a range of fiction and nonfiction at Susanna Lea Associates' New York office. His interests encompass Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Women's Fiction, Crime, Thrillers, Narrative Nonfiction, Memoir, Current Affairs, Personal Development, Humor, and select Young Adult with crossover appeal.

How to submit

Check agent's submission page

Last checked 16 Jun 2026
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 25 May 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 15 May 2026Via Email

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