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US Upmarket fiction Literary Agents

United States literary agents who represent upmarket fiction. Browse verified listings with submission guidelines and open status.

24 agents · 12 currently open to submissions

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Represents
Narrative nonfiction, adult speculative fiction, upmarket fiction, literary fiction, children's booksWants: Query letter, synopsis, first 30 pages
Looking for
Works that center POC and LGBTQIA+ voices, particularly drawn to the work of Black writers across the African diaspora. In nonfiction: pop culture analysis, cultural histories, linguistics, food writing, international stories, explorations of music, fashion, and art. In fiction: robust plots, bold characters with humor, unique formats, stories exploring friendship and family, lyrical prose
How to submit
Send a query letter, synopsis, and the first 30 pages of your manuscript or your full proposal through this form
Via Form
Represents
Picture books, mg fiction, ya fiction, adult commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery or thriller, upmarket women's fiction
Looking for
Picture Books: Author/Illustrators ONLY. MG fiction: funny, mad-cap adventures; epic fantasy; magical realism; high-concept twists; strong plots and voices. YA fiction: commercial and high-concept fiction (all genres). Plot-driven and escapist books. Humor, imagination, adventure, romance. Adult commercial fiction (accessible fantasy, mystery/thriller, upmarket women's fiction). Fun, escapist reads. Great hooks. Great writing.
How to submit
Use QueryManager link provided
Via QueryManager
Represents
Fantasy, romance, mysteries or thrillers, select horror, literary or upmarket, commercial science fiction
Looking for
Fantasy: standout world building, compelling characters & voices, dark fantasy, cozy fantasy with an edge. Romance: mystery romance & romantic suspense, why-choose, unusual settings or communities, historical-with-a-twist, dark romance. Mysteries/Thrillers: unusual structures/unreliable narrators, cross-genre elements. Open to select horror, literary/upmarket, and commercial science fiction with standout hooks and strong writing. Interested in working with fan writers who are looking to explore trad pub!
How to submit
Use QueryManager link provided
Via QueryManager
Represents
Upmarket fiction, smart commercial fiction
Looking for
Stylistically subversive and thematically layered fiction that leads with artistry and allows deeper themes to emerge naturally. Upmarket and smart commercial fiction with inventive structures, emotional depth, and distinctive voices. Braided narratives, unexpected POVs, and prose that takes creative risks
How to submit
Use her querymanager form
Via 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
Via QueryManager
Represents
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, investigative journalism
Looking for
Sweeping narratives with voice-driven prose, particularly genre-bending projects that offer fresh perspectives. Timeless stories exploring migration, family, socioeconomic inequality, and speculative worlds that reveal complicated truths about our own reality. Also select narrative nonfiction, memoir, and investigative journalism projects; across all genres, books that uplift historically underrepresented voices.
How to submit
Submit queries through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form or contact the agency directly by phone at and 1 (212) 765-6900.
Via Online Form
Represents
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, historical fiction, young adult fiction, middle grade fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, businessWants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio, first five pages
Looking for
Andrea represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including projects for adult, young adult and middle grade audiences. She actively seeks literary and commercial fiction, upmarket women's fiction, romance, thrillers, mystery, fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction. In nonfiction, she seeks memoir, narrative nonfiction, popular science, parenting, pop culture, humor, how-to, self-help, lifestyle, travel, interior design, crafts, and business.
How to submit
Submit via email with a short synopsis of your work, author bio, and the first five pages of your manuscript pasted into the body of the email. No attachments.
Via Email
Represents
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative non-fiction, cultural criticism, memoirWants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
Looking for
Chris represents literary and upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and memoir.
How to submit
Direct your submission to an individual agent and send your material to submissions@janklow.com. For fiction: send an informative description, brief synopsis and first ten pages in the body of the email. For non-fiction: send an informative description, full outline, and first ten pages in the body of the email.
Via Email
Represents
Grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, narrative non-fictionWants: Query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, comparable books, biography
Looking for
Gracie is interested in grounded genre fiction, upmarket romance, psychological thrillers, folk horror, book club fiction, and narrative nonfiction examining culture and social issues. Across young adult and adult categories, she's interested in underrepresented voices, inventive storytelling, and delicious prose.
How to submit
Submit via Query Manager only. Include query letter, one sentence pitch, first 20 pages, and comparable books. Do not query via email.
Via QueryManager
Represents
Middle grade, young adult, upmarket adult fiction, grounded fantasy, adult romance, narrative non-fiction, graphic novels, picture booksWants: Sibling stories
Looking for
Michaela is most strongly interested in finding middle grade and young adult projects of all genres, upmarket adult fiction, and grounded fantasy. They are also open to select adult romance, narrative nonfiction for both children and adults, graphic novels, and picture books. Specifically seeks sibling stories.
How to submit
Submit only via Query Manager. Include full query in body, first 25 pages for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction. For picture books, include full text and dummy or sample art if available. Query only one agent at the agency at a time.
Via QueryManager
Represents
Romance, science fiction, fantasy, gothic tales, horror, cozy mysteries, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction, young adult, middle gradeWants: Query letter, author bio, sample pages, one-sentence pitch
Looking for
Saritza seeks commercial fiction by diverse authors, particularly romance with complex characters, propulsive science fiction, character-driven fantasy, atmospheric horror, cozy mysteries, upmarket commercial fiction, narrative nonfiction about culture and food, and all Young Adult/Middle Grade genres especially science fiction and romance.
How to submit
Submit via QueryManager link with query letter, author bio, contact information, and first 10 pages for novels. Include one-sentence pitch. Follow submission guidelines on agency website.
Via QueryManager
Represents
Children's books, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, genre fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, romance, mysteries, science fictionWants: 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
Via Email
Represents
Ya, mg, upmarket genre fiction, women's fiction, psychological thrillers, sf or f, psychology, self-help, cookbooks, narrative nonfictionWants: Query letter, bio, first 5-10 pages
Looking for
YA, MG, upmarket genre fiction (especially women's fiction, psychological thrillers, and SF/F), psychology, self-help, cookbooks, narrative nonfiction, works that speak to life in the twenty-first century
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
Via Email
Represents
Upmarket fiction, women's fiction, suspense, romance, book club fiction, narrative non-fictionWants: Joyful book club 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.
Via QueryManager
Represents
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, story collections, elevated genre fiction, literary journalism, idea-driven books, history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, natural world
Looking for
Literary and upmarket fiction, story collections, and elevated genre fiction. She's drawn to novels with a distinct voice, and is especially interested in stories with setting-as-character, coming-of-age, family sagas, noir elements, narratives seeped in contemporary internet culture, and protagonists grappling with timeless questions around faith and desire. In non-fiction, she's looking for literary journalism and idea-driven books across history, current affairs, politics, popular culture, and the natural world. She enjoys narratives that refract a broader view of modern life, incisive cultural criticism, scholarly inquiries with literary sensibilities, and projects that demystify a subculture to reveal something consequential about society
Represents
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction, illustrated projects
Looking for
Work that is fierce, sharp, nuanced, and uncompromising. In fiction, she is looking for work with that is inventive and strange, brave and honest, with humor and heart. She especially loves fiction that employs genre elements—whether evocatively surreal, slightly askew, or supernatural. In nonfiction, work that investigates culture, identity, sexuality, disability, and mental health is especially welcome
Represents
Science fiction, fantasy, horror, upmarket fiction, historical fiction
Looking for
Jordan is primarily pursuing genre and upmarket fiction for adults with a focus on Science Fiction and Fantasy and horror. She loves intergenerational stories that grapple with the complexities of families and culture through time and anything with an unreliable narrator or a speculative bent. She's always on the hunt for books that feature female wit and rage, bodies of water as foreboding, and eruptive moments of catharsis. She also considers historical fiction or retellings with a fresh approach and compelling perspective.

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