US Young adult (YA) Literary Agents

Graphic novels, young adult, adult fiction, middle grade, horror, fantasy, speculative fiction, magical realism, marginalized voices

Wants: Query letter, sample pages, synopsis

Ellis specializes in graphic novels and prose from YA to adult, with occasional middle grade, and a sweet spot in genre fiction, especially horror, high-concept grounded fantasy, speculative fiction, magical realism, and formally ambitious work by marginalized voices.

D. Ellis Wilson is currently closed to queries according to the QueryManager route linked from their Looking Glass profile.

Historical narrative, biography, offbeat fiction, nonfiction, children's books, nature writing

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

William has a long-running interest in historical narratives, biography, slightly offbeat fiction and nonfiction, children's books, and nature writing.

William Reiss is closed to submissions according to the current John Hawkins and Associates agent profile.

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

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.

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.

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

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters

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.

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.

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

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

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.

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.

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, narrative nonfiction, serious nonfiction, literary fiction, magical realism, surrealism, experimental fiction

Wants: Query letter

Rachel has a list spanning picture book, middle grade, young adult, narrative and serious nonfiction, and literary fiction. She is drawn to unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated family relationships, young protagonists, magical realism, surrealism and experimental style.

SLM lists Rachel as a junior agent, but the current submissions page only lists Jesseca, Eryn, Kate, Erika and Kristin as direct query recipients.

Fantasy, romance, young adult

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

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

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.

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

Wants: Closed to unsolicited queries

Flannery Literary represents authors writing books for children and young adults, looking for strong writing, unique viewpoints, memorable stories, intriguing characters and thought-provoking dilemmas for young readers.

Flannery Literary is currently not accepting queries.

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

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.

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.

Picture books, illustrated novels, graphic novels, middle grade, young adult, children's, adult crossover, author-illustrators

Wants: Query letter

Lori considers fiction and nonfiction projects from picture books to New Adult/adult crossover books, plus author-illustrators creating picture books, illustrated novels and graphic novels. She is drawn to character-driven stories with accessible, authentic and unforgettable voices.

Lori accepts queries solely through QueryManager when open. She is currently closed to unsolicited queries, emailed or snail-mail queries will not receive a reply.

Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, creative nonfiction, women's fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, contemporary fiction

Wants: Query letter, first five pages

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.

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.

Literary fiction, memoir, graphic novels, picture books, middle grade, young adult, adult

Wants: Personalized pitch letter, first five pages

Anjali Singh focuses on literary fiction and memoir and represents graphic novel writers and illustrators across all age ranges.

Anjali Singh is currently closed to queries except by referral. For permitted referral queries, send a personalized pitch letter with the first five pages of the manuscript in the body of the email and the project title in the subject line to queries@anjalisinghagency.com. She will likely respond only if interested.

Literary fiction, fiction, memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, contemporary issues, narrative nonfiction, nonfiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Cynthia Cannell Literary Agency represents fiction as well as memoir, biography, self-improvement, spirituality, and nonfiction on contemporary issues.

The agency contact page says it is not currently accepting unsolicited queries. The public contact email is info@cannellagency.com, but writers should not send unsolicited queries while closed.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, narrative non-fiction, memoir, history, pop culture, children's non-fiction

Wants: Query letter, first 25 pages

Jim is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. He wants to see more children's nonfiction.

Submit to Jim McCarthy only via Query Manager at https:// queryManager.com or JimMcCarthy. Include query letter in body with first 25 pages of manuscript for fiction or proposal with sample chapter for nonfiction.

Graphic novels, visual storytelling

Janna is a literary agent specializing in graphic novels and visual storytelling.

Check agent's submission page

Young adult fiction, adult fiction, fantasy, science fiction, romance, horror

Ciara has a wide range of interests, in young adult and adult, from fantasy and science fiction, to romance and horror. Above all, they wish to champion underrepresented voices and have strived to have a diverse list from the very beginning.

Check agent's submission page

Science fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, thriller, suspense, young adult

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Katie Shea Boutillier is vice president and rights director at Donald Maass Literary Agency and is listed as an agent in current publishing databases. Specific wishlist details require a deeper official-page pass.

Email Katie Shea Boutillier at ksboutillier@maassagency.com when she is open, following current DMLA submission guidance.

Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, adult fantasy, romance, diverse fantasy, rom-coms, historical romance

Bethany is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction in all genres, as well as adult fantasy and romance. She is especially interested in diverse fantasy, rom-coms, and historical romance. Bethany is always looking for new voices and diverse perspectives.

Check agent's submission page

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

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.

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.

Middle grade, young adult, adult fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Jolene represents middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction and joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2022.

Submit through Jolene Haley's current query route when open. Follow the agency rule to query one DMLA agent at a time.

Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, young adult romance, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, pop culture

Cole Lanahan is listed by The Seymour Agency as a literary agent. He is interested in literary, contemporary, and upmarket fiction. For young adult romance, he wants big romantic, coming-of-age stories. In nonfiction, he is looking for memoirs, cookbooks, and pop-culture work. He says his favorite projects are books that move readers to tears, laughter, or a need to call their mom.

The official Seymour Agency about page lists Cole Lanahan's contact as cole@theseymouragency.com. The current official contact or submissions page did not expose a separate Cole-specific QueryManager link or detailed materials checklist in this run, so use only the official Seymour contact route and verify current openness before querying.

Fantasy, science fiction, romance, young adult, middle grade, speculative fiction

Wants: Query letter, sample pages

Kat Kerr is listed as a literary agent at Donald Maass Literary Agency in current agent directories and query databases. Specific wishlist details require a deeper official-page pass.

Submit through Kat Kerr's current DMLA query route if open. Follow the agency rule to query one DMLA agent at a time.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, young adult, graphic novels, picture books, latinx voices, african-american voices

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages

Johanna is a senior agent at Writers House. Public profiles describe her as building a list across literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, YA fiction, graphic novels, and picture books, with interest in diverse voices, particularly Latinx and African-American writers.

Writers House asks writers to email an individual agent with a query letter, credentials, what makes the book unique, a synopsis, and 10 pages in the body of the email. Writers should consult the agent's individual profile for any specific requirements and should not query two Writers House agents simultaneously.

Picture books, children's fiction, children's nonfiction, ya, illustration

Writers and illustrators across children's publishing, from picture books through young adult novels. Beautifully written stories and nonfiction that connect, inspire, and affirm the lives of young people.

Submit via the Aevitas Creative Management contact and submissions form on their website.

Middle grade, young adult, commercial fiction

Commercial novels with exciting premises and lyrical, atmospheric writing; imaginative, genre-blending tales and speculative worlds infused with haunting, quietly wondrous magic. Fresh retellings of mythology, ballet, opera, and classic literature, as well as sharply funny rom-coms and graphic novels for all ages. Fearless storytellers who tackle big ideas and contemporary issues, with a commitment to marginalized authors and stories representing the full spectrum of human experience.

Submit your query through Query Manager at the link provided. Erica only accepts submissions through this platform.

Adult fiction, ya, grounded speculative stories, contemporary romance, illustrated picture books, middle-grade fiction, nonfiction

Grounded, speculative stories, page-turning contemporary romance, non-linear storytelling, and elevated writing across the board. In children's books, Rebecca's looking for illustrated picture books with humor or heart that would work well for story time and middle-grade fiction that discusses big life moments. In the non-fiction space, Rebecca is interested in millennial experiences and perspectives, especially ones that challenge societal norms, or that feel fresh and from underrepresented voices. She's also interested in food, pop culture, psychology, and social commentary with hints of humor

Email: rrodd@lgrliterary.com

Fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Synopsis, first fifty pages

Ameerah looks for writing that explores diverse experiences with elements of intersectionality. She is drawn to stories that take you on a journey through growth and loves a good friendship story. She enjoys contemporary works, writing derived from performing arts, romance, and novels in verse. For nonfiction, she's interested in pop culture, astrology, and discussions of mental health in minority communities.

Complete a form available on genre submission pages. Synopsis of the work that details the plot, plus the first fifty pages or first three chapters of manuscript for fiction and proposal for nonfiction.

Romance, women's fiction, young adult, middle grade fiction, select non-fiction

Fantastic writers with a voice of their own

Submission form: http://querymanager.com/Michelle3Seas

Ya, children's literature, upmarket fiction, projects on religion and spirituality

Elevating voices and stories that start important cultural conversations and is particularly interested in YA and children's literature, upmarket fiction, and projects on religion and spirituality

Check agent's submission page

Fantasy, science fiction, horror, women's fiction, romance, mystery or suspense, young adult

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Works with a unique premise and unforgettable characters, underrepresented viewpoints, twisty layered stories, and strong worldbuilding.

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

Young adult fantasy, young adult contemporary, romantasy, adult contemporary, thriller, grounded fantasy, women's fiction

Wants: Query letter, book proposal for nonfiction

Unique hooks, propulsive writing, YA fantasy/contemporary/romantasy/genre-bending, adult contemporary, thriller, grounded fantasy, romantasy, genre-bending, and women's fiction.

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

Middle grade, young adult, adult speculative fiction, fantasy, science fiction, horror

Middle grade, YA, and adult speculative fiction, fantasy, sci fi, horror, especially when the genre is a unique setting for deeply human stories

Check agent's submission page

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, memoirs, history, biography, business, young adult, middle grade, self-help, psychology, science

See source page for more info

Email: Agent10702@aol.com

Ya, adult

Narratives about complex female characters, seaside novels, girls with swords, fantasy, LGBTQ+ love, sister stories, toxic friendships, feminist fairytales, social justice themes, folklore, creepy forests, complicated family dynamics, quirky adventures, protagonists who change systems and break rules, heartwarming love stories, and whimsy

Query Manager

Adult, young adult, middle grade

Final Girls who are also monsters, diaspora stories, horror of any kind, stories that will make her laugh/cry/wonder if something is lurking in the darkness, anything that hints at what might be hiding in the ocean, witches, rom coms, witchy rom coms, women/enby/POC-lead thrillers, queer horror, queer rom coms, queer anything, stories written by and for folks from underrepresented/marginalized identities, ghost stories, weird stories, time loops, heists, and anything speculative/fabulist

Query Manager

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

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.

Query by email. Historical agency guidance lists query@dgliterary.com as the submissions address and asks writers not to send sample material unless requested.