530 agents · 321 currently open to submissions
Young adult fiction in the United States has a heavier publishing machine behind it than most writers expect, with dedicated YA imprints, school-and-library channels, and film scouts watching the bigger breakouts. The market runs from contemporary issue-driven novels to fantasy series with multi-book potential. The Hate U Give and Six of Crows show how wide the lane can be: one rooted in contemporary realism, the other in high-concept fantasy with an ensemble cast. Publishers usually target readers aged 12 to 18, though plenty of adults read YA too. When submitting to US agents who represent YA, look closely at whether they lean contemporary, fantasy, romance, thriller, or crossover. 200+ agents on this page represent young adult fiction, but the useful shortlist is the one that matches your book's shelf, age range, and pressure point.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks
They are seeking literary and commercial fiction, young adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and cookbooks.
Check agent's submission page
Adult fiction, young adult, crossover, middle grade, genre fiction
Wants: Completed manuscript or proposal, querymanager submission
Aiden Siobhan is an associate agent at Laura Dail Literary Agency. They are looking for adult, YA, crossover, and select middle grade genre fiction, especially diverse, heartfelt, beautifully written, trope-filled, high-stakes, fast-paced novels.
LDLA accepts queries via QueryManager only and asks writers to submit to one agent at a time with one project at a time. The current official submissions page lists QueryManager links for several LDLA agents but does not publish an Aiden-specific query link, so use the official LDLA submissions page for current availability before querying.
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, children's literature
Erin Casey Westin is a literary agent at Gallt & Zacker Literary Agency. She is open to all kidlit age groups, from picture books through YA, and is especially drawn to work that shows world- and character-building ability. She wants to believe in the world of the book, whether familiar or fantastic; she wants authentic, thoughtful representation so every kid can find a book that speaks to them; and she likes dialogue that feels perfectly written for the character.
Erin Casey Westin is open to queries from the 1st to the 7th of every month through QueryManager according to the official Gallt and Zacker submissions page. Query only one GZLA agent at a time.
Commercial fiction, literary fiction, women's fiction, contemporary coming of age, light speculative fiction, young adult, cozy mystery, cozy fantasy, contemporary romance
Wants: Query letter
Juliana loves commercial and literary fiction, stories that explore relationships and make her laugh, women's fiction, contemporary adult coming of age, light speculative fiction, young adult, cozy mysteries, cozy fantasies, and very select contemporary romance with a unique and strong hook.
Submit through Juliana's QueryManager route from the agency submissions page. Send only one Rebecca Friedman Literary agent at a time, the agency may pass projects internally.
Business, health, politics, history, cookbooks, pop culture, jewish interest, lifestyle, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, romance, young adult, middle grade, nonfiction
Wants: Query letter
Irene's interests include business, health, politics and history, cookbooks, pop culture, Jewish interest, Francophilia, lifestyle, upmarket fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, romance, historical fiction, middle grade and young adult fiction.
The official site has a contact form and states IGLA represents newcomers, but does not publish explicit current query guidelines.
Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction
She is actively building her list in all genres of middle grade and young adult fiction. Her taste can be summed up as 'eclectic,' and she is drawn to high-concept commercial projects with a literary aura, unexpected hooks, strong A/B plots, and distinct voices. She's especially passionate about supporting diverse and underrepresented creators from all backgrounds. A lover of anthropomorphic characters, she dreams of repping the next blockbuster animal novel or series.
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Mystery, thriller, diversity-focused fiction
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, comps, sample pages
Beth is the owner of Ladderbird Literary Agency and works in agenting while looking for new and exciting ways to bring more diversity into publishing. Earlier agency data associates her with mysteries and thrillers across age categories.
Use Ladderbird's agent-specific QueryManager routes and do not query more than one Ladderbird agent at a time. Beth's current public profile does not show a direct query link.
Ya fiction, middle grade fiction, cookbooks, food writing, memoir, true crime, narrative nonfiction, pop culture
Cookbooks, food writing and history, young adult and middle grade fiction, memoir, pop culture, true crime, and narrative nonfiction
Submit your query through the contact and submissions form on the Aevitas Creative Management website. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and sample material as appropriate for your project.
Serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, graphic novels, history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, journalism, african american work, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult
Tanya McKinnon is Principal at McKinnon Literary. She represents serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, and graphic novels. She is always looking for work that takes her beyond current boundaries, including history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, journalism, and sheer whimsy. In fiction she looks for story- and character-driven engrossing work with a strong voice. She has a particular interest in multicultural and African American work, has a passion for graphic novels for adults or young readers, and represents children's books from picture books through chapter books and middle grade readers to young adult.
McKinnon Literary's official Tanya McKinnon profile confirms her interests but did not expose stable public submission instructions or a public query route in this run. No third-party submission details were imported.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya
See source page for more info
Check agent's submission page
Literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction
Layered and deeply satisfying upmarket fiction, bookclub fiction with light speculative elements, and science fiction and fantasy stories with fresh worlds and nuanced themes. Her taste is eclectic across genres and age ranges, and she welcomes queries from authors uncertain whether their work fits her list.
Query Mary Moore through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form. Include information about your manuscript and your writing background. She prefers to begin representation in one genre before expanding to others, though she is comfortable representing multiple genres and age ranges for established clients.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya
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.
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Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya
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.
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Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Authors, illustrators, children's books, picture books
Children's book authors and illustrators through Folio Jr. The public page does not list agent-specific interests for this agent.
Review the Folio submission page and follow the instructions for the selected agent. Do not submit to more than one Folio agent at the same time.
Thrillers, contemporary novels, magical realism, young adult, books for kids, pop-culture, gift books, memoir
Strong storytelling in all genres, smart writing, high concept books, work with great emotional resonance, humor, authors with distinctive voice
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Middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, upmarket women's fiction
Books that explore romantic relationships, stories that have a very specific point of view, and characters that make a lasting impression. loves realistic fiction and is currently on the hunt for historical fiction
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Picture books, middle grade, ya, illustrated children's books
Children's books across all formats, including picture books, middle grade, and young adult, with a particular interest in diverse voices, nonfiction narratives, and illustrated works for young readers
Submissions should be directed through the Aevitas Creative Management contact and submissions form. The agency handles queries for Children's, Middle Grade, and Young Adult categories.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya
See source page for more info
Check agent's submission page
Commercial fiction, young adult, mainstream fiction, women's fiction, romance, suspense, thriller
Wants: Query letter
Michelle is actively seeking commercial fiction, young adult, mainstream fiction, women's fiction, romance, suspense, and thrillers. She is drawn to well-written material with strong, interesting characters.
Wolfson Literary accepts only online queries through QueryManager. Follow the agent's QueryManager form, email queries are deleted unread.
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