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US Young adult (YA) Literary Agents

531 agents · 318 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.

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Represents

Picture books, middle grade, young adult, new adult, fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary romance, horror, paranormal romance

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages, author bio, comparable books

Looking for

Lindsey is building a list in picture books, middle grade, young adult and new adult. She is open to fantasy, thriller, mystery, adventure, contemporary romance, horror and paranormal romance, with fresh concepts, strong voice, high stakes and emotional drive.

How to submit

Submit through Lindsey Aduskevich's QueryTracker form. Query only one Martin-Newens representative at a time.

Last checked 13 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, short stories, narrative nonfiction, memoir, historical fiction

Wants: Query letter, first ten pages

Looking for

Leigh Feldman Literary is particularly interested in historical fiction, contemporary YA, literary fiction, memoir and narrative nonfiction. The agency is not interested in adult or YA paranormal, fantasy, science fiction, romance, thrillers, mysteries or picture books.

How to submit

Email a query letter and the first ten pages of the manuscript or proposal to query@lfliterary.com.

Last checked 13 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, nonfiction, mystery, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, middle grade, biography, history, pop culture, sports, business, wellness, narrative nonfiction

Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio

Looking for

Jonathan represents a select fiction and nonfiction list including mysteries, thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, young adult, middle grade, biographies, history, pop culture, sports, business, wellness, and general narrative nonfiction.

How to submit

Email a query through the protected email listed on the Lyons and Salky literary representation page with a synopsis and short author biography in the body of the email. Do not include attachments or sample chapters.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via Email
Represents

Adult fiction, young adult, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, family saga, coming-of-age, rom-com, narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, sports, humor, pop culture, business, science, technology, social justice, human rights, feminist issues

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, full proposal

Looking for

JL is reviewing fiction and nonfiction projects: adult and YA contemporary, upmarket and commercial fiction, family stories, coming-of-age, rom-coms, plus prescriptive and narrative nonfiction, memoir, style, fashion, art, culture, mental health, spirituality, self-help, sports, humor, pop culture, business, science, tech, social justice, human rights and feminist issues.

How to submit

Submit a query letter and first five pages or full nonfiction proposal through the Next Level Lit QueryManager form. Do not query JL by email.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, young adult, middle grade, science, history, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, comics

Wants: Query letter, first five pages, synopsis

Looking for

Eddie represents literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, YA, middle grade, science, history, narrative nonfiction, graphic novels, and comics. He is looking for groundbreaking, genre-defining books that reflect the whole spectrum of human experience, with particular interest in fresh and diverse voices.

How to submit

Submit through Eddie's QueryManager form with a query letter and roughly the first 5 pages pasted below the query. A 1-3 page synopsis may be included. Do not send attachments except art samples for graphic novels.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, fairy tale retellings, magical realism, horror, suspense

Looking for

Dorian is actively building her list in YA and adult fiction, especially speculative fiction, literary science fiction, upmarket book club fiction, thrillers, reimagined fairy tales, magical realism, unique voices, contemporary novels with mystery, horror, suspense, and innovative storytelling.

How to submit

QueryManager submissions

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Narrative nonfiction, current events, history, journalism, science, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult

Wants: Query letter

Looking for

Andy encourages queries for narrative nonfiction, current events and history, journalism, science, literary and commercial fiction, and young adult fiction. He does not want poetry, short stories, adult romance, science fiction and fantasy, adult or teen paranormal, or film scripts.

How to submit

Email queries to andyrossagency@hotmail.com. Keep the query under half a page, put Query in the email subject line, state the project category in the first sentence, and include a short book description and writing qualifications.

Last checked 12 Jun 2026Via Email

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