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.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Fiction, non-fiction
Query Letter
Query the WME agent of your choice through their profile page. Query only one WME agent at a time, if no response after six weeks, try another agent in the department.
Picture books, author-illustrators, nonfiction picture books, middle grade, young adult, contemporary fiction, light fantasy, near-future dystopian, speculative fiction, psychological thriller, mystery, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, memoir, bipoc voices, diverse voices
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first ten pages, picture book manuscript, portfolio
Allison is looking for author-illustrator picture books, nonfiction picture books, middle grade with voice and a strong main character, YA contemporary coming-of-age, fantasy grounded in reality, near-future dystopian and high-concept speculative work, psychological thrillers, twisty mysteries, literary ghost stories, women's fiction, and memoir. She is interested in diverse and BIPOC voices.
Email Allison Remcheck at the spelled-out SLS submissions address listed on the Stimola submissions page. Picture book manuscripts should be attached as Word documents, dummies or portfolios as PDFs, first ten pages of middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction should be pasted in the email, a synopsis attachment is welcome.
Children's books, adult contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, light fantasy, magical realism, romantic comedy, thriller, mystery, suspense, horror, picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, full manuscript, full proposal, artwork samples
Savannah Brooks is an associate literary agent whose official personal site says she joined KT Literary in 2022 and represents all of kid lit plus adult contemporary and upmarket fiction, speculative/light fantasy/magical realism, romcoms, thrillers, mystery, suspense, and horror. She is especially interested in stories that teach her something new, add to a larger sociopolitical conversation, and highlight underrepresented identities and cultures.
Submit through Savannah Brooks's QueryManager route. The live form asks writers to check her website before submitting, confirm whether the project has been submitted to her before, and include author details, title, word count, genre, query letter, synopsis, and full manuscript or nonfiction proposal, artwork samples may be uploaded if applicable. The form says she is only open to children's books by request or referral, so public unsolicited submissions should match the currently open adult categories.
Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, climate fiction, speculative fiction, ya, narrative non-fiction
Literary, climate, and speculative fiction, occasional YA. Stories that hold up a mirror to our culture in new ways, queer and trans coming-of-age fiction (particularly from horror perspective). Narrative non-fiction chronicling recent history, cultural trends, technology, social rules. Work that is subversive in prose, style, or subject
Check agent's submission page
Commercial romance, fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction, young adult fiction, cookbooks, food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, wellness
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In fiction, she is looking for commercial romance, adult and crossover fantasy, science fiction, horror, upmarket thrillers, contemporary fiction and select young adult fiction. She is drawn to stories that embrace genre conventions from a fun, fresh angle. In non-fiction, she is looking for cookbooks and food writing, sports, pop culture, music, psychology, lifestyle, and wellness, especially when approached from a specific, unique perspective.
Include the first ten pages of text only within the body of your email for adult fiction, adult memoir, adult non-fiction essay collection, or children's fiction and non-fiction.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, speculative fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, mystery, narrative non-fiction, cultural history, creative non-fiction, food writing, young adult, middle grade
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly from underrepresented communities. She favors character-driven literary fiction that borrows from genre elements, narrative nonfiction that reorients understanding of history and culture, and creative nonfiction that appeals to heart, mind, and humor. For Young Adult she prefers realistic, emotional stories whether contemporary or historical.
Submit via Roma's QueryManager form. Include query letter, synopsis, comparable books, and upload first 20 pages for fiction or full proposal for nonfiction. One agent at a time, but can submit to up to three ALA agents if first passes.
Young adult, fantasy, horror, thriller, romance, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, first 1-2 chapters
Young adult, fantasy, light horror, thriller, the occasional rom-com, graphic novels, and almost anything with a strong female lead.
Queries should be emailed to submissions@inkwellmanagement.com. In the body of your email, please include a query letter and a short writing sample (1-2 chapters). You may specify the name of the agent to whom you are submitting in the subject line.
Mysteries, thrillers, cozies, contemporary romance, romcoms, upmarket women's fiction, memoirs, narratives, cookbooks, self-help, mg fiction, ya fiction, historical narratives
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.
Use QueryManager link provided
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, select adult
Query Letter, Synopsis, One-sentence pitch, First 20 Pages, Book proposal for nonfiction
Rebecca is only accepting submissions via her personal QueryManager link. Please include your title, word count, genre, one-sentence pitch, synopsis, and query letter. For fiction, please include the first 20 pages of your manuscript. For nonfiction, please include your book proposal.
Music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, literary fiction, humor, science
Wants: Query letter, project summary, author credentials, sample pages
Writers in the world of music, pop culture, narrative non-fiction, food, young adult, literary fiction and humor. Also interested in science and any authors with great ideas and an equally strong platform. He tends to have a soft spot for all Beatle related projects.
Send query letter that includes a brief summary of your novel or the scope of your non-fiction project, a short description why you're writing the project, any specific credentials you have for writing the book in question, and the first five pages for fiction only.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, romance, thriller, mystery, middle grade, young adult, narrative non-fiction, essay collections
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, sample pages
She seeks literary family sagas, genre-blending fiction, heists and cons that critique power systems, murder mysteries with humor, literary fiction about BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ protagonists, feminist revenge stories, whimsical fantasy, high-heat romance, historical fiction with unexpected settings, middle-grade adventures and slice-of-life, Young Adult queer and anticolonial revenge stories, narrative nonfiction connecting journalism to personal experience, and microhistories described as love letters to niche topics.
Submit via QueryManager submission form. Include polished query letter, bio, and manuscript pages according to genre guidelines. Select one agent at ALA to submit to initially.
Science fiction, fantasy, horror
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first 10-20 pages
Stories from BIPOC who are born and raised in the Global South. Work that burns down the patriarchy and colonizers, contains gaming Easter eggs, has emotional resonance like indie games, and political complexity like anime. Dragons, sapphic power couples, cozy Studio Ghibli-like stories, BIPOC vampires, dark academia with e-sports or tabletop gaming, and stories where emotional intelligence is valuable.
Select one agent to submit to. Submit to one agent at a time, but if one passes, you can submit to up to three agents at ALA. Submit 10-20 polished pages for novels. Must be complete manuscript.
Fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, thriller, science fiction, non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, biography, sample pages
She seeks accessibly-written novels that transport readers and make them forget the world around them. She loves deep POV, compelling hooks, and confident voices. She's particularly interested in fantasy, romance, mystery, horror, and upmarket or commercial fiction, especially with speculative elements. In nonfiction, she wants paradigm-shifting, platform-driven books that make readers reconsider what they know about the world.
Submit through Query Manager only. Include query letter, bio, and 10-20 polished pages for novels. No email submissions accepted unless requested or on referral.
Graphic novels, young adult contemporary, young adult science fiction, young adult fantasy, adult romance, adult non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, biography, first 10 pages
He loves lyrical prose, wordplay, and humor. He is especially excited about working with queer, neurodivergent, BIPOC, and disabled creators. In Young Adult, he seeks contemporary realistic fiction and science fiction/fantasy. In adult fiction, he wants queer romance. For nonfiction, he prefers accessible, queer, and neurodivergent works.
Fill out his submission form via QueryManager. Submit one agent at a time, but can submit to up to three ALA agents if one passes. Include polished query letter, bio, and complete work.
Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, adult, young adult, middle grade, graphic novels
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
Contemporary & Upmarket fiction, Upmarket Romance, Speculative & Cozy Fantasy, Literary Thriller/Suspense/Psychological, Atmospheric & Genre-Bending, Fun & Offbeat, Graphic Novels, Big Ideas & Culture nonfiction, Literary Memoir
Send query and first 10 pages in body of email to helmsubmissions@gmail.com. No attachments will be opened.
Speculative fiction, horror, romance, mystery, thriller, literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, self-help, spiritual, occult, nature memoir, nature non-fiction
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
In fiction, she is particularly drawn to speculative, atmospheric, and voice-driven narratives for both adult and young adult audiences. She has a soft spot for hybrid genres, such as horror-romance or speculative thrillers, and books with big hooks. On the non-fiction side, she is interested in self-help, spiritual (Marina loves the woo woo!), and the occult. She's also very keen to find poignant nature memoirs and other nature-based non-fiction.
Please use this format in the subject field of your email: 'Marina or BOOK TITLE or CREATOR NAME or GENRE'
Young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers, mysteries, suspense, romance, women's fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, nonfiction, faith-based books, illustrators
YA (all subgenres except sci-fi), thrillers/suspense/mystery, horror, contemporary, romance, new adult, women's fiction, historical fiction, literary fiction, faith-based/inspirational fiction and nonfiction, true crime, illustrators. Welcomes BIPOC and disabled main characters.
Query via agency submission process
Adult nonfiction, adult fiction, children's literature, picture books, middle grade, young adult, graphic novels
Cooking, drinks, health/wellness, lifestyle, self-help, women's issues, memoir, cat content, underrepresented voices. Occasional adult fiction for existing clients or via referrals. Select children's literature in special circumstances.
Submit queries here: http:// queryManager.com or JenNewens
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, mystery, romantasy, horror, humor, narrative nonfiction, nature and ecology, pop culture, women's issues
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters or proposal
Emelie Burl represents books for all ages and across many genres. She is drawn to cozy projects across fiction and nonfiction, found family, magic, nature, self-acceptance, folklore, diversity, queer joy, female rage, immersive storytelling, hopeful stories with edge, grounded fantasy, unusual or offbeat characters, journalistic deep dives with personal narrative, humor, and children's books that meet kids where they are.
Submit to Emelie Burl through her official linked QueryManager form only. Direct email queries will be deleted unread. The form asks for author information, query letter, synopsis, AI-use disclosure, and the first three chapters or, for nonfiction, the full book proposal.
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, adult fiction, nonfiction, romance, speculative fiction
Wants: Query letter, bio, manuscript or proposal, portfolio link
Abigail Frank wants weird, expansive books for young readers, including original picture books, chapter books with big personalities, and novels about unforgettable teens falling in love. She is especially interested in author-illustrators, lyrical and inventive picture book texts, distinct visual art, stories by marginalized creators, and select adult projects including visual nonfiction, gift nonfiction, genre-defying nonfiction, lightly speculative fiction, commercial rom-coms, and work about labor and capital.
Query Abigail Frank at afrank@sjga.com with the subject line QUERY - project title. Include a brief bio in the cover letter and attach the manuscript or proposal. Visual artists should include a portfolio link. Greenburger accepts email queries only and asks writers not to query more than one Greenburger agent simultaneously.
Literary fiction, book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, narrative nonfiction, practical nonfiction, poetry, ya
Wants: Query letter, first 10 pages
Literary and book club fiction, grounded speculative, horror, thrillers, narrative and practical nonfiction, as well as select poetry and YA
Email queries directly to Ashley at ashley@mmqalit.com with word 'query' and project title in subject line, include first 10 pages in body of email
Fiction, nonfiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, history, biography, memoir, journalism
Diverse group of fiction and nonfiction writers, including literary and commercial novelists for adults and young readers, historians, biographers, memoirists, journalists, strategists, adventurers, and entertainers
Online submission form
Adult fiction, thriller, psychological thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, young adult romance
Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise
Jillian Schelzi is a junior agent at HG Literary. She is primarily looking for adult fiction, especially psychological thrillers, shocking twists, page-turning suspense, and rich historical fiction set against war. She also likes mental-health representation, darker and challenging themes, literary and upmarket fiction, book club fiction, and YA romance. She is not looking for middle grade, picture books, religious books, fantasy, romantasy, or horror.
Submit through Jillian Schelzi's official QueryTracker form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.
Fiction, middle grade, young adult, science fiction, fantasy, african-american fiction, literary fiction, mystery, thriller
Wants: Query form, first five pages unless form specifies otherwise
Jon Cobb is a literary agent at HG Literary. He reads all genres of fiction and has particular interest in contemporary middle grade and YA, science fiction and fantasy, African-American fiction, literary fiction, mysteries, and thrillers. He also has a soft spot for track and field, geek culture, weird science, and cutting-edge technology.
Submit through Jon Cobb's official QueryMe.Online form. HG Literary accepts electronic submissions only and asks writers to query one agent at a time. Unless the agent-specific form says otherwise, HG requests a query letter and the first five pages. HG does not represent screenplays or religious fiction.
Commercial fiction, horror, thriller, suspense, romance, mystery, young adult, non-fiction, true crime, essays
Wants: Query letter
Kristen seeks commercial fiction including horror, thriller/suspense, and romance. She wants horror novels with dark twists, ghosts, and romance, plus young adult slashers. For mysteries/thrillers, she prefers ambiguous endings, contained whodunits, and surprising twists. In romance, she loves second chances, beach settings, and coming-of-age stories, plus crossover romance with fantastical elements. She also accepts respectful true crime and personal essay collections.
Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. The query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include a manuscript, proposal, or writing samples. Do not send a manuscript or proposal until requested.
Literary fiction, thriller, young adult, memoir
Wants: Query letter
Great storytelling that gets into your head and heart, anything you can't stop thinking about. Books and stories that touch the soul, make you laugh or cry or both. Stories that haven't been told before or are told in a different way.
Send a query letter using the online form to one literary agent only. Query should include only a paragraph about yourself, a brief plot synopsis and your contact information. Do not include manuscript, proposal, or writing samples.
Literary fiction, young adult, narrative non-fiction, speculative fiction, magical realism
Wants: Query letter, sample pages
For adult fiction, she seeks innovative literary fiction that is sharp, subversive, evocative, and genre-bending works including speculative concepts, ghost stories, and magical realism. For Young Adult, she wants high concept and voice-driven novels that are atmospheric and haunting. In nonfiction, she gravitates toward community-oriented narrative nonfiction with engaging research, social/cultural histories, and intersectional work that questions existing institutions and systems.
Starting January 15, 2025, she no longer accepts unsolicited email queries. Submit queries via Query Manager form with query letter and first 5 pages in the body.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime, thrillers, narrative non-fiction, memoir, current affairs, personal development, humor, ya
Jessica Rios is based in the New York office of Susanna Lea Associates, which represents a range of fiction and non-fiction. 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 focus on projects with strong potential across all rights including translation, film, television, and audio.
Check agent's submission page
Adult romance, adult romantic comedy, adult science fiction and fantasy, adult speculative, crossover romance, crossover romantic comedy, crossover science fiction and fantasy, crossover speculative, young adult science fiction and fantasy, young adult speculative
Wants: Query letter, first 5 pages
Allegra is only accepting queries from marginalized writers and represents romance, romcom, Science Fiction and Fantasy and speculative fiction across adult, crossover, and young adult categories.
Submit through QueryManager form with query letter, first 5 pages, and confirmation of marginalized writer status. Address query to Allegra without titles that could misgender.
Literary fiction, essay collections, cultural criticism, military history, intellectual history, narrative journalism, narrative nonfiction, practical nonfiction, biography, history, memoir, pop culture, young adult, middle grade, upmarket women's fiction
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Benjamin is interested in representing literary fiction, essay collections, cultural criticism, military and intellectual history, and narrative journalism. The agency also welcomes narrative/practical nonfiction, biography, history, memoir, pop culture, literary fiction, young adult, middle grade, and upmarket women's fiction.
Email a query letter to query@elizabethkaplanlit.com. Do not send attachments, fiction writers may paste the first ten pages into the body of the email. The agency replies only if interested.
Fiction, non-fiction, adult books, juvenile books, illustrators
Query Letter, First 10 Pages
Writers House asks writers to email a query letter and the first 10 pages of the manuscript to one agent at a time, postal submissions are not accepted.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
Narrative nonfiction, memoir, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thriller, historical fiction, horror, jewish issues, young adult
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, author bio
Alicia is seeking narrative nonfiction from writers with diverse voices, memoir with big concepts, self-help, pop culture, social justice, literary fiction, book club fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, horror, Jewish issues, and YA fiction and nonfiction.
Submit through the Alicia Brooks Literary Agency contact form with a query letter, project synopsis, author bio, contact information, genre, subgenre, word count, and a subject formatted as project title by author name. A full manuscript or proposal will be requested if there is interest.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, memoir, cookbooks, thriller, fantasy, horror, young adult, picture books, illustration
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
The Book Group represents award-winning novelists and illustrators, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, thrillers, fantasy, horror, young adult classics, memoirs, cookbooks and picture books.
Email a query letter addressed to the agent at submissions@thebookgroup.com. Put the agent name in the subject line and paste the first ten sample pages below the query. The Book Group only accepts electronic queries to that inbox and does not read attachments.
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