Looking to work for a literary agent? Here are 15 agents who are at the top of their game and are willing to work with new writers and give your manuscript a fair shake.
Here is the list. As in years past, we have assembled a list of literary agents who are building their client rosters and are open to working with new writers. Our agent guide features a variety of pros—some brand new and others tried and true—representing a variety of categories and genres. This year, instead of listing entire agencies, we’ve listed individual agents. When you’re looking at information for an entire agency, it’s not always easy to tell which reps are truly seeking new writers and which ones don’t have time to brave the slush pile.
What do agents do?
Literary agents act as gatekeepers; they take the best new material and submit it to publishing houses and even production companies for consideration. Because editors at these houses—especially the larger ones—are so busy, they lack the time to properly review book submissions. That’s where agents come in.
In today’s literary marketplace, you’ll likely need an agent to sell your work—especially if you’re selling fiction. A writer can sometimes sell nonfiction without an agent, and perhaps even niche fiction, but more than likely, you’ll require a rep.
THE AGENT LIST
1. Joy Harris
Stats: Represents more than 100 clients. 50% nonfiction books; 50% novels. Seeking new and established writers.
Fiction areas of interest: ethnic, experimental, family saga, feminist, gay/lesbian, glitz, hi-lo, historical, humor/satire, literary, mainstream/contemporary, multicultural, multimedia, mystery/suspense, regional, short story collections, spiritual, translation, young adult, women’s.
2. Case Walker
Stats: Represents 100+ clients. 20% of clients are new/unpublished writers; handles 60% nonfiction books, 22% novels, 3% short story collections, 15% illustrated.
Specializes in: “I tend to gravitate toward literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with a strong interest in women’s issues and women’s voices, international voices, class and race issues, and projects that simply teach me something new about the greater world and society around us.”
Nonfiction areas of interest: agriculture/horticulture, art/architecture/design, biography/autobiography, cooking/foods/nutrition , crafts/hobbies, current affairs ethnic/cultural interests, gay/lesbian issues, government/politics/law, how-to, interior design/decorating, memoirs, nature/environment, photography, popular culture, science/technology, sociology, sports, true crime/investigative, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, feminist, gay/lesbian, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, thriller, women’s, Southern voices.
3. Paul Saint
Stats: Represents 120+ clients. 25% of clients are new/unpublished writers; handles 25% nonfiction books, 35% novels, 20% short story collections, 20% graphic.
Prior to becoming a seasoned agent, Mr. Saint had 15 years in the business (not all publishing). Currently handles: 75% fiction, 25% nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography, business/investing/finance, music, religious, cookbooks, history, sports.
Fiction areas of interest: general fiction, mystery, historical novels (esp. mysteries), thrillers, and children’s. Does not want to receive: picture books.
4. Jenni Ferrari-Adler
Prior to her current position, Ms. Ferrari-Adler was with Sobel Weber Associates. Specializes in: literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and commercial fiction. Other nonfiction areas of interest include history, memoirs, women’s, cookbooks, and cultural studies.
5. Winifred Golden
Actively seeking: Literary fiction, ethnic fiction, suspense, thrillers, commercial fiction, and science fiction. She will consider nonfiction if the author has the expertise and high credentials. Her nonfiction subjects of interest are broad, but she is heavily interested in narrative nonfiction and health/medicine.
6. Ellen Pepus
She worked in foreign rights as well. Specializes in: Narrative nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: animals, anthropology/archaeology, art/architecture/design, biography/autobiography, child guidance/parenting, cooking/foods/nutrition, crafts/hobbies, current affairs, ethnic/cultural interests, gay/lesbian issues, government/politics/law, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, interior design/decorating, language/literature/criticism, memoir, military/war, money/finance, music/dance, nature/environment, new age/metaphysics, photography, popular culture, psychology, science/technology, self-help/personal improvement, sociology, translation, true crime/investigative, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, family saga, fantasy, feminist, gay/lesbian, historical, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, psychic/supernatural, romance, thriller, women’s.
7. Richard Brown
Stats: Specializes in materials with a faith-based angle—primarily religious books in these categories: nonfiction, fiction, short story collections, novellas, short stories, screenplays, science fiction, fantasy, as well as books that express a Christian worldview, whether the message is subtle or overt. Actively seeking: highly commercial fiction books that can be adapted to film.
Fiction areas of interest: women’s, mystery, suspense, police/crime, family saga, historical, legal, literary, mainstream, supernatural, romance. (In fiction, the Christian message should be subtly woven through, not in-your-face.) Kids’ fiction areas of interest: chapter books, middle grade, tweens, teens, and YA.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biblical, Christian living, church, devotionals, home life, marriage, parenting, family, apologetics, pastoral, current affairs, health, how-to, humor, memoirs, money, popular culture, psychology, science, self-help, true crime, women’s issues. Does not want to receive: picture books, poetry,
8. Angel Lopez
Stats: Represents 20+ clients. Actively seeking: nonfiction, specifically in the areas of social sciences, economics, pop culture, humor, lifestyle, and crafts.
Nonfiction areas of interest: history, popular culture, science/technology, biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs.
Fiction areas of interest: detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, romance, young adult, women’s.
9. John Mitchel
Stats: Represents 70+ clients. Before becoming an agent, Mr. Mitchel spent the past decade in book publishing. His experience includes literary publicity (HarperCollins Publishers), bookselling (BarnesandNoble.com), and manuscript analysis.
Fiction areas of interest: thrillers, horror, women’s fiction, literary fiction, memoir, and books about pop culture/entertainment. He is happy to read first-time writers, and a broad spectrum of categories, including most genres of adult fiction and nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs, nature/environment, popular culture, religious/inspirational, self-help/personal improvement, sports, theater/film, women’s issues/studies.
10. Dell Murphy
Mr. Murphy worked as a literary agent for at least a decade now. He currently has representations from the movie industry for several clients.
Stats: Represents 50 clients. 15% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Currently handles 25% nonfiction books, 25% novels, and 50% juvenile books. Actively seeking: Literary fiction and adult nonfiction as well as YA and middle-grade work.
Nonfiction areas of interest: anthropology/archaeology, biography/autobiography, ethnic/cultural interests, government/politics/law, health/medicine, history, language/literature/criticism, nature/environment, popular culture, psychology, science/technology, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, romance, young adult, women’s.
11. Ian Garcia
Stats: Represents 50+ clients. 15% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Currently handles 25% nonfiction books, 25% novels, and 30% fiction books. He also does film endorsements for production companies.
Fiction areas of interest: Commercial and literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, commercial women’s fiction, young adult, Native-American Indian. Garcia’s 13 years of law enforcement experience as a former police officer gives him a genuine interest and expertise in the genres of mystery, true crime, and suspense. His other interests include horses and natural horsemanship training.
Nonfiction areas of interest: Travel writing, self-help, parenting, business, pets, health, true crime, and any fresh, compelling idea that is matched with a strong platform.
12. Jake Miller
Stats: Before becoming an agent, Mr. Miller was an entrepreneur in the technology field for nearly a decade. Specializes in: narrative nonfiction as long as the writing is exceptional and the authors have something truly unique to say. He is also interested in practical nonfiction from authors with strong platforms and/or a point of view that challenges the status quo. He also specializes in book scouting for major film companies.
Fiction Areas of Interest: General Fiction, science fiction, adventure, fantasy, romance, inspirational, and adult fiction, including literary novels and commercial fiction should make you laugh, and entertain you, but it should also make you think and be graphic novels.
Nonfiction areas of interest: narrative nonfiction, ethnic/multicultural writing books, and work that deals strongly with women’s issues and parenting.
13. Katie Monroe
Stats: Before becoming an agent, Ms. Monroe worked in film/TV production and acquisitions. Specializes in both fiction and nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs, nature/environment, popular culture, religious/inspirational, self-help/personal improvement, sports, theater/film, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, contemporary issues, detective/police/crime, family saga, historical, humor/satire, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, religious/inspirational, thriller.
14. Alex Gomez
Stats: 50% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Specializes in: “Whimsy looks for projects that are concept and platform driven. We seek books that educate, inspire and entertain.”
Nonfiction areas of interest: reference, biography, computers/technology, business/investing/finance, history, religious, mind/body/spirit, health, travel, lifestyle, cookbooks, self-help, diet, pop culture, humor, personality, gift, illustrated.
Fiction areas of interest: Contemporary fiction, romance, adventure, fantasy, and sci-fi, among others.
15. Catt LeBaigue
Before becoming an agent, Ms. LeBaigue spent 18 years with Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Actively seeking: juvenile fiction, and adult nonfiction including arts, crafts, anthropology, astronomy, nature studies, ecology, body/mind/spirit, humanities, and self-help.