Hunter Strickland is a literary agent with Focused Artists. Hunter, a member of the Cherokee Nation, has always had many passions in life, one of them being books, which has led her here. Hunter’s list of interests are just as extensive as her background. While she has previous experience in the sports world and historical nonfiction, she is also drawn to fantasy worlds with unique elements. Hunter is currently seeking: fantasy, romance, historical fiction, women’s fiction, young adult, new adult. Hunter is particularly drawn to anything mythology based or inspired. Learn more about Hunter here.

Ismita Hussain is a literary agent & social media manager with Great Dog Literary. In adult fiction, she seeks literary fiction, upmarket, new adult, and short story collections. She enjoys fiction in all genres that is informed by, or inspired by, the myths and superstitions of a culture. Ismita is open to novels that fit these categories but have some genre-fiction elements (i.e., literary fiction with a speculative twist). In adult nonfiction, she seeks narrative, pop culture, humor, memoir, travel, cookbooks, history, and sports. In young adult, she seeks contemporary, rom com, novel in verse, and commercial. In all pitches, she seeks Southern settings, Italian settings, gritty and realist writing, and books that explore health/disability. Learn more about Ismita here.

Andy Ross is a literary agent and founder of Andy Ross Agency. “I represent authors who write books in a wide range of subjects including: narrative non-fiction, science, journalism, history, current affairs, contemporary culture, religion, children’s books and commercial and literary fiction. I am eager to work with projects in most genres as long as the subject or its treatment is smart, original, and will appeal to a wide readership. In narrative non-fiction I look for writing with a strong voice and robust narrative arc. I like books that tell a big story about culture and society by authors with the authority to write about their subject. For literary, commercial, and children’s fiction, I have only one requirement–a simple one–that the writing reveal the terrain of that vast and unexplored country, the human heart.” Learn more about Andy here.

Shannon Lechon is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. In middle grade, I’m looking for horror, thrillers, mysteries, and action-packed adventure. I’m happy to receive both speculative stories with fantastical or sci-fi elements, or grounded ones set entirely in our world. In young adult, I am looking for fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery/thrillers. In adult fiction, I am looking for fantasy, science fiction, horror, and mystery/thrillers. In graphic novels, I am looking for young adult and adult fiction, fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. For graphic novels, I am only interested in taking on author/illustrators or author/illustrator duos. Please do not submit graphic novel proposals or scripts without either being an artist or having an artist attached. In nonfiction, I am looking for select adult nonfiction proposals. I’m very interested in memoirs about specialized careers like the beekeepers of Honey and Venom, as well as proposals (both memoir or entirely research-centric) on health and the medical industry, such as The Sleeping Beauties and What My Bones Know. Mental health, illness, and trauma recovery narratives like In the Dream House are also welcome. Learn more about Shannon here.

Michelle Richter is a literary agent with Fuse Literary. Michelle is seeking: suspense, mystery,  psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, women’s fiction, book club fiction, YA mystery/thriller, and select contemporary YA. She’s especially eager to find suspense and psychological thrillers with complex lead characters. BIPOC, LGBTQ, and disabled voices in fiction always welcome. Michelle loves unreliable narrators, stories of family secrets, friendships, and sibling relationships. Learn more about Michelle here. 

Grace Demyan is a literary agent with Harvey Klinger Literary. She is interested in a wide range of fiction and always on the lookout for underrepresented authors. She seeks adult and young adult fiction in the following genres: fantasy, science fiction, horror, historical, mystery, thriller, and suspense. “The key to my heart is fast-paced plotting, complex characters, and an interesting setting. In all genres, my tastes lean toward the dark, macabre, outlandish, violent, and shocking. Get to know more about Grace here.

Keir Alekseii is a literary agent with Azantian Literary Agency. As a neurodivergent, queer person of color, Keir is invested in discovering engaging work with similar representation, and passionate about creating space for voices not often recognized. They are especially interested in stories from BIPOC who are born and raised in the Global South. She is open to science fiction, fantasy, and horror in adult, young adult, and middle grade. She also seeks historical young adult and middle grade. Learn more about Keir here.

Annie Bomke is a literary agent with Annie Bomke Literary Agency. She represents a wide variety of adult and YA fiction and nonfiction, including commercial and literary fiction, upmarket fiction, mysteries (from hilarious cozies to gritty police procedurals and everything in between), historical fiction, women’s fiction, psychological thrillers, literary/psychological horror, self-help, business, health/diet, cookbooks, memoir, relationships, current events, psychology, and narrative nonfiction. Learn more about Annie here.

Nicole Payne is a literary agent with Confluence Literary. “In general, I represent young adult and adult fiction novels, preferably in romance, women’s fiction, literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, and speculative fiction. They hold a special place in my heart. As I slowly delve into nonfiction, I would love to see more science-based books, especially biology and forensic, as well as medicine, travel, and cookbooks in my queue. I’m also actively seeking diverse voices and stories across the board. Give me all the books!” Learn more about Nicole here.

Jessica Larios-Zarate is a literary agent with Wave Literary. In regards to fiction, Jessica gravitates towards: commercial fiction, contemporary upmarket fiction, literary fiction, mystery/thrillers, and speculative fiction. She is particularly invested in stories that feature LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled protagonists, especially when the books are not issue-driven. As for nonfiction, Jessica is interested in: narrative nonfiction and historical nonfiction. In terms of historical nonfiction, she seeks: Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, and Indigenous History Books; no War History, please. Learn more about Jessica here.

Geffen Semach is a literary agent with Westwood Creative Artists. Fiction: I am looking for general upmarket fiction; horror, thriller and suspense; sci fi, speculative, fantasy and romantasy; as well as select concept-driven romance and literary novels. I am drawn to genre-blending novels that tackle human complexity, thoughtful world-building, strong emotional resonance, and bold voices and concepts. I love novels with teeth that make me feel viscerally—either grounded or unsettled—and nuanced characters that feel both fresh and challenging.  Nonfiction: I am interested in journalism in the vein of social commentary, pop culture, politics, art and media; expert-driven writing relating to medicine and mental health, sex and relationships, and money; as well as exceptional memoir. For me it is the balance of an authoritative voice with accessibility. Particularly books that explore complex, often systemic issues—from politics to psychology to culture—told from a personal or human-centered lens. Please connect with me if you are an expert with a strong voice and an idea to share. I am happy to chat with writers who are at the beginning stages of forming an idea to craft a proposal together. I encourage submissions from underrepresented writers including 2SLGBTQI+, BIPOC, and/or disabled. Learn more about Geffen here.

A.J. Van Belle (they/them) is a literary agent at the Booker Albert Literary Agency. A.J. welcomes queries from marginalized writers. They’re currently seeking MG and YA in all genres, and adult literary, general, historical, thriller, and women’s fiction. (Their list is currently full for adult sci-fi / fantasy / horror but they may reopen to these genres in the future.) In nonfiction, they’re seeking fresh ideas in science, popular science, self-help, and health/wellness from authors with established platforms. As a scientist who has published NSF-funded research in ecology, they welcome queries from authors whose expertise links with evolution, ecology, statistics, microbiology, and biogeoscience. Learn more about AJ here.

Mason Rowlee is a literary agent with DeFiore & Company. Mason only represents adult books. He is seeking innovative, boundary-pushing literary fiction, engrossing upmarket and commercial fiction, and nonfiction that amplifies traditionally underrepresented voices in publishing. He is particularly interested in working with queer authors. For adult fiction, he loves: literary novels with genre elements (romance, fantasy, horror); explorations of LGBTQIA+ relationships, chosen families, and communities; expansive, big-hearted family sagas; unputdownable thrillers and horror novels with social commentary; coming-of-age adventures with small town antics; and novels that embrace the absurd. For adult nonfiction, he loves: narrative nonfiction about the inequity faced by marginalized communities; savvy pop culture reporting; biographies of obscure or underappreciated historical figures; well-researched, paradigm-shifting journalism; memoirs with strong, voice-driven writing; and disruptive self-help with a social justice component. Learn more about Mason here.

Brittany Torres Rivera is an assistant editor with Graywolf Press, and is taking pitches on behalf of her imprint. Graywolf Press publishes about 30 books annually — mostly poetry, memoirs, essays, novels, translations, and short stories. “Our editors are looking for high quality literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry that combine a distinct voice with a distinct vision. Our editors seek out and solicit promising work from authors that they encounter in the pages of magazines, at writing conferences, and in other venues.” Learn more about Brittany here.

Shania Soler is a literary agent with Metamorphosis Literary. She is seeking: novels in the fantasy genre or romance WITH SPICE; for fantasy, I’m interested in more than just the romance that two characters have (intricate political and/or magic systems and complex character backstories); for contemporary romance, I’m looking for things that take me off the beaten path (think Butcher & Blackbird or Haunting Adeline); horror (young adult, new adult, & adult); mythology (young adult, new adult, & adult); magical realism (young adult, new adult, & adult); and historical fiction. Learn more about Shania here.

Lee Melillo is a literary agent with Dunham Literary. Lee represents YA, New Adult, and Adult Fiction written by, for, and about marginalized communities (#OwnVoices) in both commercial and upmarket categories. In Adult Fiction, Lee is searching for book club and upmarket fiction from BIPOC women, neurodiverse, and queer authors. She is also open to contemporary or historical fiction centered around myth (but NOT Greek/Roman/Norse!!), either through retellings of classics or the invention of new mythologies for the modern age; dark magical realism; bubblegum thrillers; and socially-conscious horror. In Young and New Adult Fiction, Lee looks for YA that has crossover potential and NA stories set in college or directly post-grad. Diversity is a must, as are well-developed, loveable (or love-to-hateable) characters. She enjoys meticulously-researched, atmospheric historical fiction with an element of mystery/suspense or other propulsive plot engines. She also loves dystopian fiction, but it must be grounded in real life issues and critique our present-day socio-political systems. For contemporary fiction, she’s open to stories centering queer characters, characters with mental illness and particularly OCD, or rom-com heroines with autism in interesting, off-beat settings. Learn more about Lee here.

Ruth Gila Berger is a literary agent with Red Sofa Literary. She is seeking: adult and young adult fiction that has a hook, nuance and heart; essay collections that show up in the wrong outfit, take a circuitous or unexpected route to writing, and question assumptions; narrative nonfiction with a story – especially if it marries two seemly disparate fields like art and mathematics, physics and cooking, birds and language, etc. I want to read experts who can charm and surprise me, make me laugh and never take a tone of intellectual superiority; memoir is where my heart lives but you have to knock my socks off and be connected to something in the larger world (must have a platform to sell) and graphic Novels, only if they are original, beautiful and funny. Learn more about Ruth here.

Matthew Valdez is a literary agent with Megibow Literary Agency. I am always looking to champion stories from writers of all marginalized backgrounds, especially voices from the LGBTQ+ community. In adult fiction, he seeks fantasy, romantasy, high fantasy, dark fiction, folklore retellings, psychological thrillers, unique dark academia, horror, horrormantasy, horror rooted in folklore, romance, romantic comedy (particularly LGBTQ+, but all welcome); and commercial / upmarket literary fiction. In young adult fiction, he seeks fantasy, unique dark academia, contemporary, paranormal, thriller, dystopian, and rom-com (particularly LGBTQ+, but all welcome). Learn more about Matthew here.

Syrone Harvey is a literary agent at Belcastro Agency and also a children’s book author. In Adult, YA and Middle Grade Fiction, she is eagerly seeking diverse, underrepresented voices and perspectives, stories with strong, distinct and multi-dimensional characters, compelling stories of friendships, coming-of-age, emotional angst, family saga. Throw in a little fun, adventure, humor, edginess and stories that are overall engaging. In Children’s she is seeking books filled with humor, whimsy, are heartfelt, offer make-me-giggle storytelling, and absolutely crazy fun. Areas of interest- BIPOC Literature, Book Club, Children’s, Commercial, Contemporary, Family Saga, General, Humor, Literary, Middle Grade, New Adult, Picture Books, Inspiration, Romance, Romcom, Women’s Fiction, and Young Adult. Learn more about Syrone here.