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.

“Authors I represent include: Daniel Ellsberg, Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, Fritjof Capra, Susan Griffin, Erik Tarloff, Daniel Boyarin, Mary Jo McConahay, Mark Goldblatt, David Dayen, Linda Watanabe McFerrin,Daniel Boyarin, and Peter Richardson.

“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.

“I started my literary agency in February, 2008.

“Prior to becoming an agent, I was the owner of Cody’s Books in Berkeley, California for 30 years.

“I bought most of the new titles for the bookstore. Some of them worked, and some of them didn’t. The largest selling book we ever had at Cody’s was the autobiography of Bill Clinton. It sold over 2500 copies in one day, the day he came to the store to sign books.

“In the sixties, Cody’s played a major role in the anti-war movement, much of it taking place right outside our front door. Once the police lobbed a tear gas canister into the store. It gave a new meaning to those books we call “tear jerkers.”

“The most exciting experience I had at Cody’s was when somebody threw a pipe bomb through the window in 1989. It was believed to be associated with Salman Rushdie’s Satanic Verses. Fortunately it didn’t explode. After the bomb was removed, the staff at Cody’s voted unanimously to continue carrying Rushdie’s book. That was my proudest moment in bookselling.

“Over the years, Cody’s hosted thousands of writers including: Norman Mailer, Gary Snyder, Alan Ginsberg, Kurt Vonnegut, Salman Rushdie, Joseph Heller, and Alice Walker. We also hosted events for major public and cultural figures such as: Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, Mohammed Ali, Mickey Mantle, Gloria Steinem,and Buckminster Fuller.

“Cody’s closed its doors for the last time in 2008, the victim of changing buying habits. But people everywhere come up to me and tell me how much Cody’s meant to them and how it enriched their lives. I feel pretty good about that.”

Ruth Gila Berger (she/her) is a literary agent with Red Sofa Literary.

She spent twenty-four years at Consortium Book Sales & Distribution where she worked with a wide variety of independent presses, sales reps and independent booksellers. She has a MFA in Creative Writing from Hamline University, and was in the first cohort who built Water~Stone Review. In prehistory, Ruth left suburban New York for the University of Iowa, where she got a BA in Theater Arts and Psychology. She never got over the culture shock. She current resides in Minneapolis where she lives with her wife and animals.

She is seeking:

• Adult and young adult fiction that has a hook, nuance, and heart. Characters should haunt me.
• Essay collections that show up in the wrong outfit, take a circuitous or unexpected route to writing, and question assumptions — yes please.
• 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. Memoirists must have a platform to sell.
• Graphic Novels, only if they are original, beautiful and funny.

For all of it, if you’ve been told to shut up and stay in the margins where you belong, I want to be your champion.

On my inspiration shelf: Paradise by Toni Morrison, Festival Days by Jo Ann Beard, Apocalypse, Darling by Barrie Jean Borich, Jesus’ Son by Denis Johnson, NOLA Face by Brooke Champagne, A Secret History of World Wide Outage by Elizabeth O’Brien, There, There by Tommy Orange, Fleabag by Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Crazy Like a Fox by Christi Furnas.

Jess Taylor is a literary agent with Martin Literary Management.

She reps young adult, new adult, and select romance.

Jess discovered her passion for publishing when she crafted her first book pitch for a high school research project. After falling in love with persuading others to read the stories she adored, she earned her BFA in creative writing from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, where she also completed the publishing certificate program. She spent six years acquiring children’s books, YA, nonfiction, and fiction for a Virginia-based publisher before opening an online bookstore dedicated to her first love: young adult literature.

Jess finds great joy in getting books into readers’ hands and loves working with authors from all publishing backgrounds. She champions books with diverse characters and settings and is currently building her list in the following genres:

Young Adult wishlist: My knowledge of YA is extensive, as I’ve been reading the genre for over twenty years and freelance editing YA novels for two. From icons like Meg Cabot and Sarah Dessen to rising stars like K.L. Walther, Rebecca Danzenbaker, and Laura Taylor Namey, I love them all.

I’m open to any subgenre except tech-heavy science fiction. I adore fresh and unique concepts as well as tried-and-true tales. Retellings of myths, fairy tales, or classic stories are always appreciated, and I love a good paranormal romance (especially if there are mermaids).

New Adult wishlist: I am specifically open to new adult romance titles featuring characters under twenty-five and focused on coming-of-age stories.

Romance wishlist: Witchy and cozy fantasy romances will always be on my TBR pile. If you have a book like The Kiss Curse, Love’s a Witch or The Nightmare Before Kissmas, I want to read it.

I know I love a book when I can’t stop thinking about it. LGBTQ+ books are always welcome, and previously self-published titles are considered on a case-by-case basis.

I am currently NOT accepting the following:

Adult fiction in any genre aside from the romance subgenres listed above

Nonfiction

Middle Grade

Faith-Based

Books over 150k words

Nadia Lynch is a literary agent with Talcott Notch, where she combines her lifelong love of books with precision and attention to detail to help guide authors through their publishing journeys.

With a bachelor’s degree in political science and a professional background as a paralegal, she brings experience in contracts and problem-solving to her work as a literary agent, blending structure with the creative energy of the literary world. Since joining Talcott Notch in 2021, Nadia has cherished the opportunity to build a career surrounded by books and storytelling. She finds joy in balancing structure with creativity in a way that feels both natural and rewarding.

Nadia is looking for historical fiction, upmarket fiction, romance, and women’s fiction. She is especially drawn to narratives that center resilient, complex female protagonists and explore authentic, layered relationships. She gravitates toward books that push boundaries and broaden perspective, and is always impressed by authors who breathe fresh life into classic tropes. In historical fiction, she seeks stories that spotlight underrepresented voices and lesser-known moments, particularly from the 20th century. In women’s fiction and romcoms, she looks for stories with emotional depth and grit woven into humor and heart.

Emma Fulenwider is a literary agent with Wordserve Literary.

She’s looking for adult nonfiction books that are nerdy, helpful, and true.

Emma likes working with thought leaders called to contribute their respectful insights into the problems we’re facing, and the ones we’re avoiding.

Emma is a book junkie. From reading with a flashlight under the covers at the age of seven, her lifelong friendship with books has accumulated a Journalism degree at Cal Poly, a print magazine with Best Version Media, and a literary press with the Birren Center for Guided Autobiography. She believes that writing is a form of self-care, publishing is about serving others, and yes you have to have a platform. A lay counselor and TEDx speaker, she brings a wealth of enthusiasm and energy to her role as a literary agent.

Emma lives in California where she writes and reads and conspires with her husband to raise the two goofiest kids on earth with the help of their mini Australian shepherd. Her greyhound is no help at all.

Christine Goss is a literary agent with FinePrint Literary Management.

Christine graduated from Lake Forest College with a BA in communications. Formerly a sales representative, her skills pair well with her love of reading and story development. As an author herself, the craft of writing is very important to her when she looks at manuscripts. In 2023, Christine was promoted to Associate Literary Agent at The Purcell Agency, moving over to FinePrint Literary in 2024.

Christine is drawn to stories with high stakes and tension. The first pages must draw her in with action and curiosity. Lyrical writing, along with emotionality, physicality, and interiority, are all key components Christine looks for in a manuscript.

Christine is generally interested in romance, historical fiction, book club fiction, and fantasy. Nonfiction and graphic novels covering a specific range of topics are also of interest. Championing marginalized voices is important to Christine as she seeks to include BIPOC, LGTBQ+, and neurodivergent (and more) authors on her list.

When she’s not working, reading, or writing, she’s usually chasing her two boys, who are likely chasing her fur baby (dog).

I am looking to uplift, support, and highlight marginalized voices. Please submit to me if you are BIPOC or LGTBQ!

In Adult broadly I’m looking for:

Thriller/Suspense with a love story element (a la FIRST LIE WINS or MADE FOR YOU). Does note need a HEA for the love story.
Romance
Romantasy
Upmarket, Commercial, and Bookclub Fiction
Narrative Non-fiction
Self help/how tos
Dystopian
Graphic Novel
Historical Fiction

In YA broadly I am looking for:

Romantasy/Fantasy with a strong love plot
Graphic Novel
Romance
Horror
Thriller/Suspense
Dystopian

Niche Wishlist:

I would love to have a historical romance with bullfighting.
Community: LGTBQ+ Abed and Troy
If you comp Crazy Stupid Love or Hitch
Elemental X OG Westside Story Romantasy
LGBTQ Friday Night Lights (bonus if enemies to lovers)
Prohibition Historical Romance surrounding smuggling booze.
Fiction or Non-fiction based on Jean Baptiste Point du Sable.
Second Chance in a marriage or friends to lovers tropes always make my giggle and kick my heels with joy.

Recent favorite reads that I’d love to see comp’d:

Truly Madly Deeply, Alexandria Bellefluer
First Lie Wins, Ashley Elston
Better Than The Movies, Lynn Painter

Not for me:

Stories that describe, involve, or are driven by a child’s death.

Nonfiction:

I am open to most nonfiction, and here are a few things specifically I’d love to see:

-Cookbooks surrounding history and culture mixed in with personal anecdotes from the author.
-There was a great photo journalism project that was pitched during #Pitblk that I still dream about, so please, if you’re that person, send me your work!! OR if you have something similar, send my way!
-If you have recipes that contain plaintains and it’s authentic to Central/South America, please send.
-I would love narrative non-fiction in many forms. But since I also work on a winery, words from BIPOC vintners, sommleiers or wine regions in different parts of the world that are under appreciated– SEND THOSE TO ME!
-I really stray from wellness, but if it is something that helps with mental health and the mental load for mothers, I’m all ears.
– Additionally, to step off the last niche idea, I’d love to see something about parenting for the parents, about the parents, needed for parents. Like, not a “how to put your baby to sleep.” More so a “this is why you cannot handle your baby not sleeping and how you can be sure to take care of yourself.”
– I’d love a book that highlights seasonal work and how important it is to agriculture.

Nephele Tempest is a literary agent at The Knight Agency.

Nephele joined The Knight Agency in January, 2005, opening the Los Angeles-area office. As an agent, she loves to help her clients hone their skills and build their careers. Nephele initially worked on the editorial side of the publishing business before leaving to try other industries, including sales and finance. She spent a number of years at several major New York investment firms, first as a financial advisor and later a marketing and communications writer. This broad experience provided her with insight into multiple aspects of the publishing industry.

Nephele continues to actively build her client list and looks for fiction with both strong, well-developed characters and a story that pulls her in and won’t let go. She primarily represents women’s contemporary or historical fiction; contemporary, paranormal, and historical single-title romance; and adult fantasy and science fiction. More generally, Nephele always looks for work with diverse cultural influences, #ownvoices projects, and stories that inspire and/or make her think.