7 New Agents Seeking Commercial Fiction (all genres), Memoir, Literary Fiction, Kidlit, Romance, Fantasy and more

Here are seven new agents actively expanding their client lists. Hannah Todd (UK) is actively looking for commercial fiction across all genres including women’s fiction; police procedurals; clever thrillers; cosy crime; romantic comedies; accessible historical fiction focusing on WW2 and including dual timeline novels; sagas; emotional issues-led fiction. Madison Scalera wants domestic fiction, historical fiction, romance, and memoirs, particularly coming-of-age novels. Dani Segelbaum is looking for narrative non-fiction, popular culture, fashion, lifestyle, feminism, memoir, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, politics, and cookbooks. 

Elizabeth Fithian is looking for creators and creator/illustrators who create non-fiction, picture books, middle grade, YA fiction, and graphic novels. On the adult side, she’s eager to find a debut novel, as well as book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, literary fiction, memoir, fantasy, and mystery. Tasneem Motala is interested in character-driven MG and YA fiction and graphic novels, with or without a touch of magic, written by BIPOC authors only. Rachel Altemose represents a diverse array of genres (children’s through adult) and is particularly keen on narratives with unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated familial relationships, young/twenty-something protagonists, magical realism/surrealism, or experimental style. Barbara Jones is looking for fiction and nonfiction, from highly literary works to much more commercial fare.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change. 

NOTE: Don't submit to two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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Ms. Hannah Todd of The Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency (UK)

Hannah started her career at an editorial company. Working to introduce authors, agents and editors, Hannah quickly discovered that it’s the people of publishing that make it such an interesting industry. Having graduated with First Class honours, she secured her first in-house publishing job at Bookouture and then went on to work at Canelo, Avon, One More Chapter and Head of Zeus, cultivating a specialism in digital publishing.

What she is seeking: Commercial fiction. Hannah is actively looking for commercial fiction across all genres including women’s fiction; police procedurals; clever thrillers; cosy crime; romantic comedies; accessible historical fiction focusing on WW2 and including dual timeline novels; sagas; emotional issues-led fiction.

How to submit: Read submission guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Madison Scalera of Olswanger Literary 

As a native New Englander, I currently reside in a shoebox on the Upper West Side with my two dogs and an excessive amount of plants. Each day, I hike up and down my sixth floor walk-up, which leaves me plenty of time to think about how to market your book. 

What she is seeking: Domestic fiction, historical fiction, romance, and memoirs, particularly coming-of-age novels. I enjoy fictional narratives that reflect postmodernism—books that are layered, have an awareness of realism, and delight in being self-reflexive.

How to submit:  Please send a query letter to madison@olswangerliterary.com, including a minimum of five sample pages and an author bio that explains your background, how you want to tell readers about the way you see the world, and how you can make those experiences entertaining and relatable to others.

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Ms. Dani Segelbaum of Carol Mann Agency 

Born and raised in Minneapolis, Dani is a graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication, where she studied journalism and political science. She has been a voracious reader for as long as she can remember. Dani began her publishing career as an editorial assistant at HarperCollins Publishers, focusing primarily on highly designed nonfiction titles.

What she is seeking: Narrative non-fiction, popular culture, fashion, lifestyle, feminism, memoir, contemporary fiction, literary fiction, politics, and cookbooks.

How to submit: Queries may be emailed to submissions@carolmannagency.com. For fiction, send a query letter including a brief bio, and the first 25 pages of your manuscript. For nonfiction, send a query letter including a brief bio, a synopsis/proposal and the first 25 pages of your manuscript. All material should be pasted into the body of your message; attachments will not be opened.

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Elizabeth Fithian of PS Literary Agency 

CLOSED TO QUERIES

Elizabeth Fithian is a literary agent at PSLA. Her publishing career spans over 20 years with a concentration in children’s books and bestseller marketing. Before joining PSLA she worked at HarperCollins, Scholastic, Macmillan, Abrams, and Penguin Random House. She has been fortunate to work with established creators as well as new voices.

What she is seeking: Elizabeth is looking for creators and creator/illustrators who create engaging high-interest non-fiction, whimsical picture books, heartfelt middle grade, daring YA fiction, and gripping graphic novels. On the adult side, she’s eager to find an extraordinary debut novel. She’s keen on reading queries for book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, literary fiction, memoir, fantasy, and mystery. For illustrators interested in submitting their work, please send a query letter detailing your background illustration and include links to a website with examples of your work.

How to submit: Read their submission guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Tasneem Motala of The Rights Factory 

Tasneem has a degree in English and Classical Civilizations and a post-grad in Publishing. Her experience includes writing beauty articles for Elevate Magazine, promoting Sonia Faruqi’s book, The Oyster Thief, to the book-blogging sphere as a marketing manager, and building her #ownvoices literary zine, KROS Magazine.

What she is seeking: Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, New Adult, Science Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary YA, Cyberpunk, Fairytale Retellings, Low Fantasy, Magical Realism, Robots/A.I., Steampunk, Urban Fantasy. Tasneem is currently looking for character-driven MG and YA fiction and graphic novels, with or without a touch of magic, written by BIPOC authors only.

How to submit: Use her querymanager form HERE.

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Ms. Rachel Altemose of Salky Literary Management 

Rachel Altemose (she/hers) is a junior agent and has been with Salky Literary Management since its inception in 2019. Prior to SLM, she interned at Eden Street Literary Agency and attended the Columbia Publishing Course. She has a burgeoning list of picture book, MG, YA, narrative/serious nonfiction, and literary fiction authors and also assists Jesseca, Eryn, Kate, and Charlotte with SLM and CSLA clients. Rachel is a lifelong lover of storytelling and graduated from Vassar College with degrees in English and drama. 

What she is seeking: Rachel is interested in a diverse array of genres (children’s through adult) and is particularly keen on narratives with unique voices, diverse perspectives, immersive settings, complicated familial relationships, young/twenty-something protagonists, magical realism/surrealism, or experimental style.

How to submit: Use her query manager HERE.

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Ms. Barbara Jones of Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency, Inc. 

Barbara became a literary agent after several decades as an editor, first in magazines (Grand Street, Harper’s, Vogue, Real Simple) and then in books (as editorial director at Hyperion Books and, most recently as executive editor at Henry Holt). She has also led writing workshops for thirty years, at Yale University, New York University, Queens University of Charlotte, and elsewhere.

What she is seeking: Fiction and nonfiction, from highly literary works to much more commercial fare, with an emphasis across all forms on voices from previously underrepresented communities and on durable talents and stories.

How to submit: Please send a query letter and the first few (up to 10) pages of your manuscript or proposal in the body of an email (not an attachment) to bjquery@skagency.com