Happy Wednesday, writers!
Here are 11 agents who opened to queries in the past week (August 5 - 11), along with information about what they’re looking for, some of their published titles, and their query link.
If you missed last week: 37 other agents opened to queries. Check out the lists here and here!
Note that some of these agents may already be closed to queries.
Best of luck, and happy querying!
This newsletter is purely informational and is not an endorsement of any particular agent or agency.
As an agent Ron is particularly drawn to dark fiction, both commercial and literary, in the areas of horror, SFF, suspense, and psychological thriller. On the non-fiction side, Ron loves pop culture, music, pop science, and story-driven current affairs that start conversations.
Ron is actively seeking:
Story-driven narrative non-fiction in the areas of pop culture, music, sports, pop science, and current affairs
Commercial and upmarket horror, SF, suspense and psychological thrillers that terrify
Strong, unique voices that have a compelling, engaging story to tell
Ron is not seeking children’s, middle grade, or YA fiction or non-fiction, poetry, cookery, or graphic novels.
Published titles: HEX by Thomas Olde Heuvelt, My Effin’ Life by Geddy Lee, Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
Emily is always looking for fiction that completely pulls her in from the first page and refuses to let go. She loves stories with a compelling commercial hook, but what keeps her reading is brilliant characterisation, emotional depth, and writing that feels confident, intelligent, and effortless.
Her tastes tend to lean towards the darker side. She is particularly drawn to psychological suspense, gothic fiction (whether historical or contemporary), ghost stories, horror with atmosphere rather than gore, and stories about deeply flawed people making terrible decisions—especially if those people happen to be very wealthy. Give her morally grey characters, complicated relationships, family secrets, obsession, ambition, revenge, and impossible choices, and she’ll be very happy.
Alongside darker fiction, Emily is always looking for beautifully written upmarket commercial novels and book club fiction that spark conversation long after the final page. She loves stories centred on women, particularly those told across dual timelines, and she is a sucker for an unforgettable love story, whether uplifting or heartbreaking. She is also keen to see witty, contemporary romantic comedies with genuine heart and sharp observations about modern life.
Historical fiction is another particular passion for her, especially novels with a clever premise, a distinctive voice, or an unusual perspective on the past. She would love to find more historical fantasy, inventive retellings, and novels that bring overlooked corners of history vividly to life.
Emily is also drawn to high-concept speculative fiction with a strong commercial hook. She loves stories that take our world and shift it just slightly off its axis—alternate histories, hidden histories, secret societies, speculative dark academia, or worlds where one impossible idea changes everything. She is particularly interested in fantasy that feels grounded in our own world, whether that’s historical fantasy, contemporary fantasy with a subtle speculative twist, or richly imagined retellings that breathe new life into familiar stories. Above all, she is looking for speculative fiction where the concept is matched by unforgettable characters and an emotionally satisfying story.
Finally, she is also open to short story collections, particularly those with a supernatural, gothic, or horror thread running through them.
Upcoming title: How to Live Heroically by Jean Menzies
“Because of Alyssa’s feedback on my query letter, I was able to obtain a reputable agent who then sold my book to a top 5 publisher!”
—Bailey Evers, contemporary romance author
Get your query professionally edited
A.J. is actively building a diverse list and welcomes queries from marginalized writers. In YA and adult fiction, they’re seeking horror, thriller, and SFF with dark and atmospheric elements. They’re also open to select MG across all genres. In all categories, they’re drawn to books that merge literary sensibilities with compelling plotlines. Some of their favorite authors include Paolo Bacigalupi, Nnedi Okorafor, Jordanna Max Brodsky, Yangsze Choo, Natasha Pulley, T. Kingfisher, and Jenna Satterthwaite.
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.
Published and upcoming titles: A Legacy of Blood and Bone by Millie Abecassis, Spit and Touch Iron by Michael Strode
Preorder my querying guide written with the creator of QueryTracker!
Mona founded M. Kanin Literary to be a creative partner to exceptional authors and illustrators and an advocate for imaginative, artistically ambitious books for adults and children—work by original thinkers and makers that trusts readers, resists simplification, and holds value beyond the immediate demands of the marketplace.
Mona is open to PB queries from this week through Labor Day, but please note that she is looking for projects that are exceptionally imaginative. Mona looks for projects where every element comes together to create something surprising and singular. She is particularly interested in creators who are writers and illustrators.
Published titles: Red Clay Suzie by Jeffrey Dale Lofton, Addie and the Amazing Acrobats by Shauna Cagan, Mud to the Rescue! by Tanya Konerman and Melanie Cataldo
Alice is the founding agent of Speilburg Literary and has worked in book publishing for more than a decade. She is looking for commercial fiction that blends history, magic, mystery, horror, and adventure. She enjoys historical fantasy, folklore-inspired tales, atmospheric horror, and semi-cozy whodunits, particularly those featuring underestimated and overlooked women. She is also drawn to historical intrigue, espionage, and adventure with unlikely female companions, as well as dark naturalism and eerie, earthy settings in fantasy and horror.
She is currently not accepting nonfiction or YA and she does not represent poetry, screenplays, picture books, or middle grade.
You can find more about what she’s looking for on her MSWL.
Published titles: The Nightmare Man by J.H. Markert, Barrel-Aged Stout and Selling Out by Josh Noel, A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City by David Domine
Check out 6 more agent profiles:
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