Happy Wednesday, writers!
Here are 12 agents who opened to queries in the past week (June 24 - 30), along with information about what they’re looking for, some of their published titles, and their query link.
If you missed last week: 10 other agents opened to queries. Check out the list 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.
Danielle’s focus as an agent is on a strong sense of partnership and collaboration. She brings her own unique mix of business-minded and emotionally rooted support to clients and represents a diverse list of critically acclaimed and New York Times bestselling authors with stellar voices, incredible storytelling skills, and fresh narratives to share.
She is currently looking for young adult fiction — complex female characters, seaside novels, girls with swords, magical realism, LGBTQ+ love, sister stories, toxic friendships, feminist fairytales, social justice themes, folklore, creepy forests, complicated family dynamics, quirky adventures, protagonists who change systems and break rules, heartwarming love stories, whimsy, and romance that is either the focus or a subplot.
Published titles: Heartless Hunter by Kristen Ciccarelli, The Prison Healer by Lynette Noni, The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordyn Taylor
Across all genres, Hannah particularly welcomes submissions from writers from communities that have been underrepresented in mainstream publishing, including LGBTQ+ authors, disabled and neurodivergent authors, and authors of colour.
Hannah is eager to work with authors who, like her, are writing craft nerds – who create page-turning stories, but are also intrigued by the how behind that strange alchemy of words on a page. She’d also love to hear from fast, slick writers who are excited about commercial fiction opportunities in the digital space.
Please note that Hannah is not the right agent for children’s books, sci-fi or grisly horror, or a book without speechmarks.
Learn more about Hannah and her tastes on her MSWL.
Published titles: How to Write a Love Story by Catherine Walsh, Unromance by Erin Connor, You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego
Sarah has worked in publishing for more than 15 years, starting in-house at HarperCollins, Hachette, and Pan Macmillan, before moving to the agenting side. During her career, she has worked on nearly every imaginable genre but has a particular love for commercial to upmarket fiction and non-fiction that makes you see the world in a new way.
Her favourite books deal with love, life, and family dynamics, especially through a comic or emotional lens. She loves a juicy memoir, a twisty thriller, and historical or speculative writing that has something to say about the world today.
Published titles: Confessions by Catherine Airey, Go Gentle by Maria Semple
“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
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In fiction, Lucy represents both commercial and literary writing. She is interested in topical themes, incisive social commentary, and thoughtful, intimate observations of people: their emotions, their behaviours, their relationships. Books with heart and humour, and voices that sparkle with originality. Long-time favourites include Megan Abbott, Liane Moriarty, and Marian Keyes, and recently she has loved Tia Williams’ Seven Days in June, Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures, and Rachel Khong’s Goodbye Vitamin. She has read (and will continue to read) everything that Mhairi Macfarlane has ever published – modern and completely irresistible love stories, underpinned by spirited characters and a fierce wit. In crime and thriller, she looks for high concepts with an emotional core, and is very lucky indeed to work with Gillian McAllister, queen of the moral dilemma!
In non-fiction, Lucy enjoys working with writers to bring their passion and expertise to a wide audience. She is a huge fan of the investigative grit and compelling storytelling of Patrick Radden Keefe. She would love to see some characterful history in the vein of Ben Macintyre and Alice Loxton, and she is always interested in relationships, the glorious mysteries of the human brain, and narrative food writing. She is not currently looking for memoir.
Published titles: Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine, Do Tell by Lindsay Lynch, The Other Side of Mrs. Wood by Lucy Barker
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In fiction, Claire reads YA, NA, and Adult, and is interested in fantasy, historical, thriller, and mystery. She loves a romantic or political subplot (even if the subplot is very small) and an immersive and messed-up setting. Claire is interested in characters who were not born heroes but chose to be and in stories with symbolic resonance. Claire is also interested in fantasy set in non-western inspired worlds (especially Southeast Asia!) and historical fiction set in these areas about real or made-up figures. She dreams of seeing a novel about Anagarika Dharmapala, Mary Foster, and Maria Banta, “The Countess.”
In nonfiction, Claire is interested in pop-science books that use data to tell clear stories (if you can compare your book to Emily Negoski, she wants to see it!) Claire is also interested in narrative nonfiction that walks the line between long-form journalism and ethnography; she’s looking for the next Still Life With Bones, Friday Night Lights, or The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down. Finally, Claire is looking for new and unexpected histories that are timeless but touch on present issues (e.g., a global history of student protest movements and activism, a medical and social history of STIs (STDs), or a book on religious pluralism and inter-religious cooperation). She’s also keen to discuss dissertation-to-book projects.
Check out 7 more agent profiles:
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