Happy Wednesday, writers!
Here are 12 agents who opened to queries in the past week (May 6 - 12), along with information about what they’re looking for, some of their published titles, and their query link.
If you missed last week: 46 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.
Michael represents a wide range of genres and age groups; his children’s list is broad, spanning from picture books to young adult, while on the adult side he represents narrative nonfiction, memoir, and commercial and literary fiction. Across the board, he has a special affinity for offbeat projects that break the mold, and a particular interest in queer and BIPOC literature and writers.
You can find more about what he’s looking for on his MSWL.
Published titles: The Maze Runner by James Dashner, Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes, I Was Here by Gayle Forman
Juliet is looking for adult fiction across the genres – from reading group, to love story, to SFF, and most things in between. She is naturally drawn to books with high concept hooks, and page-turning plots. Juleit has a perennial interest in novels about cults, stylish crime fiction where the setting is also a character, love stories where you cry at the end, books about rich people being awful, subversive fantasy, funny and voice-y novels.
Published titles: The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman, The Miniaturist by Jessie Burton, Girl A by Abigail Dean
“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
Danielle specializes in upmarket and literary fiction, young adult and middle grade fiction, as well as select nonfiction. Thanks to her extensive editorial background, she enjoys working closely with authors to develop projects. She welcomes first-time authors with a unique voice and point of view. Danielle is actively seeking projects in a variety of categories.
For adult fiction, Danielle is seeking upmarket commercial fiction and literary fiction and literary thrillers. She prefers books that explore deep emotional relationships in an interesting or unusual way and unreliable narrators who challenge our notions of “good” or “bad”. She likes an unusually told or episodic narrative (novels told in short stories, verse, etc.).
For middle grade and YA: She is actively seeking fresh young adult and middle grade fiction across all genres. She is drawn toward gorgeous writing and strong, flawed characters. Her dream project for young readers is one that challenges and inspires, with a compelling voice that will make her stay up all night reading. She enjoys familiar narratives told in an unconventional way and stories that explore the limits of friendship.
For nonfiction: she is looking for compelling, voice-driven projects that shed a humorous or thought-provoking light on a previously unknown topic in the areas of narrative nonfiction/memoir, lifestyle, relationships, humor, current events, food, wine, and cooking.
She is not considering the following adult categories: romance, science fiction, or erotica.
Published titles: The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw, Punch Me Up To The Gods by Brian Broome and Yona Harvey, The Instant Pot No-Pressure Cookbook by Laurel Randolph
Juliana loves commercial and literary fiction, stories that explore relationships as well as make her laugh, in women’s fiction, contemporary adult coming of age, new adult, light speculative fiction, young adult, cozy mysteries and cozy fantasies, and very select contemporary romance with a unique and strong hook.
All of the above aside, you can SURPRISE HER! These wishlists are always so hard because she has so many exceptions to her “rules”. If you think your manuscript might surprise and delight please please please send your query.
Check out her full MSWL here.
Published titles: Starlings and Six of Sorrow by Amanda Linsmeier
Marisa loves working with authors who write for a broad range of readers - children and adults - within the fiction and nonfiction genres. She’s looking for manuscripts she can’t put down until the last page and can’t stop discussing with random strangers in bookstores. Voice is definitely key for her, and she wants to find her best friends and partners-in-crime protagonists long after the story ends, whether it’s in this world or an alternate universe.
Published titles: The Palace Rat by Lynne Marie and Eva Santana, The Wedding Shoe Snatch by Madhu Messenger and Darshika Varma, BroomMates by Brenda Reeves, Lynne Marie and Nico Ecenarro
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