Looking to work for a literary agent? Here are 15 agents who are at the top of their game and are willing to work with new writers and give your manuscript a fair shake.
In the ever-evolving world of publishing, literary agents play a pivotal role in shaping the literary landscape. As 2023 unfolds, we’ve scoured the industry to bring you the top 15 literary agents making waves in the realm of books. These agents have their fingers on the pulse of the publishing world, and their dedication to nurturing talented authors and their impactful work is commendable.
Here it is: the list. As in years past, we have assembled a list of literary agents who are building their client rosters and are open to working with new writers. Our agent guide features a variety of pros—some brand new and others tried and true—representing a variety of categories and genres. This year, instead of listing entire agencies, we’ve listed individual agents. When you’re looking at information for an entire agency, it’s not always easy to tell which reps are truly seeking new writers and which ones don’t have time to brave the slush pile.
What do agents do?
Literary agents act as gatekeepers; they take the best new material and submit it to publishing houses and even production companies for consideration. Because editors at these houses—especially the larger ones—are so busy, they lack the time to properly review book submissions. That’s where agents come in.
In today’s literary marketplace, you’ll likely need an agent to sell your work—especially if you’re selling fiction. A writer can sometimes sell nonfiction without an agent, and perhaps even niche fiction, but more than likely, you’ll require a rep.
THE AGENT LIST
1. Joy Harris
Stats: Represents more than 100 clients. 50% nonfiction books; 50% novels. Seeking new and established writers.
Fiction areas of interest: ethnic, experimental, family saga, feminist, gay/lesbian, glitz, hi-lo, historical, humor/satire, literary, mainstream/contemporary, multicultural, multimedia, mystery/suspense, regional, short story collections, spiritual, translation, young adult, women’s.
2. Case Walker
Stats: Represents 100+ clients. 20% of clients are new/unpublished writers; handles 60% nonfiction books, 22% novels, 3% short story collections, 15% illustrated. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Specializes in: “I tend to gravitate toward literary fiction and narrative nonfiction, with a strong interest in women’s issues and women’s voices, international voices, class and race issues, and projects that simply teach me something new about the greater world and society around us.”
Nonfiction areas of interest: agriculture/horticulture, art/architecture/design, biography/autobiography, cooking/foods/nutrition, crafts/hobbies, current affairs ethnic/cultural interests, gay/lesbian issues, government/politics/law, how-to, interior design/decorating, memoirs, nature/environment, photography, popular culture, science/technology, sociology, sports, true crime/investigative, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, feminist, gay/lesbian, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, thriller, women’s, Southern voices.
3. Catt LeBaigue
Prior to becoming an agent, Ms. LeBaigue spent 18 years with Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Actively seeking: juvenile fiction, adult nonfiction including arts, crafts, anthropology, astronomy, nature studies, ecology, body/mind/spirit, humanities, self-help.
4. Carl Vinyard
Stats: A remarkable individual with a multitude of accomplishments. Carl Vinyard is an accomplished attorney and a highly successful senior literary agent. With a keen eye for talent and an unwavering passion for storytelling, he has carved out a niche specializing in autobiographies, biographies, and children’s books. As a senior literary agent, he has demonstrated an exceptional talent for discovering and nurturing authors. His sharp editorial skills and deep understanding of the publishing industry have helped countless writers bring their stories to life and find success in the highly competitive world of literature. His ability to connect with authors, understand their unique voices, and guide them toward creating powerful narratives has led to the publication of numerous bestsellers and award-winning titles. His commitment to uplifting diverse voices sharing important life stories through autobiographies and inspiring children through literature has left an indelible mark on the literary world.
In short, Carl Vinyard is a multifaceted individual whose accomplishments as an attorney and a senior literary agent have not only shaped his career but have also enriched the world of literature and storytelling. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Fiction areas of interest: thrillers, horror, women’s fiction, literary fiction, memoir, and books about pop culture/entertainment. He is happy to read first-time writers, and broad spectrum of categories, including most genres of adult fiction and nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs, nature/environment, popular culture, religious/inspirational, self-help/personal improvement, sports, theater/film, women’s issues/studies.
5. Andrew Ross
Stats: It represents more than 100 clients. 50% nonfiction books; 50% novels. Seeking new and established writers
Specializes in materials with a faith-based angle—primarily religious books in these categories: nonfiction, fiction, short story collections, novellas, short stories, screenplays, science fiction, fantasy, as well as books that express a Christian worldview, whether the message is subtle or overt. Actively seeking: fiction books that are highly commercial and that can be adapted to film.
Prior to becoming an agent, Ms. Ross spent five years with Sony Pictures and Warner Bros. Actively seeking: juvenile fiction, adult nonfiction, including arts, crafts, anthropology, astronomy, nature studies, ecology, body/mind/spirit, humanities, and self-help. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Fiction areas of interest: women’s, mystery, suspense, police/crime, family saga, historical, legal, literary, mainstream, supernatural, romance. (In fiction, the Christian message should be subtly woven through, not in-your-face.) Kids’ fiction areas of interest: chapter books, middle grade, tweens, teens, and YA.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biblical, Christian living, church, devotionals, home life, marriage, parenting, family, apologetics, pastoral, current affairs, health, how-to, humor, memoirs, money, popular culture, psychology, science, self-help, true crime, women’s issues. Does not want to receive: picture books, poetry,
6. Ellen Pepus
She worked in foreign rights as well. Specializes in: Narrative nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: animals, anthropology/archaeology, art/architecture/design, biography/autobiography, child guidance/parenting, cooking/foods/nutrition, crafts/hobbies, current affairs, ethnic/cultural interests, gay/lesbian issues, government/politics/law, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, interior design/decorating, language/literature/criticism, memoir, military/war, money/finance, music/dance, nature/environment, new age/metaphysics, photography, popular culture, psychology, science/technology, self-help/personal improvement, sociology, translation, true crime/investigative, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, family saga, fantasy, feminist, gay/lesbian, historical, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, psychic/supernatural, romance, thriller, women’s.
7. Dean Lucas
Stats: Specializes in: materials with a faith-based angle—primarily religious books in these categories: nonfiction, fiction, short story collections, novellas, short stories, screenplays, science fiction, fantasy, as well as books that express a Christian worldview, whether the message is subtle or overt. Actively seeking: fiction books that are highly commercial and that can be adapted to film. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Fiction areas of interest: women’s, mystery, suspense, police/crime, family saga, historical, legal, literary, mainstream, supernatural, romance. (In fiction, the Christian message should be subtly woven through, not in-your-face.) Kids’ fiction areas of interest: chapter books, middle grade, tweens, teens, and YA.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biblical, Christian living, church, devotionals, home life, marriage, parenting, family, apologetics, pastoral, current affairs, health, how-to, humor, memoirs, money, popular culture, psychology, science, self-help, true crime, women’s issues. Does not want to receive: picture books, poetry,
8. Seth Falken
Stats: Represents 20+ clients. Actively seeking: nonfiction, specifically in the areas of social sciences, economics, pop culture, humor, lifestyle, and crafts. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Nonfiction areas of interest: history, popular culture, science/technology, biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs.
Fiction areas of interest: detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, romance, young adult, women’s.
9. Jenni Ferrari-Adler
Stats: Represents 70+ clients. Prior to becoming an agent, Mr. Vinyard spent the past decade in book publishing. His experience includes literary publicity (HarperCollins Publishers), book selling (BarnesandNoble.com), and manuscript analysis.
Fiction areas of interest: thrillers, horror, women’s fiction, literary fiction, memoir, and books about pop culture/entertainment. He is happy to read first-time writers, and broad spectrum of categories, including most genres of adult fiction and nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs, nature/environment, popular culture, religious/inspirational, self-help/personal improvement, sports, theater/film, women’s issues/studies.
10. John Curtis
Mr. Curtis worked as a literary agent for at least a decade now. He currently has representations from the movie industry for a number of clients.
Stats: Represents 50 clients. 15% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Currently handles 25% nonfiction books, 25% novels, 50% juvenile books. Actively seeking: Literary fiction and adult nonfiction as well as YA and middle grade work. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Nonfiction areas of interest: anthropology/archaeology, biography/autobiography, ethnic/cultural interests, government/politics/law, health/medicine, history, language/literature/criticism, nature/environment, popular culture, psychology, science/technology, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: detective/police/crime, erotica, ethnic, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, romance, young adult, women’s.
11. Steven Lewis
Stats: Represents 50+ clients. 15% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Currently handles 25% nonfiction books, 25% novels, 30% fiction books. He also does film endorsements for production companies. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Fiction areas of interest: Commercial and literary fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller, commercial women’s fiction, young adult, Native-American Indian. Lewis’s 13 years of law enforcement experience as a former police officer gives him a genuine interest and expertise in the genres of mystery, true crime, and suspense. His other interests include horses and natural horsemanship training.
Nonfiction areas of interest: Travel writing, self-help, parenting, business, pets, health, true crime, and any fresh, compelling idea that is matched with a strong platform.
12. Rob Ortega
Stats: Prior to becoming an agent, Mr. Ortega was an entrepreneur in the technology field for nearly a decade. Specializes in: narrative nonfiction as long as the writing is exceptional and the authors have something truly unique to say. He is also interested in practical nonfiction from authors with strong platforms and/or a point of view that challenges the status quo. He also specializes in book scouting for major film companies. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Fiction Areas of Interest: General Fiction, science fiction, adventure, fantasy, romance, inspirational, adult fiction, including literary novels and commercial fiction should make you laugh, and entertain you, but it should also make you think and graphic novels.
Nonfiction areas of interest: narrative nonfiction, ethnic/multicultural writing books and work that deals strongly with women’s issues and parenting.
13. Ethan Castle
Stats: Prior to becoming an agent, Mr. Castle worked in film/TV production and acquisitions. Specializes in both fiction and nonfiction. Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography/autobiography, business/economics, child guidance/parenting, current affairs, health/medicine, history, how-to, humor/satire, memoirs, nature/environment, popular culture, religious/inspirational, self-help/personal improvement, sports, theater/film, women’s issues/studies.
Fiction areas of interest: action/adventure, contemporary issues, detective/police/crime, family saga, historical, humor/satire, literary, mainstream/contemporary, mystery/suspense, religious/inspirational, thriller.
14. Nolan Parkes
Stats: 50% of clients are new/unpublished writers. Specializes in: “Whimsy looks for projects that are concept and platform driven. We seek books that educate, inspire and entertain.” Currently connected with Stone Age Media Solutions.
Nonfiction areas of interest: reference, biography, computers/technology, business/investing/finance, history, religious, mind/body/spirit, health, travel, lifestyle, cookbooks, self-help, diet, pop culture, humor, personality, gift, illustrated.
Fiction areas of interest: Contemporary fiction, romance, adventure, fantasy, sci-fi, among others.
15. Josh Getzler
Prior to becoming a junior agent, Mr. Getzler have had 15 years in the business (not all publishing). Currently handles: 75% fiction, 25% nonfiction.
Nonfiction areas of interest: biography, business/investing/finance, music, religious, cookbooks, history, sports. Fiction areas of interest: general fiction, mystery, historical novels (esp. mysteries), thrillers, noir, children’s. Does not want to receive: picture books.
