6 New Agents Seeking Literary Fiction, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Nonfiction, Kidlit, YA and?more

Here are six new literary agents actively seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients.

All of these agents work for established agencies with good track records. They are looking for everything from pop culture to fantasy.

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 several agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another. (Some small agencies share. Be alert to a notice that “a no from one is a no from all.”)

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

Ms. Daisy Chandley of Peters Fraser & Dunlop (UK)

Daisy Chandley is an Associate Agent and assistant to Head of Books Tim Bates and Senior Agent Annabel Merullo. After graduating from the University of Oxford with a BA in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, she joined Peters, Fraser & Dunlop. She works alongside Tim Bates as the UK sub-agent for New Directions Publishing in the US.

What she is seeking: I’m actively building a list of both fiction and non-fiction authors across a range of genres.

On the non-fiction side, I’m looking for bold new insights and underrepresented voices on popular science, nature writing, relationships, social issues and politics, and am always especially interested in fresh, playful and exciting writing on pop culture, love and the internet. I’d also love to see illuminating narrative non-fiction, whether a beautiful and lyrical exploration, or an enthralling and explosive deep-dive.

With fiction, my reading broadly falls into two main categories: sharp, witty and clever novels across a range of genres with just the right balance of emotion and edge, and things with a darker side, be it unputdownable thrillers, mysteries, or even a good old-fashioned ghost story. Whether it’s a delightfully fun and scandalous page-turner, or something more literary and experimental, if it’s stylish and smart, I’d love to see it. And I must admit — I’m an absolute sucker for a really good twist.

I’m also definitely interested in literary speculative fiction, though I’m not generally looking for SFF. Across the board, I’m always looking for stories that explore sexuality, race, gender, and disability, and would love to hear from writers whose voices and experiences aren’t given enough space in publishing.

Just a few(ish) of the writers whose work I love include Patricia Lockwood, Raven Leilani, Torrey Peters, Gillian Flynn, Shirley Jackson, Max Porter, Carmen Maria Machado, Virginia Woolf, Sayaka Murata, Kiley Reid, Laurie Colwin, Sally Rooney (sorry), George Saunders, Joan Didion, Amy Liptrot, Elif Batuman, Sarah Waters, Ottessa Moshfegh, Donna Tartt, Tana French, & Fernanda Melchor.

I’m also very keen to see anything that shares themes or style with wonderful shows like Succession, The White Lotus, I May Destroy You, or Severance — anything that has you on the edge of your seat one minute (even if just from the world’s most awkward conversation), laughing the next, and feeling punched in the chest by the time the credits roll.

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters (or around fifty pages) of your novel, as well as a full synopsis and a covering letter, with a brief CV of your writing career, if appropriate. For non-fiction projects, please send a detailed proposal, alongside the covering letter and CV to [email protected]

Roma Panganiban of Janklow & Nesbit ?

Roma Panganiban graduated from Allegheny College with a degree in English and Psychology before taking on graduate studies in Modern and Contemporary Literature & Culture at the University of York (UK), a writing internship in Nicaragua, academic tutoring in the suburbs of New Jersey, and office management for a theatrical costume studio in Manhattan. She began her publishing career at The Gernert Company before joining Janklow & Nesbit, where she now assists Chris Clemans and Chad Luibl and works with writers across the adult and children’s markets.

What she is seeking: Roma’s taste leans literary, but she is open to a broad range of fiction, including novels and collections that embrace genre elements — speculative, historical, mystery, sci-fi, fantasy — as well as those that defy categorization altogether. She values prose that is thoughtful, clear, clever, and beautiful; compelling, idiosyncratic voices; and fresh, unexpected perspectives, particularly those of writers from underrepresented communities.

Roma is also interested in narrative nonfiction that reorients our understanding of history, culture, science, society, education, and ourselves, whether by established experts or fiercely curious upstarts, as well as creative nonfiction that appeals equally to the heart, mind, and sense of humor.

In children’s fiction, Roma prefers more high-concept, plot-driven MG and more introspective, character- and voice-driven YA, especially featuring protagonists who don’t often see themselves as the main character. In children’s nonfiction, she looks for books that help young readers better understand each other, themselves, and the universe around them.

How to submit: Read submission guidelines HERE .

Chandler Wickers of Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency

Chandler Wickers joined Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency in 2021 after an early career working in tech. She graduated from Washington and Lee University, where she played Division III soccer and earned a degree in English and Film, then going on to complete the Columbia University Publishing Course.

What she is seeking: She is interested in representing adult fiction and non-fiction. In fiction, she is drawn to voice-driven literary fiction with a strong sense of place, and novels featuring coming of age stories, family sagas, and dark humor. In non-fiction, she is interested in journalism that flows like a good novel, comprehensive histories, war reporting, and adventure stories. As a San Francisco native and Brooklyn transplant, she is keen on stories that intersect tech and pop culture, and narratives that demystify a subculture or reveal an underbelly.

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 [email protected]

Ms. Kiya Evans of Mushens Entertainment

Kiya Evans has been working as Juliet Mushens’ assistant since 2021. After graduating with a BA in History and English from Oxford University, she completed two internships at Mushens Entertainment, and joined as a full-time member of the team in February 2021.

What she is seeking: For fiction, Kiya is looking for: historical, reading group, literary, upmarket millennial, romcoms, and thrillers/psychological fiction. For non-fiction, Kiya is looking for: Narrative non-fiction that explores psychology, popular history or science. Kiya would love to see… a fresh take on the classic love story, something steeped in gothic tones or dark academia, and queer stories in all their forms.

How to submit: Please follow the agency’s guidelines HERE .

Ms. Jess Hoare of The Zoe Pagnamenta Agency

Jess Hoare joined the Zo? Pagnamenta Agency after internships at W.W. Norton and the Maria Carvainis Agency. Originally from Australia, she has a degree in English Literature with a minor in Gender Studies and Social Analysis from the University of Adelaide.

What she is seeking: Jess is looking to represent both fiction and non-fiction, she’s interested in literary fiction, voice-driven upmarket fiction, food writing, narrative non-fiction, journalism, and cultural criticism.

How to submit: Please send a query letter to [email protected] with a brief synopsis of your work and a short bio, along with up to 25 pages of sample material in the body of the email (no attachments will be opened)

Caroline Miranda of Don Congdon Associates ?

After graduating from New York University with a B.A. in English & American Literature in 2018, Caroline interned with Don Congdon Associates and the Lotts Agency before rejoining DCA as their assistant in 2019. Caroline is a member of the Association of American Literary Agents’ DEI committee. She also serves on the Literary Agents of Change’s Board of Directors and co-directs its Fellowship Program.

What she is seeking: Caroline is looking to represent diverse voices in speculative fiction, in both the children’s and adult markets, as well as select nonfiction. In fiction, Caroline is interested in representing gothic horror, science fiction, and fantasy. Within those genres, she particularly enjoys high-concept, plot-driven work with strong world-building, character development, and compelling emotional stakes. Caroline is also seeking short stories in any speculative genre collected around a theme and with a strong sense of purpose.

As for Middle Grade and Young Adult fiction, Caroline gravitates to lovable casts of characters, coming-of-age stories, and adventure plots.

In nonfiction, Caroline is looking for engrossing narrative nonfiction with an intersectional perspective that guides readers through history or science in an approachable and deeply personal way.

How to submit: Use her query manager HERE .

Like this article? For more articles about the publishing world, useful tips on how to get an agent, agents who are looking for clients, how to market and promote your work, building your online platform, how to get reviews, self-publishing, as well as publishers accepting manuscripts directly from writers (no agent required) visit Publishing and Other Forms of Insani