Susan canavan joined the waxman literary agency in 2019. Fiction editors focus on plot, writing, and mass market appeal, which means they will want to see sample chapters and a. Nonfiction literary agents open to submissions writers. Womens fiction, thrillers, historical fiction, history, psychology, narrative nonfiction. She is looking for fiction, narrative nonfiction and nonfiction. If your book is strongly storyled true of most memoir, for example, youd be advised to write the whole thing before seeking agents. White and finkelstein also secure book deals for authors of adult nonfiction whose books have strong trade potential and can benefit from the backing of an established, respected literary agency. When youre pitching fiction to an agent or publisher through a query letter, your ultimate goal is to get your manuscript read.
The art of nonfiction madeleine milburn literary agency. His areas of editorial expertise include popular business, spirituality, and most other areas of nonfiction. Bookclub fiction commercial fiction literary fiction womens fiction thriller nonfiction cookbook. Lets start with the good news unlike with prescriptive, you dont need those fancy letters after your name for narrative and memoir. She is looking to acquire literary fiction, nonfiction, biography, autobiography and humour, as well as titles on food and drink. If i feel i can sell it, ill represent it, says herman. Apr 17, 2018 looking for informational titles for your students. Narrative fiction definition complete list of book genres. You need to make sure you find an agent who actually specializes in nonfiction. You can unsubscribe easily at any time we dont spam.
Ive now written 10 nonfiction books, including how to write a nonfiction book. Apr 02, 2015 at page two, the two publishing experts consult for authors and businesses on both traditional and non traditional publishing strategy. Jan 03, 2019 these three uk agents are actively seeking to expand their client lists. Before you send your query, read the agency s website to make sure your work is a good fit. We will always be looking for great literary fiction and particularly for fiction that changes how we think. Whilst specialist or academic nonfiction isnt on the cards youll need a book proposal to pitch to publishers, in this instance, nonfiction literary agents are looking for. She is actively seeking works that wed beautiful writing with a strong narrative and tackle big issues in engaging, accessible, and even surprising. The literary agents list includes agents and literary agencies that represent poets, fiction writers, and creative nonfiction writers, plus details about the kind of books theyre interested in representing, their clients, and the best way to contact them. How to find a literary agent for nonfiction youtube.
Once you find several literary agents you feel are a great fit for your project, follow them on twitter, linkedin, reddit, and watch for them to indicate they are seeking a project like yours. Mark now helps authors of all genres fiction, nonfiction, and childrens books get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company literary agent undercover and the bestselling author. However, i didnt really know what agents were looking for in terms of a nonfiction author. Maureen is actively acquiring both nonfiction and fiction. Literary agents are important decision makers in the publishing process for authors who wish to be published by many of the big publishers. Nonfiction literary agents free list of book agents.
No genre fiction for any age especially scifi and fantasy. Nonfiction book proposal literary agents and literary agencies. If you use those book agent directories to find christian nonfiction literary agents, youre going to hurt your chances of getting a top literary agent to represent you. What are literary agents looking for in a nonfiction. Three agents reveal what theyre really looking for from authors. I also sold a book off the back of a nonfiction book proposal that had multiple publishers bidding for the rights, and ended up being sold to harpercollins for. Memoir and narrative nonfiction literary agents open to. So you want your book to be the best it can possibly be. How to find a literary agent for nonfiction jericho writers. Julia livshin independent agent is primarily interested in literary fiction and quality commercial fiction, but is also on the lookout for narrative nonfiction, memoir, and childrens literature. All right, weve dealt with what were looking for in practical, prescriptive nonfiction. The agency focuses on a broad range of client services. Looking for literary fictionupmarket fiction, suspense, narrative nonfiction, and select young adult titles.
If an agent passes you a publishers boilerplate contract to sign with no changes, you may be in big trouble. But we would still love to see original and diverse takes on popular themes such as emotional intelligence, inspirational memoir and practical selfhelp. I am drawn to stories centering around unconventional family dynamics and upbringings, unreliable. Best literary agents 20192020 all genres top book agents. Mullane literary associates is an independent literary agency founded in 2008 by deirdre mullane, a publishing executive with more than two decades in the industry as a publicist, editor, publisher, agent, and author. There are some things we are particularly looking for at the moment and also some tips we have if youre writing in particular areas that might help your book really catch our eye. In a very real way, narrative nonfiction is show, while most other nonfiction is tell. Christina clifford union literary is looking for literary fiction and narrative nonfiction in the genres of historical biography, memoir, business, and science. As the majority of childrens non fiction is illustrated we are aware this is an area where we are very limited in what we will consider. Nov 21, 2018 writing a nonfiction book can be lifechanging for you and also for your readers. Nonfiction literary agents now accepting submissions tck. How to find a literary agent for your book jane friedman. Nonfiction book proposal what is it and how do you write one. Jul 15, 2014 all right, weve dealt with what were looking for in practical, prescriptive nonfiction.
She was formerly a senior executive editor at houghton mifflin harcourt where she. I was convinced shed be back in the morning, like the sun. Maria whelan is seeking literary fiction and upmarket womens fiction, as well as nonfiction, revolving around peculiar or overlooked facets of society. Jeff herman agency literary agent specializing in non. Trying to get a non fiction book published is a very different process from the fiction market. Tweets and announcements can be a great way to find nonfiction literary agents in the u. Sep 05, 2019 she is looking for excellent short fiction, unconventional literary novels, and narrative nonfiction. Mark malatesta is a former literary agent turned author coach. Narrative nonfiction is nothing more that a true story told as narrative, rather than a straight list of facts. Alexis works in the dual capacity of codirector of foreign rights and agent of domestic works in the areas of literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction and more. Whilst specialist or academic nonfiction isnt on the cards youll need a book proposal to pitch to publishers, in this instance, nonfiction literary agents are looking for anything celebrityled, and written by. Trying to get a nonfiction book published is a very different process from the fiction market. In fiction for the adult market, she is seeking novels that center marginalized voices and experiences, highconcept novels that bend genre and incorporate elements of surrealism, twisty narratives of obsession and psychological suspense, and recent historical fiction. The best nonfiction enables the reader to see the world in new ways.
Before joining hill nadell, dara spent over a decade as an editor and rights and. Jeff ouryan is a literary agent with jennifer lyons literary agency who primarily represents narrative nonfiction, historical nonfiction, biographies, science, food and sports books. Aug 29, 2019 aiming to give voice to a broad range of perspectives, amaryah represents a wide array of literary and commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. Claire paterson conrad represents a wide range of subjects and authors, both fiction and nonfiction, literary and commercial. Narrative fiction definition book genre definitions and examples for all book genres, including the narrative genre and all other fiction genres. Many authors like to have an agent who is an attack dog. Literary agent federica leonardis offers essential guidance to authors working. Writers can email her a query letter and the first 10 pages of your manuscript or your first chapter till the end. Anything celebrityled, and written by or endorsed by that celebrity. Literary agent federica leonardis offers essential guidance to authors working towards submitting a work of nonfiction. With the launch of our brandnew nonfiction writing competition inspire us, literary agent anna hogarty talks about the five elements shes looking for in a standout voice.
A nonfiction book proposal is necessary for most nonfiction authors hoping to be represented by a literary agency andor get a deal with a publishing house. She is looking for excellent short fiction, unconventional literary novels, and narrative nonfiction. Joanna swainson is looking for crime and thrillers, ghost stories, speculative fiction, horror, and narrative nonfiction. Alexis hurley started her career in 1998 and has been at inkwell since its inception in 2004. As an author himself, jeff is able to use his experience in the publishing industry to help find and promote new writing talent. Youll also get access to our article and audio library with information to help you get a top agent, publisher, and book deal. Literary agent federica leonardis offers essential guidance to authors working towards submitting a work of non fiction. While tess primarily represents young adult and adult fiction projects, shes also currently on the lookout for narrative fiction projects specifically about foodrelated topics. Unlike with fiction submissions where we need a book to be finished before we submit it to publishers, nonfiction is almost always submitted with a proposal and a sample of the writing, so this is what we need to see from you too. Jan 12, 2019 tess callero is a literary agent working with curtis brown, ltd. I think its common knowledge that to get an agent as a novelist you need a polished, complete manuscript to be taken seriously, but for nonfiction there seems to be a grey area. For more articles on the writing process and how to submit to literary agents, visit uk. His specialties include young adult, middle grade, adult thrillers, and narrative nonfiction. She is a native of the berkshires and a graduate of dickinson.
And some nonfiction books might include elements of unverified supposition, deduction, or imagination for the purpose of smoothing out a narrative but the author should always make all attempts to make a nonfiction book truthful. Our agents have also placed narrative nonfiction, selfhelp, health, memoirs, and financialbusiness titles. She is actively seeking works that wed beautiful writing with a strong narrative and tackle big issues in engaging, accessible, and even surprising ways. Perhaps mention a book the agent has represented that you admire. Advance planning was never hanks strong suit, he had to leave her. Much of it was either true, or believed to be true by those whoe write it. Alexis works in the dual capacity of codirector of foreign rights and agent of domestic works in the areas of literary and commercial fiction, memoir, narrative non fiction and more.
One of the uks leading literary agencies handling nonfiction. Marianne merola coordinates a global network of foreign coagents charged with licensing the work of the agencys authors to a worldwide audience. Nonfiction submissions bear little similarity to fiction submissions. Regina ryan has been an independent literary agent for. Graham maw christie agency graham maw christie literary agents. These oneonone meetings at the 2020 seattle writing workshop are an amazing chance to pitch your book facetoface with an agent, and get personal, individual feedback on your pitchconcept. Nonfiction books jane friedman for years, ive offered a lengthy guide on how to write a query letter for a novel. I understand creative nonfiction to mean nonfiction that uses creative writing and narrative story telling techniques. It is always better to have an agent who was a wider range of opinion and experiences. It can include biography, memoir, true crime, travel writing, food writing. I dont think it has to necessarily have to made up bits as others have described above, though sometimes it does.
Within nonfiction she is searching for narrative nonfiction, culture, history. If the agent likes your pitch, theyll request to see partall of your book sending you straight past. Some fiction books might include nonfictional elements. Christian nonfiction literary agents get free access now. If youve written a nonfiction book or book proposal and youre looking for a major book deal, youre going to need a great literary agent. Narrative offers any reader a modern pocket library. Register with ms wishlist and search tweets for the terms nonfiction literary agents in the us, nonfiction literary agents in the uk, or wherever youre from. Literary agents are gatekeepers of the publishing industry. List of literary agents 20192020 book agents looking. Jeff herman is an exceptionally successful veteran literary agent, entrepreneur and author.
A stepbystep guide to finding literary agents, plus how to select the. Other literary agent directories in print and online are inaccurate and incomplete. How to write a book proposal that agents will love jericho. Christian nonfiction literary agents book agent directory. She values strong and unique narrative voices and domestically represents bestselling and awardwinning writers of compelling fiction, nonfiction and childrens books.
Shes looking for commercial, crossover and reading group adult fiction with. Nonfiction literary agents are looking for books that are factual unlike fiction literary agents. Picture book biographies are great examples of narrative nonfiction emphasized in common core. That was a twobook deal, admittedly, so you can divide the numbers by two to get a per book amount. White and finkelstein also secure book deals for authors of adult non fiction whose books have strong trade potential and can benefit from the backing of an established, respected literary agency. Before life as a literary agent and rare book dealer, she spent several years working for bbc television and radio and film4. Turn your knowledge into words, and i know how difficult it can be to get your manuscript right. All are traditional publishers, and none require an agent. They are looking for a wide range of subjects, including art, theater, childrens nonfiction, calendars, memoirs, pop culture, politics, history in short, if it isnt fiction, they want it. At page two, the two publishing experts consult for authors and businesses on both traditional and nontraditional publishing strategy. Find nonfiction literary agents open to submissions in this post. Not only do you have the manuscript which must be considered, but there are also business and marketing components that must be considered before searching for a literary agent begins.
Chapter book literary agents 20192020 find literary agents for childrens books on our list of literary agents, which includes book agents looking for chapter books and early readers. Nonfiction literary agents now accepting submissions. May 11, 2019 maria whelan is seeking literary fiction and upmarket womens fiction, as well as nonfiction, revolving around peculiar or overlooked facets of society. A good agent understands where to ask for more money or rights, and knows if a client is getting the best deal possible. Jeff herman opened his literary agency in the mid1980s while in his mid20s. With the launch of our brandnew nonfiction writing competition inspire us, literary agent anna hogarty talks about the five elements shes looking for in a. What qualities should an author be looking for in an agent. How to find a literary agent for a nonfiction book. Finding a chapter book literary agent is easy using our free literary agency. Nonfiction literary agents open to submissions writers digest. Plotdriven stories with fresh and distinctive voices across a range of upmarket womens fiction, book club fiction, mysterysuspense, and psychological thrillers, as well as some literary fiction and narrative nonfiction.
Dec 05, 2017 your agent must know his way around a book contract. Respond quickly with a polished query letter that follows their specific submission guidelines. Filter agent profiles to get a feel for what kind of things theyre looking for, as well as which nonfiction literary agents in the us are looking to take on new projects. Your agent must know his way around a book contract. Aiming to give voice to a broad range of perspectives, amaryah represents a wide array of literary and commercial fiction and narrative nonfiction. H ere are three new agents actively seeking clients.