General Fiction

Bluesky Alert

Erin Niumata at Folio Literary Management and MSWL.

Agent Transfer Alert

Lily Dolin | Sterling Lord Literistic

“I joined Sterling Lord Literistic in 2025 after five years at UTA, and represent clients in both fiction and nonfiction. I’m most drawn to literary and upmarket fiction with dark and offbeat humor, gripping narratives, strong commercial hooks, family dynamics, mother-daughter stories, and nuanced female perspectives. I especially love sweeping family dramas, strange and unusual women in strange and unusual circumstances, and books with strong voices.”

Agency, Personal site, Publisher's Marketplace and MSWL.

Deal Alert

James McGowan | BookEnds Literary Agency

“.James is currently looking for adult fantasy, speculative fiction, thrillers, suspense, and book club fiction. In all genres, James is looking for works from diverse, marginalized, and/or underrepresented voices. James is eager to find the next novel that everyone is reading and recommending and loves plot-driven books with strong characters, commercial hooks, and a sentence that sticks with you.

In book club fiction, James loves books that have something to say about the world or culture that don’t sacrifice an unputdownable plot. He can follow a good character anywhere but wants to see things happening like in The Wedding People, True Biz, or Lessons in Chemistry. He loves family sagas (historical or contemporary) and bonus points if it’s multi-POV. Think Pachinko, Real Americans, Memphis, or Black Cake. James loves book club fiction that mashes genres together like crime in Portrait of a Thief, Miracle Creek and My Sister the Serial Killer or speculative elements like The School for Good Mothers and Emily St. John Mandel’s books.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Taylor Haggerty | Root Literary

“I represent commercial fiction for teens and adults - particularly in the romance and book club spaces.

My client list is the best indicator of my taste, but I gravitate toward smart, funny, voice-driven projects and welcome all the longing, pining, heart-breaking and heart-mending emotional rollercoasters you want to send my way.

I have a tendency to fall for books that blur the lines between genres and am a big novelty seeker as a reader, so always love to be surprised by the fresh and unexpected!’’

Agency, Twitter and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Samantha Fabien | Root Literary

“ADULT

Genres: book club fiction, contemporary romance, mystery, thriller, suspense, speculative, gothic, horror, and fantasy. (Don’t forget to send me all the genre blends—romantasy, horror comedy, book club thrillers, etc.)

Elements/themes/tropes/vibes: late-stage coming-of-age; second-generation immigrant experiences; healthy and toxic relationships (familial, platonic, or romantic); stories of obsession; stories that drop you in the chaos; specific experiences that hold universal truths; body positivity; sex positivity; fast-pacing; tight plotting; ruthless and messy characters; women killing for revenge; unexpected twists or POVs; con artists and grifters on job; convincing red herrings; ensemble casts; twisted games or puzzles; lots of yearning and pining; non-western mythology; magic systems with consequences; unexpected villains and/or villain POVs; unraveling secrets at a reunion or celebration; reincarnation/fated lovers; haunting, small, and/or isolated settings; curses and prophesies; inheritances; secrets amongst groups; cults and dark rituals; academia; gray morality; feminism; finding magic in the seemingly mundane.”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Morgan Strehlow | The Bindery

‘‘On the fiction side, Morgan is eager for upmarket fiction, complex women's fiction, and sports fiction.’’

Agency.

Dan Milaschewski | United Talent Agency

‘‘Dan currently is looking for upmarket fiction. He personally has a soft spot for thrillers, horror, speculative fiction, and anything with a strong comedic voice.’’

‘‘In fiction, he’s looking for upmarket page-turners that are any combination of funny, twisty, shocking, weird, and sneakily deep.’’

Agency and MSWL.

Carleen Geisler | ArtHouse Literary Agency

“In Adult Fiction:

• ...Upmarket and literary voices, especially with a really unique premise...”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter and MSWL.

Michaela Whatnall | Dystel, Goderich & Bourret

“Right now, the categories I’m most looking to build in are adult upmarket fiction, grounded adult fantasy and certain romantasy, contemporary middle grade, and young adult. I’m always eager to see books from diverse voices.

Upmarket Fiction: I am seeking contemporary, speculative, and historical upmarket fiction that combines a propulsive plot with pervasive themes. A good example of what I’m looking for is my client Sophie Wan’s WOMEN OF GOOD FORTUNE, which on its surface is a book about a heist at a ritzy wedding, but underneath is about the complexities of friendship and the pressures society places on women.”

Agency, Twitter and MSWL.

Rachel Beck | Liza Dawson Associates

‘‘What she’s looking for

Rachel believes that the right book can change or heal a life, and she wants to find those. But she’s also interested in lighter fiction that helps you escape or simply makes you laugh after a tough day … More specifically, she’s looking for:

• Upmarket/book club women’s fiction—Think of authors such as Emily Giffin, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Weiner, Amy Hatvany, Liane Moriarty, and Diane Chamberlain, who explore sensitive, controversial, or morally gray areas in a complex, sympathetic way. Material that reminds us how difficult it is to be a modern woman, but also how rich and rewarding. Books that explore motherhood, fertility issues, addiction, sexism or sexual assault, and messy family dynamics are good examples—but with a fresh eye that brings something new to the conversations.

• Anything exploring complex sibling relationships, particularly sisters

• Anything set in the South, particularly New Orleans/the Cajun region of southern Louisiana.’’

Agency and Twitter.

Alyssa Eisner Henkin | Birch Path Literary

“I am passionate about heartfelt storytelling and innovative ideas that fill holes and/ or break new ground in the market…

Right now, I am on the hunt for the following: …

• Upmarket fiction - both historical and contemporary. Books about book lovers and book clubs are especially intriguing.”

Agency and MSWL.

Rebecca Gradinger | United Talent Agency

‘‘Rebecca has eclectic taste in the books that she represents but a common thread in almost all of her projects is a strong emotional core. She is interested in projects that fall into the following categories: literary fiction, up-market commercial fiction… Rebecca’s particular areas of interest are: fiction that is simply impossible to stop reading (and if it makes you weep, all the better!) …’’

‘‘What’s important/interesting for potential clients to know about you and what you’re looking for?

When it comes to fiction, I truly run on emotion and instinct. I always know when a manuscript is a good fit when I start having imaginary editorial discussions with the author in my mind…’’

Agency and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Marie Lamba | The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency

‘‘I also want general adult fiction and women’s fiction. I’d love to find an original women's novel that would inspire the next smart and funny chick flick.’’

Agency, Personal site, Twitter and MSWL.

Laurie-Maude Chenard | UTA

‘‘Laurie-Maude Chenard represents clients in both fiction and nonfiction. She gravitates toward unique, voice-driven stories by writers from historically underrepresented communities, exploring themes of identity (and its fluidity), race, culture, gender, and sexuality.

She’s drawn to contemporary literary and upmarket fiction with multifaceted characters navigating strong internal conflicts and complex relationships. She has a particular interest in coming-of-age stories, as well as psychological and speculative novels that blend wit and humor with emotional depth. She also enjoys narratives with multiple POVs and timelines. Books she loves include AMERICANAH by Chimimanda Ngozie Adichie, TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW by Gabrielle Zevin, MARTYR! by Kaveh Akbar, A TALE FOR THE TIME BEING by Ruth Ozeki, and THE IDIOT by Elif Batuman.’’

Agency, Personal site and Publisher's Marketplace.

Sarah Bowlin | Aevitas Creative Management

“As an Aevitas agent based in Los Angeles, she is focused on bold, diverse voices in fiction and nonfiction. She’s especially interested in stories of strong or difficult women and unexpected narratives of place, of identity, and of the shifting ways we see ourselves and each other. She’s also interested in food history, wine, and dance.”

“Recent titles:

• Burst by Mary Otis

• A History of Burning by Janika Oza

• Holding Pattern by Jenny Xie.”

Agency and Twitter.

Danielle Egan-Miller | Browne & Miller Literary Associates

“For 2025, I am particularly interested in the following:

• I’m partial, always, to substantive novels featuring Midwestern voices and Midwestern settings. Think THIS TENDER LAND and ORDINARY GRACE.

• Book club fiction, historical or contemporary…”

Agency, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Nora Gonzalez | The Gernert Company

“Nora is interested in representing narrative nonfiction, memoirs, cookbooks, illustrated works, poetry, literary and upmarket fiction.”

Agency.

Kelly Karczewski | UTA

“Kelly Karczewski joined UTA in 2023, after almost two years at Fletcher & Company. She is currently building her list in both fiction and nonfiction, with an emphasis on commercial and upmarket fiction. In fiction, Kelly is generally drawn toward books that will translate well to the screen — contemporary stories that draw you in with a strong commercial hook, and keep you reading with sharp, surprising writing.”

Agency and MSWL.

Katie Shea Boutillier | Donald Maass Literary Agency

“Katie focuses on representing commercial fiction for young adult and adult markets in the areas of upmarket women’s fiction, book club fiction, romance, psychological / domestic suspense, thrillers, and coming-of-age stories. She is particularly drawn to contemporary storylines.

She is always on the hunt for strong voices and imperfect characters. She wants honest, sincere, and emotionally raw characters, holding nothing back. She is looking for modern ideas with social issues to contemplate, complex family dynamics to digest, and people’s lives to dig into for a moment while she reevaluates her own.”

Agency, Twitter, Publisher’s Marketplace and MSWL.

Turner Publishing

‘‘Turner publishes books in a wide range of categories and formats—fiction and non-fiction.’’

‘‘While we are open to reviewing all types of submissions, below is our current acquisitions wishlist.

Fiction:

• Dystopian

• Contemporary Romance

• Romantasy

• Fantasy

• Sci-fi

• Upmarket.’’

Agency and Twitter.

Elisabeth Weed | The Book Group

“Elisabeth Weed began her publishing career at Curtis Brown in 1999. In 2007, Elisabeth opened her own agency, Weed Literary, where she began focusing primarily on upmarket fiction. She is especially attracted to plot-driven novels with a sense of place, and loves discovering new voices. She’s on the hunt for literary thrillers and crime novels and has a soft spot for historical fiction.”

Agency.

Gráinne Fox | UTA

“Her list consists of literary fiction, narrative non-fiction and upmarket, elevated genre fiction.”

“What’s important/interesting for potential clients to know about you and what you’re looking for?

My guiding principle is a book that can “stimulate the mind and satisfy the heart” and this illuminates every read, regardless of categorization. In short: gorgeous writing combined with propulsive, immersive storytelling.

… I’m eager to find new American and International voices; fiction that’s modern and swoon-worthy on a line level but with an equally enveloping plot. I love dysfunctional families (aren’t they all?) and am passionate about Irish Writing, and always keen to read more.”

Agency, Twitter and Publisher’s Marketplace.

Andrea Somberg | Harvey Klinger Literary Agency

“My list is diverse and I love it that way. I represent almost all types of fiction and nonfiction, as well as young adult and middle grade … For fiction, regardless of whether it’s literary, upmarket bookclub fiction, speculative or horror, fantasy, science fiction, mysteries, thrillers, ya or middle grade, I am looking for a narrative voice that resonates with me. Books that particularly make me sit up and take notice these days are: …

• Upmarket bookclub fiction or literary fiction that engages with the challenges in our current world

• Novels that explore cultural heritage…

• YA or Adult novels that are based on a true story from the 20th century…

• Magical realism for the adult, YA or MG market.

• Adult, MG or YA novels that feature diverse protagonists…

• Any novel with great characters and a compelling storyline…”

Agency, Personal site, Twitter and MSWL.