5 Literary Agents Actively Seeking Kidlit, SFF, Literary and Commercial Fiction, Memoir, Cookbooks, Nonfiction and more

Updated 10/11/23

Here are five literary agents actively building their client lists. The Feldstein Agency (UK) is seeking adult fiction (excluding romance, historical fiction, and science fiction and fantasy) and adult non-fiction. D. Ann Williams represents Middle Grade and Young Adult novels and selected PB. Susan Finesman works with a broad range of genres, including fiction, cookbooks, and lifestyle. Laurie Robertson (UK) is looking for literary and upmarket commercial fiction as well as memoirs and social commentaries. Lauren Wendelken is passionate about nonfiction books with a social mission, or those which aim to make science accessible to all, as well as upmarket commercial fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction.

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 two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.

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

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The Feldstein Agency (UK)

The Feldstein Agency combines the talent and experience of Susan (née Dalzell) Feldstein and Paul Feldstein, who together have worked for over 60 years in the book industry in both the U.K. and the U.S. Susan and Paul have complementary skills in publishing - Susan in commissioning, editorial and rights, and Paul in management, sales and marketing, and finance and distribution - meaning that the Feldstein Agency can provide a service in each specific area which is informed by an in-depth understanding of the publishing process as a whole.

What they are seeking: Adult fiction (excluding romance, historical fiction, and science fiction and fantasy) and adult non-fiction. No children's or young adult books, poetry, short stories, or screenplays/teleplays/stage plays. 

How to submit: Please email a cover letter, a 1-2 page synopsis of your work, and a brief biography. They respond to all enquiries within a week. Send your submission via email to submissions@thefeldsteinagency.co.uk. 

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D. Ann Williams of Emerald City Literary Agency

TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO QUERIES

D. Ann is a queer Black American writer, writing coach for WNDB Black Creatives Revision Workshop, sensitivity reader, and freelance editor with 10+ years’ experience. She has worked with all big 5 publishers, indie publishers, and self-published authors on a variety of adult and kidlit manuscripts. D. Ann brought her passion for kidlit to Emerald City Literary Agency in 2021 as an intern before being promoted to Associate Agent. She is a member of SCBWI, Sisters in Crime, and Crime Writers of Color.

What she is seeking: D. Ann represents Middle Grade and Young Adult novels and selected PB.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Ms. Susan Finesman of Fine Literary Agency

Susan Finesman began her career as a scout for film and TV before turning her attention to agenting in 2010. Her background in Hollywood has given her a wide range of experience that informs her work with her clients. 

What she is seeking: She works with a broad range of genres, including fiction, cookbooks, and lifestyle. She challenges authors to make her laugh or cry–preferably both. She loves the twists and turns of a great page-turner, and most of all is looking for work that features characters she cannot shake. 

How to submit: Email query: Susan@FineLiterary.com

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Ms. Laurie Robertson of Peters Fraser & Dunlop (UK)

After completing a BA in English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Westminster, Laurie worked in the sales team at Dorling Kindersley before joining Peters Fraser + Dunlop in 2017 as assistant to CEO Caroline Michel. She began building her own list in 2020. Laurie also looks after serialisation rights and journalism at PFD.

What she is seeking: "I am looking for literary and upmarket commercial fiction. Strong, original voices with characters that become part of your life, uplifting narratives and fiction that blinds you with subtlety.  Stories with beautiful prose, with sentences you can’t help but underline and write down in whatever paper or device available.

On the non-fiction side, I am looking for hidden and untold histories that tell us something new about society today. Social commentaries told from a different perspective. Unexpected memoirs and commentaries that make you laugh as well as make you think. Not currently looking for children’s or YA, sci-fi or crime."

How to submit: Please send the first three chapters of your novel or non-fiction project, as well as a full synopsis to lrobertson@pfd.co.uk. In the body of the email, please write a covering letter, including brief details about your writing career.

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Ms. Lauren Wendelken of Susanna Lea Associates - New York

Lauren Wendelken is a Midwesterner and a neuroscientist by training. She began working with Susanna Lea Associates in New York in 2007. After a six year hiatus in San Francisco, where she worked at UCSF with Dr. Victor Valcour’s NeuroAIDS research group, she was thrilled to return to the SLA fold in 2016. 

What she is seeking: Lauren is passionate about nonfiction books with a social mission, or those which aim to make science accessible to all, as well as upmarket commercial fiction, literary fiction, and speculative fiction.

How to submit: Read submission guidelines HERE.