5 New Agents Seeking Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Thrillers, Romance, SFF, YA, Kidlit and more

Updated 8/20/22

Here are five new literary agents actively seeking clients. Bethany Fulk wants MG, YA and adult fantasy Historical Fiction/Fantasy, Retellings (myth, folklore, legends, fairytales), Mysteries/Speculative/Suspense. Susan Velazquez is looking for upmarket/book club fiction and women’s fiction, thrillers and horror, romance, science fiction, fantasy, YA, and narrative non-fiction that explores little-known time periods, historical events, or historical figures. Annie Romano is seeking adult fiction and narrative nonfiction. Juliana McBride loves commercial and literary fiction, young adult novels, and fantasy. Helena Sandlyng Jacobsen has a special interest in translated literature. She is particularly loves narratives involving complicated heroines, characters caught between two (or more) cultures, and the occasional blood-curdling, but impeccably constructed thriller. As for nonfiction, memoir and personal essay are her favorite genres, but she loves to explore new ideas in popular science and delve into historical biographies.

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. Note: Many agents close their lists for the summer.

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

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Ms. Helena Sandlyng Jacobsen of Susanna Lea Associates - New York

CLOSED TO QUERIES

Helena Sandlyng Jacobsen is an assistant agent at SLA. A recent graduate of Sarah Lawrence College, she interned at New Directions Publishing before joining SLA, and has a special interest in translated literature. 

What she is seeking: Helena is always open to stories from new perspectives and unrepresented voices, but she particularly loves narratives involving complicated heroines, characters caught between two (or more) cultures, and the occasional blood-curdling, but impeccably constructed thriller. As for nonfiction, memoir and personal essay are her favorite genres, but she loves to explore new ideas in popular science and delve into historical biographies. She is always on the lookout for thorough, adroit translators from various languages, but is especially interested in Scandinavian literature, as a first generation immigrant from Denmark. She is always on the lookout for thorough, adroit translators from various languages, but is especially interested in Scandinavian literature, as a first generation immigrant from Denmark.

How to submit: Read submission guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Juliana McBride of Rebecca Friedman Literary Agency

Juliana began her career in New York City at Random House in 2000. After a decade working with all the in-house and third-party publishers, she and her husband (and twin daughters) embarked on their second act in California producing and selling wine. She never gave up her penchant for good stories though; enter act three. 

What she is seeking: Juliana loves commercial and literary fiction, young adult novels, and fantasy. I mean, who doesn’t secretly believe in magic? Like any true bookworm, Juliana is looking for transcendent stories that linger.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Ms. Bethany Fulk Hendrix of Spencerhill Associates

Bethany Fulk Bethany joined Spencerhill in 2024 after working at a boutique literary agency for 5 years. Her background includes a BA in English, a specialization in Social Media Marketing, and time as a PR and editorial assistant. Her favorite parts of being an agent are editing and building relationships with her clients. She graduated from Davis and Elkins College cum laude in 2017 with a BA in English. 

What she is seeking: Bethany is seeking middle grade and young adult fiction in all genres, as well as adult fantasy and romance. She is especially interested in diverse fantasy, rom-coms, and historical romance. Bethany is always looking for new voices and diverse perspectives.

How to submit: Read guidelines HERE.

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Ms. Susan Velazquez of JABberwocky Literary Agency 

TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO QUERIES

Susan was born and raised outside of Dallas, Texas and received a B.A. in Creative Writing with a minor in Gender Studies from SUNY Oswego in 2016. Her hobbies include visiting art museums, trying new restaurants, and practicing her French. Before joining JABberwocky, Susan interned at Foundry Literary + Media, Coral Press, and Folio Literary Management.

What she is seeking: Upmarket/book club fiction and women’s fiction, thrillers and horror, romance, science fiction, fantasy, YA, and narrative non-fiction that explores little-known time periods, historical events, or historical figures.

How to submit: To query, you can follow the submission guidelines on Query Manager. Send a 1-2 page synopsis and the first 20 pages. Link; https://QueryManager.com/susanvcolmant

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Ms. Annie Romano of Olswanger Literary 

TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO QUERIES

Following an internship with agent Anna Olswanger, Annie Romano is now an associate agent.

What she is seeking: Adult fiction and narrative nonfiction. "I am open to submissions in the areas of adult fiction and select narrative nonfiction. In adult fiction, I enjoy upmarket and commercial fiction, women’s fiction, psychological thrillers/suspense, crime dramas, mystery, and historical fiction. I do enjoy literary fiction so long as there is a discernible structure/plot. (I am not the best fit for stories focused on an emotional or sensory journey—beautiful as the writing may be—if the storyline is vague or absent.) I adore stories with humor, well-done ensemble casts, and plots that deliver the unexpected. I am not a good match for science fiction, but I am open to stories with light elements of fantasy. I welcome diverse narratives, including but not limited to LGBTQ+ and underrepresented ethnicities/cultures. In narrative nonfiction, areas of interest include (but are not limited to) true crime (i.e., The Trial of Lizzie Borden, by Cara Robertson) and unique windows into history (i.e., Mudlark, by Lara Maiklem).

How to submit: For fiction and narrative nonfiction, send a concise query letter and the first 15 pages pasted in the body of the email to: annie@olswangerliterary.com.  In the subject line, include the word “Query” and the title of your manuscript. Note: Do not send attachments when querying. Attachments will be deleted unopened.