5 Literary Agents Seeking Romance, Sci-fi, Literary Fiction, YA, Narrative Nonfiction, Memoir and more

Updated 11/9/23

Here are five literary agents actively seeking clients. All work with established agencies with good track records.

Alyssa Maltese is seeking YA: Contemporary fiction with speculative, romantic, or light fantasy elements. Adult: High-concept commercial thriller & domestic suspense, Speculative fiction with female-centric concepts & sci-fi elements, Commercial suburban horror with a sense of humor; Prescriptive & research-driven narrative nonfiction from authors with an established expertise & audience. 

Cindy Uh is interested in fiction and nonfiction. For non-fiction submissions, Uh is interested in narrative non-fiction, memoir, essay collections, and illustrated titles in categories ranging from inspirational, pop-science and psychology, and cultural criticism to self-help, wellness/spirituality, social justice, and women’s issues. In fiction, Uh is looking for upmarket women’s fiction  For YA submissions, Uh is interested in contemporary stories that center BIPOC characters, and humor and quirk are always a plus.

Broo Doherty handles all genres, excluding children’s books, screenplays and sci-fi, but particularly enjoys crime, women's commercial fiction, literary fiction and quirky non-fiction. Rebeka Finch is looking for character driven contemporary romances. Rebeka is also looking for contemporary new adult romance that bridges the gap between YA and adult fiction, for the 20 something lover of modern romantic novels. Brady McReynolds represents science fiction, weird 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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Alyssa Maltese of Root Literary Agency

Getting to be an early champion for authors' work is a huge privilege, and a responsibility for which I am deeply grateful. I'm excited to find and uplift books that you can’t put down, books that surprise you, books that make you think, and, above all else, books that help people.

What she is seeking: YA: Contemporary fiction with speculative, romantic, or light fantasy elements. Adult: High-concept commercial thriller & domestic suspense, Speculative fiction with female-centric concepts & sci-fi elements, Commercial suburban horror with a sense of humor; Prescriptive & research-driven narrative nonfiction from authors with an established expertise & audience.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Cindy Uh of Creative Artists Agency

Uh graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Faith, Peace, and Justice. She went on to receive her J.D. from UCLA School of Law with a concentration in Critical Race Studies. Following her career as an employment discrimination attorney, Uh became a literary agent in 2015 and served as Counsel at the publishing law firm of Lyons & Salky Law LLP. She joined CAA in 2019.

Uh is based in the New York office with a client list that focuses on amplifying underrepresented voices. She works with many of the world’s leading activists, journalists, thought leaders, illustrators, artists, and actors, including Lupita Nyong’o, Simu Liu, Jonathan Van Ness, Tabitha Brown, Cecily Strong, Tarana Burke, Enrique Acevedo, Stephen Satterfield, Christopher Griffin, Mari Andrew, James Whiteside, Mónica Ramírez, Cecilia Muñoz, Alex Elle, Erica Chidi, among others.

What she is seeking: For non-fiction submissions, Uh is interested in narrative non-fiction, memoir, essay collections, and illustrated titles in categories ranging from inspirational, pop-science and psychology, and cultural criticism to self-help, wellness/spirituality, social justice, and women’s issues.

In fiction, Uh is looking for upmarket women’s fiction with an emotional plot, well-drawn characters, and distinctive voices and worldviews. She’s particularly drawn to stories that examine complex female and family dynamics, grapple with cultural and generational divides, and explore issues of identity and belonging. While she’s also interested in speculative fiction and magical realism, she’s not actively seeking historical fiction, sci-fi or fantasy at this time.

For YA submissions, Uh is interested in contemporary stories that center BIPOC characters, and humor and quirk are always a plus.

How to submit: Use the agency's form HERE.

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Broo Doherty of DHH Literary Agency (UK)

TEMPORARILY CLOSED TO QUERIES

Broo Doherty graduated from Downing College Cambridge and then started working in publishing, where she has worked for the last twenty years. She has worked right across the board in publishing houses and as an agent. 

What she is seeking: She handles all genres, excluding children’s books, screenplays and sci-fi, but particularly enjoys crime, women's commercial fiction, literary fiction and quirky non-fiction. In 2017 she was voted Literary Agent of the Year at the Romantic Novelist's Association. ​

How to submit: Send submissions to: bd.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com
For fiction please send your cover letter, first three chapters (or about 10,000 words) and a synopsis. For non-fiction please send a covering letter; a proposal for the book including an overview of its themes and story and your sources.

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Ms. Rebeka Finch of Darley Anderson Literary (UK)

Rebeka joined the Agency as Darley's Assistant in November 2019. Rebeka has a degree in History from the University of Exeter, and spent a semester abroad studying in America before graduating in July 2019. She enjoys reading submissions, particularly new adult, contemporary romance fiction, and fantasy/romantasy fiction, and working on the Agency's social media.

What she is seeking: Rebeka is looking for character driven contemporary romances. Rebeka is also looking for contemporary new adult romance that bridges the gap between YA and adult fiction, for the 20 something lover of modern romantic novels. For Rebeka's submission wishlist click here.

How to submit: Use the agency's submission form HERE.

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Mr. Brady McReynolds of JABberwocky Literary Agency

WILL OPEN TO QUERIES IN NOVEMBER 2023

Growing up in rural Georgia and North Carolina, he started reading books (especially science-fiction and fantasy) at an early age because there was little else to do. He attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he double majored in Communication Studies and Sociology. 

What he is seeking: Science fiction, weird fiction.

How to submit: Use his query manager HERE.