6 New Literary Agents Seeking Nonfiction, Memoir, Literary Fiction, YA, Romance, Mystery, Fantasy and more

Updated 11/8/23

Here are six new agents actively seeking clients. New agents are a boon to writers. They are actively building their lists, and will go the extra mile for their clients.

Allison Hegan's interests include young adult fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, mystery, fantasy, suspense, and environmental topics. Dr. Emma Wood is primarily drawn to excellent characterization and a strong voice.

Sydnie Thornton is interested in YA across all genres: fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary that leans literary, as well as thrillers with upmarket qualities and distinctive characterization. As for the adult side, Sydnie is actively looking for historical fiction and whimsical contemporary fantasy.

Maria Alcantara is looking for New Adult upmarket fiction, mystery full of complicated characters and page-turning plot twists, and women’s contemporary or commercial romance and horror with inclusive voices of Latinos and the LGBTQ community. Rachel Petty represents children’s fiction and non-fiction, from picture books up to YA and crossover. 

Rachel Yeoh is actively looking for: literary, upmarket, book club, autobiographical fiction, political perspectives, social critiques, postcolonial literature, magical realism, nature writing, philosophical themes, classical retellings, character-driven stories, topical issues, narrative memoir, global voices, diaspora.

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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Allison Hegan of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management 

Originally from Pasadena, California, Allison received her B.A. degree in Geography-Environment and People, and completed both the environmental studies and African studies certificate programs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. While studying abroad in Australia, she volunteered with Conservation Volunteers Australia and helped preserve a section of rainforest. Since then, Allison has worked with the Wildlife Conservation Society in New York City, the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy in Virginia, and volunteered as a researcher and consultant for World Vision’s Natural Environment & Climate Issues department in California. She loves exploring new places and has lived in several cities around the country and abroad.

What she is seeking: Drawn into novels with emotionally vibrant, compelling, and often flawed characters, Allison believes the best books are those that stay with the reader long after they have been read. Her current interests include young adult fiction, historical fiction, historical romance, mystery, fantasy, suspense, and environmental topics.

How to submit: Please email a query to Submissions@ghliterary.com 

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Dr. Emma Wood of Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management (UK)

Based in the UK, Emma, holds a PhD in environmental physiology and a black belt in karate. She is an editor, technical writer, and part of the Scribophile community. She is a voracious reader, both for fun and analytically, and enjoys pulling books apart to identify what works and what doesn’t in both Children’s and Adult genres. 

What she is seeking: She loves novelty and quirkiness in all things, cracking characters, and spectacular stories. She is primarily drawn to excellent characterization and a strong voice.

How to submit: Please email a query to Submissions@ghliterary.com 

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Ms. Sydnie Thornton of Word One Literary Agency

A native Memphian, Sydnie majored in English Literature at Rhodes College. Every summer, she escaped the Memphis heat to intern at various NYC agencies and eventually joined IGLA in 2021. She does not miss the humidity. She does miss her dog. On the weekends, you can find her baking or curled up with hot chocolate and a good book. She’s taking on select co-agenting projects with Barbara Poelle.

What she is seeking: Sydnie is interested in YA across all genres: fantasy, historical fiction, contemporary that leans literary, as well as thrillers with upmarket qualities and distinctive characterization. As for the adult side, Sydnie is actively looking for transportive, complex historical fiction and whimsical contemporary fantasy. Regardless of genre, she’s very likely to connect with manuscripts that bridge the YA/Adult divide. She’s also committed to amplifying the voices of disabled creators.

How to submit: Use her querymanager HERE.

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Maria Alcantara of ArtHouse Lit

Maria graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers University with a Degree in English and Digital Studies. Getting her start as an editorial intern and a #RevPit First Reader, Maria has curated a particular taste for the kinds of books she aims to help bring to the masses. When she’s not working as a software engineer, you might find her cuddled up with her orange tabby and a good thriller.

What she is seeking: Maria is looking for New Adult upmarket fiction, either character-driven or plot-driven. She loves to cozy up with a good mystery full of complicated characters and page-turning plot twists. If these novels are contemporary with Millennial leads then that’s even better. Examples of this genre currently on her bookshelf include: YOU by Caroline Kepnes, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh.

Maria is also looking for women’s contemporary or commercial romance and horror with inclusive voices of Latinos and the LGBTQ community. Maria loves reading stories of marginalized voices in modern-day settings that are relatable and swoonworthy. Some favorites in this genre include: Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman.

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

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Ms. Rachel Petty of The Blair Partnership (UK)

Before joining The Blair Partnership Rachel was editorial director at Macmillan Children’s Books, working with authors such as Frances Hardinge, Chris Riddell and Tomi Adeyemi.

What she is seeking: I represent children’s fiction and non-fiction, from picture books up to YA and crossover. I am looking for ambitious storytelling, a bold approach to structure and voice and a fresh take on genre, and I’m particularly interested in submissions from author/illustrators and people from underrepresented and marginalised communities. I like YA romance, horror and thrillers (or a combination of all three, especially with a twist), hooky sweeping fantasy (I want excellent world building with a simple, clever pitch), hilarious middle grade, bold graphic picture books, and anything that has the potential to jump off the page and onto the screen.

How to submit: Please attach the first thirty pages of your manuscript and a one-page synopsis in one Word document or PDF along with your query letter to rachelsubmissions@theblairpartnership.com.

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Ms. Rachel Yeoh of The Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency (UK)

Rachel graduated from Durham University with a Politics degree, and then read Law at the National University of Singapore, completing internships at Baker McKenzie, Wong Partnership and the Attorney-General’s Chambers. Upon receiving a training contract offer, Rachel decided she did not want to use her love for words to structure corporate deals, but rather, to discover and share compelling stories that reflect the human experience. She first joined the agency as an intern, and went on to assist Madeleine before becoming an Associate Agent in 2021.

What she is seeking: Actively looking for: literary, upmarket, book club, autobiographical fiction, political perspectives, social critiques, postcolonial literature, magical realism, nature writing, philosophical themes, classical retellings, character-driven stories, topical issues, narrative memoir, global voices, diaspora.

How to submit: Follow the agency's instructions HERE.