The right literary agent can help an author take their career to the next level. Not only can they help score a great publishing deal, but they can also negotiate contracts and sell the rights to books for translations or on-screen adaptations.
In this post, we’ve rounded up 11 experienced German literary agencies who are looking to build their client lists and work with German and international authors across a variety of genres.
German Literary Agencies
Here are 11 German literary agencies currently open to submissions.
1. Agentur Brauer
Based in Munich, Agentur Brauer is both a literary and illustration agency. They also provide license support and advice for publishers.
If you’re interested in being represented by this agency, they ask that you first send a proposal or project outline to the address below.
Contact: [email protected]
2. Michael Gaeb Literary Agency
Founded in 2003, the Michael Gaeb Literary Agency is a full-service agency based in Berlin that exclusively represents German- and Spanish-language authors.
They handle foreign rights and film representation worldwide for most of their authors, as well as German representation for a selection of Italian, French, and Spanish publishers and agencies.
Contact: [email protected]
3. Gorus
Gorus is a nonfiction literary agency based in Moos. The company also specializes in book production, website design, video production, and other services for their clients’ communication needs.
Contact: [email protected]
4. Agence Hoffman
Agence Hoffman represents a diverse list of international publishers and authors. Their agents represent a range of genres, including literary fiction, commercial fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and YA.
Owner and director Andrea Wildgruber has years of experience as an editor and publishing director for a large publishing company.
Contact: [email protected]
5. Lianne Kolf Agency
Former bookseller and head of marketing Lianne Kolf founded the Lianne Kolf Agency after her former employer, Molden-Verlag, closed its doors in 1982.
This event spurred her to open the first author’s agency in the German-speaking world. The agency also has a film rights department, managed by Isabel Schickinger.
Contact: litagkolf@lesefamiliet-online-de
6. Michael Meller Literary Agency
The Michael Meller Literary Agency was founded in Munich in 1987 as one of the first literary agencies in Germany to represent foreign clients as well as German-speaking authors.
The agency represents fiction, nonfiction, children’s books, and YA. As a sub-agency, Michael Meller also represents the translation rights for publishers from the US, Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, and Poland.
Contact: [email protected]
7. The Simon Literary Agency
Alexander Simon founded the Simon Literary Agency in Berlin in 1999. The agency mainly represents German-language writers and a selection of international writers.
Their primary focus is agenting German rights in literary and commercial fiction. For nonfiction, they are particularly interested in contemporary history, current affairs, memoir, and popular culture.
Contact: [email protected]
8. Keil & Keil
Anja and Bettina Keil founded the Keil & Keil Literary Agency in Hamburg in 1995. Their team represents German and international fiction (including fantasy and sci-fi), nonfiction, children’s books, and YA.
Contact: [email protected]
9. The Schlück Agency
Eva and Thomas Schlück founded the Schlück Agency in Hanover in 1973. Their team represents German-language authors domestically and internationally.
They also handle German-language translation rights for international publishers and agencies.
Contact: [email protected]
10. Liepman Literary Agency
The Liepman Literary Agency was founded in 1949 by Dr. Ruth Liepman-Lilienstein and Heinz Liepman, both of whom spent the war years in exile.
Since 1961, the agency has been based in Zurich and is now in its third generation of ownership. Their team works with German-language authors and publishers from Anglo-American countries.
Contact: [email protected]
11. The Fritz Agency
Founded in 1962, the Fritz Agency represents German-language authors worldwide. In addition, they also represent Spanish-language agents and publishers in Germany.
Contact: [email protected]
Submitting Your Work to German Literary Agents
Before you submit your manuscript or proposal to any of the agencies on this list, please be sure to review their websites and carefully note any submission guidelines.
You can also review our tips on how to write a great book proposal, if the agency requests one.
If you’re searching for a publisher for your book, we also have a list of German publishers currently open to submissions.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
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- 17 German Publishers Currently Accepting Submissions
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- 21 Foreign Rights Agencies That Can Help You Sell More Books Abroad
- Selling Foreign Language Rights for Your Book with Elliott Katz
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
Do any of these agencies represent feature film/television screenwriters? I have written several full-length scripts, some intended to be German or UK coproductions.
Will any accept a query letter or synopsis? I also speak fluent German and Dutch having lived in the two countries for 12 years.
Thank you.
Ms. Barron, we have written a strong screenplay that is probably most appropriate for a German/European audience. Being new to the industry, I am not sure how to proceed. Any assistance would be appreciated! Thanks Bobby and Jay