Literary agents can help authors take their writing careers to new heights. Not only can they help you score a great publishing deal, but the can also negotiate contracts and help you sell the rights to your book for translations or on-screen adaptations.
In this post, we’ve rounded up 16 experienced Canadian literary agents who are looking to build their client lists and work with authors across a variety of genres.
Canadian Literary Agents
Below are 16 literary agents based in Canada who are currently accepting unsolicited submissions.
1. Curtis Russell
Curtis Russell was the owner of an indie press before co-founding the P.S. Literary Agency in Toronto nearly 20 years ago.
He boasts a wide-ranging and diverse client list that appeals to his many literary interests. He and his team are currently open to submissions of both fiction and nonfiction.
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Humor, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Romance, Thriller, Young Adult, Nonfiction, Business Book, Memoir, Politics, Self-Help, Sports, Children’s Books, Middle Grade, Picture Books
Contact: [email protected]
2. Carly Watters
Carly Watters joined the P.S. Literary Agency in 2010. Since then, she has helped many authors find success both domestically and abroad.
Carly is especially drawn to “emotional, well-paced fiction with a great voice and characters that readers can get invested in,” as well as platform-driven nonfiction.
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult, Nonfiction, Cookbook, Narrative Nonfiction
Contact: [email protected]
3. Cecilia Lyra
Cecilia Lyra is an associate agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction.
She is especially drawn to books about power, identity, and dysfunction told with originality and authenticity. Cecilia is also passionate about representing under- or misrepresented voices.
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Nonfiction, Business, Memoir, Diverse Fiction, BIPOC, Feminism, LGBTQ
Contact: [email protected]
4. Claire Harris
Claire Harris is an associate agent at P.S. Literary Agency representing adult fiction and nonfiction.
She’s currently seeking projects concerning people, places, and events that are often overlooked or not given the attention they deserve.
Genres: Crime Fiction, Humor, Literary Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Women’s Fiction, Nonfiction, Cookbook, Diverse Fiction
Contact: [email protected]
5. Helen Heller
Prior to opening the Helen Heller Agency in Toronto, Helen Heller worked as an editor and publisher.
She’s widely recognized in Canada as as a top agent for thrillers, but Helen is always open to books that blend the best of commercial and literary fiction.
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller
Contact: [email protected]
6. Cassandra Rodgers
Cassandra Rodgers has been a literary agent for over seven years at 5 Otter Literary.
She’s worked with a diverse group of clients on both adult fiction and non-fiction projects, some of which have been featured in O Magazine, The New York Times, and USA Today.
Genres: Commercial Fiction, Historical Fiction, Thriller, Nonfiction, Business, Memoir, Politics, Sports
Contact: [email protected]
7. Stephanie Sinclair
Stephanie Sinclair is a literary agent with CookeMcDermid. She represents literary and upmarket fiction, as well as nonfiction that makes people talk and challenges the way we think.
Her clients have won numerous awards, including the Journey Prize, Griffin Prize, and others.
Genres: Creative Nonfiction, Memoir, Nonfiction Hybrids, Literary and Upmarket Fiction
Contact: cookemcdermid.com/forms/submissions
8. Rachel Letofsky
Rachel Letofsky joined CookeMcDermid in 2010. She specializes in children’s literature (middle-grade and YA, fiction and nonfiction), narrative-driven nonfiction, and literary, commercial, contemporary, and historical fiction for adults.
Genres: Historical Fiction, Literary Fiction, Young Adult, Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade, Picture Book
Contact: cookemcdermid.com/forms/submissions
9. Carolyn Forde
Carolyn Forde is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency. Prior to joining the agency, she was a literary agent and International Rights Director at Westwood Creative Artists for 14 years. She is a dual citizen of the UK and Canada.
Note: Carolyn is open to queries from the 1st to the 15th of each month and tries to reply by the end of the same month when possible. She does not consider submissions that are sent to other Transatlantic agents simultaneously. See full guidelines here.
Genres: Literary Fiction, Speculative Fiction, Horror, Commercial Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction
Contact: [email protected]
10. Sandra Bishop
Sandra Bishop is a literary agent with the Transatlantic Agency representing notable nonfiction and award-winning fiction authors who write across a variety of categories.
Currently, Sandra is only interested in receiving commercially viable nonfiction submissions rom authors with an established platform, online or media presence, or recognized expertise.
Genres: Pop Culture, Celebrity Memoir, Cooking, Hobbies, Travel, Lifestyle, Parenting, Relationships
Contact: querymanager.com/query/1333
11. Laura Cameron
Laura Cameron represents books across all genres and ages for the Transatlantic Agency and also specializes in book-to-TV/film representation.
While her interests span many genres and niches, she seeks above all a unique narrative voice, characters she hasn’t seen before, and writing she can’t turn away from.
Genres: Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Graphic Novel, Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction, Young Adult, Nonfiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction, Children’s Books, Middle Grade, Picture Book
Contact: [email protected]
12. Rick Broadhead
Rick Broadhead founded Rick Broadhead & Associates in 2002. The agency specializes in nonfiction books and has a reputation for representing award-winning and best-selling authors.
Rick is open to unsolicited queries for nonfiction proposals in genres such as history, politics, national security, biography, self-help, and relationships.
Genres: Nonfiction
Contact: [email protected]
13. Beverley Slopen
Located in Toronto, Beverley Slopen is one of Canada’s leading literary agents. She has represented best-selling authors such as Joanna Goodman, Terry Fallis, Donna Morrissey, and Jeffrey Rosenthal.
Beverley continues to actively seek serious nonfiction and literary and commercial fiction.
Genres: Nonfiction, Commercial Fiction, Literary Fiction
Contact: [email protected]
14. Robert Lecker
Robert Lecker founded the Robert Lecker Agency in 2003 after 25 years with ECW Press, which he co-founded.
Lecker’s background in literary studies makes him an effective representative of fiction, but also a great partner for authors who have an academic profile. Please note that he does not represent self-help books.
Genres: Fiction, Music, Popular Culture, Science, History, Food, Travel, Entertainment
Contact: [email protected]
15. Robert Mackwood
Based in Vancouver, Seventh Avenue Literary Agency has specialized in nonfiction books for over 30 years.
Director and Principle Agent Robert Mackwood has worked as a literary agent since 1997. He founded this agency in 2005, and since then has represented a wide range of journalists, academics, broadcasters, and film and television stars.
Genres: Nonfiction
Contact: [email protected]
16. Bruce Westwood
Bruce Westwood, founder and managing director of Westwood Creative Artists, has been a literary agent for over 22 years.
In addition to negotiating international publishing rights, the agency also handles film, television, and stage adaptation rights, both directly and in association with co-agents.
Genres: Literary Fiction, Commercial Fiction, Narrative Nonfiction, Current Events
Contact: [email protected]
Finding a Literary Agent in Canada
To increase your chances of obtaining a literary agent, the best thing you can do is be sure to follow instructions and submission guidelines.
All of the agents on this list accept unsolicited submissions, but some ask for just a proposal or query letter and only want a full manuscript upon request.
Read directions carefully, and also review our post on how to write a query letter that conveys the importance of your book.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 25 UK Literary Agents Currently Accepting Submissions
- How To Get A Literary Agent to Represent You: The Complete Guide for Authors
- How to Become a Literary Agent: 6 Steps for Success
- How to Write a Query Letter: The 6-Step Formula for Nonfiction and Novels
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.
Luckily I found literary agents in Canada. And I will put my submission query to some agents to see if they accept my story and find a publisher for me.