People love to fall in love or at least to feel in love.
That’s why the Romance genre is so popular.
But the competition in the romance fiction industry is tough, and so is finding a romance publisher.
Seeking and then captivating a literary agent for romance to represent your work could even be tougher.
That’s why we put together this list of romance agents to help you on your journey to becoming a published romance novelist.
List of Active Romance Literary Agents
Here’s a list of active literary agents representing romance that might help authors with their quest for finding their perfect match.
Remember, there are many different romance subgenres, so not all of these agents will be interested in reading your novel. Make sure to do your market research and genre research to make sure you know which agents are worth submitting to.
The first batch of Agents that represents Romance are from Spencerhill Associates:
1. Ali Herring
She represents both secular and inspirational romance and seeks stories with a marketable hook, captivating voice, and inventive plots. Her preference is contemporary romance, though she will consider historical, and is open to realistic fiction, all the way to sci-fi and paranormal romance. Please only query Ali through the Query Manager link listed on the Spencerhill website submissions page.
Agency link: www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions
2. Nalini Akolekar
The agency’s Vice President, she specializes in romance and women’s fiction in the adult market.
Agency link: www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions
3. Amanda Leuck
Amanda is currently seeking strong, character-driven stories with an unforgettable voice, including romance in all genres.
Agency link: www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions
4. Sandy Harding
Sandy is currently seeking captivating stories that make readers will keep turning pages and keep reading.
Agency link: www.spencerhillassociates.com/submissions
Now, onto the next batch of Agents from Corvisiero Literary Agency:
5. Marisa A. Corvisiero
She is the agency’s founder and Senior Literary Agent at the same time. Marisa seeks contemporary romance for adults, new adults, and YA.
Agency link: https://www.corvisieroagency.com/query-guidelines.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/MarisaCorvisiero
Manuscript Wishlist: https://mswishlist.com/agent/mcorvisiero
6. Saritza Hernandez
A Senior Literary Agent, she is actively acquiring upmarket women’s fiction and diverse romance in adult and young adult market, and also in GLBTQIA market.
Agency link: www.corvisieroagency.com/submissions.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/Saritza
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/saritza-hernandez/
7. Cate Hart
Cate also represents diverse romance and more. Browse around her agency and personal websites, and behold.
Agency link: www.corvisieroagency.com/submissions.html
Personal website/link:
www.catehart.com/?page_id=27
www.querymanager.com/query/1141
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/cate-hart/
8. Kelly Peterson
Kelly is particularly interested in adult rom-com for the year 2018.
Agency link: www.corvisieroagency.com/submissions.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/KellyPeterson
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kelly-peterson/
9. Kaitlyn Johnson
Kaitlyn is currently open to queries, and includes general romance and contemporary romance in her ‘likes list’.
Agency link: www.corvisieroagency.com/submissions.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/KaitlynJohnson
10. Kortney Price
Kortney seeks particular romance stories for young adult, new adult, and adult.
Agency link: www.corvisieroagency.com/submissions.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/KortneyPrice
Next agent and is the only one from Foundry Literary + Media representing romance:
11. Tanusri Prasanna
She’s particularly interested in charming and relatable romances.
Agency link: www.foundrymedia.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/tanusri-prasanna/
Next off are the ladies from Metamorphosis Literary Agency:
12. Stephanie Hansen
The owner and a senior literary agent, she’s seeking YA series, adult SF/F, thrillers & romance (secretly addicted to romance).
Agency link: www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/single-post/2017/01/12/Submissions
13. Amy Brewer
Amy seeks anything in the romance and LGBTQ genre. She’s also a certified yoga teacher.
Agency link: www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/single-post/2017/01/12/Submissions
14. Patty Carothers
She is seeking anything YA and likes contemporary stories. Patty is also looking for paranormal (romance or not) and horror.
Agency link: www.metamorphosisliteraryagency.com/single-post/2017/01/12/Submissions
Another batch of agents from Dystel, Goderich & Bourret:
15. Ann Leslie Tuttle
Ann is actively seeking all kinds of romance from contemporaries, romances featuring diversity, contemporaries; women’s fiction (e.g. historical fiction, stories about relationships and women’s issues, upmarket and commercial fiction, and psychological thrillers); Southern Gothics and mysteries.
Agency link: www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines
16. Jim McCarthy
Jim’s interests encompass both literary and commercial works in the adult, young adult, and middle-grade categories. Visit his page on their website to know more about his particular interests
Agency link: www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jim-mccarthy
17. Lauren E. Abramo
Lauren is looking for middle-grade, contemporary YA, and smart, accessible adult fiction in a variety of categories, romance included.
Agency link: www.dystel.com/submission-guidelines/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/lauren-e-abramo/
Next up, agents from DeFiore and Company:
18. Ashley Collom
Ashley joined DeFiore in 2014 and enjoys commercial women’s fiction or romance novels.
Agency link: www.defliterary.com/submissions/how-to-submit/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/ashley-collom/
19. Rebecca Strauss
Rebecca wants, from all genres, a work that grabs you from the first page.
Agency link: www.defliterary.com/submissions/how-to-submit/
20. Cassie Hanjian
Joined the agency in 2017, she specializes in prescriptive nonfiction, as well as select projects in the commercial fiction and romance categories.
Note: She has yet updated her agency on MSWL.
Agency link: www.defliterary.com/submissions/how-to-submit
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/cassie-hanjian
Here is the only romance agent from The Bent Agency that’s currently open (they have many romance representatives, but they’re closed for unsolicited queries):
21. Rachel Horowitz
Rachel would specifically love to find a contemporary teen romance.
Agency link: www.thebentagency.com/submission-guidelines
Here is another single agent from Stonesong Literary:
22. Melissa Edwards
Melissa is interested in commercial fiction in all genres, particularly romance, thriller, and fantasy.
Agency link: www.stonesong.com/literary-agency/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/melissa-edwards/
Here’s yet another from The Booker Albert Literary Agency that’s the only one open among other romance representatives:
23. Jordy Albert
Co-Founder and literary agent, she is looking for fun, witty middle grade, and young adult contemporary, sci-fi, and fantasy. Romance is a plus. She is also looking for smart, sexy and contemporary and historical romance
Agency link: www.thebookeralbertagency.com/submissions.html
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jordy-albert/
These 2 following agents are from Donald Maass Literary Agency:
24. Kiana Nguyen
She is interested in adult romance and YA featuring happy/hopeful queer romances.
Agency link: www.maassagency.com/submissions
25. Jennifer Goloboy
She thinks romance is an additional factor for a good character-driven novel.
Agency link: www.maassagency.com/submissions
Now for P.S. Literary Agency’s agents:
26. Curtis Russell
Curtis is the president and principal agent. He is currently looking for both fiction and non-fiction.
Agency link: www.psliterary.com/submissions/
27. Carly Watters
Carly is also acquiring both fiction and non-fiction. She is captivated by emotional, well-paced fiction.
Agency link: www.psliterary.com/submissions/
28. Kurestin Armada
Associate agent and reads widely across genres. She’s actively acquiring different genres including romance.
Agency link: www.psliterary.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/kurestin-armada/
And here are agents from Prospect Agency:
29. Emily Sylvan Kim
The agency’s president, she admires all the smart, amazing romance writers for their creativity, work ethic, and strong storytelling abilities. She’s looking for select historical romance.
Agency link: www.prospectagency.com/submit.html
Next batch is from McIntosh & Otis, Inc.:
30. Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein
She is the president and a senior agent. Romance is included in her primary interests.
Agency link: www.mcintoshandotis.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/elizabeth-winick/
31. Christa Heschke
She is interested in complicated romances for both YA and MG.
Agency link: www.mcintoshandotis.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/christa-heschke/
Next off are multiple agents from The Knight Agency:
32. Deidre Knight
Senior agent and the president, she is seeking a wide range of romance novels: contemporary, historical, M/M, and paranormal.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
33. Pamela Harty
She is the agency’s vice president of sales. Pamela is currently seeking submissions including contemporary and historical romance, romantic suspense, etc.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
34. Elaine Spencer
Vice president of operations and agent, and is interested in wide-variety of subgenres including romance.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
35. Nephele Tempest
She’s currently seeking contemporary and romantic suspense projects.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines
36. Melissa Jeglinski
Melissa is seeking romance in different areas: contemporary, category and inspirational.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/melissa-jeglinski/
37. Kristy Hunter
As an associate agent, Kristy is open to most genres but there are exceptions. In romance, she is interested in all sub genres except paranormal.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
38. Janna Bonikowski
She joined the agency in 2015 and is an associate agent. Janna’s current wish list includes romance of all types.
Agency link: www.knightagency.net/submission-guidelines/
Another single agent representing romance from The Laura Dail Literary Agency:
39. Carrie Pestritto
She loves finding new authors with strong, unique voices.
Agency link: www.ldlainc.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/carrie-pestritto/
And another single agent from Speilburg Literary Agency:
40. Eva Scalzo
Eva represents all subgenres of romance except inspirational romance.
Agency link: www.speilburgliterary.com/submissions
Also, another lone agent representing romance for her agency KT Literary:
41. Sara Megibow
Sara specializes in many categories, including romance. She currently seeks adult romance.
Agency link: www.ktliterary.com/submissions/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/sara-megibow/
Here are more agents from Marsal Lyon Literary Agency:
42. Kevan Lyon
Kevan represents romance of all genres.
Agency link: www.marsallyonliteraryagency.com/submissions/submission-info/
43. Jill Marsal
Jill looks for all types of romance including romantic suspense, historical, contemporary, and category romance.
Agency link: www.marsallyonliteraryagency.com/submissions/submission-info/
44. Patricia Nelson
She is actively building her list and represents adult, young adult, and middle-grade fiction.
Agency link: www.marsallyonliteraryagency.com/submissions/submission-info/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/patricia-nelson/
The following agents come from D H H Literary Agency:
45. David Headley
Being the managing director of the agency, he is seeking stories with strong characters and original narrative voices.
Agency link: www.dhhliteraryagency.com/submissions.html
46. Hannah Sheppard
Her main interest in adult fiction includes thrillers and romance.
Agency link: www.dhhliteraryagency.com/submissions.html
The next 2 ladies are from Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency:
47. Thao Le
She mostly likes romantic fantasies. Have a quick look at her bio page on their website to know her favorites on the romance genre.
Agency link: www.dijkstraagency.com/submission-guidelines.php
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/thao-le/
48. Jessica Watterson
Jessica is most interested in all genres of romance, check out her bio page for specifics.
Agency link: www.dijkstraagency.com/submission-guidelines.php
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jessica-watterson-2/
Next batch will come from Andrea Brown Literary Agency, an agency that specializes in children’s literature:
49. Caryn Wiseman
She loves books that are intellectual by nature and have a heart.
Agency link: www.andreabrownlit.com/how-to-submit.html
50. Jennifer Rofé
She represents projects ranging from picture books to YA. For YA, Jennifer likes unique, wistful, and cringe-worthy romance stories.
Agency link: www.andreabrownlit.com/how-to-submit.html
51. Jennifer March Soloway
Jennifer represents picture books, middle grade, and young adult stories.
Agency link: www.andreabrownlit.com/how-to-submit.html
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jennifer-march-soloway
Now for Brower Literary & Management’s agent:
52. Kimberly Brower
Kimberly is the founder and an agent, she’s looking for books that can hook her attention regardless of its genre.
Agency link: www.browerliterary.com/submissions/representation/
The next agency, BookEnds Literary Agency, has several agents representing romance:
53. Kim Lionetti
Kim is actively seeking commercial women’s fiction.
Agency link: www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions-2/
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/1008
54. Jessica Alvarez
She’s looking for books that have diversity. She wants romances in all genres including inspirational and category romance.
Agency link: www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions-2/
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/1007
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jessica-alvarez/
55. Moe Ferrara
For her particulars on the romance genre, visit their website for accurate details.
Agency link: www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions-2/
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/1005
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/moe-ferrara/
56. Rachel Brooks
Rachel represents adult romance, young adult, women’s fiction and cozy mysteries.
Agency link: www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions-2/
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/RachelBrooks
57. Amanda Jain
Amanda is particularly looking for diverse historical romance.
Agency link: www.bookendsliterary.com/submissions-2/
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/AmandaJain
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/amanda-jain/
Next on the list are the 2 agents from D4EO Literary Agency:
58. Jessie Devine
Jessie likes forbidden romance.
Agency link: www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/p/jessie-devine.html
Personal website/link: www.querymanager.com/query/devinequeries
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jessie-devine/
59. Julie Dinneen
Julie is looking for well-written romance, both contemporary and historical.
Agency link: www.d4eoliteraryagency.com/p/julie-dinneen.html
Personal website/link: www.juliedinneen.com/
Manuscript Wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/julie-dinneen/
We hope that this list can be of assistance to all romance authors and that it helps you find the right agent.
Finding one is a long process and can be exhausting, but being able to work with the one that’s well-matched with you is worth the process.
Tom Corson-Knowles is the founder of TCK Publishing, and the bestselling author of 27 books including Secrets of the Six-Figure author. He is also the host of the Publishing Profits Podcast show where we interview successful authors and publishing industry experts to share their tips for creating a successful writing career.
Hi,
Can you please tell me the best agent for my book “Goldbrick”.
In “Goldbrick”, Lia Roth resides in NYC. Her last click on her dating site leads her to begin a conversation with Joel Marshall who warms up to her by text and telephone chat. Lia is a bit disillusioned with dating suitors and continues conversation with Joel but takes his pursuit with a grain of salt.
Lia travels and enjoys her pastimes while they are chatting but after a couple months suddenly Joel disappears. Lia checks up on him only to find out that his disappearance has him in a hospital in North Cyprus undergoing a pneumothorax lung operation.
Joel informs Lia that he came to North Cyprus to release his contract of several oil tankers given to him by Socar Oil Co. As he landed, he collapsed and was sent to the British Near East Hospital in North Cyprus.
As their relationship continues and strengthens Lia becomes entangled in Joel’s need for friendship, love and money. Joel’s business partner Queen Elizabeth Enahoro, who is in love with Joel, is unknown to Lia, and their tribulations and triumphs are directed solely by Joel himself.
Several turn of events between Joel and his business partner Queen Elizabeth Enahoro leave Joel without funds, support, taxes and bills to pay. Left alone, unfunded and scammed himself, Joel is forced to wheel Lia into his business and make her the primary responsible caretaker of his monetary needs. Not knowing anything about the mayhem relationship between Joel and Queen Elizabeth Enahoro, Lia accepts that she will be the one who will help Joel pay his hospital bill and escape his present situation.
While the relationship between Lia and Joel strengthens in excitement and love, Lia begins the journey of finding the money that Joel will need to pay up for his late demurrage, taxes and escape from the clutches of the Queen.
Lia is asked to contact Joel’s best friend Donald Wood, who together with Lia mange to send money for his demurrage payment. However, Joel finds out that his business partner Queen Elizabeth Enahoro has created an impossible situation for him and Joel decides to escape the island by boat to the next safe port.
Excited and relieved both Lia and Joel look forward to meeting each other and being finally united. But Queen Elizabeth Enahoro has other surprises for them both.
Hi Nima, I don’t know enough about these agents or you to give a specific recommendation. But reading the synopsis you wrote, your work should fall under most of the things that the agents on this list are looking for.
Hi, I’m seeking an agent for a novel with Indian protagonists. A story of an orphan who travels to a foreign country from a backward orphanage, and gets involved with a man out of her league, who’s involved in a shady business with prostitutes. It’s a contemporary romantic tragedy.
Hope you have a suggestion for me.
Thank you.
Hi Sharmily, I don’t know enough about each agent to make a specific recommendation, but you can check out their sites and wishlists and see which ones are looking for stories with themes similar to yours :)
I have over twenty unpublished ‘relationship’ novels ranging between 40 and sixty thousand words and am looking for a traditional publisher…short and perfect for a night’s reading or reading when traveling. I am open to offering more than a single novel. They all involve situational resolution that are happy in the end…just as good romance novels are and the relationships are not explicit in description, but the reader knwos what is going on. I could use some help in finding an agent/publisher.
Thank you for reading this
From how you describe them, seems like your manuscripts are ones with broad appeal. Check out the agents in this list that cater to “commercial fiction”.
I am looking for an agent to represent a twisted love story. A married 40 something looks to spice up her love life after 10 years of marriage. She ends up running into an ex-romance and things take a turn for the worst.
thanks for sharing about your story, Angela. I’m sure there’s a good fit on this list!
Hi, Kaelyn. I’ve been trying for a few years to find an agent for an historical time travel novel set in the 18th century. Any suggestions?
Hi Judith, thanks for your comment! Unfortunately I don’t have enough knowledge to recommend a specific agent based on your specific story, but you might consider pitching it to historical fiction agents as well.
Hello. I am a Ugandan in Uganda looking for an agent for my romantic mystery lust novel. Any recommendations. Thank you.
Hi Raymond, it looks like #15 and #56 are interested in stories with elements of mystery, so you might try those :)
I’ve searched all agents for a Historical/Romance placed in the 1830ish. Some Native Americans and everyone tells me “it’s not for me” then say that someone else might like it. It’s more for older adults, but not too old. Can someone be recommended? I’m not interested in changing the POV either.
Hi Wendy, unfortunately I don’t have enough knowledge to recommend a specific agent based on your specific story, but you might consider pitching it to historical fiction agents as well. Even though it’s a romance, there might be interest given the time period.
Hi, I’m seeking an agent for my novel: A story of an uplifting transformation of Jane’s world from sadness to happiness by way of 3 good friends, a sprinkling of romance and a cup of tea. Set in beautiful Cape Cod, Ma. Jane travels from England after the death of her husband.
It’s an easy read, romantic and heart warming.
Any idea’s?
Hi Jilly, a lot of these agents are looking for romance of all kinds, but I’d recommend starting with the ones looking for “fun” or “light” romance.
I’m seeking an agent that accepts a ‘light’ but sensual romance set in the
‘Swinging sixties.’
Hi Blanche! It looks like Jordy Albert (#23) is looking for “smart, sexy, contemporary and historical romance.” That might be a good fit?