Literary fiction is a term used to describe books with “literary merit” that are not categorized as genre fiction (such as thriller, romance, fantasy, etc.). Most of the prestigious awards given for fiction every year go to literary fiction books.
Literary novels usually sell in smaller quantities than genre or popular novels, so having a good agent in your corner is essential—it could mean the difference between selling your book to a publisher or not.
Literary Fiction Agents
Here’s our list of 15 literary fiction book agents who can help you get your book published.
You might also like to read our full guide to finding a literary agent. Also, make sure you do your research before writing a query letter or contacting any literary agents.
1. Andrea Morrison
Agency: Writers House LLC
Submission guidelines: www.writershouse.com/submissions
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/andrea-morrison
2. Andrea Somberg
Website: www.andreasomberg.com
Agency: Harvey Klinger Inc.
Submission guidelines: www.harveyklinger.com/submission-guidelines
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/andrea-somberg-new
3. Annie Hwang
Agency: Folio Literary Management
Submission guidelines: www.foliolit.com/submit
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/annie-hwang
4. Danielle Chiotti
Agency: Upstart Crow
Submission guidelines: www.upstartcrowliterary.com/submissions
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/danielle-chiotti
5. Eric Smith
Agency: PS Literary Agency
Submission guidelines: www.psliterary.com/submissions
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/eric-smith
6. Erik Hane
Agency: Red Sofa Literary Agency
Submission guidelines: www.redsofaliterary.com/representative-categories
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/erik-hane-red-sofa
7. Heather Flaherty
Agency: The Bent Agency
Submission guidelines: www.thebentagency.com/submission-guidelines
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/heather-flaherty
8. Jessica Sinsheimer
Agency: The Sarah Jane Freymann Literary Agency
Submission guidelines: www.sarahjanefreymann.com/?page_id=3872
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/jessica-sinsheimer
9. Monica Odom
Agency: Odom Media Management
Submission guidelines: https://odommediamgmt.com/submissions-1
10. Quressa Robinson
Agency: Nelson Literary Agency
Submission guidelines: www.nelsonagency.com/submission-guidelines
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/quressa-robinson
11. Roseanne Wells
Agency: The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency
Submission guidelines: www.jdlit.com/roseanne-wells
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/roseanne-wells
12. Sarah Lapolla
Agency: Next Chapter Editorial
Submission guidelines: www.nextchapteredits.com
Manuscript wishlist: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/sarah-lapolla
Have you ever submitted a book to a literary agent? Tell us in the comments.
Here are more agents in other genres:
- 30 Literary Agents Now Accepting Science Fiction and Fantasy Submissions
- 60 Literary Agents Now Accepting Romance Submissions
- 30 Mystery and Thriller Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- Nonfiction Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- List of Young Adult and New Adult Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- Historical Fiction Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- List of Poetry Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- 77 Literary Agents Now Accepting Horror Submissions
- 89 Children’s Book Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
- List of Commercial Fiction Literary Agents Now Accepting Submissions
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.
Would you know of any agents who are interested in first time novel writers. I have just finished a commercial fiction novel, and would like to have it published.
My sister has finished a book and we are now looking for agencies that will help her, is there an agency you recommend for beginners with an amazing writing talent?
It depends who she is or who she knows. Agencies today publish based on the identity of the author, not the quality of the content. If she’s a person of color or been sexually abused she’s in. If she’s white and has had a pretty run-of-the-mill life, forget it, goes straight to the trash pile no matter what they say.
Hey, could you perhaps compile a list dedicated solely to agencies looking for screenplays? It’d be greatly appreciated
Hi Trev, thanks for the suggestion! We’ll definitely work on that :)
Hi Kaelyn. Great list.
Have you had a chance to release a list for screenplays?
Just curious.
According to Stonesong’s submissions page, Alyssa Jennette is not currently accepting queries (accessed 12/15/21)
Thanks David, I’ve updated the post!
Hi! Monica Odom has her own company since 2019
Thank you Jerri! I’ve updated the post :)
Is the list of agents updated frequently?
Hi Mia, I just checked the list and made sure it’s up to date, but we’ll work on expanding this list as well!
Upstart Crow looks promising. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Gerri!
Foundry is closed and in battles for money with authors. Website no good.
https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/85249-authors-seek-missing-payments-from-foundry.html
Thanks for sharing, Albert. I’ll get this post updated