Have you written a fantasy book that you really believe has the potential to be a blockbuster?
You’ll need to find a book publishing house as a next step.
You’re probably aware that major publishers usually don’t accept unsolicited manuscripts directly from authors, and usually want a literary agent to send in a submission.
Therefore, to help you find an agent we’ve created this post.
Continue reading to learn about 19 top fantasy fiction literary agents.
1. Cameron McClure
A literary agent since 2004 at the Donald Maass Literary Agency, Cameron has worked with several established and debutante authors. She is interested in impeccable writing that sets a book apart from the generic novels crowding the market. Unconventional topics, literary standard of writing and interesting characters are things that catch her eye. Her clients include Steve Bein, Amy Alkon and Emily Winslow to name a few. Cameron is currently acquiring science fiction, fantasy fiction, GBLT themes and mystery. Interested writers can send her a query letter via email along with the first 5 pages of your manuscript pasted in the body of the mail.
2. Brianne Johnson
From an intern in 2007 to a Senior Agent at Writer’s House, Brianne has worked her way up in the world of publishing. Working at one of the largest literary agencies in the world gave her enough edge, experience and savvy to spot a bestselling author when she sees one. She has the optimism to believe in the power of a well written query and looks for humor in any genre she reads. Brianne is still building her client list so unpublished authors and promising writers have a chance to get in. She is currently acquiring young adult fantasy fiction, children’s books, picture books, middle grade, young adult fiction, suspense, thriller, fantasy, historical romance and horror. Send your first 10 pages of the book pasted in the body of the email along with your query letter via email. She doesn’t open or accept any attachments.
3. Laura Wood
As a merchandising manager at Barnes & Noble, Laura was aware of what consumers were buying and what books were getting traction. She has also worked as an associate publisher, editor to eventually becoming a Literary Agent at FinePrint Literary Management. 22 years of experience have translated into keen negotiation skills, sharp eyes to pick the best of the lot and the right way to market your book. She has a very impressive non-fiction list and acquires science, business, and history, and nature, academia along with fiction, fantasy fiction, science fiction and mystery. Send a query letter and bio via email to Laura.
4. Mike Hoogland
A deep and endless love for literature has led Mike to become a literary agent. Different interning stints made him realize he needs to figure his future in publishing. The Columbia University Publishing Course gave him the right tools to prepare for a career as a literary agent. Now at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC, he is excited to help writers find their calling. Mike is open to acquiring various genres such as non-fiction, journalism, science, current affairs, culture, sports, fiction, thriller, fantasy, mystery and young adult. Send your query via email by including the full query letter in the body of the email along with the first 25 pages of your book.
5. Ginger Clark
Working at Curtis Brown since 2005 as a literary agent, Ginger has been in the publishing industry for a long time. Six years at Writer’s House gave her the credentials as a reputable and dedicated literary agent who works hard with her writers. She also handles the British Commonwealth rights for the children’s list at the agency. Ginger is a committed agent, interested in acquiring new writers and maintaining her current client list. She is looking at genres such as non-fiction, young adult fiction, middle grade, fantasy, horror and science fiction. You can send a query letter and contact details via email to Ginger.
6. Russell Galen
An aspiring writer, Russell Galen had always knew his real future lied as a literary agent. His obsession with F. Scott Fitzgerald led him to understanding that the bond between an agent and a writer is a rare and beautiful. A literary agent is the writer’s support, cheerleader, critic and friend in times of need. He started assisting Scott Meredith and learnt how to negotiate the best deals for his clients, find their voices and guide them in the way that benefits their book and the process. Russell started his own firm Scovil Galen and Ghosh Literary Agency in 1993. He is selective about the authors he takes on as clients. He is currently interested in fantasy, historical fiction, non-fiction, biography, memoirs, journalism, science, nature, politics and business. You can send a query letter via email.
7. Michael Harriot
Having represented several bestselling authors, Michael is an agent at Folio Literary Management. For 15 years, he has worked with award winning authors and writers. Tony Fletcher, Ben Jealous, Peter Criss and Steve Schirripa are among his clients. Edgy authors with a special mastery of their art are authors he is eager to sign on. He is interested in fiction, fantasy, science fiction, non-fiction, sports, music and narrative non-fiction. Send the first 3 chapters of your manuscript to Michael via email.
8. Andrea Somberg
A dedicated, sharp literary agent since 15 years, Andrea is presently at Harvey Klinger Literary Agency. Her client list and interests are varied. They have won several awards and nominations such as Lambda Award and Governor General’s award. Andrea has the perfect knack of picking bestselling authors. She guides her authors and writers by offering them the necessary support and tools they need to succeed. She is eager to accept new authors and writers in several categories such as fiction, romance, thriller, fantasy, non-fiction, lifestyle, self-help, young adult and middle grade. You can submit a proposal to Andrea via email by pasting your query letter and the first 5 pages of your manuscript.
9. Miriam Kriss
The Vice President of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Miriam has been a literary agent for nearly 14 years. Her strategy to find authors is quite unique. Instead of focusing on the genre or the story, she tries to understand the author and his/her motivations. Her goal is to ensure the writer gets noticed and gets to write the kind of book they want. Writers of fiction, fantasy and romance can send their queries via mail. Paste a query letter, the first 10 pages, a synopsis and bio in the body of the email.
10. Quressa Robinson
Quressa is an avid reader, lover of literature and has spent her entire career trying to assist writers in perfecting their craft. Impressing a voracious reader is tough but that’s what you have to do if you want to work with her at the Nelson Literary Agency. She is crazy about epic storylines, characters with conflict, drama, minorities getting to share their stories and romance. With her striking blue hair, Quressa’s love for fantasy, surreal, fairies and warriors is evident. She is acquiring fantasy, romance, young adult, middle grade, science fiction, popular science written by minorities and women of color. You can query her by sending her a 1 page query letter and 10 pages of your manuscript via email. Title the email ‘QUERY’ followed by the name of your book.
11. Sarah Younger
Working at Nancy Yost Literary Agency since 2011, Sarah has been a reputable and solid literary agent. Readers want to be surprised and so does Sarah. Stories with deep meanings, rich layers, characters that defy norms and brutal realities are things she wants to see in your novel. Accept the ugly side of life and write intelligent, smart stories if you want to interest Sarah. History, romance, fiction, fantasy, suspense, thriller, mystery and women’s fiction are genres she wants to read. You can query her by using their online form and she will get back to you if she’s interested.
12. Matthew Huff
Young agents who are just beginning their careers are optimistic and eager to give unpublished authors a chance. Matthew is a new entrant on the literary scene. He joined Levine, Greenberg, Rostan Literary Agency in 2016 as an Associate Agent. He is an English major and has varied tastes and is open to all kinds of materials that are exciting and entertaining to read. Make your material witty, engaging and he will read it. Fantasy, thriller, middle grade, young adult and mystery are the genres Matthew prefers. You can submit a proposal to him using the agency’s online submission form. Specify Matthew’s name in the form.
13. Matt Bialer
Experienced agents are a writer’s best bet for success. They have seen the literary world and understand the challenges of the publishing industry. Matt Bialer has been a literary agent since 1985. Through 3 decades he has worked with prolific authors, new writers and storytellers. He worked with major agencies and then joined Sanford J. Greenburger Associates in 2003. His portfolio represents a stable of bestselling writers and successful authors. Matt is interested in picking up mystery, thrillers, nonfiction, sports, narrative nonfiction, biography, history, fiction, fantasy and science fiction. Send a query letter in the body of an email along with the first 3 chapters of your book.
14. Meredith Bernstein
For 30 years, Meredith has worked with authors and writers. She has offered them useful advice, helpful criticism and shaped their careers. Her experience as an editor also helped her focus on what works and the style a story needs to be written in. She runs her firm Meredith Bernstein Literary Agency and handles clients across different genres. She is looking for authors of fiction, non-fiction, business, spirituality, travel, romance, fantasy and young adult. You can use her contact form to submit your manuscript.
15. Maximilian Ximenez
Maximilian is a publishing professional and has dabbled in various roles before becoming a literary agent at L. Perkins Agency. The narrative style, compelling characters and flowing prose are things he looks for in a book and novel. He is seeking clients for fiction, non-fiction, true crime, art, fantasy, science fiction and horror. Send a manuscript via email by pasting a brief synopsis, bio and the first 5 pages of your book in the body.
16. Laura Crockett
Laura is an Associate Literary Agent at Triada US Literary Agency. She’s a dedicated, committed agent and wants long, successful writing careers for her writers. Currently she is seeking authors of fiction, young adult, contemporary women’s fiction, chick-lit, contemporary fiction and fantasy. You can query Laura by sending the first 10 pages of your book in the body of an email.
17. Laura Rennert
Executive Agent at Andrea Brown Literary Agency, she’s been a literary agent since 1998. Writers who take conventions and turn them on their head are authors she appreciates. Authentic, real stories about unique, new areas and promising characters are things she looks for in books. Being an author herself and having married an author, Laura understands the intricacies involved in writing a book. She knows the support and dedication a writer requires from their agent and manages the job remarkably well. Her authors include names like Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why), Ellen Hopkins, Mitali Perkins, Lauren Kate and Joe Hart. Laura is interested in picking up fiction, horror, thriller, mystery, young adult, fantasy and children’s books. Email Laura to send your query by pasting a query letter and the first 10 pages below. Title the email ‘QUERY.’
18. Caitlin Blasdell
A former editor at HarperCollins, she has been a literary agent at Liza Dawson Associates since 2002. Being an editor at a premium publisher gave her a sense of what sells, what works and what the audiences want. Her client list includes popular authors, literary geniuses and debut writers. She is seeking women’s fiction, mystery, young adult, fantasy and middle grade. You can query Caitlin by sending her a query letter via email.
19. Ann Rose
Literary Agent at Prospect Agency, Ann has donned several hats before coming to the firm. Writers need to have something different to say or change the conversation by bringing a new dimension to a traditional idea. The story needs to have a protagonist ready to fight the world for their beliefs. Ann wants to be involved in all stages of writing the book right from brainstorming to marketing and deciding future plans. She is acquiring young adult, middle grade, fantasy, science fiction and commercial fiction. The agency has an intensive online submission form if you want to send your manuscript for consideration. You can use it to send your proposal.
Are you aware of any other fantasy fiction literary agents that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
Shikha Pandey is a creative, content and script writer based in Mumbai, India.
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