If you’re based in the capital of the United States and are a politician, work in the media, in business or education, and have written a book that you want to get published by a large publisher, representation by a literary agent could help you get your foot in the door.
Below we’ve featured 4 top literary agencies in Washington D.C.
1. Ross Yoon Agency
Ross Yoon Agency is a literary agency whose forte is nonfiction of the serious kind. It represents works such as memoirs, books about history, biographies, business, psychology and popular science. Authors it represents are renowned clinicians, leaders of companies, academics, politicos, journalists who have won the Pulitzer Prize, and personalities from radio and television.
This literary agency was founded by Gail Ross who is President of Ross Yoon Agency. In addition to being a media lawyer, as a literary agent, Gail represents a multitude of commercial nonfiction. The Principal of Ross Yoon Agency is Howard Yoon who is also a literary agent at the organization. Howard represents nonfiction of the narrative type, memoir, science, history, current events, politics and popular culture. Gail and Howard are supported by a team of staff made up of other literary agents, a foreign rights specialist and an operations manager. The entire team at Ross Yoon Agency works with authors embarking on the publishing of their first book and are able to provide guidance throughout the publishing process.
Ross Yoon Agency only accepts submissions for adult nonfiction (memoir, history, biography, popular science and humor). if you’ve written a book on one of these topics, and would like to make a submission, you need to send either a query letter that concisely explains your book concept, author platform and credentials for writing your book, or a comprehensive book proposal that provides an explanation of your book concept, your author bio, a strategy for publicity and marketing, an outline of the chapters of you book and some sample chapters (1-3). These need to be emailed in Word format as attachments to submissions@rossyoon.com. The agency typically responds to submissions of interest within 4-5 weeks. Take a look at this page for further information. Do note this agency doesn’t represent children’s books, fiction, young adult, screenplays and poetry.
2. ICM/Sagalyn
Founded by Raphael Sagalyn initially as Sagalyn Literary Agency, in 2012 it went into partnership with ICM Partners to form ICM/Sagalyn. ICM/Sagalyn represents major journalists, public intellectuals, business writers, novelists and academic professionals who write upmarket nonfiction, books about business, and commercial fiction books. Examples of bestselling books this agency has represented includes The Confidence Code by Katty Kay Claire Shipman and The Guns at Last Light by Rick Atkinson, among many others.
If you would like to make a submission to ICM/Sagalyn, this agency encourages to really familiarize yourself with the publishing industry, unless you already understand how the industry works. Your nonfiction or mainstream fiction submission needs to be emailed and in the text of your message, you need to include your query, and a cover letter that briefly explains the key elements of your book and provides a short synopsis of your book and your credentials. The email address to send your submission to is query@sagalyn.com, although do read the submission guidance carefully first.
3. Goldfarb & Associates
Ronald Goldfarb, a highly experienced literary agent, prolific author and lawyer founded Goldfarb & Associates in 1966. A law company and literary agency combined together, it represents individuals involved in media such as television correspondents, print journalists and also politicians and policy makers who have written both fiction and nonfiction works. You can find out about more about the clients it represents here. In addition to its Washington D.C. office, Goldfarb & Associates also has an office in Miami. Not only do its clients come from the United States of America, many also come from overseas.
Other individuals who make up the team at Goldfarb & Associates are Robbie Anna Hare, a literary agent who also has experience in television and radio production, reporting and writing, and Gerrie Sturman who oversees specific clients, conducts research and oversees projects of a special nature. With a major focus on the representation of serious nonfiction, Goldfarb & Associates is accepting certain new projects, however, these are usually the result of referrals or with its existing client base.
4. Aevitas Creative Management
Aevitas Creative Management is a full-service literary agency with a big team of literary agents (more than 20) spread across 5 cities. These cities are Washington D.C., Boston, New York, Los Angeles and Atlanta. As an organization, it represents numerous bestselling and award-winning public figures, authors and thinkers. In addition to representation, Aevitas Creative Management also offers strategic consultation in communications, and content creation services to globally recognized political leaders, businesses, brands, cultural leaders and institutions. If you would like to make submission, take a look at this page.
Are you aware of any other literary agents in Washington D.C.? Please tell us about them in the comments box below.
If you’re looking for a publishing house, you may want to check out these 7 top book publishing companies in Washington D.C.
Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis.