Have you written a true story using the characteristics and techniques of fiction?
Do you believe your nonfiction story can possibly become a bestseller and want to get it published by a top publisher?
One of the following 17 top literary agents for narrative nonfiction (also known as creative nonfiction) might be able to help you find a book publisher.
1. Stephen Barr
Stephen Barr is a senior agent at Writers House, a well-respected literary agency with offices in New York City and La Jolla, California. Having been in the agency for over 15 years, he has developed a wide variety of thematic and genre preferences.
In addition to narrative nonfiction that confidently confronts difficult topics, Stephen is also open to unusual memoirs, middle-grade fiction, and YA fiction. One of his clients is Brooke Shields, a celebrity and author of the best-selling biography There Was a Little Girl.
Are you interested? Writers can email queries along with the first 5–10 pages of their nonfiction project. Ideally, Stephen will respond within 14 days. For more information, visit the agent page and click the link to his Publishers Marketplace profile.
2. Kiele Raymond
Similar to Stephen Barr, Kiele Raymond is also a senior agent. She’s been a part of the Thompson Literary Agency in New York City since 2017. As for her educational background, Kiele earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees at Johns Hopkins University and the University of Chicago.
Her primary interests in nonfiction include narrative nonfiction, history, biographies, and social & cultural matters. Likewise, Kiele is open to fiction writing in the realm of literary fiction and contemporary fiction. She has represented expert writers such as Peace Adzo Medie (Global Norms and Local Action) and Tana Wojczuk (Lady Romeo).
Kiele is currently looking for submissions. Go to the QueryManager link listed on the Thompson Literary Agency agent bios page to send your query and sample manuscript.
3. Alicia Brooks
Alicia Brooks is no stranger to the demanding yet rewarding world of book publishing. Currently working at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency in New York City, her professional career includes editorial roles at established companies like Picador, Doubleday, and Penguin USA.
This agent is interested in everything from fiction and nonfiction to children’s literature and illustrated works. In particular, Alicia is eager to represent narrative nonfiction from authors with unique cultural and social backgrounds. Books about contemporary issues, pop culture, and travel are not out of the question.
If you seek Alicia’s agenting prowess, you should read the submission guidelines and follow each step.
4. Matt Turner
Matt Turner is one of the go-to agents for narrative nonfiction at the RCW Literary Agency. Situated in London, UK, he has been with the organization since the early 2010s. The recognition of his clients for awards like the Orwell Prize and Costa Book Awards tells a lot about his reliable sense of outstanding writing.
With over a decade of experience as a literary agent, Matt boasts a client list of acclaimed authors in fiction and nonfiction. These writers include journalist Hussein Kesvani (Follow Me, Akhi) and Niamh Campbell (This Happy and We Were Young). At the moment, he’s searching for memoirs and narrative nonfiction.
Matt is available for queries. Simply head to his agent page for his email address (and X page).
5. Clare Forster
Over at the Australian branch of Curtis Brown in Syndey and Melbourne, Clare Foster continues to build her client list. Before her agenting role at the company, she honed her knowledge of book publishing at organizations like Queensland Press and HarperCollins.
Clare’s prolific agenting experience includes working with authors of fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books. Specifically, her interests in narrative nonfiction revolve around people’s lives, scientific matters, and historical events. Two of her award-winning clients are Ian Townsend (Line of Fire and Affection) and Claire Thomas (Fugitive Blue).
If you currently reside in Australia or New Zealand, feel free to send your manuscript to Clare. Typically, Curtis Brown Australia is open to submissions every March and August.
6. Jo Unwin
Headquartered in London, UK, Jo Unwin is the founder of her literary agency. Before this, she learned all about agenting at the C&W Literary Agency. Over the years, Jo’s unparalleled talent in representation has earned her a couple of nominations at the Bookseller Industry Awards.
Jo’s impressive list includes highly praised authors Gabriel Krauze (Who They Was) and Nadia Shireen (Good Little Wolf). Apart from narrative nonfiction, she’s always open to YA fiction, comic books, and literary fiction, among others.
In general, she is searching for submissions from writers in the UK and Ireland. She’ll only occasionally consider those from New Zealand and Australia — and it’s much rare for writers based in the US.
7. Sonali Chanchani
After graduating from university, Sonali Chanchani first worked at an indie press. Eventually, she joined the Association of American Literary Agents and the Literary Agents of Change. Today, Sonali offers her agenting services at Folio Literary Management in New York City.
Sonali is enamored by nonfiction writing that helps readers to become better informed about social and cultural issues. When it comes to narrative nonfiction, she prioritizes exceptionally researched works on social justice and politics. Thus, it’s no wonder that her author portfolio includes Maureen Ryan and Julie Rodgers.
Writers can email their queries to Sonali. If your letter and 10-page sample pique her interest, she will reply within a month.
8. Sara Harowitz
Are you in Canada? If so, look no further. Working at the legendary Westwood Creative Artists in Toronto, Ontario, Sara Harowitz is a top-tier literary agent for narrative nonfiction authors. She has an educational background in journalism and publishing — and she’s appeared in The New York Times.
Narrative nonfiction is undoubtedly Sara’s specialty. She will gladly take on biographies, essay collections, and books about cultural affairs and well-being under the aforementioned genre. She represents memoir authors Andrea Werhun (Modern Whore) and Jackie Kai Ellis (The Measure of My Powers).
If you seek Sara’s agenting, please thoroughly the submission guidelines since the agency requires a specific format and several details.
9. Johanna V. Castillo
Johanna V. Castillo is another senior agent at the New York City and San Diego-based Writers House. She has accumulated more than two decades of industry experience. When she held high-ranking editorial roles at Simon and Schuster and Atria Español, she worked with many internationally successful authors such as Colleen Hoover and Rachael Ray.
As of writing, Johanna is searching for narrative nonfiction, literary fiction, and popular fiction. She’s into politics, history, lifestyle, and diverse identities. A few nonfiction titles under her care are The Little Book of Lies (Tina Lifford) and Glorious Beef (Pat LaFrieda).
To submit a query letter, you should first look for Johanna’s name on the list of agents. Then, click on the link icon for her Publishers Marketplace page, which has her submission instructions and email address.
10. Margaret Sutherland Brown
After her editing stint at Thomas Dunne Books, Margaret Sutherland Brown went to the Emma Sweeney Agency, LLC, to shift her career path to agenting. Raised in Texas, she currently resides in Brooklyn while working at Folio Literary Management in New York City.
Authors love working with Margaret because of her professionalism and willingness to help authors refine their work. She’s searching for narrative nonfiction that can explore modern society through a female lens. In fiction, this agent wants historical fiction and psychological thrillers.
If you have what she’s looking for, submit a query to Margaret. Click on her agent photo to go to her Publisher Marketplace page, then scroll down for her email.
11. Kara Rota
A resident of Evanston, Illinois, Kara Rota is a highly experienced and competent agent at New York City’s Thompson Literary Agency. After all, she honed her industry skills at Macmillan and Chicago Review Press before moving to her current company.
Given her extensive experience in managing nonfiction even before she was an agent, Kara is interested in representing all sorts of nonfiction genres. These include psychology, biography, narrative nonfiction, home design, gardening, parenting, and spirituality.
Interested individuals should submit their queries via her Query Manager page, which is linked on the agent bio page.
12. Cole Hildebrand
Cole Hildebrand began his job at the Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency in New York City in 2021. Before this, he held editorial positions at YesYes Books in Portland, Oregon. Cole is well-versed in American literature and the English language because of his undergraduate and master’s degrees.
Alongside literary fiction and poetry, Cole specializes in narrative nonfiction. He’s interested in art, queer history, popular culture, and memoirs with unusual storytelling. Cole also hopes to champion LGBTQ+ authors. He previously represented Linda Pastan’s Almost and Elegy and Maud Casey’s City of Incurabel Women.
Visit the submissions page to send a query to Cole.
13. Joanna Volpe
Based in New York City, Joanna Volpe is the head of New Leaf Literary & Media. She loves all kinds of fiction from literary titles to speculative novels. Thus, Joanna represents best-selling novelists such as Susan Dennard (The Luminaries) and Kim Liggett (The Grace Year).
On the other hand, Joanna’s nonfiction interests include women’s issues, food, lifestyle, entertainment, psychology, narrative nonfiction, business, and relationships. Nonfiction about trailblazing women and marginalized identities is dear to her heart.
Do you want to query her? If so, Joanna’s QueryManager link is available on the submissions page.
14. Georgia Garrett
In 2011, the London-based RCW Literary Agency welcomed Georgia Garett as its new director. Her high-rank entry into the company wasn’t unwarranted at all. Previously, she already excelled in her roles—as an agent, editor, and managing director—at Wylie Agency, Victor Gollancz, and AP Watt, respectively.
Georgia is highly interested in memoirs when it comes to narrative nonfiction. Likewise, she strives to represent books that encourage people to be critical, curious, and open to new emotions. Her clients include award-winning novelist Claire Powell (At the Table) and historian Juliet Gardiner (Queen Victoria and Manor House).
Visit her agent page to learn more about her preferences and the email address for query submissions.
15. Katherine Latshaw
Despite Katherine Latshaw’s hectic schedule as the senior vice president of New York City’s Folio Literary Management, she still finds the time to accomplish her agenting duties. Given her experience in agenting at Stonesong Press LLC and The Literary Group International, she has no trouble expanding her list.
While she represents fiction from time to time, Katherine’s primary interest is mass-appeal nonfiction — and she always knows what to look for. From Tia Mowry’s cookbook Whole New You to Cary Elwes’s fun biography As You Wish, her list has no shortage of best-selling titles. Plus, she’s open to both narrative and prescriptive nonfiction.
You can easily get in touch with Katherine via email.
16. Dan Conaway
Dan Conaway is an agent at Writers House in New York City and San Diego, California. His former jobs include being an editor at HarperCollins Publishers and a director at PolyGram Filmed Entertainment. Moreover, Dan was also a book blog author and a college sales representative for W. W. Norton.
Over the years, he has represented financially and critically successful titles. A couple of examples are Nine Nasty Words (John McWhorter) and Guilty Minds (Joseph Finder). In the realm of nonfiction, he’s looking for impactful narrative nonfiction. It can be about current affairs, historic moments, or even pop culture.
You can find Dan’s email for nonfiction submissions beside his name on the list of agents. Don’t forget to send your proposal and author bio aside from your query letter.
17. David Miller
David Miller established The Garamond Agency with Lisa Adams in 1998 to discover and represent the best new minds in nonfiction. Headquartered in Newbury Port, Massachusetts, he was previously the executive VP of Addison-Wesley and handled yearly workshops for the Columbia Publishing Course.
This industry veteran specializes in adult nonfiction and has represented famed writers such as Robert Bly (The Sibling Society) and Richard Feynman (The Meaning of It All and Six Easy Pieces). From business and economics to history and narrative nonfiction, David’s interests are truly far and wide.
David welcomes prospective author clients to submit their queries via email.
Some More Literary Agents for Narrative Nonfiction
18. Suzie Townsend
After teaching English, attending film school, and earning her master’s degree, Suzie Townsend looked for a new path in life. After her internship and assistant duties at FinePrint Literary Management, she entered New Leaf Literary & Media in New York City. Today, she’s one of its most accomplished literary agents and its vice president.
Suzie has a keen eye for stellar storytelling whether in fiction or nonfiction for adults or young readers. Furthermore, she’s on the lookout for narrative nonfiction and stories that defy genre stereotypes. Her client list so far includes esteemed writers Natalie Llyod (Hummingbird) and Jas Hammonds (We Deserve Monuments).
Visit the submissions page for her QueryManager link. You can email the agency if the aforementioned query platform doesn’t work.
19. Bridgette Kam
Located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Bridgette Kam has been working at the historic Westwood Creative Artists since 2019. Her working experience wasn’t initially within the book publishing industry, however. Thankfully, she got a good start in the field at McClelland & Steward Limited.
When she’s not exploring immersive literary fiction or romantic YA novels, Bridgette is looking for great narrative nonfiction. She hopes to find excellent writing about history, popular culture, and science from the best minds. Kate Jenks Landry (Beatrice and Barb) and Zenia Wadhwani (Once Upon a Sari) are some of her author clients.
At present, Bridgette is open to submissions. Read the guidelines properly before sending your query letter to avoid it becoming automatically rejected. Furthermore, you might have to wait for half a year for a response.
Do you know of any other literary agents for narrative nonfiction? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.