Are you looking for a list of literary agents interested in multicultural fiction?
Continue reading, to learn about 12 agents who represent books that capture the American experience, from the eyes of people belonging to minority communities.
1. Laura Rennert
If you’re looking to get your multicultural fiction represented by a talented literary agent, you should know about Laura Rennert. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Cornell University, and a Ph.D. in the same subject from the University of Virginia, Laura prides herself as a ‘literary omnivore’. She started her career as a visiting professor and lecturer at prestigious institutions before finally joining the Andrea Brown Literary Agency where she has worked ever since. Examples of genres she represents are multicultural fiction, children’s books, YA books, commercial fiction, thrillers, and horror titles. Some of the best-selling books represented by her include ‘Thirteen Reasons Why’ by Jay Asher, ‘The Raven Cycle’ by Maggie Stiefvater and ‘Once Upon a Memory’ by Nina Laden. Rennert is always fond of bold titles that end up surprising her to the core. Currently, Laura is open for submissions and is seeking multicultural titles from both amateur and experienced authors. If you plan on collaborating with her, contact her on this page.
2. Devin McIntyre
Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, Devin McIntyre holds a degree in English from the Brown University. Right after that, he decided to pursue a career in publishing and started his first job as a literary agent at Mary Evans Inc. Here, he was eventually promoted as the Director of Foreign Rights. In 2010, he came up with his own agency, and four years later he joined McKinnon’s Literary. Here, he represents an eclectic list of fiction and non-fiction with a strong emphasis on multicultural fiction and narrative non-fiction. He is especially interested in the perspectives of Asian Americans and other bi-racial people. Some of the best-selling works represented by him include Charlene A. Carruthers’ ‘Unapologetic: A Black, Queer and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements’ and Michael Eric Dyson’s ‘The Black Presidency’. You can reach out to McIntyre via his literary agency on this page.
3. Jessica Mileo
Jessica started her career with a few small gigs at the Writers House and Open Media before finally deciding to join the Inkwell Management Literary Agency in 2017. Prior to this, she worked in the foreign services department of Janklow and Nesbit for two years. Jessica holds a BA Degree in English from Binghamton University and an MS degree in Publishing from Pace University. While she represents various genres, Mileo is especially interested in multicultural fiction, women’s fiction, and LGBTQIA+ titles. Some of the best-selling works represented by Mileo include ‘The Cold Cold Ground’ by Adrian Mckinty, ‘The Struggle for Mastery in Germany’ by Brendan Simms, and ‘The Pirate Queen’ by Susan Ronald. You can reach out to her with your submissions via her agency’s submission page.
4. Tanya McKinnon
Currently serving as the principal of the eponymous McKinnon Literary, Tanya McKinnon is a supremely talented literary agent with almost two decades of experience in the industry. After completing a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s Degree in anthropology, she decided to create a literary agency of her own. Prior to that, she also worked as an editor and literary scout. For the latter role, she represented award-winning foreign publishers and leading producers from Hollywood. After coming up with her own literary agency, Tanya focused on representing authors whose works could transcend geographical borders. She represents both fiction and non-fiction with a special interest in multicultural titles. Some of the best-selling titles from her agency include ‘Tears We Cannot Stop’ by Michael Eric Dyson, ‘Sailor Twain’ by Mark Siegel and ‘When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir’ by Patrisse Khan Cullors and Asha Bandele. Tanya is currently open for submissions and can be contacted on this page.
5. Roz Foster
Roz Foster is a supremely talented literary agent who currently works at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature from UC San Diego, a degree in Philosophy from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a Master’s Degree in English from Portland State University. Foster currently works from her home at Catskills, New York. In addition to donning the hat of a literary agent, Roz also holds extensive experience in marketing. She spent more than five years as a researcher of popular consumer products. In 2008, she also formed a website design company of her own. As a literary agent, she represents both fiction and non-fiction, with a special emphasis on multicultural fiction, commercial fiction, and adult literary fiction. She is always on the lookout for a resonant, bold and lively voice that inspires readers to the core! Some of her recent sales include Benjamin D. Weber’s ‘American Purgatory: Prison Expansion and Global Racism’, Emily Berquist’s ‘The Atlantic Slave Trade and Rise and Fall of the Spanish Empire’, and Claire Potter’s ‘Political Junkies: From Talk Radio to Twitter’. Foster is currently open for submissions and can be reached out on this page.
6. Ellen Geiger
Ellen is a New York-based literary agent with more than two decades’ experience in almost every phase of book representation. So, whether it is helping authors develop concepts or representing their titles to leading publishing houses; she has done it all. After completing her Bachelor’s Degree from Barnard University, she went on to work as a literary agent at Curtis Brown Literary Agency. After working nine years as an agent, she joined as a senior agent at Frances Goldin Literary Agency where she worked ever since. Here she has represented Robert L. Tsai for ‘Practical Equality’ and Stephanie Powell Watts for ‘No One Is Coming to Save Us’. Ellen has always harbored sentiments for multicultural and women’s issues and she is actively seeking works in these genres. She is especially fond of works that challenge the prevailing status quo. If interested, you can reach out to her on this page.
7. Lisa Abellera
With an extensive background in marketing and management, Lisa Abellera is one of the leading literary agents of Kimberley Cameron and Associates. Prior to joining this agency in 2013, she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Strategic Management from Dominican University, California, and Master of Fine Arts Degree in Creative Writing from the University of San Francisco. As a literary agent, she represents diverse genres with a strong emphasis on well-written prose that explore our human condition from the realm of familial life and relationships. She currently is looking to represent emotionally powered multicultural fiction from both newbie and experienced authors. In addition to multicultural fiction, she also represents novellas, picture books, history, suspense, and thrillers. Some of the titles represented by her include ‘Toward the Light’ by Bonnar Spring and ‘DarkSight’ by DC Mallery. Abellera is open for submissions till 1 November 2019 and can be contacted here.
8. Andrea Montejo
Andrea Montejo is a New York City-based literary agent who currently works at Indent Literary Agency. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English literature from Universite Paris-Sorbonne, a Certificate in Publishing from Columbia University, and a degree in Journalism from Harvard University. After completing her Bachelor’s degree, she tried a couple of small stints as a marketing intern in small agencies before finally joining the Editorial team of Harper Collins in 2001. After working there for 5 years, she established the Indent Literary Agency in 2007. She currently works here as a Principal agent and is seeking to represent multiple genres with a special focus on multicultural titles. Andrea is fond of works involving flawed characters from diverse backgrounds, and over the last decade, she has represented several English, Spanish, and Portuguese authors across the globe. Some of the authors represented by her agency include Lydia Cacho, Camila Fabbri, and Romina Paula. She is currently open for submissions in her agency and can be reached out on this page.
9. Elizabeth Marshea
If you’re looking to get your multicultural titles represented by one of the most talented literary agents in town, Elizabeth Marshea might be your go-to person. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Worcester State University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Portland. After serving a few marketing positions, she decided to form her own literary agency January 2018, and that is how her agency Ladderbird came to be. Marshea is fond of works that transcend the borders of conventional norms and challenges readers in accepting new perspectives. Some of her recent sales include Catherine Adel West’s novel ‘Saving Ruby King’ and Tammy Lynne Stoner’s award-winning title ‘Sugar Land’. She is currently seeking multicultural titles with a focus on familial relationships and everyday events. You can submit your works on the submission portal of her agency.
10. Elise Capron
Elise Capron is one of the leading literary agents of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. Here she handles her own list while also overseeing operations at the SDLA office. Holding a BFA degree in Writing and Publishing from Emerson College, she has worked at Sandra Dijkstra Agency over one-and-a-half decades. She is especially interested in character-driven literary fiction and narrative non-fiction. Currently, Elise is seeking mind-boggling multicultural tales along with a host of other genres. She is especially fond of unforgettable tales with a bold and distinctive narrative voice. Additionally, she loves titles with an eccentric edge and is naturally drawn to themes she hasn’t come across earlier. Elise has represented Tiphanie Yanique for her upcoming title ‘Monster in the Middle’, Rachel Toor’s ‘On The Road To Find Out’ and Howard A. Rodman’s ‘The Great Eastern’. Elise is currently open to submissions and you can send your proposals on this page.
11. Natalie Lakosil
Currently working as a literary agent at Bradford Literary Agency, Natalie Lakosil completed her graduation from the University of San Diego, California. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Literature/Writing. Right after completing her education, she joined as an agent at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency where she worked for four years. After her successful stint there, she joined the Bradford Literary Agency in 2011. Lakosil specializes in both fiction and non-fiction, with a special emphasis on multicultural tales. She is fond of family sagas and character-driven novels. While working at Bradford, she has represented Christina Dalcher for her novel ‘Vox’, Lauren Dane’s ‘Lost in You’ and KC Dyer’s ‘Finding Fraser’. Natalie will be open to submissions from September 3, 2019, and can be reached on this page.
12. Adrienne Rosado
After serving as the Literary Director of Leibo Management and Director of Subsidiary Rights at the Nancy Yoast Literary Agency, Adrienne Rosado finally joined the Stonesong Literary Agency in 2017. A native to NYC, she has a spent a significant time of her career as an agent. Rosado also has extensive insight into subsidiary rights and its nitty-gritty. In Stonestong she represents adult, YA and children’s fiction. Although she covers multiple genres, Rosado holds a special interest in multicultural fiction and LGBTQ titles. Some of her clients include Chris Schwartz, Stephanie Kuehnert, Adam Selzer, and Barbara Ferrer. Adrienne is currently seeking submissions and can be reached out here. Before sending your proposal, read her biography and ensure that you are fully aware of what she wants.
Are there any other literary agents interested in multicultural fiction? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
I am Ruposhree, a regular happy-go-lucky girl with not-so-regular (read extraordinary) dreams. I love reading, obsessing over random TV series, dreaming of unrealistic vacations, and most importantly, trying my hand at writing. I want to believe that I somehow have a way with words and maybe one day I’ll manage to see and be everything that I ever dreamt of!