Are you an author who has written a sports book and are looking for agent representation?
If so, it makes sense to approach a book agent who specializes in the selling of sports books to publishers.
Rather than spending endless amounts of time scouring the web looking for appropriate individuals, take a look at the following 18 top sports literary agents.
One of these might just be the person who can help you land a publishing deal.
1. Dan Mandel
At Sanford J. Greenburger Associates, Inc., Dan Mandel diligently handles his responsibilities as both an agent and vice president. Situated in New York City, he brings his learnings from Cornell University and the Radcliffe Publishing Course to help clients land the best ideals and build lasting careers.
His client list features writers who are well-respected names in print media from newspapers to books across fiction and nonfiction. Dan is enthusiastic about having more sports writers in his care. A few of the sports projects he handled include Tom Coyne’s golf biography A Course Called America and Scarlett Thomas’s tennis memoir 41-Love.
Dan advises interested writers to send queries via email.
2. Peter Steinberg
Peter Steinberg possesses a keen eye for outstanding storytelling. This is partly because of his academic background and professional experience in the movie industry. Consequently, he’s been a literary agent at the New York-based United Talent Agency since its acquisition of Fletcher & Company.
Many authors on his list have had nominations for top accolades in the book industry like The Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Awards. In nonfiction, Peter prefers books that delve into sports, history, memoirs, and pop culture.
Are you ready to send your query to Peter? Go to the resources page for the submission guidelines and read helpful articles for authors.
3. John Rudolph
Located in New York City, John Rudolph is an agent at Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC. He got his degree from Amherst College and developed his industry skills at the children’s book imprints of big publishers like Simon & Schuster and Penguin Group.
John represents authors of children’s books and adult’s books alike. He’s looking to fill his list of clients in narrative nonfiction — and the subjects he’s specifically looking at include sports, memoirs, and history.
Authors can find his contact details for query submissions on his agent page. The submissions page has a list of dos and don’ts while another page has guidelines for nonfiction submissions.
4. Tim Wojcik
Originally from Lawrence City in Kansas, Tim Wojcik has crossed states and continents throughout his life. He is a resident of Queens, New York City, and works as an agent and rights manager at the Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency on 7th Avenue.
This agent has written his own poetry and fiction back in college, but make no mistake: Tim also has a sweet spot for nonfiction like sports, memoirs, narrative journalism, history, and a mix of these topics.
Tim is eager to explore fresh and exciting works in the field of sports. Queries can be sent to his email. In addition, you can submit your query to the agency and direct your query to him — or just accomplish the online submission form.
5. Nicola Barr
Nicola Barr had her first job in the book industry at the now-defunct Flamingo brand of HarperCollins. And while she grew up in Northern Ireland, she has since moved to London. In fact, she’s currently an agent at the Richmond office of The Bent Agency.
Nicola’s client list has been filled with acclaimed and best-selling authors of fiction for adults and young readers alike. Then again, she’s just as interested in nonfiction topics like humor and sports. Overall, she simply hopes to represent fantastic writers.
You can submit queries to Nicola via her email, which is available on her agent page. You should read the guidelines to know what your email should include.
6. Luke Janklow
After studying films and art history in college, Luke Janklow continued his exploration of storytelling and its mediums in his professional career. Today, he is a literary agent heading Janklow & Nesbit Associates in Madison Avenue, New York City, as president and managing director.
Luke wants sports writers who can set the standard in quality and appeal. For example, he represents Guy Walters, author of Berlin Games — a book about not just the 1936 Olympics but also the Second World War. Another client, John Branch, is the writer of the acclaimed hockey biography Boy on Ice.
He is open to queries from sports authors seeking representation. Visit the submissions page for more information.
7. Joanne Wyckoff
Based in New York City, Joanne Wyckoff graduated with Latin honors in college and studied English in graduate school. She was a top-tier editor at publishing companies like Ballantine Books and Beacon Press before transitioning to be an agent. And since 2011, she has been building her client list at the Carol Mann Agency.
Joanne is looking for proficient sports writers who can educate readers innovatively and engagingly. Previously, she landed a deal with publishers to accept The Pregnant Athlete, a sports training book co-authored by triathlete Brandi Dion.
Prospective clients can send queries to Joanne if they already have at least 25 pages of their manuscript ready. Her email is listed at the bottom of her page. Likewise, you can submit your query to the agency’s email address.
8. Donald Winchester
After taking up literature and history in university, Donald Winchester embarked on his journey to the publishing industry. His first opportunities arose at Penguin Press and the historical A. P. Watt literary agency. At present, he is an agent at the London-based Watson, Little, Ltd.
Donald’s interest in sports isn’t surprising when you learn that his father was a professional athlete. Of course, he also just appreciates writers with an undeniable proficiency in and passion for sports. In his list, you’ll find Matt Rendell, writer of many books about cycling like Olympic Gangster and Kings of the Mountains.
He welcomes digital submissions via email. There are particular requirements for nonfiction proposals, so please read them carefully.
9. Lisa Leshne
From the Czech Republic to the US, Lisa Leshne spent three decades developing her competency in top positions such as publisher, senior consultant, and executive director. In 2008, she became an agent at LJK Literary. Three years later, Lisa established her own literary agency in New York City.
Lisa’s list of accomplished figures includes some of the biggest names in sports. She represents former professional wrestler AJ Mendez whose memoir Crazy is My Superpower landed on the New York Times best-selling list. Lisa also manages Christie Pearce, one of the most celebrated American soccer players ever and the author of the children’s sports coaching book Be All In.
She is ready to represent new and veteran sports authors alike. The submissions section of Lisa’s agency includes not only query details but also handy proposal guidelines.
10. Alec Shane
Alec Shane has been part of the legendary Writers House in New York City since 2008. At first, he was an agent assistant. Eventually, Alec was promoted to a literary agent as well. He is excited to grow his client list with authors catering to old and young readers alike.
This agent has a wide variety of interests in nonfiction such as narrative nonfiction, unusual histories and biographies, and sports. To emphasize, Alec’s fascination with sports involves anything and everything in it, so you should definitely try your luck with him.
Writers hoping to get in touch with Alec should go to the submissions page for online query instructions.
11. Matt Bialer
Located on 5th Avenue, New York City, Matt Bialer is a senior agent at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Before heading to one of the oldest and most respected agencies in the city, he already demonstrated a remarkable talent in agenting at two other renowned companies.
Matt manages both established authors and unpublished writers, particularly if the latter has an original and exciting way of storytelling. He’s interested in sports narrative nonfiction that engages readers on an intellectual level.
He only accepts online queries. The full instructions for nonfiction projects are listed on his agent page.
12. Richard Morris
Richard Morris boasts an exceptional educational background. Apart from Hobart College and Merson College where he got his literature degree and master’s degree, he also attended colleges in Rome and the UK. In 1998, he joined Janklow & Nesbit Associates in Madison Avenue, New York City, and remains one of the company’s best literary agents to this day.
He’s always looking for more authors of narrative nonfiction that thoroughly engage readers. Whether it’s sports, history, or any other topic, a book must introduce new or previously unfamiliar perspectives and information.
Head to the submissions page to learn how you can send a query about your nonfiction sports project.
13. Henry Dunow
Henry Dunoy has been a highly competent agent since the 1980s. After staying at a few agencies, he led his own company. His agency has since evolved into the Dunow, Carlson, & Lerner Literary Agency, a New York-based business he co-founded with two other professionals in 2005.
This agent values sports nonfiction writing that possesses an unmistakable voice. Henry loves discovering novice writers and providing the superior guidance they deserve. His agenting prowess has helped many clients to be prominent authors in their respective fields.
Henry is open to query submissions via email and snail mail. Go to the agency website and scroll down to the submissions section for the contact information.
14. Meg Thompson
From her humble beginnings in Texas, Meg Thompson headed to New York to earn her bachelor’s degree in literature. She quickly made a name for herself after helping Bill Clinton with his nonfiction project and agenting at LJK Literary Management, LLC. After co-founding the Einstein Thompson Agency, she decided to establish her own eponymous agency.
Just like her agency, Meg specializes in nonfiction like sports, pop culture, and memoirs. Thus, it might be a good idea to present a book idea that combines her interests. Meg welcomes authors from all walks of life and has represented top essayists, reporters, and activists.
Meg accepts digital submissions on QueryManager, the link of which is listed in the last paragraph of her bio section.
15. Nick Mullendore
Situated in Brooklyn, New York, Nick Mullendore entered the industry through the business book imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. He then learned about being a literary agent at Loretta Barrett Books, Inc. In 2016, he founded his business, Vertical Ink Agency.
Nick consistently develops his client list because he still holds a major position at Loretta Barrett Books while heading his own company. Many of his authors have best-selling titles in fiction and nonfiction. In the latter, Nick is specifically interested in sports.
Writers are free to send their sports book queries via email.
16. BJ Robbins
BJ Robbins began her career at big industry names Simon & Schuster and Harcourt. There, she gathered firsthand experience in marketing, editing, and publicity. In 1992, BJ finally chose to lead her own agency in Los Angeles, California.
This veteran agent is interested in sports books that can attract general audiences instead of just people already into sports. Likewise, BJ would love to manage budding writers with rich and distinct storytelling skills. She wants clients who can change how people see their favorite sports by shedding a light on their more obscure histories and significant figures.
BJ welcomes queries from nonfiction writers specializing in sports. Visit the submissions page for the full instructions.
17. Oli Munson
With ample support from Harmony Leung, Oli Munson efficiently manages his eclectic list of authors at A.M. Heath in London, UK. He’s a familiar name among industry professionals and students alike due to his frequent lecture at events and university-level classes.
Oli is fond of sports nonfiction which can enlighten not just about a particular sport but also the people and places associated with it. A great example is the acclaimed portfolio of his client Adharanand Finn. His works such as Running With the Kenyans and The Way of the Runner explore running in the cultural and geographical context of Kenya and Japan, respectively.
Prospective clients can accomplish a submission form online. The linked page also shares what they must indicate in their cover letters and synopses.
18. William LoTurco
Over in New York City, William LoTurco oversees the operations of his eponymous literary agency that he established in 2018. Before leading his own business, he learned about agenting and the publishing field at Aevitas Creative Management and William Morris Endeavor.
William has quickly attracted experts in the sports industry to his client list. For one, he manages sports writer Nick Greene, author of the basketball reference nonfiction How to Watch Basketball Like a Genius. Another notable name is Claude Johnson, writer of the basketball history book The Black Fives.
To submit a query about your sports book, you must complete the form on the contact page.
Do you know of any other sports book agents we should know about? 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!