Are you searching for publishers looking for women’s fiction? Here is a list of 18.
If you need some help finding and negotiating a contract with a well-known publishing house, below you’ll find 17 top women’s fiction literary agents.
1. Nancy Yost
Before establishing her titular literary agency in 2009 on 27th Street, New York City, Nancy Yost worked for publishing companies like Random House and Avon Books. From editing to agenting, she developed relevant industry skills to ensure the success of her own business.
Nancy’s interest in women’s fiction covers a variety of subgenres: book club fiction, historical romance, and rom-coms. She represents Suzanne Enoch, author of the women’s romance fiction Something in the Heir. The women’s humorous fiction A Piece of Normal was written by Maddie Dawson, another client of hers.
To send a query, go to Nancy’s about page and click on her QueryManager link.
2. Dr. Uwe Stender
Based in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, Dr. Uwe Stender is the current head of the Triada U.S. Literary Agency. He has one of the most diverse literary tastes in the industry and covers books for both kids and adults. Similarly, Dr. Uwe dreams of introducing stories from marginalized groups to a wider readership through his agenting skills.
This agent welcomes both nonfiction and fiction — including women’s fiction! It’s one of his preferred genres alongside mystery and suspense novels. To get a better idea of what Dr. Uwe seeks in women’s fiction, he suggests reading Tracey Garvis Graves’s The Girl He Used to Know and Terry McMillan’s black women’s fiction Waiting to Exhale.
Interested writers can send their queries online or by snail mail. His email address is available on the agent page while the mailing address is on the submissions page.
3. Kevan Lyon
You can’t go wrong with having Kevan Lyon as your agent. Located in Solana Beach, California, she got her master’s degree in business administration from UCLA. Since she’s been in the publishing field for decades, her list includes authors whose books have topped charts in the US and beyond.
Her specialty lies in women’s fiction. Kevan usually accepts such novels that feature romance and have mainstream appeal. Nonetheless, many of her clients have published women’s fiction in different genres such as literary fiction and historical fiction.
Kevan is eager to help writers build lasting careers in the book industry. At present, she accepts digital queries through QueryManager.
4. Marie Lamba
As a prolific article writer and published author herself, Marie Lamba knows what goes into the mind of budding authors. This New York-based professional from The Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency not only excels in agenting but also editing, teaching, and marketing.
Marie commends women’s fiction that possesses uniqueness and emotional prowess. For her, the best novels should naturally elicit all sorts of emotions with each page. As an agent, one of Marie’s top goals is to discover clever and hilarious women’s fiction that can be adapted into a film.
You can visit her agent page to submit your query.
5. Ann Rose
Another amazing women’s fiction literary agent from New York City is Ann Rose. Representing The Tobias Literary Agency, she previously resided in San Diego and worked at Prospect Agency. Ann frequently goes to speaking events to share her invaluable insights with other professionals in the publishing industry.
Ann is generally open to all kinds of women’s fiction. Still, she’d love it if the stories depict realistic and inspiring friendships among women. This agent also likes women’s fiction with a feminist approach and emotionally captivating character writing.
If you seek her representation, you should send her a query right now!
6. Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts
Before entering New York City’s esteemed HG Literary and taking on both literary agent and VP positions, Soumeya Bendimerad Roberts did book scouting and editing at Sanford J. Greenburger Associates. Today, she lives in Brooklyn, NY, and has a client list full of award-winning and best-selling authors in fiction and nonfiction.
In women’s fiction, Soumeya wants multi-layered character dynamics and complex stories that introduce perspectives from underrepresented communities. This is one of the reasons why she represents Tara M. Stringfellow, author of the acclaimed women’s literary fiction and African-American novel Memphis.
Authors can send their submissions via QueryManager if they already have at least 50 pages ready for evaluation.
7. Michelle Brower
Based in Seattle, Washington, Michelle obtained her master’s degree in literature from the prestigious New York University. After dedicating more than 15 years of her career to agenting for other companies, Michelle teamed up with Stephanie Delman and Allison Hunter to form their own agency, Trellis Literary Management.
Michelle would love to expand her list of women’s fiction authors. Currently, her clients in this genre include contemporary novelist Zaina Arafat (You Exist Too Much) and women’s friendship fiction writer Mikki Brammer (The Collected Regrets of Clover).
If your book caters to the upmarket reader market, you should definitely submit a query to Michelle.
8. Laura Crockett
Laura Crockett is the go-to agent for writers with a knack for character-driven fiction and gripping plot turns. Situated in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, she is a part of the Triada US Literary Agency and embraces originality no matter the genre.
Women’s fiction is one of Laura’s top three interests in fiction. Specifically, she wants authors of women’s fiction who can focus on millennial characters or write novels in the rom-com or slice-of-life department. She recommends reading Uzma Jalaluddin’s contemporary women’s fiction Ayesha at Last to understand her literary preferences.
Online queries to Laura are welcome. Just scroll down to find her section and email on the agents page.
9. Bonnie Nadell
Many of Bonnie Nadell’s clients have won or been nominated for the industry’s top accolades such as the Kirkus Prize and the Pulitzer Prize. This level of achievement is highly fitting for the head of the Hill Nadell Literary Agency in Los Angeles, California, which emerged in 1979.
Overall, Bonnie expects her author clients to improve how readers see themselves and the world. This seasoned agent is open to women’s fiction — including those that mix fiction subgenres, expose real-life issues, and embrace literary fiction.
Writers can send queries via snail mail or QueryManager. However, you should avoid sending the same thing digitally and physically as well.
10. Stefanie Rossitto
Stefanie Rossitto’s passion for books began early. When she was just a kid in Europe, she would read at small bookshops. Years later, Stefanie learned about English, literature, and history at universities. She eventually landed in Random House and is currently an agent at the Tobias Literary Agency in New York City.
Stefanie’s preferences in fiction can be divided into two main categories: romance and women’s fiction. Thus, authors seeking representation are in great luck if their work covers both genres. To add, Stefanie accepts women’s romance fiction whether it has a contemporary or historical setting.
Have you prepared your submission? If so, visit Stefanie’s page and click on the submit query button.
11. Kendall Berdinsky
Kendall Berdinsky knew she was a bibliophile as early as pre-school. From reading all of Junie B. Jones’s books, she then fell in love with the works of Jane Austen. In college, she took up writing and specialized in English literature. Today, Kendall manages her list at Dystel, Goderich, & Bourret LLC in New York City.
This literary agent reads all sorts of fiction. But what Kendall is looking for the most right now is upmarket women’s fiction including those with romance and mystery aspects. She also hopes to discover authors from marginalized sectors who can illuminate readers about their unique experiences.
Kendall’s QueryManager page and other contact details are listed on her agent profile.
12. Nicola Barr
Nicola’s younger years were spent in Northern Ireland but now lives in London, UK. For years, Nicola Barr reviewed books and managed her client list at Flamingo and Greene & Heaton, respectively. After honing her skills, she transferred as a literary agent to The Bent Agency in Richmond, UK.
This agent has achieved great success with her list of women’s fiction authors. Susan Allott’s The Silence — a literary women’s crime fiction — garnered acclaim and popularity around the world. She wants to find more writers in this genre, especially if they can highlight social problems and create unorthodox protagonists.
You can submit your query via email. Consequently, you should read the guidelines before sending her anything.
13. Allison Hunter
As a co-founder of Trellis Literary Management, Allison Hunter bears the responsibility of upholding the company’s reputation all the time. Then again, her skills as a literary agent are unparalleled after working for big agencies like InkWell Management and Janklow & Nesbit. Thus, she juggles work and personal life in New York and Austin, Texas with relative ease.
Allison is searching for women’s fiction that boasts stellar character writing and well-paced narrative development. At present, she represents authors of women’s fiction like Lauryn Chamberlain (Friends from Home, Who We Are Now) and Georgia Clark (It Had to Be You, The Bucket List).
This agent accepts submissions via QueryManager, which you can find by clicking on “submissions here” on her agent profile.
14. Suzie Townsend
Suzie Townsend’s career in the publishing industry began at FinePrint Literary Management. From her internship duties, she progressed her company roles to assisting and agenting. Suzie then joined New Leaf Literary & Media in New York when it was formed in New York in 2012 – and she’s now serving as the company VP.
Some of the characteristics she looks for in stories are fresh twists on genre tropes and characters with formidable willpower. Apart from children’s literature and nonfiction, Suzie is also interested in women’s fiction. One of her clients is Amanda Aksel, author of women’s friendship fiction like No Funny Business and Delia Suits Up.
Queries to Suzie can be sent via email. Head to the submissions section of the agency for the complete details.
15. Jill Marsal
Based in Solana Beach, California, Jill Marsal is one of the founders of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. With decades of relevant experience and a law degree from the illustrious Harvard Law School, she’s a bonafide industry veteran with a keen eye for legal aspects in publishing as well.
Jill is a big fan of one-of-a-kind storytelling in all genres like women’s fiction. She appreciates writers who use a writing style that is thoroughly their own. For example, Jill represents authors of women’s romance fiction and contemporary women’s fiction like Marina Adair (Chasing I Do) and Stacy Finz (Holding On).
Are you new to the book industry? Don’t worry! Jill is excited to work with all authors regardless of their publishing experience. Go to her agent page and scroll down for her QueryManager profile.
16. Ann Leslie Tuttle
Ann Leslie Tuttle earned her degrees at the College of William and Mary and the University of Virginia, respectively. As for her professional career, she discovered and developed her potential for two decades at Harlequin Books. In 2017, Ann transferred to Dystel, Goderich & Bourret LLC, and currently lives in New York City.
This veteran agent is open to all kinds of women’s fiction. Your project can delve into historical settings or even intense thrillers. Likewise, Ann wants novels that explore the multifaceted relationships among family members, friends, and romantic partners.
Authors only need to email their queries to Ann. If you’re unsure about how to properly write queries, the agency has provided practical tips.
17. Carly Watters
Carly Watters is a high-ranking agent and advisor at the P.S. Literary Agency in Oakville, Ontario. Before her job in Canada, she worked at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency in the UK and even got her master’s degree at a London university.
Her list of fiction authors continues to grow each year and she intends to add more writers of women’s fiction. Carly loves storytelling that effortlessly evokes an array of emotions from readers. Thus, writers should know how to craft compelling characters and adjust the story’s pacing.
Prospective clients can go to the submissions page to learn all about Carly’s literary preferences and the query guidelines.
Some More Top Women’s Fiction Literary Agents
18. Jessica Errera
Jessica Errera joined the iconic New York-based Jane Rotrosen Agency in 2014, exactly 40 years after its inception. Her prior stint in the publishing industry was at Algonquin Books where she interned for a few months.
She is actively searching for women’s fiction. In particular, this agent wants novels that will appeal to general readers. Twists on tropes as well as inclusions of romance and suspense are encouraged. Also, the first few pages must grab the reader’s attention.
Her agency website has a dedicated contact form for query submissions. Don’t forget to prepare sample chapters along with your book synopsis.
19. Nicole Cunningham
Located in New York, Nicole Cunningham holds a degree in literature from New York University. Aside from her assisting roles at ICM Partners, she also tackled author relations for a book-related website. Presently, she is a literary agent at The Book Group.
Nicole handles an eclectic list of fiction writers and loves stories with beautiful writing. Her preference for complex and realistic portrayals of human characters is why she looks for women’s fiction that caters to the upmarket segment of readers. She represents Gina Oschner, the novelist of the women’s domestic life fiction The Hidden Letters of Velta B.
She accepts digital queries as long as you include at least 10 pages of your work. For more details, check the submissions section.
Are you aware of any other women’s fiction literary agents? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!
K. Z. Kwan is a freelance writer based out of Halifax, Canada.