Tanya McKinnon is an active literary agent representing McKinnon Literary, specializing in nonfiction, literary fiction, children's books, and graphic novels. She is currently open to submissions
About Tanya McKinnon
Tanya McKinnon is the principal of McKinnon Literary, which she founded in 2014. She represents serious nonfiction, literary fiction, children’s books, and graphic novels. Her clients have produced New York Times bestsellers and works recognized by awards including the National Book Award, Pulitzer Prize, Lambda Literary Award, Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Frederick Douglass Book Prize. Before becoming an agent, McKinnon worked as a book editor and literary scout representing foreign publishers and film and television producers.
McKinnon is particularly interested in idea-driven nonfiction in areas such as history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, medicine, cultural criticism, popular culture, and journalism. In fiction, she looks for engrossing, character- and story-driven work with a strong voice and has a particular interest in multicultural and African American writing. She also represents graphic novels for adults and younger readers and children’s literature ranging from picture books and chapter books through middle grade and young adult. McKinnon takes an editorial approach to representation and limits the number of new clients she accepts in order to work closely with authors on both individual projects and long-term career development.
Submission Guidelines
- Submit queries by email only to submissions@mckinnonliterary.com.
- Do not send attachments. All query materials, proposals, sample pages, and other requested material must be pasted into the body of the email.
- Include a concise cover letter of no more than one page.
- The cover letter should include:
- The title of the project.
- A strong one-paragraph pitch explaining the project and why it is important or relevant.
- A brief concluding paragraph about the author and relevant accomplishments.
- Nonfiction submissions should include the cover letter plus the introduction or overview of the project in the email body.
- Fiction submissions should include the cover letter, a complete synopsis that reveals the full ending, and the first 12 pages of the manuscript in the email body.
- Children’s book and graphic novel submissions should include the cover letter, a complete synopsis, and the first 12 pages of the manuscript or script in the email body.
- Due to the volume of submissions received, the agency responds only when interested in seeing additional material.
- For general inquiries or urgent matters unrelated to submissions, use the Contact Us option on the agency website.
About McKinnon Literary Agency
McKinnon Literary is a boutique literary agency founded in 2014. The agency represents both fiction and nonfiction, working with debut authors as well as established, bestselling, and award-winning writers. Its agents focus on developing projects for the trade publishing market and work closely with clients on proposals, manuscripts, and long-term career strategy.
The agency also advises clients through the editorial, marketing, publicity, and promotional stages after a book is sold. McKinnon Literary works with co-agents on film and television rights, foreign and translation rights, and other subsidiary rights.
Hints
Pitch letters are important. Can you summarize your idea in a tight, compelling paragraph? If not, your pitch letter will not be as effective as it can be. Include details about your platform: social media numbers, advanced degrees, awards, previous publications, and endorsements. Proofread everything carefully.