50 Literary Agents Worth Querying in 2026
Finding the right literary agent is not simply a matter of identifying the biggest names in publishing. Some of the most powerful agents in the United States rarely accept unsolicited submissions, while other highly successful agents remain accessible to writers through traditional queries or recurring submission periods.
For this ranking, MarketList looked beyond reputation alone to identify 50 literary agents who combine a strong publishing track record with a realistic opportunity for writers seeking representation. The result is not a list of the 50 most famous agents in publishing. It is a list designed for writers actively deciding where to send their work.
The ranking considers demonstrated sales and client success, accessibility to unsolicited writers, the strength of the agent's agency and publishing relationships, the commercial relevance of the categories they represent, and the clarity of their submission process.
Submission status changes frequently. An agent included here may temporarily close to queries, reopen during specific periods, or change the categories they are seeking. Writers should always check the individual MarketList profile and the agent's current submission guidelines immediately before submitting.
How This Ranking Was Developed
MarketList weighted five primary factors when developing the ranking:
- Demonstrated sales and client success — 35%: Major-publisher sales, bestselling books, award-winning clients, significant deals, and a demonstrated ability to build successful writing careers.
- Accessibility to writers — 25%: Whether the agent accepts unsolicited submissions, maintains recurring submission periods, or otherwise provides a realistic pathway for writers without referrals to submit their work.
- Agency strength — 20%: The strength of the agency's relationships with editors and publishers, along with its capabilities in foreign rights, film and television, audio, contracts, and other subsidiary rights.
- Commercial relevance and breadth — 15%: Representation in categories actively acquired by trade publishers, including literary and upmarket fiction, commercial fiction, romance, fantasy, science fiction, mystery and thriller, children's books, young adult, and nonfiction.
- Query accessibility — 5%: Clear submission guidelines, established submission systems, and a practical route for writers to approach the agent.
Accessibility alone is not enough to place an agent on this list. A newly established agent with an open inbox does not automatically outrank an experienced agent with a substantial sales record. At the same time, an extremely prominent agent who accepts clients only by referral is less useful for a writer assembling an active query list.
Genre fit should always take precedence over numerical ranking. The best agent for a romance novel may be very different from the best agent for literary fiction, fantasy, young adult, or narrative nonfiction.
Top 50 Literary Agents Worth Querying in 2026
1. Joanna Volpe
New Leaf Literary & Media
Commercial, literary, and genre fiction; science fiction and fantasy; speculative fiction; children's literature; and selected nonfiction.
2. Gail Hochman
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
Literary fiction, literary nonfiction, memoir, children's books, and sophisticated commercial projects from established and emerging writers.
3. Suzie Townsend
New Leaf Literary & Media
Adult commercial fiction, speculative fiction, women's fiction, romance and romantic elements, young adult, and selected middle grade.
4. Michael Bourret
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Adult fiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, horror, thrillers, memoir, and narrative nonfiction.
5. Joshua Bilmes
JABberwocky Literary Agency
Science fiction, fantasy, and commercial genre fiction, with a long record of developing major speculative-fiction careers. Currently closed to unsolicited submissions, but a significant target when his query window reopens.
6. Liza Dawson
Liza Dawson Associates
Literary and commercial adult fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, and books that combine accessible storytelling with literary substance.
7. Sarah Bowlin
Aevitas Creative Management
Literary and upmarket fiction, distinctive voices, ambitious storytelling, and sophisticated narrative nonfiction.
8. Laura Crockett
TriadaUS Literary Agency
Upmarket and commercial fiction, fantasy, romance, historical fiction, horror, young adult, and genre-crossing stories with broad commercial appeal.
9. Jon Michael Darga
Aevitas Creative Management
Adult commercial fiction, voice-driven nonfiction, pop culture, history, memoir, and projects highlighting unexpected or underrepresented perspectives.
10. James McGowan
BookEnds Literary Agency
Fantasy, speculative fiction, horror, science fiction, mystery, thriller, upmarket and book-club fiction, children's literature, and commercial high-concept projects.
11. Kerry D'Agostino
Curtis Brown, Ltd.
Literary and upmarket fiction, select nonfiction, young adult, character-driven stories, unconventional structures, and voice-driven narratives.
12. Jim McCarthy
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Literary and commercial fiction, fantasy, mystery, romance, young adult, middle grade, and distinctive genre-crossing projects.
13. Caitlin Blasdell
Liza Dawson Associates
Commercial fiction, science fiction, fantasy, mystery, thriller, and speculative fiction with strong storytelling and market potential.
14. Uwe Stender
TriadaUS Literary Agency
Commercial fiction, young adult, middle grade, romance, thrillers, and nonfiction, with an emphasis on strong writing and compelling hooks.
15. Emily Forland
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
Voice-driven literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, history, biography, cultural criticism, graphic novels, and selected young adult fiction.
16. Reiko Davis
DeFiore and Company
Literary and upmarket fiction, historical fiction, literary crime and suspense, narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, and middle grade.
17. Laurie Abkemeier
DeFiore and Company
Serious commercial nonfiction, science, history, business, culture, psychology, current affairs, and expert-driven books for a broad trade audience.
18. Elizabeth Harding
Curtis Brown, Ltd.
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, children's fiction, and long-term career representation in the children's publishing market.
19. Erin Harris
Folio Literary Management
Literary and upmarket fiction, book-club fiction, narrative nonfiction, young adult contemporary fiction, YA thrillers and suspense, and speculative YA.
20. John Cusick
Folio Literary Management
Middle grade, young adult, adult romance, fantasy, horror, genre blends, high-concept commercial fiction, and distinctive voices.
21. Jessica Alvarez
BookEnds Literary Agency
Adult romance, including contemporary and other commercial romance categories, with particular interest in diverse and inclusive stories.
22. Chelsea Eberly
Folio Literary Management
Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, fantasy, romance, new adult, illustrated projects, and crossover fiction.
23. Sonali Chanchani
Folio Literary Management
Narrative nonfiction, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, history, science, social issues, memoir, and select literary and upmarket fiction.
24. Dado Derviskadic
Folio Literary Management
Cultural history, biography, psychology, philosophy, popular science, health, nutrition, food, religion, art, film, pop culture, and commercial nonfiction.
25. Melissa Sarver White
Folio Literary Management
Literary, upmarket, and commercial women's fiction, romantic comedy, domestic suspense, thrillers, and commercial nonfiction in lifestyle, business, psychology, and health.
26. Katherine Odom-Tomchin
Folio Literary Management
Horror, psychological thrillers, science fiction, LGBTQIA+ romance, true crime, psychology, science, and narrative and journalistic nonfiction.
27. Frank Weimann
Folio Literary Management
Biography, business, history, military subjects, sports, current affairs, and high-platform nonfiction for the general trade market.
28. Emma Patterson
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
Literary, historical, and upmarket fiction; memoir; investigative journalism; popular history; select children's projects; and voice-driven narratives.
29. Jody Kahn
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
Literary and upmarket fiction, narrative nonfiction, richly drawn characters, strong voices, and books balancing accomplished writing with compelling stories.
30. Henry Thayer
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
History, politics, current affairs, biography, serious nonfiction, and selected literary and genre-crossing fiction.
31. Mitchell Waters
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents
Literary and commercial fiction, mystery, historical fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, and projects bridging literary and commercial markets.
32. Natascha Morris
The Tobias Literary Agency
Young adult, picture books, middle grade graphic novels, illustrators, author-illustrators, and visually driven children's projects.
33. Lane Heymont
The Tobias Literary Agency
Horror, commercial fiction, science, history, cultural nonfiction, and projects with strong hooks and distinctive subject matter.
34. Erica Bauman
Aevitas Creative Management
Middle grade, young adult, graphic novels, and selected commercial and upmarket adult fiction, including projects with crossover potential.
35. Chris Bucci
Aevitas Creative Management
Commercial and literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, narrative nonfiction, and books combining genre storytelling with literary ambition.
36. Donya Dickerson
Aevitas Creative Management
Business, self-help, science, technology, parenting, pop culture, expert-driven nonfiction, and books aimed at clearly defined trade audiences.
37. Cameron McClure
Donald Maass Literary Agency
Fantasy, science fiction, horror, literary and genre crossover fiction, and selected nonfiction with distinctive concepts and voices.
38. Kiana Nguyen
Donald Maass Literary Agency
Young adult fiction, adult romance, domestic suspense, high-concept commercial fiction, and emotionally driven stories.
39. Michaela Whatnall
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Middle grade, young adult, upmarket adult fiction, grounded fantasy, romance, graphic novels, and inventive stories that cross traditional category lines.
40. Amy Elizabeth Bishop
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Commercial and upmarket fiction, romance, fantasy, young adult, and accessible, voice-driven stories with clear commercial positioning.
41. Sharon Pelletier
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret
Upmarket and commercial fiction, women's fiction, book-club fiction, suspense, thriller, romance, family sagas, and selected narrative nonfiction.
42. Moe Ferrara
TriadaUS Literary Agency
Picture books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, horror, romance, graphic projects, and selected adult fiction.
43. Sally M. Kim
Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Picture books, chapter books, middle grade, children's nonfiction, authors, illustrators, and author-illustrators. She generally accepts queries during the first half of each month.
44. Saritza Hernández
Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Middle grade, young adult, adult romance, fantasy, science fiction, other genre fiction, graphic novels, and select nonfiction. Her 2026 submission periods and eligibility requirements should be reviewed before querying.
45. Kristy Hunter
The Knight Agency
Young adult, romantasy, grounded fantasy, thrillers, adult book-club fiction, and commercially positioned fiction with strong emotional stakes.
46. Eddie Schneider
JABberwocky Literary Agency
Science fiction, fantasy, commercial genre fiction, and speculative projects backed by one of the publishing industry's best-established genre agencies.
47. Bridget Smith
JABberwocky Literary Agency
Young adult fiction across genres, speculative fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and other commercial genre-driven projects. She maintains recurring submission periods during most months.
48. Jordan Hamessley
JABberwocky Literary Agency
Children's and young adult literature, graphic projects, commercial genre fiction, and highly adaptable or visually driven storytelling.
49. Mason Rowlee
DeFiore and Company
Adult literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, horror, thrillers, and narrative nonfiction, particularly projects combining literary voice with strong commercial hooks.
50. Jordan Hill
New Leaf Literary & Media
Adult and children's upmarket and genre fiction, science fiction, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, and projects with strong commercial and multimedia potential.
Which Literary Agents Should You Query First?
Writers should not approach this list as a simple sequence from number one to number fifty. Genre fit, manuscript style, an agent's current wishlist, and submission status are more important than a difference of several positions in the overall ranking.
A romance writer, for example, may find Jessica Alvarez, John Cusick, Laura Crockett, Kiana Nguyen, Kristy Hunter, or Moe Ferrara more relevant than agents positioned considerably higher on the overall list. A science fiction or fantasy writer should pay particularly close attention to agents including Joshua Bilmes when open, James McGowan, Caitlin Blasdell, Cameron McClure, Eddie Schneider, Bridget Smith, and Jordan Hill.
For literary and upmarket fiction, particularly strong targets include Gail Hochman, Sarah Bowlin, Kerry D'Agostino, Emily Forland, Reiko Davis, Emma Patterson, Jody Kahn, and Mitchell Waters.
Children's and young adult writers should look closely at Elizabeth Harding, Michael Bourret, John Cusick, Chelsea Eberly, Natascha Morris, Sally M. Kim, Saritza Hernández, Jordan Hamessley, and other agents on the list whose interests match the project's specific age category.
For nonfiction, notable targets include Laurie Abkemeier, Jon Michael Darga, Sonali Chanchani, Dado Derviskadic, Frank Weimann, Donya Dickerson, and Henry Thayer. Platform, professional expertise, credentials, and the strength of the book proposal become especially important when approaching nonfiction agents.
Check Submission Guidelines Before Every Query
Literary-agent submission status can change quickly. Agents may temporarily close when their query queues become too large, accept submissions only during certain days or months, or narrow the genres they are currently seeking.
Agency rules also matter. Some agencies allow a writer to query another agent after receiving a pass, but prohibit simultaneous submissions to multiple agents within the agency. Other agencies have their own policies regarding sample pages, attachments, QueryManager forms, email submissions, and response times.
Before submitting, writers should review the individual MarketList agent profile, confirm the agent's current agency affiliation and submission status, and then check the agent or agency's official submission instructions.
A strong query list is not simply a collection of prestigious names. It is a targeted group of agents who represent the type of book being submitted, have demonstrated an ability to sell and develop that kind of work, and provide a realistic route for the writer to get the manuscript in front of them.
Updated October 2026. Literary agent submission status and manuscript interests can change at any time. Always verify current guidelines before querying.