Agent Alert: 25 New Openings
Agents who have newly opened to queries (December 31 - January 6)
Happy Wednesday, writers! Welcome to 2026!
Here are 25 agents who opened to queries in the past week (December 31 - January 6), along with information about what they’re looking for, some of their published titles, and their query link.
If you missed last week: 4 other agents opened to queries. Check out the list here!
Note that some of these agents may already be closed to queries.
Best of luck, and happy querying!
This newsletter is purely informational and is not an endorsement of any particular agent or agency.
1. Krista Van Dolzer of The Unter Agency
Krista is looking for all things MG and YA as well as several flavors of adult nonfiction: narrative, sports, applied but accessible science (especially in mathematics, economics, or psychology), and journalistic narrative (think Susan Cain, Malcolm Gladwell, or David Brooks).
Learn more about Krista on her blog.
2. Courtney Donovan of Writers House
Courtney is primarily looking for authors and illustrators of picture books, middle grade, and graphic novels. She is open to select young adult and adult projects. She's actively seeking stories that reflect diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, as well as underrepresented voices and perspectives.
Find more about what she’s looking for on her MSWL.
3. Zoe Aline Howard of Howland Literary
Zoe represents adult fiction and nonfiction. In both adult literary and upmarket fiction and adult nonfiction, Zoe is interested in writing that centers place (and especially how place informs an author’s or character’s perspective); and voice.
She wants books that dare. You can view her 2026 MSWL here.
4. Carrie Pestritto of Laura Dail Literary Agency, Inc.
Carrie is a big commercial and genre fiction lover who is particularly drawn in by unique voices, strong character development, high-concept plots, and transporting experiences. She’s currently on the lookout for adult fiction (contemporary romance, paranormal romance, mysteries, commercial and upmarket fiction, historical fiction, and fantasy), adult nonfiction (microhistories, memoir, narrative nonfiction, prescriptive nonfiction or pop science), and select children’s fiction (MG, YA, SFF, and mysteries).
For a more detailed wishlist, please see her MSWL.
Published titles: Murderous Minds by Dean A. Haycock, By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl, The Stand-In by Lily Chu
5. James McGowan of BookEnds, LLC
James is currently looking for adult fantasy, speculative fiction, thrillers, suspense, and book club fiction. In all genres, James is looking for works from diverse, marginalized, and/or underrepresented voices. James is eager to find the next novel that everyone is reading and recommending and loves plot-driven books with strong characters, commercial hooks, and a sentence that sticks with you.
Published titles: Killer Content by Olivia Blacke, The Butcher by Laura Kat Young, Counting to Bananas by Carrie Tillotson
6. Amanda Orozco of Transatlantic Literary Agency
Amanda is looking for stories and projects that make her feel deeply and that surprise her, whether that be in form, voice, tone, concept, ambition, or all of the above. She is particularly drawn to stories from Asian and Latinx writers, though she is always looking for stories with compelling writing featuring protagonists with a distinct voice and personality; clever, quirky, gritty, and/or twisty stories that keep her reading through the night.
For fiction, she’s looking for literary and upmarket adult fiction that feature stories about love, complex relationships, messy family dynamics, folklore and mythology, ghosts, and/or magic, in whatever forms they may take. She is particularly interested in books that bend and mix genre elements, including but not limited to speculative, horror, romance, and fantasy, and books that present the full spectrum of joy and hope and explore both the lightness and darkness of the human condition. She has a soft spot for coming-of-age stories, unique settings, multi-generational family sagas, short story collections, and the occasional urban fantasy. Unless written by an author of color, she is not the right agent for thrillers, mysteries, procedurals, space operas, or historical fiction, and she is not currently looking for children’s picture books.
For nonfiction, she’s interested in stories that offer fresh cultural, political, and/or social critiques along with personal narratives on art, pop culture, tech, and forgotten, unexamined history. She is looking for perspectives from the margins or from emerging artists and academics with original ideas and sharp commentary. She is open to select poetry, memoirs, and illustrated gift/humor books.
Published titles: Misadventures in Ghosthunting by Melissa Yue, The Only Way to Make Bread by Cristina Quintero
7. Elizabeth Harding of Curtis Brown, Ltd.
Elizabeth Harding represents authors and illustrators of picture books, middle-grade, and young adult fiction. She began her career at the agency almost 30 years ago as an assistant to the legendary Marilyn E. Marlow. Elizabeth’s list includes New York Times bestsellers, Newbery, National Book Award, Printz, and Coretta Scott King honor and award winners.
Published titles: The Final Gambit & The Inheritance Games series and Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
8. Shannon Hassan of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC
Shannon Hassan represents upmarket adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction and has New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors on her list. She looks for contemporary and historical stories with a fresh voice and a big hook, and is especially interested in underrepresented voices. She received her JD from Harvard and her BA from George Washington University. She lives in Boulder, Colorado, and has served on the board of The Dairy Arts Center.
MIDDLE GRADE and YOUNG ADULT:
Contemporary stories with humor and heart.
Historical stories that inspire, thrill, or bring untold stories to light.
Adventure stories with humor and heart.
Magical realism or speculative twists—prefer grounded, real-world settings.
Thrillers and mysteries.
Quirky, memorable characters.
ADULT:
“Book Club” reads that hit the sweet spot between literary and commercial.
Historical novels that inspire, thrill, or bring untold stories to light.
Strong female characters.
Stories about the power of art/music/writing/creativity.
Lightly speculative/magical realism stories with wit and charm, in the vein of Shelby Van Pelt, Kaliane Bradley, or Matt Haig.
Stories of the West; Neo-Westerns.
NOT looking for genre romance, high fantasy, or sci-fi.
For more information on what Shannon is look for, visit her MSWL.
Published titles: Unsinkable by Jenni L. Walsh, Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling, In 27 Days by Alison Gervais
9. Sera Rivers of Speilburg Literary Agency
Sera believes that words have the power to change lives, and she’s looking to represent authors and illustrators who want to make the world a more inclusive, welcoming place for us all. Sera seeks stories that grab her attention from the first page and take her on a wild ride of emotions; stories that move and inspire readers to evaluate their own selves and strive for something more. Her most favorite books make her laugh, cry, and feel so connected to the characters that her heart aches for them when she reads the last page.
Sera is open to select genres in adult fiction on the first 7 days of each month! In Adult Fiction, Sera’s interests include subversive horror, magical realism, grounded science fiction, grounded fantasy, speculative, and contemporary fiction that comments on social injustice. In addition to these genres, she is also looking for underrepresented authors in the vein of Emily Henry.
To find out more about Sera and what she’s looking for, check out her MSWL.
Published titles: All Aboard the Alaska Train by Brooke Hartman, Benita and the Night Creatures by Mariana Llanos
10. Eva Scalzo of Speilburg Literary Agency
In Adult Fiction, Eva represents Romance (all subgenres but inspirational), as well as select Upmarket, Thrillers, and Science Fiction/Fantasy. She also represents all subgenres of Young Adult Fiction and select Middle Grade. Before you hit submit on any queries please verify her #MSWL page.
Published titles: The Summer of Broken Rules and What Happens After Midnight by K.L. Walther, In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens
Check out 15 more agent profiles:
