Submission Opportunity: 4 Literary Agents OPEN (or opening soon!) for Query Letters

 

September 28, 2026: At the time of writing this, the following four agents are open to receiving query letters. It's important to know that agents will close her inboxes when “full” (FULL = so many queries to manage that the agent needs time to read and catch up). But don't fret. They will re-open - they want to find new talent!  Because agents can receive a few thousand emails in one month, the agents open and close their inboxes regularly.  WHY OPEN AND CLOSE: This practice is a respectful way to allow the agent to manage their workload while also giving  the querying authors an answer in a reasonable timeframe.

   

1.           Taj McCoy

AGENCY: Starling Literary + Media  

WHEN: Open now!

WHAT:

·       Adult: fiction -  steamy romance, comedy-forward rom-coms, exciting mysteries and nonfiction -cookbooks, memoirs or biographies

·       YA: angsty, emotional love stories, rom-coms, challenging coming-of-age stories, exciting mysteries and thrillers, and witty teens who embrace their cultures and differences.

·       Middle Grade: fun adventure stories, thrilling fantasies; characters who embrace diversity

·       Here wish list includes this note from the MSWL website: “I am building my list in Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction, Young Adult, and Middle Grade, as well as looking for illustrators. I’m passionately seeking BIPOC and queer creators who highlight parts of their cultures and experiences. I am an advocate for body positivity in publishing, and love to highlight intersectionality. I aim to widen the entryway for marginalized authors into the publishing industry, and to normalize Black joy, fat joy, celebrations of culture, and love without limitations.”

WHERE TO QUERY: Query Tracker https://querytracker.net/agent/14117

 

 

2.          Syrone Harvey

AGENCY: Belcastro Agency 

When: Open now!

WHAT: Picture Books + adult fiction

-         Query tracker list the following

Fiction

Chick Lit

Children's

Commercial

Contemporary

Family Saga

Graphic Novel

Historical

Humor/Satire

Literary Fiction

Middle Grade

Multicultural

New Adult

Picture Book

Religious/Inspirational

Romance

Thrillers/Suspense

Upmarket

Women's Fiction

Young Adult

 

WHERE TO QUERY: Query Tracker: https://querytracker.net/agent/16794

 

 

3.          Monica Odom

AGENCY: Odom Media Management 

When: Open now!

WHAT: Here is what MSWL says, “Monica is seeking: Nonfiction by authors with demonstrable platforms in the areas of: pop culture, illustrated/graphic design, food and cooking, humor, history and social issues. She is also looking for narrative nonfiction in these areas, and some memoir. She loves to see a personal project turn into something original and surprising.”

She is also seeking: Literary Fiction, Upmarket fiction, Most actively seeking adult projects but open to YA and MG (especially nonfiction projects and illustrated projects)

Check out robust details at Manuscript WishList (MSWL)

 Check out the "submissions guidelines" page 

WHERE TO QUERY: Query Tracker https://querytracker.net/agent/5396

 

4.          Julie Romeis Sanders 

AGENCY: East West Literary Agency (she changed agencies recently)

 

When: My gut says opening any day now - she is currently making her transition over to East West Literary Agency, so keep your eyes open!! Remember -Agents open and close their inboxes regularly. It’s a respectful way to allow them manage their workload while also giving authors an answer in a reasonable timeframe.  

Regarding your query letter, Julie says, “You can expect to hear from me within four months.

WHAT:  Children’s Books. She is only seeking manuscripts for children ages 0-14, no young adult or adult books

Where: Query Tracker

 

 

Submission Opportunities: 4 Literary Agents Ready to Consider Your Picture Book, Middle Grade Novel, Young Adult Novel, or Adult Fiction and Nonfiction

 

Shannon Hassan

AGENCY: Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

What: She represents upmarket adult fiction, middle grade fiction, and young adult fiction. She looks for contemporary and historical stories that have 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.

Wishlist: Her wish list is here: www.manuscriptwishlist.com/mswl-post/shannon-hassan/

Where: Query Tracker: Query Shannon Hassan at Marsal Lyon Literary Agency

Agency Website

https://marsallyonliteraryagency.com/who-we-are/shannon-hassan/

 

Sara Crowe

AGENCY: Sara Crowe Literary Agency

What:

“We are looking for author-illustrated graphic novels, MG and YA fiction, children’s and adult nonfiction, and adult fiction. In all areas, we are especially looking for underrepresented voices.

*We are currently NOT accepting any picture book texts.”

WHEN: Website says that they will open to queries on November 15^th. Recently online I read that they are open the 15^th-17^th of the month, so pay attention because it might be a short window.

Where to Query: Query Manager

*Please submit via QueryManager. Email submissions will NOT be accepted.

 

Agency Website: https://www.saracrowelit.com/about

Chelsea Moyer 

AGENCY: Raven Quill

WHEN: Opened ON  September 4th

WHAT: She says of her wish list “it’s long. It’s weird. It’s hyper specific. But if it resonates with you and your work, please add to your query list.” Want to see that full list:

It includes MG, YA, NA, ADULT, she loves commercial genre fiction, especially fantasy speculative fiction and mysteries, but some of her absolute favorite titles are contemporary, so the door is open. More than anything she is seeking big feelings, yearning, romantic, or not, interesting characters who make compelling human decisions, pact stories that keep her turning pages, and worlds and scenarios that set her imagination on fire. Check out her website for details like for example, for young adult she likes messy characters on an arc, mystery meets fantasy.

An adult she loves mystery fantasy genre, blending à la the raven scholar and the tainted cup. She loves fantasy with a strong, romantic plot.

• Her website has a whole list of books to give examples and even albums TV shows and musicals to hone in on what big feelings mean

Where to Query:  Chelsea Moyer - Assistant Literary Agent

https://chelseamargomoyer.com/

 

 

Aemilia Phillips

Where: DeFiore and Company

When: NOW

Aemilia Phillips is a literary agent representing a range of fiction and non-fiction writers, including a National Book Award nominee, PEN America finalist, Pulitzer winning journalist, and more.

She’s excited to work with writers who push boundaries to address social justice issues. A dual Mexican American citizen with interests in narrative non-fiction, hybrid memoir, commercial and literary fiction, and select poetry and self-help, she looks for diverse writing with an impactful story to tell.

• Interests: Narrative non-fiction, hybrid memoir, commercial and literary fiction, select poetry, and self-help.
• Focus: She looks for diverse stories, social justice themes, smart cultural critiques, and complex characters with touches of magic or speculative elements.
• Background: She started her career in 2016 at the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency and joined DeFiore & Company in 2026. She is a Harvard graduate.

 

Where to Query & How to Query Aemilia:

• Submission method: Send a query letter along with the first 10 to 15 pages of your manuscript or proposal pasted directly into the body of an email.
• Email address: aemilia.query@defliterary.com (double check website that this is still her preferred method. This post was created September 14, 2026)
• Note: Do not send attachments,
• Due to the number of submissions she receives, Aemilia will be in touch only if she’s interest in reading more material.

·       Agency Website Link: https://www.defliterary.com/

 

* Early alert, next week I'll mention these four agents who take several categories including picture books!

Syrone Harvey of Belcastro Agency 

Monica Odom of Odom Media Management 

Taj McCoy of Starling Literary + Media