Phrasemill lists literary agents who want character-driven, based on what they say on their public websites. “character-driven” is a tone tag; its identifier is character-driven. 256 agents currently want it. Agents whose websites say they are closed to submissions are omitted. The quoted evidence for each tag is on the agent's profile. How it works.
Painted Fire Literary Agency · US
Says: “psychologically complex and self-aware characters”
Looking Glass Literary & Media · US
Says: “gutsy, messy main characters”
She reps kidlit through adult fiction and nonfiction and prioritizes underrepresented authors, especially BIPOC authors, across the board.
Her favorite submissions usually have something to say about the world we live i…
Tobias Literary Agency · US
Says: “bold, emotional narratives with layered characters”
Natascha’s editorial philosophy stems from the idea that all books should be well written and entertaining, and that all children should see themselves and their lives in books.
Natascha is primarily looking for bold, e…
Nelson Literary Agency · US
Literary/commercial novels that tackle timely issues and uncomfortable or complicated relationship dynamics and leave the reader grappling long after the last page is read (Intermezzo, Little Fires Everywhere, All Adults…
Looking Glass Literary & Media · US
Says: “complex characters that jump off the page”
Patricia represents young adult and middle grade fiction in all genres, adult book club/upmarket fiction (including upmarket fiction with speculative and horror elements), and the whole spectrum of commercial women’s fic…
Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents · US
Emma Patterson represents fiction ranging from dark, literary novels to historical and upmarket fiction; narrative non-fiction that includes memoir, investigative journalism, and popular history; and select children’s pr…
Ladderbird Literary Agency · US
Says: “characters to be people I care and root for”
I am exclusively looking for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander voices who are or are not LGBTIQA+—basically anyone underrepresented and/or marginalized.
I love diverse and unique work that is fast-p…
Don Congdon Associates · US
Says: “unforgettable characters with an edge”
She looks for literary fiction, upmarket 'book club' fiction (contemporary and historical, American in particular), and narrative non-fiction.
Susan is drawn to an authentic voice, unforgettable characters with an edge,…
The Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency · US
Says: “engaging, complex characters”
I am passionate about fiction, both commercial and literary, and look for engaging, complex characters, a strong plot, good storytelling and writing that has a distinct voice.
I love commercial novels with literary sens…
JABberwocky Literary Agency · US
Young adult fiction: I am open to all genres of YA. I have a soft spot for layered, emotional contemporary, preferably with more than an ounce of humor; sophisticated and unusual SFF; and vivid, immersive historical fict…
Rosecliff Literary · US
Says: “vivid, well-developed characters”
She has an eclectic reading taste spanning most genres in the commercial and upmarket space.
In searching for new projects, Shannon seeks books that have a unique angle and authors with wonderful, engaging voices with l…
Cullen Stanley International · US
Cullen Stanley seeks compelling narrative nonfiction, historical memoir, biography, mind-body-spirit, and books on art and design. In fiction, she likes novels with strong plot lines, inspirational stories and memorable…
Massie McQuilkin & Altman Literary Agents · US
Says: “fiction with unforgettable characters”
She is drawn to fiction with unforgettable characters, an authorial command of voice, and a strong sense of narrative tension.
She loves outsiders, weirdos, and innovators.
She looks for work that explores the depths o…
Folio Literary Management · US
I'm a Vice President and literary agent at Folio representing literary and upmarket commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction.
Voice-driven, idiosyncratic and searing novels in the vein of the books of Melissa Broder…
FinePrint Literary Management · US
Says: “non-traditional characters who feel real”
Bonnie represents authors who cover all the age groups from picture books through adult, many of whom have their own furry overlords or small two-legged dictators commanding their households, too.
When she is open to qu…
P.S. Literary Agency · US
Says: “characters that readers can get invested in”
She’s been a literary agent for 15 years and represents award-winners and bestsellers in a variety of categories.
Carly is drawn to: emotional, well-paced fiction with a great voice and characters that readers can get i…
Headwater Literary Management · US
Says: “standout characters I’ve never met before”
I am most aggressively looking to acquire in the adult horror, mystery, and thriller spaces, but please note that anything listed below (or honestly. one step away from what is listed below) is something you should feel…
C&W Agency · GB
Being an agent allows me to do what I love best: discovering new and original voices, helping debut writers launch their careers and working with already published novelists who might want a change in direction.
What I…
C&W Agency · GB
Says: “characters I want to drop everything to spend time with”
I am lucky to represent an actively growing list of writers of both fiction and narrative non-fiction. On the fiction side, I read widely so don't like to be too prescriptive, but I do love novels that explore those mome…
HHB Agency · GB
Says: “taken by surprise by believable, flawed characters”
Before that, she worked in television and film development where she enjoyed the challenge of finding great storytellers, clever communicators and people with passions who have interesting perspectives or original voices…
Aevitas Creative Management · US
Says: “characters that are alive both on and off the page”
Tricia Lawrence represents award-winning authors and illustrators of picture books and chapter books that look at the world in a unique and unusual way, with characters that are alive both on and off the page.
She also…
Aevitas Creative Management · US
Says: “surprising emotional cores”
The goal of her list is to increase the amount of queer and BIPOC joy in the world, and to make space for marginalized authors to rework the tropes that historically oppressed them.
She is looking for strong commercial…
Blake Friedmann Literary · London
Says: “novels with unforgettable characters”
I am an Associate Agent at Blake Friedmann, building a list of non-fiction and select fiction, as well as assisting Juliet Pickering and Isobel Dixon with their brilliant clients.
I like the books I read to reflect, cha…
The Blair Partnership · GB
Says: “strong sense of character”
I represent commercial and upmarket fiction, including book club fiction, crime and thriller, historical and contemporary fiction, and some non-fiction in the areas of lifestyle and personal development.
I am currently…
C&W Agency · GB
Says: “novels that set sharply contrasting characters on a collision course and dive into the development (or undoing) of their relationships”
I read to get into other people's heads, so I'm always looking for character-led fiction, particularly those in the contemporary book club, upmarket, or crossover literary spaces.
I love reading about unusual character…
