Phrasemill lists literary agents who want complex female protagonist, based on what they say on their public websites. “complex female protagonist” is a trope tag; its identifier is complex-female-protagonist. 47 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.
Dystel, Goderich & Bourret · US
Says: “fearless and sympathetic female protagonists”
Ann Leslie is currently seeking commercial and upmarket women’s fiction (e.g. contemporary and historical fiction, fiction featuring complex family dynamics and sagas and psychological thrillers), romance, mystery, horro…
Jennifer Azantian Literary Agency · US
Says: “Angry women characters”
I'm actively seeking to represent authors from communities traditionally underrepresented in publishing, including BIPOC, LGBTQIA, and disabled and/or chronically ill writers.
In fiction, I'm seeking accessibly-written…
Ladderbird Literary Agency · US
Says: “female centric narratives”
Marrissa is a reader that values detailed narratives, intelligent and cool characters, lessons learned, and family gained in unlikely places.
I grew up in a literary world that valued-highly-BIPOC pain and poverty. So m…
Sean McCarthy Literary Agency · US
Says: “flawed, multifaceted characters”
He is drawn to flawed, multifaceted characters with devastatingly concise writing in YA, and character-driven work or smartly paced mysteries/adventures in MG. In picture books, he looks more for unforgettable characters…
Storm Literary Agency · US
Madelyn loves queer stories with dark twists and rich worlds, especially in fantasy and light science fiction. Her favorites include Young Adult fantasy and Adult with fantastic characters you can't help but love.
Age G…
Susan Schulman Literary Agency · US
She considers herself a literary omnivore, representing books for all ages and across many different genres.
She loves anything and everything cozy (fantasy, mysteries, romantasy, non-fiction, horror, etc), and gravitat…
Talcott Notch Literary Services · US
Says: “narratives that center resilient, complex female protagonists”
Aaron Priest Literary Agency · New York
Says: “works featuring female characters”
Lisa is currently most interested in and actively seeking out fiction, literary or commercial, especially works featuring female characters.
Types of work include: Propulsive, emotionally engaging thrillers—domestic or…
Aaron Priest Literary Agency · New York
Says: “female characters who can hold their own in a fight”
She is actively building her list.
Natalie is currently most interested in and actively seeking out adult and new adult fiction, specifically in the following genres: romance, romantasy, and women’s/book club fiction.…
Marsal Lyon Literary Agency · US
Ann is looking for characters who aren’t afraid to stand up for their convictions and beliefs – whether they fight with their fists or their words.
She’s open to all genres of middle grade—and especially love stories th…
Transatlantic Literary Agency · CA
Says: “deeply flawed protagonists”
Laura focuses on adult upmarket and literary fiction and elevated genre including horror, suspense, romance, and grounded speculative fiction. In all categories, she is particularly drawn to books with a commercial hook…
Transatlantic Literary Agency · CA
I’m always looking for books that make me forget where I am while I’m reading. Whether literary or commercial, I’m drawn to stories with emotional depth, unforgettable characters, and a strong narrative pull – page turne…
William Morris Endeavor · US
Says: “novels with complex female characters”
Haley represents commercial and literary adult fiction, along with creative nonfiction, pop-culture, and lifestyle. She is drawn to novels with complex female characters, dark female friendships, queer stories, rom coms,…
William Morris Endeavor · US
Says: “complex female characters”
Erin represents fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. More than any specific category or genre, she’s drawn to good stories and distinct points of view; writers who make us think and also those who provide a g…
William Morris Endeavor · US
Says: “complex female protagonists”
In fiction, Alyssa is drawn to propulsive, voice-driven stories that blend emotional resonance with undeniable hooks. She is actively looking for novels that grip you from the first page and stay with you long after turn…
Betancourt Literary · US
Says: “complex female characters”
Rose is particularly drawn to psychological thrillers with a dark twist, layered mysteries, and stories that explore obsession, secrets, and moral ambiguity.
She has a deep love for Southern and Southern Gothic fiction,…
Two Daisy Media · US
Says: “strong female leads”
Over the years she developed a true passion for an array of genres; Romance, Suspense, Thrillers, Emotional, Fantasy, and so on.
Savannah loves a story that keeps her flipping pages as quickly as possible. One that grab…
Storm Literary Agency · US
Says: “Unhinged female protagonists”
Tali is looking to work with clients over the span of their careers and is not afraid of a writer who wants to explore multiple genres.
She is an editorial agent who loves to sink her teeth into a great manuscript and w…
The Rudy Agency · US
Says: “matchless female characters”
Genres of primary interest:
Non-fiction: Military History, with a focus on lesser-known stories of significance
Fiction: Action/Adventure and Political Thrillers with matchless female characters; Historical
Talcott Notch Literary Services · US
Says: “mysteries and thrillers with strong female main characters who act with agency, who ask for forgiveness later, and who want to tear down the systems around them”
Sterling Lord Literistic · US
Says: “nuanced female perspectives”
She represents authors in both fiction and nonfiction, including YA, with books ranging from commercial to literary and everything in between.
She is actively looking for novels with strong hooks, propulsive plots, book…
Birch Literary
Says: “heroines who make questionable choices”
Alina is looking for select new adult and adult fiction. Across categories, she's drawn to emotionally intense stories with a strong hook, morally complicated characters, and heroines who make questionable choices. With…
