Literary agents who want dark writing — page 2

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want dark, based on what they say on their public websites. “dark” is a tone tag; its identifier is dark. 73 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.

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Agents (26–50 of 73)

  • Great Dog Literary · US

    Says: “deeply edgy content”

    Liz Nealon is the President and Founder of Great Dog Literary, where she represents both adult and children’s books, largely non-fiction. Not surprisingly, given her many years working in television and interactive medi…

  • Ladderbird Literary Agency · US

    Says: “things with dark depth like Sadie”

    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: “on the dark side”

    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,…

  • Sanford J. Greenburger Associates · US

    Hannah is looking for literary and upmarket fiction, as well as select nonfiction. In fiction, she gravitates toward nuanced and compelling work that digs deep into a wide range of emotions. She’s automatically drawn t…

  • 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…

  • Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents · US

    Says: “dark and humorous”

    Mitchell Waters represents a wide and diverse array of literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction, including mystery, history, biography and memoir. He is particularly drawn to historical fiction and voice-driven na…

  • Frances Goldin Literary Agency · US

    She is primarily looking for upmarket fiction, literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction narrow and deep in scope that might play with unreliable narrators, interrogations of power and violence, reclamations of identity…

  • Neon Literary · US

    A lover of the bizarre, the profane, the unsettling, the dark, and the darkly funny, he is drawn to writing that occupies a literary uncanny valley and to writers who move the cultural needle through direct confrontation…

  • C&W Agency · GB

    Says: “a little darkness”

    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…

  • Blake Friedmann Literary · London

    Says: “a streak of darkness too, so long as it is handled with care and control”

    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…

  • Curtis Brown Group · GB

    Says: “clever novels with a dark edge”

    In terms of fiction, I’m particularly drawn to character and voice driven narratives that make me feel deeply and think hard about the world around us. If the writing is compelling, agile, atmospheric and intelligent I…

  • Rogers, Coleridge & White · GB

    Says: “dark, gritty narratives”

    She has a wide-ranging taste and is interested in dynamic, voice-driven narratives that carry a sense of urgency—stories that are emotionally impactful and have a strong hook without being overwritten. She enjoys both d…

  • Creative Media Agency · US

    Says: “dark and captivating”

    As an autoimmune advocate, she is passionate about working with authors who share a deep connection with their characters and embrace life through all disabilities, even the invisible ones. She is still growing her list…

  • Howland Literary · US

    Says: “playful on the surface but dark underneath”

    She has a soft spot for speculative stories, mysteries, and anything delightfully weird, and is seeking high-concept, voice-driven adult fiction with strong emotional stakes, a clear hook, and broad commercial appeal. Sh…

  • Martin Literary Management · US

    Says: “Anything that deals with hard hitting truths or the darker aspects of humanity”

    Primarily, I'm looking to build my list in genre fiction of all kinds. I have a special place in my heart for sci-fi and fantasy with a strong sense of style, prose, and characterization. I love writing with an appreciat…

  • Martin Literary Management · US

    Adult romance and romantasy; select women's fiction, genre fiction and nonfiction She is excited by strong voices and compelling stories across the sub-genres of fiction, with a specific interest in romance, fantasy, th…

  • Helm Literary · US

    Says: “psychologically dark and twisted”

    I am seeking "conversation starters" that pair high-concept hooks with beautiful prose and unforgettable voices. I look for work that is compulsive, contagious, and creative. Contemporary & Upmarket: I want voice-driven…

  • Transatlantic Literary Agency · CA

    For fiction, Jo is seeking books that subvert genre expectations or combine genres in innovative and twisty ways. They’re particularly searching for speculative fiction/light sci-fi (Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro,…

  • Donald Maass Literary Agency · US

    Says: “Dark, twisty narratives”

    She is seeking YA fiction across genres, particularly those with POC and queer voices. She is also interested in Adult romance and domestic suspense thrillers. – Dark, twisty narratives that explore human complexity –…

  • Falkin Literary · US

    A story I haven't heard, told well, that surprises, that puts me under its spell. Actively building my client list, I’m looking for fiction, namely, novels in these general categories (in no order of preference): commer…

  • Storm Literary Agency · US

    Says: “Dark and brooding”

    Now she’d like to advocate for stories that take the reader beyond the traditional hero’s journey. Currently, Michelle represents middle grade, young adult, and some limited adult genres. Drawn to all sorts of stories…

  • Book Wyrm Literary Agency · US

    In fiction, she is seeking stories that will draw her in with a unique voice, make her miss her bedtime with a thrilling plot, and characters that will stay with her long after she turns the last page. Bonus points if yo…

  • Creative Media Agency · US

    Says: “stories with darker themes”

    Haley is actively building her list, and is ready to assist her authors in achieving their publishing goals. High-Concept Book Club Fiction (like Killers of a Certain Age or The Bandit Queens) This should be something y…

  • Wendi GuReferral only

    HG Literary · US

    Says: “something pacy, dark, yet emotional”

    She represents visually striking books across the young reader space, from preschool to young adult, from graphic novels to novels. In the adult space, she represents select upmarket fiction, political journalism, and gr…

  • HG Literary · US

    Bri cultivates an omnivorous list and represents both children's and adult fiction. Across genre, she loves unique narrative structures, unreliable narrators, alternative lifestyles, and dark humor.

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