Phrasemill

Literary agents who want fish out of water stories

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want fish out of water, based on what they say on their public websites. “fish out of water” is a trope tag; its identifier is fish-out-of-water. 5 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

  • Rebecca Ritchie

    A.M. Heath & Co. · GB

    Says: “an ordinary character into an extraordinary situation”

    I represent authors of fiction and non-fiction. On the fiction side, my list spans the commercial spectrum: from contemporary fiction – be that funny, romantic, moving or high concept – to reading group, historical ficti…

  • Stephanie Glencross

    David Higham Associates · GB

    Says: “ordinary people thrown into extraordinary situations who discover resources – good or bad – that they didn't know they possessed”

    I am obsessed with crime, thriller, and dark commercial fiction. I’m looking for dark, gripping commercial fiction that completely absorbs me: books where I care about the characters and find myself reading far later th…

  • Hannah Todd

    Janklow & Nesbit · London

    Says: “fish-out-of-water trope on a secondary world”

    I am looking for commercial fiction across the board, but with a particular focus on romance, SFF and commercial thrillers. Across all genres, I am drawn to books with exemplary characterisation and voice. I need to feel…

  • Sara Shandler

    The Book Group · US

    Says: “outsiders in insider-worlds”

    Sara Shandler joined The Book Group in 2025 and represents a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including book club, psychological suspense, and high-concept romance. In nonfiction, she’s drawn to memoir and essays th…

  • Linda Pratt

    Wernick & Pratt Agency · US

    A broad description of my likes are: stories that explore other cultures; fish-out-of-water stories; larger-than-life supporting characters who contrast with the protagonist; smart and witty dialogue; historical fiction…

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