Literary agents looking for books about joy

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want joy, based on what they say on their public websites. “joy” is a theme tag; its identifier is joy. 12 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

Erin Murphy
Aevitas Creative Management · US
Says: “queer and BIPOC community and joy”
While she is perhaps best known for her representation of picture book writers, she is currently looking to balance her list with more fiction for middle-graders and young adults, and is especially seeking novels that ce…
Rachel Estep
D4EO Literary Agency · US
YA stories that center Jewish and/or queer voices like Dahlia Adler. Identity-driven, joyful, grounded in heart and truth. Historical fiction that highlights powerful women and hidden corners of history, if you’re writi…
Stefanie Molina-Santos
Looking Glass Literary & Media · US
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…
Kathleen Ortiz
KO Media Management · US
Her focus is on books and media for adults and children, especially with a visual element. She loves media and books that bring humor and joy and inspire others in life. Kathleen represents content creators, authors, il…
Maeve MacLysaght
Aevitas Creative Management · US
Says: “queer and BIPOC joy”
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…
Catriona Paget
C&W Agency · GB
Says: “fiction that finds the joy in existence even as it explores the pitfalls of it”
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…
Hannah Andrade
Bradford Literary Agency · US
Says: “stories of joy where identity isn't the focus”
She likes to think of herself as an editorial-focused agent and is particularly eager to acquire BIPOC/underrepresented voices. She is prioritizing stories of joy where identity isn’t the focus and is especially excited…
Vicky Weber
Fuse Literary · US
Says: “Positive and uplifting themes that spark joy and curiosity”
Wendi GuReferral only
HG Literary · US
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…
Jillian Schelzi
HG Literary · US
She is thrilled to now be open to queries herself! Jillian loves a novel that is going to make her feel deeply, whether that is devastating sorrow or profound joy. She is primarily looking for adult fiction and is speci…
Hannah Teachout
Folio Literary Management · US
I love a good adventure on and off the page, but especially the stories that dig into themes of identity and explore the metaphors of magic and monsters. I work on Middle Grade, Young Adult, and Adult fiction across gen…
Meredith Kaffel Simonoff
The Gernert Company · US
Says: “novels of messy joy”
Her tastes encompass high-staked literary and upmarket fiction that makes you feel and think deeply, select nonfiction for fiction readers, and prize-winning poets crafting prose that takes a big narrative swing. She in…

Literary agents looking for books about joy

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