Phrasemill lists literary agents who want morally grey protagonist, based on what they say on their public websites. “morally grey protagonist” is a trope tag; its identifier is morally-grey-protagonist. 26 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.
A.M. Heath & Co. · GB
Says: “protagonists I root for, but can't help feeling are making the wrong decisions”
I am looking for a book that I'll be thinking about long after I finish the last page. This could be a twisty suspense with an exciting and original hook (I love a high concept hook!) or an epic or intimate love story wi…
Bell Lomax Moreton · GB
Says: “morally grey (but never morally black) characters”
Lauren represents authors and illustrators across Children's and Young Adult Fiction, New Adult/Crossover and Commercial Women's Fiction, and Adult Non-Fiction. She does not represent Science Fiction, Crime Fiction or Pi…
David Higham Associates · GB
Says: “morally messy people”
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…
David Higham Associates · GB
Says: “a misguided or damaged protagonist”
I am very involved editorially with my clients’ work and more focused on getting submissions out that are in excellent shape than getting them out quickly.
I represent writers and illustrators based around the globe and…
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Says: “terrible people doing terrible things”
Chloe is a Director & Literary Agent, shortlisted for Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2024 and 2026, who specialises in SFF, Horror, Young Adult and Middle-Grade fiction.
Crossover; romantasy; romance; d…
Paper Literary · London
Says: “wicked protagonist you can't help but root for”
I’m building a list of quality commercial and upmarket/book club fiction, with a select number of memoirs and non-fiction projects also in the mix.
Psychological suspense is my first love as both an agent and a reader,…
Pérez Literary & Entertainment · London
Says: “brooding––but not obnoxious––heroes and heroines”
With my diverse background, my tastes in books are equally eclectic. Since I am lucky enough to represent many talented authors and publishers across many genres and categories, I have to be particularly strategic and se…
Pérez Literary & Entertainment · London
Says: “morally grey characters”
I represent YA and New Adult and am particularly interested in Contemporary Romance, Romantasy and Fantasy.
I am always attracted to the character and voice first, so give me romantic tension that has me giggling, a vil…
Curtis Brown Group · GB
I would consider my reading tastes to be quite broad and ever-growing, but I am constantly drawn to books that have a decisive voice, unforgettable characters, fantastic worlds or an unexpected twist.
I am currently loo…
Curtis Brown Group · GB
Says: “morally complicated young adult protagonists”
I love reading SFF that blurs the line between the real and the imagined - stories with a strong emotional heart that pulls one lever to cause havoc within an otherwise familiar world.
I'm especially drawn to writing th…
Liza Dawson Associates · US
Says: “I’m especially drawn to characters who are mind-blowingly insane or compelling or extreme or fascinating.”
I believe that the right book can change or heal a life, and I want to find those. But I’m also interested in lighter fiction that helps me escape or simply makes me laugh after a tough day. Or nonfiction that teaches me…
C&W Agency · GB
Says: “flawed and morally ambiguous characters who are still strangely relatable”
I love books that are funny and make me think.
I read widely across genres but I love, original voice-driven stories with cleverly drawn plots and vivid world building.
I'm always drawn to books that are challenging an…
Aevitas Creative Management · US
Says: “lovably immoral characters”
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…
Curtis Brown Group · GB
Says: “morally ambiguous characters”
In terms of fiction, my favourite kind of stories blend narratives around suspense, mystery and psychological drama, and I especially love when this involves post-apocalyptic or survival plot lines.
I'm also a big fan o…
Howland Literary · US
Says: “morally complex characters”
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…
Storm Literary Agency · US
Says: “villains with shades of gray”
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…
JABberwocky Literary Agency · US
Says: “characters whose wrongs I can get behind”
Horror: Horror is my favorite genre to read, and I’m looking for lots of different flavors here. Whether it’s gruesome, eerie, disorienting, thrilling, existential, or horror-lite, I want to read it. Blends with sci-fi/f…
Codex Literary Agency · US
Says: “morally grey best friend”
Actively looking for NA Books across all genres, she is also interested in Adult, Young Adult, and Middle-Grade Fantasy, as well as both Upmarket and Commercial Adult, all with never-before-seen worldbuilding, unique cha…
Cooke McDermid Literary Agency · CA
Says: “morally complex protagonists”
Hana is actively seeking
Science Fiction & Fantasy (adult and YA):
Romance:
Book Club fiction
Well-researched and accessible non-fiction in various topics including but not limited to: politics, social justice issues,…
Katie Reed Literary · US
Across all genres, Katie is looking for what all readers want in a good story: characters that leap off the page, conflict and tension that grips her in the story, and strong prose that can compete with similar titles in…
Serendipity Literary Agency · US
Says: “multi-layered protagonists who struggle between what is right and wrong”
Kelly considers herself a generalist who is drawn to lyrical writing and strong voices.
She is especially interested in nonfiction (narrative, practical, prescriptive, academic, commercial, and trade), where she looks f…
Sheil Land Associates · London
Says: “morally grey female main character”
As I grow my list, I’m particularly interested in fantasy/romantasy, thrillers and romances in the Adult and Young Adult market.
I'm specifically looking for a paranormal romance, and a dark academia book with a strong…
Storm Literary Agency · US
Says: “morally gray romance balanced by plot”
Children’s Literature: Seeking author-illustrators that want to work across fiction and nonfiction picture books, chapter books, and graphic novels (spanning age audiences). Particularly interested in STEM/STEAM, social-…
The Purcell Agency · US
Says: “morally grey antagonists”
A lifelong reader who devoured everything she could get her hands on, Emma developed a particular love for fantasy, especially stories with meticulous world-building, high stakes, and morally grey antagonists.
She is ge…
Talcott Notch Literary Services · US
Says: “a main character who, though they might be unlikable, is deeply interesting!”
