Literary agents for own voices authors

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want own voices, based on what they say on their public websites. “own voices” is a author identity tag; its identifier is own-voices. 24 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

Molly Ker Hawn
David Higham Associates · GB
Says: “the author to be an authentic representative of that culture”
My primary focus is books for children and young adults. I also represent select fiction for adults, generally but not exclusively speculative. I have a thriving list, but I always have room for an irresistible new pro…
Mia Dakin
Greene & Heaton · GB
Says: “own voice writer”
In fantasy, I am looking for something more grounded, with a light touch on the magical elements and edging closer to speculative/dystopic. The world building must be incredibly strong and compulsive, so that I’m quickly…
Amanda Preston
LBA · GB
Says: “very strong emphasis on diverse / own voices”
I represent a wide range of best-selling and award-winning authors across fiction and non-fiction. I love working with authors and their publishing teams to build them into brand names and award winning and bestselling a…
Emma Bal
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Says: “based on the author's lived experience”
Emma Bal is a Literary Agent specialising in non-fiction. Emma Bal represents a dynamic non-fiction list, securing many major deals for her clients around the world. She champions leading experts including historians, a…
Rachel Beck
Liza Dawson Associates · US
Says: “Or thoughtful books co-authored by writers with different identities who are each coming to the page with their lived experiences (a great example of this is We Are…”
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…
Lauren Bieker
FinePrint Literary Management · US
Lauren is looking for commercial and upmarket women’s fiction, romance (rom-coms, paranormal, and romantasy), and YA/MG novels in most genres. She is open to the following in both adult and YA: science fiction, fantasy,…
Marisa Corvisiero
Corvisiero Literary Agency · US
Says: “those with special circumstances or experiences that make the story truly theirs and unique”
Marisa will judge each story not just on the writing, but also with an eye toward finding creative stories with well developed plots and rich characters with unique voices. She is always hoping for stories with standout…
Jennie Dunham
Dunham Literary · US
She represents literary fiction and non-fiction for adults and children. First and foremost, voice. A strong narrative. Memorable characters. Unusual premises. Underrepresented people, places, and perspectives, includ…
Gabrielle Harbowy
Corvisiero Literary Agency · US
Says: “Underrepresented own voices”
Gabrielle is seeking science fiction, fantasy, paranormal mysteries, queer romance, and genre-bending speculative fiction. She loves reading diverse books, characters that come alive and immersive worlds, and tropes tur…
Saritza Hernández
Andrea Brown Literary Agency · US
Says: “OwnVoices authors from marginalized communities”
Trinity McFadden
The Bindery · US
Trinity largely represents narrative and idea-driven nonfiction that combines intellectual depth with broad commercial appeal. She's especially interested in authors who bring original thinking, lived experience, rigoro…
Kristin NelsonReferral only
Nelson Literary Agency · US
Literary/commercial novels that tackle timely issues and uncomfortable or complicated relationship dynamics and leave the reader grappling long after the last page is read (Intermezzo, Little Fires Everywhere, All Adults…
Ellen Moore
Corvisiero Literary Agency · US
Says: “women-led and #ownvoices stories that subvert expectations of genre”
Preference for women-led and #ownvoices stories that subvert expectations of genre. Horror Romance, Gothic horror, folk horror, horror in a historical setting; a focus on BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ stories; paranormal fiction…
Roger Copenhaver
Yes & Literary · US
Yes & Literary was founded by Roger Copenhaver (he/they) and is dedicated to amplifying the voices of queer authors. With an understanding that queer people have many stories to tell, each one unique, with infinite poss…
Stacey Donaghy
Donaghy Literary Group · US
She loves discovering new voices and working with her clients to build long term writing careers. Stacey is interested in receiving queries for Adult fiction. She is particularly interested in domestic suspense, psychol…
Minju Chang
Bookstop Literary Agency · US
Says: “stories that offer an unusual and authentic "insider" point of view”
She represents both fiction and nonfiction in all children's book categories. Across genres and formats, Minju looks for emotional resonance, distinctive voices, and humor. She is partial to stories that offer an unusual…
Michele Mortimer
Darhansoff & Verrill Literary Agents · US
Says: “particularly by those who identify as such”
Presently, Michele is intensifying her pursuit of genre fiction, specifically: crime, horror, and speculative fiction. Narrative and prescriptive nonfiction remain priorities. And however children’s reading habits may be…
Marrissa Childs
Ladderbird Literary Agency · US
Says: “works that simply allow characters to practice their culture and language as if they are telling the story to someone from their community”
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…
Tianna Kelly
Neighborhood Literary Agency · US
Tianna Kelly (she/they) is a literary agent building a list that reflects her love of dark romance, sharp romantic comedies, genre-bending romantasy, and bold speculative fiction. She’s especially drawn to Queer and own…
Kate Johnson
Wolf Literary Services · US
Kate represents literary and upmarket fiction as well as a range of narrative nonfiction and select memoir, and is interested in food, running, obsessives, unconventional families, art, global stories, social justice, me…
Ava Grayson
Lowenstein Associates · US
Ava is a modern romantic with a taste for all things magical and dramatic. She is actively building her list in literary fiction, horror, romantasy, gothic, YA, romance, fantasy, and narrative nonfiction. Ava is also loo…
Lisa Fuller
Alex Adsett Literary · AU
Says: “Own Voices works”
She’s all about Own Voices works, YA, children’s literature and all things speculative fiction. In 2024, she is looking forward to working with Alex at Alex Adsett Literary and finding books and authors she’s passionate…
Rebecca Slater
a4 Literary · AU
Says: “First Nations storytellers”
I’m drawn to weird, spooky and deeply atmospheric novels in the vein of Evie Wyld, Han Kang, Carmen Maria Machado, Shirley Jackson, Donna Tartt, and Claire Keegan. I love books that make you feel but also bring levity a…
Kathy Palokoff
Savvy Literary Services · US
Says: “authors whose books represent diversity, equity, and inclusion”
Her specialty is working with changemakers who want to inspire others and find a broader platform. She is particularly interested in helping authors whose books represent diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Literary agents for own voices authors

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