Literary agents looking for books about self-help
Phrasemill lists literary agents who want self-help, based on what they say on their public websites. “self-help” is a subject tag; its identifier is self-help. 134 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.
Or paste your synopsis into ChatGPT or Claude with this prompt; it can read your whole manuscript.
Agents (1–25 of 134)
Donya focuses primarily on nonfiction in the categories of business, personal development, self-help, pop culture, science, technology, history, and parenting. She is looking for breakthrough thinking, experts with a fr…
His areas of interest include self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, an…
Says: “solutions to modern-day challenges such as phone addiction”
I am looking for literary and book-club novels, especially novels that represent working-class people or children going through difficult circumstances (think Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, My Name is Leon by Kit de Waa…
I look for novels that combine great writing, plot and pace, distinctive characters, emotional depth and a strong hook – all the things that keep you turning the page. I like to be challenged, surprised, moved to tears,…
In fiction, Anna is looking for literary fiction and book club novels, as well as romance, historical, crime/thriller, romantasy, horror, mystery and fantasy that skews towards the nostalgic. She is drawn to fiction wit…
Says: “proposals on self-development for women”
Says: “a genuinely useful personal development book”
Sarah represents a wide range of authors in both fiction and non-fiction: literary and commercial fiction writers, as well as writers who work within the areas of food, lifestyle, personal development, popular science, t…
I am currently looking for book club fiction, commercial fiction including romance and saga, women’s fiction, mystery and suspense, as well as non-fiction consisting of self-help and lifestyle, such as cookery. I am loo…
I represent commercial and upmarket fiction, including book club fiction, crime and thriller, historical and contemporary fiction, and some non-fiction in the areas of lifestyle and personal development. I am currently…
Says: “books that help readers grow, by giving them new knowledge, new perspectives, and new tools to change their lives”
He is a passionate advocate for non-fiction in all its forms—whether it’s narrative-driven storytelling, prescriptive guides, self-help or beautifully illustrated works. His interests span cookery, history, philosophy, e…
Says: “non-fiction personal growth”
Says: “how-to-live concepts from experts, activists, or new cultural voices”
In non-fiction, I am looking for History and Big Ideas, Philosophy and Self-Help, Nature and Environmental Writing, and Sport. I am drawn to nature writing with a strong voice and a compelling message such as the writin…
Laurie Abkemeier represents nonfiction by journalists, academics, artists, and experts. Laurie strives to maintain an eclectic list that spans investigative journalism, technology (digital and analog), history, science…
Says: “self-help (as long as it is not highly prescriptive)”
Representing a diverse list of clients in multiple genres, she loves collaborating with authors to help refine their messages to reach their intended audiences. Ingrid is seeking compelling nonfiction proposals in the fo…
Says: “Career/personal growth/self-help books with new focus points; extreme underdog, survival, accomplishment or rising-from-poverty…”
Her agenting focus is on idea-driven nonfiction that expands our understanding of the world in science, investigative journalism, smart self-help, and narrative history, especially history focused on the lost or untold s…
Adult Nonfiction and Fiction, YA Nonfiction and Fiction Her wishlist for the ALICIA BROOKS LITERARY AGENCY includes the following: Narrative Nonfiction from writers with diverse voices Memoir with big concepts Self-Help…
Sheree Bykofsky founded Sheree Bykofsky Associates, Inc. in 1991. A long standing member of the AAR (now the Association of American Literary Agents, and the first agent to have a web page, Sheree has represented over a…
Says: “Original business and self-help books stemming from expertise”
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…
More literary agent lists
- Literary Fiction (456)
- Narrative Nonfiction (431)
- Memoir (364)
- Young Adult (357)
- Romance (276)
- Thriller (265)
- Fantasy (241)
- Historical Fiction (232)
- Middle-grade Books (206)
- Horror (193)
- Mystery (186)
- Children's Books (169)
- Science Fiction (163)
- Women's Fiction (147)
- Crime Fiction (115)
- Humor (105)
- Romantasy (91)
- Magical Realism (90)
- Debut Authors (72)
- True Crime (72)
- Contemporary Romance (66)
- Cozy Fantasy (32)
- Cozy Mystery (28)
- Dark Academia (27)
- Poetry (26)
- Dark Romance (19)
- Paranormal Romance (17)
- African American Fiction (6)