He got up and sat on the edge of the bedstead with his back to the window. “It’s better not to sleep at all,” he decided. There was a cold damp draught from the window, however; without getting up he drew the blanket over him and wrapped himself in it. He was not thinking of anything and did not want to think. But one image rose after another, incoherent scraps of thought without beginning or end passed through his mind. He sank into drowsiness. Perhaps the cold, or the dampness, or the dark, or the wind that howled under the window and tossed the trees roused a sort of persistent craving for the fantastic. He kept dwelling on images of flowers, he fancied a charming flower garden, a bright, warm, almost hot day, a holiday—Trinity day. A fine, sumptuous country cottage in the English taste overgrown with fragrant flowers, with flower beds going round the house; the porch, wreathed in climbers, was surrounded with beds of roses. A light, cool staircase, carpeted with rich rugs, was decorated with rare plants in china pots. He noticed particularly in the windows nosegays of tender, white, heavily fragrant narcissus bending over their bright, green, thick long stalks. He was reluctant to move away from them, but he went up the stairs and came into a large, high drawing-room and again everywhere—at the windows, the doors on to the balcony, and on the balcony itself—were flowers. The floors were strewn with freshly-cut fragrant hay, the windows were open, a fresh, cool, light air came into the room. The birds were chirruping under the window, and in the middle of the room, on a table covered with a white satin shroud, stood a coffin. The coffin was covered with white silk and edged with a thick white frill; wreaths of flowers surrounded it on all sides. Among the flowers lay a girl in a white muslin dress, with her arms crossed and pressed on her bosom, as though carved out of marble. But her loose fair hair was wet; there was a wreath of roses on her head. The stern and already rigid profile of her face looked as though chiselled of marble too, and the smile on her pale lips was full of an immense unchildish misery and sorrowful appeal. Svidrigaïlov knew that girl; there was no holy image, no burning candle beside the coffin; no sound of prayers: the girl had drowned herself. She was only fourteen, but her heart was broken. And she had destroyed herself, crushed by an insult that had appalled and amazed that childish soul, had smirched that angel purity with unmerited disgrace and torn from her a last scream of despair, unheeded and brutally disregarded, on a dark night in the cold and wet while the wind howled

41 Best YA Literary Agents

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Why do so many writers thank their agents first in the acknowledgements?

Because the agent is pretty much the most important person in a writer’s life.

Countless people work behind the scenes to bring each author’s budding vision for a story to its fruition, from friends and family to the publishing house’s distribution, but none is as essential as the agent.

Since the agent literally holds the dreams of the hopeful writer in their hands, finding the right one is imperative.

Now, you could either spend hours and hours hunting down the names of your favorite author’s agents and create tables ranking them based off their sales, or you can read through the list I’ve compiled after spending many days on Google and creating multiple charts based off my results.

Agents were given a point for each time one of the books they represented appeared on the list and then were ranked accordingly. I’ve also included the highest ranked book for each agent and the amount of times it was on the list.

[Also, check out my list of 30 Young Adult Publishers, many of which accept unsolicited submissions].

Based off the past year (2015 – 2016) of weekly New York Times Bestsellers in the Young Adult hardcover fiction category, here are:

The Top 41 Literary Agents for YA

1. Christopher Schelling, 102 points

Agency: Selectric Artists
Top Book: “Eleanor and Park” by Rainbow Rowell, on the list for 35 weeks, ranked #1
Genres Represented: literary fiction, commercial fiction, young adult, memoirs, pop culture, narrative, and humor
Total Books on List: 4

2. Suzie Townsend, 68 points

Agency: New Leaf Literary and Media, Inc.
Top Book: “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard, on the list for 46 weeks, ranked #2
Genres Represented: all brands of children’s and adult fiction, specifically looking for women’s fiction, romance (all subgenres), and crime fiction (mysteries, thrillers)
Total Books on List: 2

3. Joanna Volpe, 34 points

Agency: New Leaf Literary and Media, Inc.
Top Book: “Truthwitch” by Susan Dennard, on the list for 2 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, adult, biographies for children, animal related stories, all types of science and history books, food and travel, general pop culture, and pop science
Total Books on List: 3

4. Joelle Hobeika, 28 points

Agency: Alloy Entertainment
Top Book: “Everything, Everything” by Nicola Yoon, on the list for 28 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, and adult fiction
Total Books on List: 1

5. Kerry Sparks, 24 points

Agency: Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency
Top Book: “All the Bright Places” by Jennifer Niven, on the list for 24 weeks, ranked #6
Genres Represented: general fiction, juvenile fiction, young adult, middle grade, and picture books
Total Books on List: 1

6. Emily van Beek, 20 points

Agency: Folio Literary Management
Top Book: “P.S. I Still Love You” by Jenny Han, on the list for 7 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: author/artist picture books, chapter books, middle grade, and young adult
Total Books on List: 3

7. Russel Galen, 18 points

Agency: Scovil, Ghalen and Ghosh
Top Book: “Lady Midnight” by Cassandra Clare, on the list for 18 weeks, ranked #1
Genres Represented: fiction, nonfiction, science, and nature
Total Books on List: 1

8. Jennifer Udden, 18 points

Agency: Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency, Inc.
Top Book: “This Is Where It Ends” by Marieke Nijkamp, on the list for 18 weeks, ranked #3
Genres Represented: science fiction, fantasy, mysteries, and specifically interested in works that combine all three
Total Books in List: 1

9. John Cusick, 18 points

Agency: Folio Literary Management
Top Book: “We All Looked Up” by Tommy Wallach, on the list for 18 weeks, ranked #3
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, contemporary realism, fantasy, author/illustrators
Total Books on List: 1

10. Elana Roth Parker, 16 points

Agency: Laura Dail Literary Agency, Inc.
Top Book: “The Siren” by Kiera Case, on the list for 16 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, narrative nonfiction for children and teens, picture books from author/illustrators
Total Books on List: 1

11. Merrilee Heifetz, 14 points

Agency: Writers House, LLC
Top Book: “The Sleeper and the Spindle” by Neil Gaiman, on the list for 4 weeks, ranked #1
Genres Represented: literary fiction, science fiction, commercial fiction, fantasy, young adult, multi-cultural, middle grade, graphic novels
Total Books on List: 2

12. Steven Malk, 13 points

Agency: Writers House, LLC
Top Book: “Salt to the Sea” by Ruta Sepetys, on the list for 13 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: children’s author/illustrators, picture book through young adult, and fantasy
Total Books on List: 1

13. Tracey Adams and Josh Adams, 11 points

Agency: Adams Literary
Top Book: “Illuminae” by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff, on the list for 11 weeks, ranked #3
Genres Represented: children’s fiction, middle grade, young adult, and author/artist picture books
Total Books on List: 1

14. Tamar Rydzinski, 10 points

Agency: Laura Dail Literary Agency
Top Book: “A Court of Mist and Fury” by Sarah J. Maas, on the list for 10 weeks, ranked #1
Genres Represented: middle grade and young adult fiction, nonfiction of all types, adult commercial fiction, and adult narrative
Total Books on List: 1

15. Deidre Knight, 10 points

Agency: The Knight Agency
Top Book: “Firstlife” by Gena Showalter, on the list for 1 week, ranked #10
Genres Represented: romance, nonfiction, literary fiction, young adult, and middle grade
Total Books on List: 1

16. Kate McKean, 9 points

Agency: Howard Morhaim Literary Agency
Top Book: “The Glittering Court” by Richelle Mead, on the list for 9 weeks, ranked #2
Genres Represented: contemporary romance, contemporary women’s fiction, literary fiction, historical fiction (20th century), high fantasy, magical realism, science fiction, middle grade and young adult (thriller, horror, romance, LGBTQ issues, contemporary fiction, sports, magical realism, science fiction), pop culture, memoir, sports, food, humor, design, creativity, and craft
Total Books on List: 1

17. Kristin Nelson, 8 points

Agency: Nelson Literary Agency, LLC
Top Book: “The Rose Society” by Marie Lu, on the list for 8 weeks, ranked #2
Genres Represented: literary and commercial fiction for adults, young adult, middle grade, and memoir
Total Books on List: 1

18. Laurie Liss, 6 points

Agency: Sterling Lord Literistic
Top Book: “Love & Gelato” by Jenna Evans Welch, on the list for 6 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: commercial and literary fiction, and nonfiction
Total Books on List: 1

19. Brian Defiore, 6 points

Agency: Defiore & Company
Top Book: “The Infinite Sea” by Rick Yancey
Genres Represented: autobiography/memoir, commercial fiction, fiction, literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction
Total Books on List: 1

20. Sarah Burnes, 4 points

Agency: The Gernert Company
Top Book: “Black Widow Forever Red” by Margaret Stool, on the list for 4 weeks, ranked #4
Genres Represented: literary fiction, commercial fiction, middle grade, young adult, and nonfiction (adventure/true story)
Total Books on List: 1

21. Leigh Feldman, 4 points

Agency: Leigh Feldman Literary
Top Book: “Saint Anything” by Sarah Dessen, on the list for 4 weeks, ranked #7
Genres Represented: autobiography/memoir, historical fiction, literary fiction, and narrative nonfiction
Total Books on List: 1

22. Claudia Ballard, 3 points

Agency: WME Entertainment
Top Book: “The Haters” by Jesse Andrews, on the list for 3 weeks, ranked #6
Genres Represented: autobiography/memoir, fiction, humor, narrative, nonfiction, and pop culture
Total Books on List: 1

23. Jess Regel, 3 points

Agency: Foundry Literary + Media
Top Book: “The Way I Used To Be” by Amber Smith, on the list for 3 weeks, ranked #9
Genres Represented: young adult, middle grade, adult fiction, adult nonfiction, children’s nonfiction, and young adult memoir
Total Books on List: 1

24. Holly Root, 2 points

Agency: Waxman Leavell Literary Agency
Top Book: “The Savage Song” by Victoria Schwa, on the list for 1 week, ranked #1
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, women’s (upmarket and commercial), urban fantasy and romance, and select nonfiction projects
Total Books on List: 2

25. Michelle Kass, 2 points

Agency: Michelle Kass Associate
Top Book: “The Rest of Us Just Live Here” by Patrick Ness, on the list for 2 weeks, ranked #2
Genres Represented: *the agency requests contacting them before sending any of your work
Total Books on List: 1

26. Barbara Poelle, 2 points

Agency: Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Top Book: “The Rose and the Dagger” by Renée Ahdieh, on the list for 2 weeks, ranked #3
Genres Represented: thrillers, literary suspense, young adult, upmarket fiction
Total Books on List: 1

27. Bill Clegg, 2 points

Agency: Clegg Agency
Top Book: “Another Day” by David Leviathan, on the list for 2 weeks, ranked #5
Genres Represented: autobiography/memoir, literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, poetry
Total Books on List: 1

28. Elizabeth Kaplan, 2 points

Agency: Elizabeth Kaplan Literary Agency
Top Book: “We Were Liars” by E. Lockhart, on the list for 2 weeks, ranked #5
Genres Represented: narrative and practical nonfiction, biography, history, memoir, pop culture, literary fiction, young adult, upmarket women’s fiction
Total Books on List: 1

29. Jenny Bent, 2 points

Agency: The Bent Agency
Top Book: “Kill the Boy Band” by Goldy Moldavsky, on the list for 1 week, ranked #10
Genres Represented: adult (literary and commercial), young adult, middle grade, and nonfiction (memoir, humor, and select narrative)
Total Books on List: 2

30. Barry Goldblatt, 1 point

Agency: Barry Goldblatt Literary Agency, Inc.
Top Book: “Lair of Dreams” by Libba Bray, on the list for 1 week, ranked #1
Genres Represented: picture books, chapter books, middle grade, young adult, fantasy, and science fiction
Total Books on List: 1

31. Molly Jaffa, 1 point

Agency: Folio Literary Management
Top Book: “Dumplin'” by Julie Murphy, on the list for 1 week, ranked #1
Genres Represented: middle grade, young adult, and select nonfiction (women’s issues)
Total Books on List: 1

32. Robert Gottlieb, 1 point

Agency: Trident Media Group
Top Book: “Reawakened” by Colleen Hock, on the list for 1 week, ranked #2
Genres Represented: general fiction, mystery, romance, suspense/thriller, and fantasy/science fiction
Total Books on List: 1

33. Brianne Johnson, 1 point

Agency: Writers House LLC
Top Book: “The Crown’s Game” by Evelyn Skye, on the list for 1 week, ranked #3
Genres Represented: children’s, middle grade, young adult, horror/suspense, historical, fantasy (historical and creative), coming of age, and adult (historical and romantic historical)
Total Books on List: 1

34. Juliet Mushens, 1 point

Agency: United Talent Agency
Top Book: “The Inquisition” by Taran Matharu, on the list for 1 week, ranked #3
Genres Represented: high concept novels, thrillers, young adult, historical fiction, literary fiction, psychological suspense, police procedurals, science fiction, and fantasy
Total Books on List: 1

35. Michelle Wolfson, 1 point

Agency: Wolfson Literary Agency
Top Book: “And I Darken” by Kiersten White, on the list for 1 week, ranked #4
Genres Represented: general fiction, mystery, romance, juvenile fiction, reference, business/investing/finance, health, and lifestyle
Total Books on List: 1

36. Thao Le, 1 point

Agency: Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency
Top Book: “The Star-Touched Queen” by Roshani Chokshi, on the list for 1 week, ranked #4
Genres Represented: adult sci-fi/fantasy, young adult, middle grade, romance, and picture books by author/illustrators
Total Books on List: 1

37. Lucienne Diver, 1 point

Agency: The Knight Agency, Inc.
Top Book: “Paper and Fire” by Rachel Caine, on the list for 1 week, ranked #5
Genres Represented: fantasy, science fiction, romance, mystery, suspense, erotica, and young adult. No nonfiction.
Total Books on List: 1

38. Catherine Drayton, 1 point

Agency: Inkwell Management
Top Book: “Anna and the Swallow Man” by Gavriel Savit, on the list for 1 week, ranked #9
Genres Represented: women’s fiction, literary fiction, crime, world literature, young adult, middle grade, and picture books
Total Books on List: 1

39. Alexandra Machinist, 1 point

Agency: ICM Partners
Top Book: “An Ember in the Ashes” by Sabaa Tahir, on the list for 1 week, ranked #9
Genres Represented: commercial fiction, literary fiction, upmarket women’s fiction, historical fiction, suspense, fantasy, young adult, and middle grade
Total Books on List: 1

40. Jennifer Joel, 1 point

Agency: ICM Partners
Top Book: “Tell Me Three Things” by Julie Buxbaum, on the list for 1 week, ranked #10
Genres Represented: literary fiction, commercial fiction, historical fiction, thrillers/suspense, nonfiction, history, sports, art, adventure/true story, and pop culture
Total Books on List: 1

41. Marly Rusoff, 1 point

Agency: Marly Rusoff & Associates, Inc.
Top Book: “The Outliers” by Kimberly McCreight, on the list for 1 week, ranked #10
Genres Represented: literary fiction, women’s fiction, historical fiction, international fiction, narrative nonfiction, memoir, psychology, and humor
Total Books on List: 1

And for an added bonus, the five most popular agencies represented on the list

16 comments

Natalie says:
November 30, 2016 at 9:56 pm
This is absolutely awesome work!
Reply
1. Bookfox says:
  December 2, 2016 at 8:19 am
  Thank you!
  Reply
Sandesh Narayan says:
April 23, 2017 at 2:50 am
I love this list, not only because this lists the YA agents, because I read few books listed here. So I could totally sense what that agent expects.
Big Thanks,
Sandesh
Reply
Jean says:
June 29, 2017 at 2:25 pm
Thanks for doing the legwork on this. So helpful!
Reply
Srjohannes says:
November 8, 2017 at 4:23 pm
How in the world is any agent from Andrea brown not on this list. They are the #1 children’s agency in the nation??
Reply
michael says:
November 12, 2018 at 1:44 pm
john! hi. it’s michael green. thanks so much for compiling this.
Reply
1. Bookfox says:
  November 12, 2018 at 8:18 pm
  Oh hi! Thanks for stopping by. Glad the list was helpful.
  Reply
Elise says:
November 21, 2018 at 7:56 pm
I know this is a bit unrelated, but do you need a new literary agent for every new series you begin writing?
Not that I plan on writing multiple series. That’s a bit too ambitious of me, considering I haven’t even finished my first manuscript, ha.
Reply
1. Bookfox says:
  November 23, 2018 at 12:02 pm
  A good agent should want to stay with you throughout your whole career, whatever you write. But agents and writers frequently divorce because of a different vision or the relationship doesn’t work out.
  Reply
Betty Roberts says:
July 10, 2019 at 8:05 pm
John, I had email contact with you while working on my book, Midnight Chronicles, which was published last year. I now have another ready to be read, “In the Shadow of the Bridge.” For it I am seeking aa agent with hopes for a traditional publishing co. Just wanted you to now I appreciate this list, and I appreciated your past help. if I don’t obtain an agent within the next six months, I am going to send it to you for editorial review. Be real generous, now, and wish me luck! Thanks again, very, very much.
Reply
1. Bookfox says:
  July 10, 2019 at 11:05 pm
  Good luck! And let me know if I can help in the future!
  John
  Reply
Rae Jones says:
December 10, 2019 at 7:52 pm
Wow! This list was a huge find for me. Truly valuable for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Reply
Romella Dasratt says:
March 3, 2020 at 6:18 am
Just wanted to say thank you for the time and work you put into creating this list. It is very helpful. You are much appreciated.
Reply
Michael Kidd says:
May 17, 2020 at 7:48 pm
Can you clarify your methodology? “Agents were given a point for each time one of the books they represented appeared on the list and then were ranked accordingly.” What list is that?
Thank you!
Reply
1. Bookfox says:
  May 18, 2020 at 7:23 am
  “Based off the past year (2015 – 2016) of weekly New York Times Bestsellers in the Young Adult hardcover fiction category”
  Reply
Joy Becker says:
December 28, 2020 at 1:21 pm
Looking for young adult Christian agent. Any ideas? This is a great list, by the way.
Reply