The following is a list of literary agents who have recently expressed interest in representing disabled authors and / or work about disability, including mental illness.

This list is largely a compilation of tweets on the hashtag #MSWL, corresponding to the wonderful Manuscript Wish List site.

#Disability is an evergreen wish for many agents, meaning there’s a clear gap in queries that they’re hoping to fill.

#OwnVoices = your firsthand experience directly informs your creative work ie. you identify as having the disability you’re writing about.

#WNDV = We Need Diverse Voices — inclusive of disability, mental illness, neurodiversity etc.

NB: If the agent who catches your eye is currently closed to queries, you may find someone else at the same agency with similar interests. Also, agents move. If you can’t find a particular person at the agency I listed, Google their name and see if they turn up somewhere else — and please let me know so I can update the listing.

* Inclusion here does not equal endorsement. Please do your own research before querying.

All links are current as of November 2022. If you know an agent who should be added to / deleted from this list, please let me know.

Thank you!

— Nicole Melanson

 

 

Alekseii, Keir (Azantian Literary Agency)

As a neurodivergent, queer woman of color, Keir is invested in discovering engaging work with similar representation, and is passionate about creating space for voices not often recognized.

 

Ash Literary

“Hi #PitchDis! We are founded by a disabled agent so will definitely be dipping in. Looking for MG and YA including graphic novels.”

 

Crandall, Becca (Carolyn Jenks Agency)

“Happy 14 years of being a type 1 diabetic to me!!! With my agency’s recent relaunch, I guess it’s a good time to note I’d love to see some manuscripts with type 1 diabetic protagonists – or chronic illness, disability, neurodiversity rep in general. #mswl”

 

Cusick, John (Folio Literary Management)

“I get a lot of great queries from marginalized voices (thank you, keep them coming!!), and one gap I’ve noticed is characters with disabilities. Define that however you choose, but I want to see more of this kind of representation in kidlit, and on my list specifically. #MSWL”

 

Dallow, Jess (Brower Literary Management)

“And, of course, I am always looking for stories featuring disability, mental illness, LGBTQ, POC, #ownvoices, different cultures, different religions…INCLUSIVE. #MSWL”

 

Davis, Naomi (BookEnds Literary Agency)

“Picture books (fiction or NF) that show neurodiversity, disability, LGBTQ+ family structures, diaspora or immigrant experiences Adult NF: I’m interested in cookbooks that teach me something new about the world”

“I walk with a cane some days. I would love to see PBs (author/illustrator or author) that center and celebrate mobility aids, accessibility accommodations, different paces of life, and disability-related supports. Stories that celebrate the uniqueness of life with disability.”

 

Fabien, Samantha S. (Samantha S. Fabien)

“I’m really looking for Black witches/psychics in contemporary fantasy (adult, YA, or MG), plus size MCs, YA and adult thrillers/suspense, and please keep sending these #ownvoices LGBTQIA+ and disability rep books.”

“And I am eager to support commercial and high stakes stories featuring BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, disability, and neurodiversity representation.”

 

Fisk, Sarah (The Tobias Agency)

“I have a personal interest in stories featuring queer characters as well as characters with disability, neurodiversity, chronic illness, or mental health challenges.”

 

Forney, Emily (BookEnds Literary Agency)

“Update on my #mswl for early 2021 For MG (open to almost everything here): Disability rep in genre fiction…”

 

Gilbert, Tara (Jennifer D. Chiara Literary Agency)

“I’d love to see books in MG, YA, Adult with WITCHES. POC voices, LGBTQIA+, Neuro diversity, disabilities, magical realism/realistic with fantastical elements All a plus! #MSWL”

 

Hellegers, Allison (Stimola Literary Studio)

“Disability representation/stories are crucial and a big priority on my #mswl”

 

Johnson, Kaitlin (Belcastro Agency)

“I LOVE Fantasy (Urban, Contemporary, Epic, the whole wazoo). Give me lush worlds, fabulous magic systems, diverse and deep cultures. I’d love to see these also grappling with environmental issues or disability/mental health #MSWL”

 

Lakosil, Natalie (Irene Goodman Literary Agency)

“I’m prioritizing projects by and about BIPOC and underrepresented voices. Within that, particularly interested in projects with intersectionality, trans and disability rep, and ANYTHING by Native, First Nations and Indigenous authors.”

 

Lewis, Bibi (Ethan Ellenberg Agency)

“In all ages and genres I am seriously hoping to see more books starring mc’s with disabilities. #ownvoices especially encouraged. I want to see stories that show the full range of life and experiences–joy, accomplishments, ambition, sadness, friendship, love. #MSWL”

 

Lionetti, Kim (BookEnds Literary Agency)

“I remain eager to bring more disability and neurodiverse #ownvoices representation to romance, women’s fiction and YA contemporaries. #MSWL”

 

Marshea, Beth (Ladderbird Literary Agency)

“Just thinking about how few manuscripts I get from folks with disabilities. Friends, if you’re writing, I’m here for you. Send over your best! #mswl”

 

Nerenberg, Jenara (Jenara Nerenberg & The Neurodiversity Project)

** Right now we are only accepting queries in science/medicine/health.

 

Price, Kortney (Raven Quill Literary Agency)

“And on to YA! I’d love a sweet contemporary romance that’s “artsy” or “geeky,” MAJOR bonus points if you have #disability rep in your story #mswl”

 

Reino, Jessica (Metamorphosis Literary Agency)

“When @MetamorphLitAg opens back up for queries in the new year-very high on my #mswl are holiday romances featuring LGBTQ, POC, characters with disability, chronic illness/invisible illness. #amquerying #writingcommunity can’t wait to see your work!”

 

Sharp, Tori (Jennifer Di Chiara Literary Agency)

“This [casual disability rep as referenced in another tweet] is very high on my #mswl, and I’ll add that I’d love to see more characters in children’s literature who have ‘invisible’ disabilities.”

 

Silver, Lydia (Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency)

“Above all, I’m prioritising books from writers who identify as under-represented in publishing, whether that’s because of their race, ethnicity, sexuality, disability, socio-economic background or any other reason. Publishing needs these stories!”

 

Turnmire, Shauna (ArtHouse Lit)

Across the board, she’s looking for an inclusive cast of characters, across gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, and mental health spectrums.

 

Watters, Carly S. (P.S. Literary Agency)

“Something exploring ability/disability – #OWNVOICES non-fiction or fiction but my taste skews more commercial, not literary.”

 

Webber, Carlisle (Fuse Literary Agency)

“24/7/365 I welcome #ownvoices. I welcome all and would especially love stories by&about people of color, with disabilities (esp invisible), who have mental illness, who are LGBTQ, or who are economically disadvantaged #MSWL #wndb”

 

Wekstein, Samantha (Thompson Literary Agency)

“#MSWL Fat positive, disability positive, body positive in general books!”

 

Weiss, Alexandra (Azantian Literary Agency)

“I would love to see more own voices disability rep in MG and YA, especially for the Deaf and HoH community,”

 

White, Caitlin (Emerald City Literary Agency)

“ALWAYS looking to partner with and support writers of color, writers who live with disabilities (me too!), neurodiverse writers, and otherwise underserved and underrepresented authors in #YA and #MG.”

 

Zampetti, Leslie (Dunham Literary, Inc.)

“Diabetes truly is an invisible disease. Though I’d love MG or YA with Type 1 or Type 2… #MSWL“