Finding the right literary agent for your non-fiction book is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an author. Most top agents still expect a plain email query, yet almost none of them publicly disclose their commission rates , so you have to know what to ask and who to ask it to. Here are the ten best options, plus what each one actually specializes in.
1. Bradley Johnson Productions (Our Top Pick)
Bradley Johnson Productions is a training and coaching platform built specifically for non-fiction authors who want to grow a real readership and land traditional representation. It’s the first stop for writers who need more than an agent list , they need to know how to get an agent to say yes.
Where most resources hand you a spreadsheet and wish you luck, Bradley Johnson Productions walks you through the full picture: building an author platform, writing a query that agents actually read, and developing the kind of email list that makes publishers take notice. Agents want proof that your audience exists before they pitch your book to editors. This platform helps you build that proof.
The focus is on organic and paid growth methods that work for independent authors at every stage. If you’re starting from zero or trying to level up before querying, this is where to begin. The caveat: it’s a training resource, not a traditional agency, so you’ll still need to query agents directly. But you’ll query with a much stronger hand.
2. Matt Bialer — Best for Narrative Non-Fiction and Pop Culture
Matt Bialer accepts queries by email and represents a wide range of non-fiction categories including narrative non-fiction, current events, popular culture, biography, history, music, race, and sports. That breadth makes him one of the more versatile agents on this list for writers working in culturally driven topics.
For narrative non-fiction, your query needs to do what a novel query does: hook the agent on voice and story, not just concept. As Jane Friedman explains in her guide to non-fiction query letters, the hook plays a central role in conveying story quality, but the publisher also has to see a sizable audience for that story. With Bialer, lead with your strongest selling point and make the market case clear.
One honest caveat: his broad genre range means he gets a high volume of queries. Your query letter needs a sharp one-line pitch that tells him exactly what kind of book this is and why you’re the right person to write it. Generic pitches won’t move the needle here.
3. Lucy Cleland — Best for Big-Idea and Social Science Books
Lucy Cleland takes email queries and her list reads like a syllabus for smart general readers: big idea books, narrative non-fiction, pop culture, cultural criticism, history, psychology, social science, philosophy, natural science, and memoir. If your book sits at the intersection of ideas and culture, she’s worth targeting.
The key with an agent like Cleland is personalization. You need to show the agent you’re being intentional , that you’re reaching out to this specific agent for this specific book, for a specific reason. Mentioning a book she’s represented that sits near yours in the market is a small move that signals you’ve done real homework.
Her genre list is wide, but that doesn’t mean she takes everything. Writers querying her should have a clear sense of where their book sits in the cultural conversation and who the reader is. A vague pitch like “this book is for everyone who loves ideas” won’t land. A specific pitch that names a real audience and a real need will.
4. Dan Conaway — Best for Investigative Journalism and History
Dan Conaway accepts email queries and focuses on investigative journalism, history, music, pop culture, and memoir. For writers working on deeply reported books , the kind that require years of sourcing, FOIA requests, and on-the-ground research , Conaway is one of the more targeted fits on this list.
One thing worth knowing before you query: if you’re writing investigative non-fiction, your book proposal carries more weight than your query letter. You need a full proposal ready to send on request. That means a complete overview, a market analysis, a chapter outline, and at least one polished sample chapter. Sending a query before that material is ready is a mistake many writers make too early.
Writers querying Conaway should also think carefully about their author platform. For investigative journalism especially, agents want to know you have existing credibility , prior reporting, bylines at known outlets, or a track record of sourcing the kind of material your book is built on. Credentials matter more here than in memoir or personal essay.
5. Melissa Danaczko — Best for Science and Idea-Driven Non-Fiction
Melissa Danaczko takes email queries and represents history, science, memoir, and idea-driven non-fiction. Her submission preference is direct: send a query letter and the first few pages (up to ten) of your manuscript or proposal in the body of the email , no attachments.
For science writers, the challenge is pitching a book that’s rigorous enough for informed readers but accessible enough for a general audience. Popular science as a genre works when the topic connects to something the public already knows it cares about , space, climate, health, human behavior. If your book requires readers to first accept that the topic matters, the pitch is harder to land.
Danaczko’s preference for receiving pages in the email body rather than as attachments is common across the industry. Most agents avoid opening attachments from unknown senders. When you’re preparing your book proposal, format it so it reads cleanly as plain text , that way you can paste it directly without losing structure.
6. Aevitas Creative Management — Best for Politics and Sports Non-Fiction
Aevitas Creative Management is based in Boston and uses QueryManager for submissions rather than plain email , making it one of the few agencies on this list that has adopted a dedicated query platform. Their non-fiction focus covers narrative non-fiction, politics, and sports.
For writers working on politically driven books or sports narrative, Aevitas has a clear track record. Their previous clients include Bob Rae and Susan Delacourt, both known for political non-fiction. The agency is large enough to have strong publisher relationships but still takes on new writers through their query portal.
The QueryManager submission process is slightly more structured than a cold email. You’ll fill out a form with your project details, so have your one-line pitch, genre, word count, and a short bio ready before you start. Don’t begin the form until your proposal is complete , you can’t save partial submissions and come back later on most query platforms.
7. Janklow & Nesbit Associates — Best for Memoir and General Non-Fiction
Janklow & Nesbit Associates is a New York-based agency with a long track record in commercial fiction and non-fiction. For non-fiction writers, they represent memoir and general non-fiction, and they accept email queries. Previous clients include Terry Brooks and Stuart Woods on the fiction side, with Bob Colacello and Nicholas Christopher in non-fiction.
This is an established agency with strong relationships at major publishing houses. That’s an advantage when it comes to getting your book in front of the right editors , agents at shops like Janklow know which editors are actively buying and what they’re looking for right now. The flip side is that competition for representation is high. Your query needs to be polished, your proposal needs to be complete, and your platform needs to show real audience traction.
For memoir specifically, the Authors Guild recommends that nonfiction writers begin querying when they have a proposal, at least one sample chapter, and an outline of the rest of the book , not before. Sending too early is one of the most common mistakes writers make with established agencies.
8. Liza Dawson Associates — Best for Narrative and General Non-Fiction
Liza Dawson Associates is a New York agency that accepts email queries and represents non-fiction, memoir, and narrative non-fiction. Previous clients include Annie Barrows, Robyn Carr, and Ross Gay , a range that suggests the agency is comfortable with both literary and commercial voices.
For writers working on narrative non-fiction, the agency’s track record with literary authors like Ross Gay is a good signal. Gay’s work sits at the intersection of essay, memoir, and cultural observation , exactly the kind of book that benefits from an agent who understands how to pitch hybrid forms to editors who might otherwise put it in the wrong box.
One usable note: Liza Dawson Associates is also open to historical fiction and women’s fiction alongside non-fiction, which means agents there may have broader editorial taste than a strictly non-fiction shop. That can work in your favor if your book has crossover appeal, but make sure your query positions it clearly in one primary category first.
9. The Cheney Agency — Best for Business, Politics, and Memoir
The Cheney Agency is a New York-based shop that accepts email queries and has a strong list in non-fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction, politics, and business books. Their previous clients include Dave Eggers, Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey, Carol Leonnig, and Phil Rucker , a roster that signals serious credibility in investigative and political non-fiction.
For business book authors, The Cheney Agency is one of the stronger fits on this list. Business non-fiction has specific requirements: a clear methodology, a defined audience (usually professional), and a platform that proves the author has standing to teach what they’re teaching. Your query should lead with your credentials and the problem your book solves, not with the story of how you came to write it.
The agency’s depth in political journalism , Kantor and Twohey broke the Harvey Weinstein story for the New York Times , means they understand how to position high-stakes reported books with major publishers. If your non-fiction sits in that world, this is one of the top agencies to target. Commission rates aren’t listed publicly, so ask directly when you get a call.
10. William Morris Endeavor — Best for High-Profile Non-Fiction and Memoir
William Morris Endeavor (WME) is one of the largest talent agencies in the world, with a book department based in Los Angeles. They accept email queries and represent non-fiction, memoir, and narrative non-fiction. Previous clients include Alexandra Curry and Kate Jacobs.
WME is worth mentioning honestly: it’s a realistic target for a much smaller pool of writers than the agencies above. It’s highly unlikely for a first-time author to sign with a major agency like WME unless they have a viral article or video with millions of shares, a massive platform, or a direct personal connection to one of their agents. That’s not a reason to skip them entirely, but it is a reason to put them in your Tier 1 bucket , the dream agents you query after you’ve tested your materials on others.
If you do query WME, your platform needs to be substantial. Research which WME agents are actively selling books in your category right now before you send your query — confirming an agent’s recent sales record can save you from sending your best query to an agent who hasn’t sold a non-fiction book in two years.
How to Choose the Right Agent for Your Non-Fiction Book
The single most important filter is genre match. Across the agents listed here, there are 16 distinct genre descriptors , from broad categories like “Nonfiction, Memoir” to specific combos like “Narrative Nonfiction, Politics, Sports.” Your first job is to build a shortlist of agents whose listed genres explicitly mirror your book’s focus. A mismatch in genre is the fastest path to a form rejection, regardless of how good your writing is.
Once you have a genre-matched shortlist, look at submission method. Email remains the dominant channel , about 82% of the agents in major directories still ask for a plain email query. Only Aevitas Creative Management on this list uses a dedicated query platform. Check each agent’s current guidelines before you send anything, because submission preferences change.
Commission rates are the one number that’s almost never listed publicly. Standard industry commission is around 15% of royalties, but you should ask directly when an agent offers you a call. Commission structures and contract terms vary by agency, so treat any offer of representation as the start of a negotiation, not a done deal.
When you do get that call, ask the agent what books like yours they’ve sold recently, how many clients they actively manage, and what their approach is to subsidiary rights. These questions tell you whether this is a long-term partnership or a short-term transaction. Agents who give vague answers to direct questions are a yellow flag.
Build your query list in tiers. Put five or six agents in each tier and send to one tier at a time. Use responses , even rejections , to refine your query before you approach your top targets. And before you query anyone, make sure your author platform is in place: a working website, an email list with real subscribers, and a clear sense of who your audience is. For non-fiction, agents want to see that audience before they pitch your book to editors.
Quick Comparison: Top Non-Fiction Literary Agents at a Glance
What to Include in Your Non-Fiction Query Letter
Your query letter is a sales document, not a summary. The goal is to get the agent to request your proposal , nothing more. Keep it under 300 words and lead with your strongest selling point, not with the story of how you came to write the book.
Every non-fiction query needs to answer three questions. First: so what? Why does this book need to exist right now, and what makes it different from what’s already on the shelf? Second: who cares? Name a specific, identifiable audience , not “anyone interested in health” but “primary care physicians and the patients who distrust them.” Third: why you? What credentials, platform, or lived experience make you the right author for this book?
Your one-line pitch matters more than most writers realize. Agents use it to pitch editors, and editors use it to pitch sales teams. If you can’t compress your book into one clear sentence, the agent can’t sell it. Write the pitch before you write the query letter , it forces you to know exactly what your book is.
Include your email list size and any relevant platform numbers. For non-fiction, publishers need to know your audience exists before they commit. An engaged email list is more persuasive than a large social media following, because email subscribers have actively chosen to hear from you. Building that list is one of the most concrete steps you can take before you start querying. The readership-building process for non-fiction authors starts well before the query goes out , ideally six to twelve months before.
Follow each agent’s submission guidelines exactly. Some want only the query. Some want the first ten pages pasted in the email body. Some want a synopsis. Sending the wrong materials is a fast path to rejection , not because your book isn’t good, but because it signals you didn’t read the instructions. Agents get hundreds of queries a week. They’re not looking for reasons to say yes; they’re looking for reasons to say no quickly.
Finally, personalize each query with one or two sentences that show you’ve done your homework. Mention a book the agent has represented that sits near yours in the market. Reference a MSWL post if they’ve made one that fits your book. Keep it brief , one sentence is enough. The goal is to show you’re querying this agent intentionally, not blasting the same letter to two hundred people.
FAQ
How do I find a literary agent for non-fiction if I’m a first-time author?
Start by building a genre-matched shortlist using QueryTracker or a reputable industry database, then check the acknowledgments sections of books similar to yours to find the agents behind them. First-time authors should focus on small to mid-size agencies where you’re more likely to get real attention. Have your full proposal and at least one polished sample chapter ready before you send a single query , agents will ask for them immediately if they’re interested.
What’s the difference between querying a novel and querying a non-fiction book?
Non-fiction authors don’t need a completed manuscript to query , a strong book proposal with sample chapters is the standard. The proposal functions like a business plan: it shows the market, the audience, your platform, and your credentials alongside the writing itself. Fiction queries focus almost entirely on the story. Non-fiction queries have to make both a creative and a commercial case.
Do literary agents charge fees upfront?
Legitimate literary agents don’t charge fees before they sell your book. They earn a commission , typically around 15% of your royalties , only after a deal is made. Any agent who asks for money upfront, charges reading fees, or requires you to pay for editorial services before representation is a red flag. Research any agent you’re unsure about through reputable industry watchdog resources before signing anything.
How long does it take to get a literary agent for non-fiction?
The timeline varies widely. Some writers land representation in weeks; others query for a year or more. Most agents take four to eight weeks to respond, and many don’t respond at all if they’re passing. Send queries in batches of five to ten, use responses to refine your materials, and keep going. Persistence is the variable most writers underestimate, so continue querying and refining your approach until you find the right fit.
What does a non-fiction book proposal need to include?
A standard proposal covers your overview or pitch, the market analysis, competitive titles, your author platform and credentials, a chapter-by-chapter outline, and at least one complete sample chapter. The overview should answer why this book, why now, and why you. Agents and editors will notice if any section is missing, so don’t send a partial proposal hoping to fill in the gaps later.
Should I query multiple agents at the same time?
Yes , simultaneous querying is standard and expected. Most agents assume you’re querying others. The exception is if an agent requests an exclusive read of your manuscript or proposal; in that case, negotiate a reasonable window (two weeks is fair) so your materials aren’t off the market for too long. Always be honest if another agent makes an offer while you’re under exclusivity.
Conclusion
The agents on this list cover the full range of non-fiction , from investigative journalism to big-idea social science to high-profile memoir. Match your genre first, then build your platform and proposal before you send a single query. If you want structured help getting query-ready, start with your author brand and platform, that’s the foundation agents actually look for. Then pick your top tier of agents and send.