Kurestin Armada: Accepting queries via Query Manager (please check QM for status)
Samantha Fabien: Accepting queries via Query Manager (please check QM for status)
Melanie Figueroa: Accepting queries via Query Manager (please check QM for status)
Taylor Haggerty: Open to queries
Alyssa Maltese: Accepting queries via Query Manager (please check QM for status)
Molly O’Neill: Accepting queries via Query Manager (please check QM for status)
Holly Root: Closed to queries; accepting referrals only
Please do not query the agents at Root Literary simultaneously. We kindly ask that you submit your query for consideration to one agent at a time by including the agent's name in the subject line of your email or using their Query Manager submission form. We regularly pass submissions back and forth regardless of whether you’ve submitted your work via email or Query Manager. For more details on each of our agent’s specific tastes, visit the AGENTS page.
If you submitted a query via email, you will receive an automated email confirming receipt and noting the agency’s current turnaround time for response. If you submitted a query via Query Manager, the agent’s current turnaround time will display when the query has been received. Please note that if you haven't received a response within the quoted turnaround, it means we're passing on the project, as the volume of queries we receive has made it difficult to respond to everyone in a timely manner. This means you are also free to submit to another agent at Root Literary once the stated consideration window has passed. However, if you receive an offer of representation from another agent and we haven't yet replied, please do email or update your Query Manager submission to let us know.
To query an agent on Query Manager, please submit your work to them directly via their individual Query Manager forms (linked above) and follow the provided instructions. For all other agents, please send a query letter plus the following:
AUTHORS: First 10 pages of your completed manuscript in the body of an email to submissions@rootliterary.com. No attachments.
PICTURE BOOK AUTHORS: Sorry, Root Literary is not actively seeking authors who only write picture book texts at this time. If you are a writer/illustrator, or part of an author-illustrator team, we welcome you to submit as follows.
AUTHOR-ILLUSTRATORS: Attach a lo-res book dummy (at least 2 full-color spreads), or sample of a longer illustrated work + links to your online portfolio/Instagram to illustrators@rootliterary.com. You may also direct us to a password-protected version of the dummy hosted on your website. No shared Google Drive files.
ILLUSTRATORS: Attach 3-5 lo-res sample illustrations + include links to your online portfolio/Instagram/other hosting site to illustrators@rootliterary.com. No shared Google Drive files.
GRAPHIC NOVELISTS: We are open to graphic novel scripts by writers AND projects by author-illustrators or creative teams. Attach a full script or partial script + synopsis. You may also attach the first 10 sample pages (include at least 2 finished/full-color spreads/pages) + any relevant links to your online portfolio/webcomic/Instagram to illustrators@rootliterary.com. You may also direct us to a password-protected version of the project hosted on your website. Note: Industry standards for GN submissions are still being established as the category evolves. If you feel it critical that we review something not noted here as part of your submission, feel free (within reason!) to include it. No shared Google Drive files.
We are not accepting submissions for screenplays or poetry. No paper, phone, or in-person pitches, please.