Agents 4 Horror/Dark Suspense

Leukman · Oct 30, 2008

Can't just be me.

I can't be the only one having difficulty identifying agents who handle horror or dark-suspense, or non-military/police/authority thrillers...or however the **** you want to describe a dark novel that isn't really traditional Horror but it really depends who you ask...

Sure there are TONS of agents that claim to handle Thrillers. And there are several that claim to handle Horror. And the combination of both interests seems best.

But when you really dig in, do some homework, how many of them have sold dark novels/horror novels on any kind of a regular basis? If you look at client lists and sales records of most of these agents, their professed interest in Horror seems to be nothing more than part of the "Interested In" list, with no evidence of said interest.

Alas, this could lead back to the Thriller versus Horror debate, but we'll not go there right now, eh? Instead we might look at those agents who have proven their "taste" with their choices in representation...and sales.

I'm hoping whoever reads this thread is willing to collaborate...Please don't throw names into the hat here JUST because it says on Agent Query (or elsewhere) that they represent "horror" or "dark" or whatever might indicate an interest in this type of work.

Suggestions here should be based on your research and indicate agents who've requested this type of material or who have clients and sales that demonstrate their interest. And please include with your suggestions why you believe the agent/agency has met this criteria.

If you've had ANY positive experience with research, or better yet requests for your work, with/from agents who seem interested in handling this kind of material, PLEASE share it here so that we all may benefit. And if you’ve had any experiences, or have comments/additions on anything already included in the listing, let me know…

NOTE: "Date Added" represents only the point in time that the information was added to this list, not necessarily the time the activity described actually happened. But I felt there needed to be some reference.

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The Living List:

Adrienne Rosado, PMA Literary Film and Management
Date Added: 6-15-10
Notes: Requested partial for Paranormal Thriller

Alice Martell, The Martell Agency
Date Added: 12-29-09
Notes: requested partial of a "dark suspense"

Andy Zack, The Zack Company
Date Added: 1-03-2010
Notes: requested partial of a "dark suspense"

Bob Thixton, Pinder Lane & Garon-Brooke Assoc.
Date Added: 6-25-2010
Notes: requested 3 chapters from a query of a paranormal thriller

Brandi Bowles, Howard Morhaim Lit Agency
Date Added: Spring, 09
Notes: requested FULL ms on “supernatural thriller” query

Claire Gerus, Claire Gerus Literary
Date Added: 2-24-2010
Notes: requested partial of a "dark suspense"

Diana Fox, Fox Literary
Date Added: 1-11-2010
Notes: requested FULL of a "dark suspense"

Dominic Abel, Dominic Abel Associates
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: represents Bentley Little

Donald Maass, Donald Maass
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: Horror sale(s) on PM

Eleanor Jackson, Markson Thoma
Date Added: 6-25-10
Notes: requested 100 pp from a query for a paranormal, psychological thriller

Elizabeth Jote, Objective
Date Added: 6-25-10
Notes: requested a full from 3 chapters and a query for a paranormal thriller

Eva Talmadgge, Emma Sweeney Agency
Date Added: 2-19-10
Notes: requested full of a "dark suspense"

Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: requested partial on “paranormal thriller” query / Horror sale(s) on PM
Update 9-09: requested partial on "zombie/apocalyptic" query.

Helen Heller, Helen Heller Agency
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: represents Susie Moloney (The Dwelling)

Irene Krass, Krass Literary Agency
Date Added: 9-29-09
Notes: requested 20pg sample of a "paranormal thriller/horror"

Jack Byrne, Sternig & Byrne
Date Added: 6-25-10
Notes: requested a partial from a query for a dark fantasy

Jake Bauman, Rob Weisback Creative Management
Date Added: 2-24-2010
Notes: requested FULL of a "dark suspense"

Jason Ashlock, Movable Type
Date Added: 1-4-2010
Notes: requested FULL of a "dark suspense"

Jennifer de la Fuente, Fountain Literary
Date Added: 11-13-09
Notes: requested partcial of a "paranormal thriller/horror"

Jennifer Schober, Spencerhill Associates
Date Added: 1-15-2010
Notes: requested 100 pages of a "dark suspense"

Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency
Date Added: 3-24-2010
Notes: requested FULL of a "dark suspense"

Jessica Regel, Jean V Naggar Literary Agency
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: requested partial on “dark urban fantasy/supernatural thriller” query

Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich
Date Added: Spring, 09
Notes: requested FULL on “paranormal thriller/horror” in response to query sent to Miriam Goderich / Agency has several thriller/horror sales

Joanna Stampfel-Volpe, Nancy Coffey Literary
Date Added: 12-21-09
Notes: requested partial of "dark suspense"

Joe Veltre, Artists Literary Group
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: Represents Sarah Langan (The Missing, The Keeper)

Katie Kotchman, Don Congdon
Date Added: 6-25-2010
Notes: requested 50 pp from a query for a paranormal thriller

Kathleen Anderson, Fox Literary
Date Added: 2-24-2010
Notes: requested partial of a "dark suspense"

Luke Janklow, Janklow & Nesbit Associates
Date Added:9-09
Notes: requested FULL on "zombie/apocalyptic" query

Matthew Mahoney, Ralph M. Vicinanza LTL
Date Added: 1-25-2010
Notes: requested partial from a "dark suspense" query

Mary Beth Chappell, Zachary, Schuster, Harmsworth Agency
Date Added: 9-10-09
Notes: Requested partial on 'traditional' ghost-story/horror manuscript

Melissa Sarver, Elizabeth Kaplan Literary
Date Added: 2-19-10
Notes: requested full of a "dark suspense"

Miriam Kriss, Irene Goodman Literary Agency
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: requested partial on “paranormal thriller/horror” query

Paige Wheeler, Folio Literary
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: requested partial on “dark suspense/horror” query

Peter Rubie, Fineprint
Date Added: 6-25-10
Notes: requested a synopsis and 30 pp from a query for a paranormal thriller

Peter Steinberg, The Steinberg Agency
Date Added: 2-19-10
Notes: requested full of a "dark suspense"

Richard Henshaw, Richard Henshaw Group
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: Represents Karen E Taylor (Twelve Steps from Darkness) / Recent verbiage on site states horror should only be submitted by writers with previous publishing credits in the genre.

Ricia Mainhardt Agency
Date Added: 9-10-09
Notes: Requested full from unsolicited query for 'traditional' ghost-story/horror manuscript

Rob Daniel, Andrea Hurst Agency
Date Added: 6-15-10
Notes: Requested partial for Paranormal Thriller

Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger
Date Added: Spring, 09
Notes: Horror sale(s) on PM / represents Jonathan Mayberry
Date Added: 9-10-09
Notes: Responded to query that she did not handle horror.

Sara Megibow, Nelson Agency
Date Added: 7-28-11
Notes: requested partial on a [dark] urban fantasy

Scott Miller, Trident Media
Date Added:Fall, 08
Notes: requested FULL on “paranormal thriller/horror” / Agent has several thriller/horror sales

Simon Lipskar, Writer's House
Date Added:Spring, 09
Notes: Represents Douglas Clegg

Sharon Belcastero, Belcastro Agency
Date Added:9-10-09
Notes: requested synopsis & three chapters - then requested full for 'traditional' ghost-story/horror manuscript

Tamar Rydzinski, Laura Dail Literary
Date Added: 12-28-09
Notes: requested partial of a "dark suspense"

Weronika Janczuk, Lynn Franklin Associates
Date Added: 7-29-11
Notes: recently signed a dark literary zombie ms

Victoria Skurnick, Levine Greenberg
Date Added: 6-25-10
Notes: requested a full from a query for a paranormal thriller

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Any comments, thoughts, suggestions for improving this information/listing are welcome.

heatgirl · Nov 30, 2008

Hey, is this just for Novels or Screenplays as well?

Leukman · Dec 1, 2008

Either or...more the merrier. Besides, a lot of agents handle both, yes? So all info would be valuable...

Noah Body · Dec 1, 2008

Leukman, I'm in the same boat. I think what we're talking about here are "crossover" products that could appeal to readers in either camp (or perhaps, multiple camps) but it's harder for an agent to get his sell on when the usual marketing approach is blurred by something that can't be easily pitched in 25 words or less. Kinda sucks, eh?

C.F. Jackson · Dec 2, 2008

The Writers' Market

Hey!

A great resource to check out at
your local book store it The Writers'
Market. It's excellent because it
breaks down what each agent
accepts.

It also provides current and previous
clients who they have represented
and who they were picked by.

So this can be a resource to find
out which agents are for you. Oh,
and they also include contact and
submission info, too!

Have a wonderful week!

Won't Be Denied,
C.F. Jackson

heatgirl · Dec 2, 2008

I write Horror and I've found it quite difficult to sell. Most agents aren't interested in Horror although I'm not sure why, there is a HUGE fan base for the genre, they even made an awards show specially for Horror/sci-fi/fantasy "The Scream Awards"...The fans are crazy but loyal and horror does well in book form and at the box office. Confused much?

Wll I'm hoping to get the HCD online version soon, I'll post whatever I find regarding agents that are most likely to fall in our favour.

RoccoMom · Dec 3, 2008

When i started writing i was told by an agent that if it weren't for Stephen King, there would be no horror genre - that it was a "soft" market. I couldn't get an agent interested in any of my horror ms for spit - ended up pubbing almost all of them with small press (Whiskey Creek, Echelon)

Leukman · Dec 3, 2008

I guess that's why I don't like to call my work "Horror." I mean, technically, it's not. Then again, a lot of King's stuff, like Koontz, Matheson, Laymon, isn't "true horror," but more of a dark suspense/thriller (IMHO). And thus the search for representative interest in that tricky niche. I've had some luck "spinning" my ms from this angle (two full requests, two partial requests, all four still on the street), and can only hope for the best. It does seem there is a limited population of agents interested in this kind of work...so my search continues to widen that base.

Leukman · Dec 3, 2008

C.F. Jackson said:
A great resource to check out at
your local book store it The Writers'
Market.

C.F - This was the first tool I ever found and used when I first delved into this gamut. I gave it much more credit than it was due. I've since found much conflicting information when comparing to other resources, especially when looking at actual representation and publishing track records for the listed agents. I agree it is a good tool, but remember the credo: trust but verify (or something like that).

Cal_Noble · Jan 23, 2009

Leukman said:
Can't just be me.

First, please give me a "hooya" if you write horror or dark-suspense, or non-military/police/authority thrillers...or however the **** you want to describe a dark novel that isn't really traditional Horror but it really depends who you ask.

Second, I can't be the only one having difficulty identifying agents who handle this kind of work. Sure there are TONS of agents that claim to handle Thrillers. And there are several that claim to handle Horror. And the combination of both interests seems best.

But when you really dig in, do some homework, how many of them have sold dark novels/horror novels on any kind of a regular basis? If you look at client lists and sales records of most of these agents, their professed interest in Horror seems to be nothing more than part of the "Interested In" list, with no evidence of said interest.

Alas, this could lead back to the Thriller versus Horror debate, but we'll not go there right now, eh? Instead we might look at those agents who have proven their "taste" with thier choices in representation...and sales.

I'm hoping that this thread might turn into a place to share experiences for those who write this "genre." I'm going to list below some of the agents that I've pursued thus far, who I believe, based on research, were appropriate for my work (which, incidentally, might be best described as dark-suspense, psychological, supernatural horror/thriller...**wipes overflowing mouth with towel**--go ahead...boil that down for me)

If you've had ANY positive experience with research, or better yet requests for your work, with/from agents who seem interested in handling this kind of work, PLEASE share it here so that we all may benefit from each other's research.

Here's my input thus far...

1. Ginger Clark, Curtis Brown
2. Helen Heller, Helen Heller Agency
3. Jim McCarthy, Dystel & Goderich
4. Jennifer Jackson, Donald Mass
5. Joe Veltre, Artists Literary Group
6. Luke Janklow, Janklow & Nesbit
7. Russell Galen, Scovil Chichak Galen
8. Scott Miller, Trident Media
9. Simon Lipskar, Writer's House
10. Nick Mullendore, Loretta Barrett Books
11. Richard Henshaw, Richard Henshaw Group
12. Sara Crowe, Harvey Klinger

I've hit some others too, but that's my A list.

I'm hoping whoever reads this thread is willing to collaborate...Please don't throw names into the hat here JUST because it says on Agent Query (or elsewhere) that they represent "horror" or "dark" or whatever might indicate an interest in this type of work. Suggestions here should be based on your research and indicate agents who have clients and sales that demonstrate thier interest.

Looking forward to your participation...

I feel your pain. It sounds like we write almost the same stuff. Maybe we can create the leukcal genre? You interested in MS swapping for beta? (No--not Mrs. swapping).

Anyway...

She ultimately passed, but Brandi Bowles at Howard Morhaim Lit Agency did request a full from me on a "supernatural thriller."

Cranky · Jan 23, 2009

I don't have anything ready to sub yet, but that's the gray area I tend to dabble in as well, and I haven't seen much to encourage me on the agent front, either.

Yesterday, though, Janet Reid posted a link to this post by one of her colleagues , Barbara Poelle, who might be into this sort of thing....

Cal_Noble · Jan 23, 2009

Cranky said:
I don't have anything ready to sub yet, but that's the gray area I tend to dabble in as well, and I haven't seen much to encourage me on the agent front, either.

Yesterday, though, Janet Reid posted a link to this post by one of her colleagues , Barbara Poelle, who might be into this sort of thing....

Thanks for the link, Cranky.

Cranky · Jan 23, 2009

You're welcome.

Leukman · Jan 23, 2009

Thanks guys - sounds like two good leads!

Cranky · Jan 23, 2009

Good luck, MonkeyMan.

Michael · Jan 25, 2009

My work, on at least one project anyway, falls into a similar niche. It think of it as dark urban fantasy, but it could also be called "supernatural thriller" or "suspense," etc. Ginger Clark and Richard Henshaw turned it down right away. Jessica Regel at Jean V Naggar Literary Agency did at least ask for a partial. She also ended up turning it down, but I suppose that indicates she might actually have some interest in that kind of work.

Goodchild · Feb 21, 2009

HOOYA!

I'm in a similar boat. After posting elsewhere on this forum, I've discovered my novel (which is horror noir) could/should be promoted as either supernatural thriller or urban fantasy, as there isn't really a proper market for horror noir (that I can ascertain).

I've only submitted to 3 publishers as of this moment - one never replied (which counts as a rejection for that particular one), one did, and I'm waiting for the latest one to reply. The one who did throughly enjoyed my work but ultimately, his MD decided not to publish me as I was "too difficult to market".

I think part of the blame for that lies with me as (once again after posting elsewhere on this forum) it turned out my covering letter was all over the place with what my work's like.

BUT be that as it may, I'd suggest sending stuff:

f.a.o Anthony Nott [he's the main editor in charge of horro subs]
Submissions Department
Beautiful Books Limited
36-38 Glasshouse Street
London W1B 5DL

Full details are HERE! - the imprint is Bloody Books, incidentally.

I hope some of you 'horror but not as you know it' writers have some luck with these guys - Anthony was really helpful, even though I didn't get picked up.

edit: not an agency, but they're happy to accept unsolicited manuscripts!

cubed · Feb 26, 2009

Horror is now been split into some sub genres. Dark fantasy and suspense are where most of the genre is placed now. There are a few other sub genres too, but not as big. It looks like, Leukman, what you're writing fits more in the suspense category. Maybe you should try to sale in that market.

I have a bit of the same problem. My last book was, in my mind, a horror novel but in terms of the market it's a Dark fantasy.

Leukman · Feb 26, 2009

Thanks guys, I appreciate all the feedback. Cubed, you sum it up well. Not sure I'll ever stop struggling with deciding how a certain agent might view it, or what sub genre might be more appealing in name than another.

onipar · Jun 27, 2009

Hey. So this is my first message here, and I registered just for this thread.

I'm also starting to look for agents who represent horror, and finding a hard time of it. I only found a few that panned out, but I did want to add to your list.

On your list, you have Richard Henshaw, Richard Henshaw Group, but it's worth noting that upon further inspection, I found this on their site:

"We are interested in mainstream and genre fiction including mysteries and thrillers, science fiction, fantasy, romance, historicals and literature. We are interested in, but extremely selective of, horror and young adult. Generally speaking, a horror or young adult author should have previous publishing credits in their genre."

So, proceed with caution on that one.

Sara Crowe looks like a good pick. She represents Jonathan Maberry, a horror writer from New Jersey.

See if you can find anything on Dominick Abel, who represents Bentley Little.

Sorry, that's all I have for now.

Leukman · Jun 28, 2009

Onipar, thanks! Dominick Abel is a new name to me, and I'll be sure to check it out.

EFCollins · Jun 28, 2009

Sara Crowe passed on my novel, which is most definitely horror, saying it didn't seem like she'd be the best person to represent it. I've had such a hard time placing "The Seventh Sister" that I just stopped and moved on. Given, I didn't try for very long, but it seems now that the book isn't even done, so it's for the best.

Leukman · Jun 28, 2009

Effer - did anyone else request your ms when you were shopping it?

Haggis · Jun 28, 2009

Okay, Hounds. We have a new sticky for you novelists. Monkey-boy has promised to keep post # 1 updated with new information, so help him out by filling us in on what you know.

onipar · Jun 28, 2009

Hey, I'm glad to see you're still checking on this thread. I was a little worried because of the date of the last post.

I'll be sure to mention here if anyone asks for a partial or full. I have only sent out one query thus far (and that was to Nathan Bransford, who doesn't necessarily handle horror, though he says he's open to anything. Plus he responds within 24 hours, so is worth a shot), which was rejected.

I've considered the whole "rename the genre" thing, but I'm afraid since my novel has a lot to do with zombies, it's just not an option for me. I tread new ground, taking a completely different view on the subject, but I'm afraid as soon as the agent see the word "zombie" it's all over...

Agents 4 Horror/Dark Suspense

Pernicious...n'stuff.

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Entertainment Ronin

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Little Doggie

Screaming Audio Terror

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Horror Writer

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World Class Rambler

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Evil, undead Chihuahua

Horror Writer