Does your novel have a dark academia twist? Secret societies, dangerous ambition, Gothic settings, academic rivalries, or knowledge that comes at a terrible price?
If you're querying a dark academia manuscript, these five literary agents are worth researching. Their manuscript wishlists include dark academia and related interests across fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, and speculative fiction.
1. Nicky Lovick — WGM Atlantic Talent
Nicky Lovick is interested in dark academia, particularly stories with high-concept hooks, speculative twists, atmospheric settings, and complicated relationships.
Her wishlist also includes crime, psychological thrillers, fantasy, romance, and genre mashups. She's especially interested in commercial fiction with an unusual premise.
Genres and themes: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Psychological Thrillers, Mystery, Speculative Fiction.
2. Liz Gettle — Myth Literary Agency
Liz Gettle is seeking dark academia alongside Gothic and dark fantasy, psychological thrillers, horror, and speculative fiction.
She particularly enjoys morally complicated protagonists, unsettling atmospheres, buried secrets, obsession, revenge, and stories that blur the boundaries between genres.
Her wishlist includes adult, new adult, and select young adult fiction.
Genres and themes: Dark Academia, Gothic Fantasy, Psychological Thrillers, Horror, Dark Fantasy.
Liz is accepting queries through QueryTo.
3. Stuti Telidevara — Park, Fine & Brower
Stuti Telidevara explicitly mentions dark academia on her manuscript wishlist, alongside Gothic atmospheres, mythology, historical inspirations, female rage, and stories exploring the cost of magic.
She represents adult and young adult fiction, with particular enthusiasm for fantasy and speculative fiction. Strong voices, high-concept hooks, and detailed worldbuilding are especially appealing to her.
Genres and themes: Dark Academia, YA Fantasy, Gothic Fiction, Horror, Speculative Fiction.
4. Casey Conniff — Jane Rotrosen Agency
Casey Conniff is drawn to dark academia alongside cozy fantasy, romance, romantasy, magical realism, and commercial book club fiction.
She loves distinctive character voices, immersive relationships, strong female friendships, found family, and speculative twists. Stories with epistolary elements, such as love letters, are another particular interest.
Genres and themes: Dark Academia, Fantasy, Romance, Book Club Fiction, Found Family.
5. Fernanda Martinez — Fernanda Literary
Fernanda Martinez has a particularly specific dark academia wishlist.
She's interested in manuscripts featuring secret societies, exclusive clubs, cult-like groups, and a strong sense of place. Cultural, artistic, archaeological, and art-historical elements also catch her attention.
Her interests extend to psychological thrillers, Gothic horror, fantasy, mysteries, and speculative fiction.
Genres and themes: Dark Academia, Gothic Horror, Mystery, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction.
Fernanda is accepting queries directly through QueryTo.
Find More Literary Agents Seeking Dark Academia
These five agents are only a starting point.
On QueryTo, you can explore literary agent profiles, search manuscript wishlists by keywords such as dark academia, Gothic, or secret society, and organize the agents you're considering querying.
Remember to review each agent's complete wishlist, current submission status, and guidelines before submitting.
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