James Mustelier

I’m looking for a range of commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction. In all genres (but particularly in literary fiction) I prize economical prose, complex characters, steadily building tension, narrative gravity, and the momentary relief of dark humor, even (or especially) amid dire circumstances.

In commercial fiction I’m looking for compact horror and mysteries with big hooks and intricate plotting. In sci-fi and fantasy I’m drawn to stories that are grounded in reality and have high stakes that touch on contemporary issues—more speculative fiction and alternate histories than high fantasy or space opera.

In nonfiction I’m looking for books that give me a vivid look into subcultures and events I might not otherwise have had the chance to explore. Much of my favorite nonfiction melds a distinctly personal narrative voice with rigorous research.

In YA and MG I’m interested in epic fantasy, grounded sci-fi and irreverent retellings of fairy tales, classic myths, and historical events. I’m specifically seeking stories written from diverse perspectives that draw from underrepresented cultures.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to http://QueryManager.com/James_Mustelier

If you know you’re a great writer with a story to tell, we hope you’ll be in touch with us. Please review these submission guidelines before you contact us.

First, review our agents’ bios and decide which of us you’d like to query. Please do not simultaneously query our agents; submit your work to only one of us. If that agent passes, feel free to contact another.

Second, email your chosen agent using the email indicated in their bio and tell them briefly who you are, about your book, and why you’re the one to write it. Include the title of your project in the subject line of your email. Then paste the first ten pages of your book in the body of your email (not as an attachment, please).

We regret that we cannot respond to queries sent to our general “info” email account. Please email the agent you are querying using their individual query email, as indicated on their bio page.

If you’re submitting a picture book, please include the complete text; for illustrations, please also include a link to your website if available, or two or three PDFs or JPEGs of your work. For graphic novels, please paste the first ten pages of your script in the body of your email, as well as the first five pages of your dummy. The dummy doesn’t need to be entirely finished, but if it’s not, please include up to three samples of your finished work, or a link to your online portfolio.

Please do not send an exclusive query. Queries are meant to be shared with multiple agencies. The Bent Agency ONLY accepts email or QueryManager queries. If you send your query by postal mail, it will be recycled and not returned to you.

It is our goal to respond to every query. If you don’t receive a response within four weeks, please feel free to resend your query or to query another agent at the Bent Agency.

If the agent is interested in your work, they will respond with instructions for sending the rest of your material. If we do request material from you, we ask that you check back with us before accepting representation elsewhere.

The Bent Agency is grateful for all queries and submissions. We understand that your work is important to you and we thank you for considering us.

Guidelines & Details