The oldest literary agency in Australia was only established in 1967, and yet since that time, the country has published a string of internationally acclaimed authors. This is remarkable considering that there are still less than 20 registered literary agencies in what is the world's sixth-largest country.
But Australia is steeped in a storytelling history. For thousands of years the Indigenous Aboriginals have been using Dreaming tracks, otherwise known as the Songlines, to pass on stories about their landscape and culture.
When the British colonisation of Australia began in 1788, they discovered that these Indigenous people had yet to develop a system of writing. So the stories themselves had to be memorized, as a result they were the very fabric of society.
It was not until 1929 with the book Legendary Tales of the Aborigines that David Unaipon became the first published Aboriginal author in Australian history.
Forty years later the first literary agency opened their doors, and today they remain the largest agency in the country. This is not to say they have a monopoly on Australian writing talent, because many well known authors are represented by the other leading agencies throughout its major states.
However, the literary agencies who charge a reading fee, or do not have a website, have been excluded from this list.
If you are unsure of any of the genre and sub-genre categories, a guide to the definitions can be found here.
The list itself was compiled by visiting the agency websites, to ensure the very latest submission policies are detailed below.
To view their website, send them an e-mail, or follow them on Twitter, simply click on the relevant links provided.
A-B
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions only: The Author's Agent, PO Box 577, Terrigal, NSW 2260
Address letter to sole literary agent:
Brian Cook
Fiction: Query letter, synopsis, the first 3 chapters, and an SAE.
Children's Books: Query letter, synopsis, the first 20 pages, and an SAE.
Non-Fiction: Query letter, a full proposal, and an SAE.
Also mention any social networking accounts you may have including Twitter.
The agency was recently bought by The Manuscript Agency, but the two have merged to become a larger version of The Authors' Agent. While The Manuscript Agency have become an associated editorial service for all writers.
C-D
The agency is based in Sydney, New South Wales.
Genres: Literary Fiction | Women's Fiction | Crime Fiction | Thriller | Historical Fiction | Erotica | YA | Non-Fiction | Memoir | Current Affairs | True Crime | Australian History
Does not accept: Middle Grade, Picture Books, or Poetry.
*The agency is currently closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
Query letter, synopsis, and the first 3000 words. All within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
Twitter: @CameronsMgt
The agency is based in Bermagui, New South Wales.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not accept: Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, New Age/Spiritual, Children's Books, or YA
Postal submissions: The Mary Cunnane Agency Pty Ltd, Literary Services and Representation, PO Box 336, Bermagui, NSW 2546 Australia
E-mail submissions: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
Mary Cunnane: Fiction | Non-Fiction | mary@cunnaneagency.com
But copy in Christine Poulton: christine@cunnaneagency.com
Query letter, synopsis, and the first 3 chapters. Attachments are fine but need to be under 10MB.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions only: The Submissions Department, Curtis Brown, PO Box 19, Paddington, NSW 2021
Address letter to 'The Submissions Department' and the manuscript will be passed to a suitable agent.
Query letter, synopsis, the first 3 chapters, and an SAE.
Only accept work from Australia or New Zealand based writers. In the case of the latter send an e-mail to reception@curtisbrown.com.au for specific postage instructions.
They are the oldest and largest literary agency in Australia.
Twitter: @curtisbrownaus
The agency is based in Melbourne, Victoria.
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
Does not accept: Science-Fiction, or Fantasy.
Postal submissions: The Drummond Agency, PO Box 572, Woodend, VIC 3442
E-mail submissions: info@drummondagency.com.au
Address letter to sole agent:
Sheila Drummond
Fiction: Query letter, synopsis, and the first 3 chapters, and an SAE if mailing.
Non-Fiction: Query letter, a proposal, outline of chapters, bio, first 3 chapters, and an SAE if mailing.
YA: Query letter, synopsis, the first 3 chapters, and an SAE if mailing.
If electronic query send all within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
G-H
HLA Management Theatrical Agency Australia
The agency is based in Sydney, New South Wales.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
*No unsolicited manuscripts*
I-J
The agency is based in Melbourne, Victoria.
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Children's Books | Non-Fiction
*No unsolicited manuscripts*
Twitter: @AgentsJDA
K-L
The agency is based in Brisbane, Queensland.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | Non-Fiction | Biography | Current Affairs | Social issues | Philosophy | Religion | Science | History
Does not accept: Science-Fiction, Horror, Fantasy, Erotica, or Chick Lit.
E-mail submissions only: info@margaretkennedyagency.com
Address letter to sole literary agent:
Margaret Kennedy
Query letter only (in the body of an e-mail). If interested the agency will request more materials.
M-N
The agency is based in Sydney, New South Wales.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not represent: Science-Fiction, Fantasy, Children's Books, or YA.
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
Gaby Naher: Fiction | Non-Fiction | using online form
Query letter only. If interested the agency will request sample materials.
Twitter: Literary agent Gaby Naher @GabyNaher
R-T
The agency is based in Paddington, New South Wales.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | YA | Non-Fiction
*No unsolicited manuscripts*
Selwa Anthony Author Management Agency Pty Ltd
The agency is based in Sydney, New South Wales.
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Fantasy | Science-Fiction | Non-Fiction
*No unsolicited manuscripts*
U-Z
Genres: Fiction | Middle Grade | YA | Non Fiction