When Brazil was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century, it became more than 150 years of rule, it became the foundation for everything written by the people since.
This is because after the country claimed its independence in 1822, the Portuguese language was so entrenched in the culture, that today, two hundred years later, it remains the language of Brazilian literature.
Writing through the periods of Neoclassicism, Romanticism, Realism, Pre-Modernism, Modernism, Post-Modernism, right up to the contemporary period, Brazilian authors may have written with one language but not one voice. They have demonstrated a versatility to style and genre, and especially poetry, that has seen them revered for centuries.
Unfortunately, many people in Brazil are illiterate, and those that can read, do so sporadically. Their reading habits are less than half those of the US, with only one in four of the population reading anything at all. This is due in large part to the widespread poverty in many regions and cities, most notably the favelas. Books themselves are expensive in relation to the monthly wage, and so it is very common for publishers to release a small print run to establish the potential of the book first. But publishers outside of Brazil, see the country as one on the verge of a rapid literary expansion, and are taking progressive steps to improve literacy by opening up offices in Brazil itself.
In light of this history, the literary agencies operating today are relatively young in comparison with their UK or US counterparts. They also tend to predominately work as agencies in translation, by bringing the books of worldwide literary agencies to the Brazilian readership base. However, they can be approached by authors writing in Portuguese anywhere in the world, or of course those within their own borders.
This initial batch of Brazil literary agencies, will expand throughout the year. If they have a Twitter account it is also included below. However, please do not pitch submissions via Twitter. Always stick to the individual requirements of the agency.
To view their website, send them an e-mail, or follow them on Twitter, simply click on the relevant links provided.
A-M
Paul Christoph Literary Agency
The agency is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using online form.
Query letter only.
The agency is based in São Paulo.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
*Closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
The agency is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@mtsagencia.com
Address to the 'Submissions Department' and it will forwarded to a suitable agent.
Query letter only. No attachments will be opened.
P-T
The agency is based in São Paulo.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using the online form.
Only one agent currently accepting:
Marisa Moura: Fiction | Children's Books | Middle Grade | YA | Non-Fiction | Narrative | Biography | History | Psychology | Politics | Journalism
Query letter only.
Twitter: @PaginadaCultura
The agency is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: agenciariff@agenciariff.com.br
Lucia Riff: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Miriam Campos: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
Twitter: @agenciariff
The agency is based in São Paulo
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
*Closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
H. Katia Schumer Literary Agency
The agency is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
H. Katia Schumer: Fiction | Non-Fiction | Esoteric | Spiritual | Self-Help | Biography | Psychology | hkatia@schumer.com.br
Query letter, synopsis, bio, and a sample chapter.
U-Z
The agency is based in São Paulo.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Pasi Loman: Nordic Fiction | Nordic Non-Fiction | pasi.loman@vikingsbr.com.br
Query letter only.
The agency only represents and is interested in Nordic literature.
Twitter: @vikingsbr
Villas-Boas & Moss Literary Agency and Consultancy
The agency is based in Rio de Janeiro.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using the online form.
Address to the 'Submissions Department' and it will forwarded to a suitable agent.
Fiction: Query letter, synopsis, bio and the first 10-15 pages. All within the body of an e-mail
Non-Fiction: Query letter, chapter outline, bio, a list of competing books in the market place, and a sample chapter.
Twitter: @VBMlitag
The agency is based in São Paulo.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: al@virgil.com.br
Query letter, synopsis, and a bio. If interested the agency will ask for sample materials.
Twitter: @VIRGILagency