With a population of 66 million and a rich literature history one would assume the French publishing industry would be saturated with literary agencies. But France does things differently.
Authors in France have always preferred and enjoyed a direct relationship with publishers - something which is unheard of and literally foreign in other countries.
The literary agent in France is perceived as an unnecessary Anglo-Saxon tradition on the path to being published. Consequently, the first literary agency in France was not established until 1988. In contrast to other countries this puts their literary agency history one hundred years behind their contemporaries. Even today, many publishers in France will be reluctant to accept manuscripts from literary agencies in France. Publishers are so entrenched in their direct dealings with authors that they do not want a literary agency interfering with the publishing contracts.
So these France literary agencies below are the minority that do achieve inroads with publishers and are actively seeking to revolutionise the author-agent-publisher relationship. If these agencies have a Twitter account it is also included. Where they do not have a main agency account, the individual accounts of their literary agents are provided instead. However, please do not pitch submissions via Twitter. Always stick to the individual requirements of the agency.
If you are unsure of any of the genre and sub-genre categories, a guide to the definitions can be found here.
Unless otherwise indicated, these France literary agencies are based in Paris.
To view their website, send them an e-mail, or follow them on Twitter, simply click on the relevant links provided.
A-B
Astier-Pécher Literary & Film Agency
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions: contact@pierreastier.com
Address to one agent only:
Pierre Astier: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Laure Pécher: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter, synopsis and the full manuscript as a PDF attachment.
Twitter: @AgLPierreastier
C-E
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: agencedelest5@wanadoo.fr
*The agency is currently closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
Twitter: @AgDelEst
F-G
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: agence@fountlit.com
Lora Fountain: Fiction | Children's Books | Graphic Novels | YA | Non-Fiction
*The agency is currently closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
Twitter: Literary agents Lora Fountain @LoraFountain
H-I
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@intertalent.fr
François Samuelson: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
The agency is a powerhouse in the film business with 80% of its clients being actors, screenwriters, or filmmakers. Only 20% are authors.
J-K
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not represent: Poetry, Short Stories, Picture Books, Children’s Books, Genre Literature, Romance or Erotica.
E-mail submissions only: manuscripts@ajafr.com
Address to sole agent:
Anna Jarota: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Fiction: Query letter, synopsis, bio, and the full manuscript as a Word or PDF attachment.
Non-Fiction: Query letter and bio. Both within the body of an e-mail.
The agency also has an office in Poland.
M-T
Michelle Lapautre Literary Agency
They do not have a website.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions: lapautre@club-internet.fr
*The agency predominately handles translation rights and is not open to unsolicited manuscripts*
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not represent: Poetry, Short Stories, or Science-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: fr-submission@susannalea.com
Address to 'Submissions Department' and manuscript will be passed to a suitable agent.
Fiction: Query letter, synopsis and the first 3 chapters as a Word or PDF attachment.
Non-Fiction: Query letter, bio and the full proposal as a Word or PDF attachment.
The agency has offices in London and New York.
U-Z
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Arabella Cruse: Fiction | Non-Fiction | arabella.cruse@gmail.com
Query letter only.