The oldest literary agency in Italy was established in 1898.
But literature had flourished in the country for the preceding six hundred years since the Court of Emperor Frederick II in Sicily where literary poetry eradicated dialectical nuances in replace of a vernacular Italian.
Later, in the 14th century one writer gave birth to the literary traditions still present today: Dante Alighieri. His writings, especially the Divine Comedy are still studied and translated the world over. But Dante also shares the importance of 14th century Italian literature with Francesco Petrarch and Giovanni Boccaccio. All three men used their cannon of work to demonstrate how complex characters and rich themes could capture the imagination of the society in which they lived.
This was illustrated two hundred years later with the release of The Prince by Niccolò Machiavelli in 1532. Such was its success and importance, that today it influences political life, and the television shows, books, and movies written with a Machiavellianism theme.
Yet it would be another three hundred years before Italian literature found a global voice again as the first literary agencies were founded in the late 19th century and early 20th. But despite representing such literary icons as Umberto Eco, Primo Levi, Andrea Camilleri, and Italo Calvino, literary agencies in Italy have never enjoyed the enormous book sales that other countries experience. This is due in large part to the fact that novels are written in the Tuscan language, one that a vast majority of Italians do not use in their daily lives.
Nevertheless, with a literacy rate of 99%, in a country of sixty million, Italy still has a vast readership base for authors which agencies continue to explore.
Unless otherwise indicated, these Italy literary agencies below are based in Rome. If they 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.
To view any of the agency websites, send them an e-mail, or follow them on Twitter, simply click on the relevant links provided.
A-C
The agency is based in Padova.
Genres: Fiction
Does not represent: Children’s Books, Romance, Fantasy, Non-Fiction, Self-Help.
E-mail submissions only: Using online form.
Anna Mioni: Literary | Commercial
The agency does not accept unsolicited manuscripts unless from traditionally published authors.
Twitter: @AC2_Lit_Agency
Agenzia Letteraria Internazionale
The agency is based in Milan.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Italian Authors:
Valentina Balzarotti Barbieri: Commercial | Historical | balzarotti@aglettinternazionale.it
Maria Vittoria Albertini: Fiction | albertini@aglettinternazionale.it
Foreign Authors:
Stefania Fietta: Fiction | Children's Books | YA | Non-Fiction | fietta@aglettinternazionale.it
Francesca Barra: Commercial | Children's Books | Non-Fiction | barra@aglettinternazionale.it
Query letter only.
Founded in 1898, they are the oldest literary agency in Italy.
Twitter: Literary agents Stefania Fietta @emmesseffe
Gabriella Ambrosioni Literary Agency
The agency is based in Bologna.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent
Gabriella Ambrosioni: Literary | Commercial | Children's Books | Non-Fiction | History | Narrative | Biography | Business | Adventure | Current Affairs | Science | Medicine | gabriella@gabriellaambrosioni.com
Query letter only.
Twitter: @cespagent
D-F
Eulama International Literary Agency
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Only two agents are currently open to unsolicited queries:
Alexander von Prellwitz: Fiction | Non-Fiction | avonprellwitz@eulama.com
Anya Widmann: Fiction | Non-Fiction | awidmann@eulama.com
Query letter only.
Founded in 1962, they are the second oldest literary agency in Italy.
Twitter: @EulamaAgency
Genres: Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified
Address to sole agent
Kylee Doust: Literary | Commercial | kylee@kyleedoustagency.com
Query letter only.
Represents Italian writers in Italy and around the world.
Twitter: @kyeedo
G-J
The agency is based in Milan.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
*Not currently open to unsolicited manuscripts*
The agency is predominately a translation agency.
Twitter: @GeAssociati
K-M
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: submission@mabelagency.com
Mara Bevilacqua: Literary | Women's | Romance | Chick Lit | Fantasy | Science-Fiction | Mysteries | Crime | Family Saga | Adventure | YA | Non-Fiction | International Politics | Reportage | Narrative | Human Rights | Current Affairs
*The agency is currently closed to unsolicited manuscripts*
Twitter: @MaBeLAgency
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using online form.
Address to sole agent:
Silvia Meucci: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Accepts queries via their online form only in Italian or Spanish. No English.
*Opens to unsolicited queries on February 1st 2015*
Twitter: @MeucciAgency
N-R
Nabu International Literary & Film Agency
The agency is based in Florence.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
Silvia Brunelli: Fiction | Non-Fiction | staff@nabu.it
Query letter and synopsis only. Both within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
Worldwide submissions accepted in English, German, Polish or Spanish.
Piergiorgio Nicolazzini Literary Agency
The agency is based in Milan.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@pnla.it
Address to sole agent:
Piergiorgio Nicolazzini: Literary | Commercial | Non-Fiction | Current Affairs | Biography | Science | Business | Film | Media | Popular Culture | Music | Health | Self-Help | Travel & Adventure
Query letter only.
Represents authors based worldwide.
S-T
Roberto Santachiara Literary Agency
The agency is based in Pavia.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: agenzia@robertosantachiara.com
Address to one agent only:
Roberto Santachiara: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Francesca Sgaramella: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
The agency represents best-selling Italian authors and translation rights for well known English-language authors.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions: Vicki Satlow Literary Agency, Via Cenisio 16, 20154 Milano - Italy
E-mail submissions: info@vickisatlow.com
Address to sole agent:
Vicki Satlow: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter and a synopsis of no more than 1500 words. All within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
The agency also runs their own e-book publishing house for their authors.
Twitter: @VickiSatlowAgen
Studio Letterario Alef Literary Agency
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
Alessandro Bruciamonti: Commercial | Non-Fiction | bruciamonti@studioletterario.it
Query letter only.
Tempi Irregolari Literary Agency
The agency is based in Gorizia.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@tempirregolari.it
Address to one agent only:
Astrid Pesarino: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Stefano Bisacchi: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
Twitter: @Tempirregolari Literary agents Stefano Bisacchi @StefanoBisacchi
U-Z
Marco Vigevani Literary Agency
The agency is based in Milan.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: letture@marcovigevani.com
Address to one agent only.
Marco Vigevani: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Claire Sabatié-Garat: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Chiara Piovan: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter, synopsis, bio, and the first 5 pages. All within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
The agency actively encourages e-book publishing platforms as well as traditional ones.
Twitter: Literary agents Chiara Piovan @Lipstick