Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and home to the first major publication in Spanish literature, when towards the end of his life, Isidore of Seville released his magnum opus in 600 AD, Etymologiae. Consisting of 448 chapters in a 20 volume etymological encyclopaedia, the work was still being used as the leading reference guide hundreds of years later. So it was a popular canonisation in 1598 when he was ordained a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
Although other leading literary works never resulted in Sainthood, their importance to the history of Spanish literature is undeniable. When the epic poem Cantar de Mio Cid was published anonymously in the late 12th century / early 13th century it initiated a literary investigation into its authorship that continues to this day. However, despite the sheer volume of scholars and critics who have dedicated portions of their lives to uncovering the mystery of the author, the investigation remains unsolved.
No such investigation was needed in the early 17th century or today as to the author of The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. Regarded as the first great novel of Spanish literature, it has since gone on to be heralded as the greatest novel ever released in Spanish. Although the novel brought international recognition to Miguel de Cervantes it never made him rich. However, in the years that have passed since his death in 1616, the novel has kept selling, and selling, and selling. With over 500 million copies sold, Don Quixote is now the best-selling novel ever written.
Unfortunately, the growth in unique voices in Spanish literature throughout the subsequent centuries was brought to an abrupt censorship after The Spanish Civil War by the dictatorship of Franco. It was not until his death in 1975 that Spain began to rediscover its voice again. Consequently, the literary agencies operating today are relatively new in comparison to the longevity seen in other countries.
This initial batch of Spain literary agencies, will expand throughout the year. If they have a Twitter account it is also included below. 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 these agency websites, send them an e-mail, or follow them on Twitter, simply click on the relevant links provided.
A-G
The agency is based in Madrid.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions: contacta@acerliteraria.com
Address to one agent only:
Spanish and Latin American Authors:
Elizabeth Atkins: Fiction | Non-Fiction
French, German, and Spanish Authors:
Laure Merle d'Aubigné: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
Founded in 1959 they are one of the oldest literary agencies in Spain.
The agency is based in Madrid.
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using online form.
*The agency handles translation rights only and is not open to unsolicited manuscripts.*
Twitter: @bookbankagency
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@brandtnewagency.com
Address to one agent only:
Carina Brandt: Literary | Commercial | YA | Non-Fiction
Lisette Verhagen: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter and synopsis only. If interested the agency will request sample chapters.
The agency accepts works written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, Spanish or Catalan.
Twitter: @BrandtNewAgency Literary agents Lisette Verhagen @Lisetteverhagen
H-K
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@theklfagency.com
Address to 'Submissions' and manuscript will be passed to a suitable agent.
Query letter, synopsis, bio, and the full manuscript as a Word or PDF attachment.
Twitter: @KLFagency
L-N
Genres: Fiction | Children's Books | YA
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified.
Address to sole agent:
Elena Martinez Blanco: Thrillers | Science-Fiction | Fantasy | Horror | Romance | Children's Books | YA | elenamartinezagenteliteraria@gmail.com
Query letter only.
Twitter: @Laetus_Cultura
Virginia López-Ballesteros Literary Agency
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not represent: Poetry, Fantasy, or Science-Fiction.
Postal submissions: Agencia literaria Virginia López-Ballesteros, Avda Menéndez y Pelayo nº 15, 28009 Madrid, Spain
E-mail submissions: agencialiteraria@vlopez-ballesteros.com
Virginia López-Ballesteros: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter, synopsis and the first 30 pages as a Word or PDF attachment. If sending by post include a self addressed stamped envelope.
The agency represents Spanish and French speaking authors.
O-R
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions: Página Tres Agencia Literaria, S.L. C/ València nº268 Principal 2ª, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
E-mail submissions:
Address to one agent only:
Piluca Vega: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Fernando Riquelme: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Victòria Sanjuán: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
The agency also offers proofreading and critique services.
Twitter: @pagina_tres Literary agents Victòria Sanjuán @Vic_Sanjuan
Margarita Perelló Literary Agency
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: mperello@margaritaperello.com
*The agency predominately handles translation rights and is not open to unsolicited manuscripts*
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Using online form.
Address to one agent only:
Marina Penalva: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Beatriz Chamussy: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Leticia Vila-Sanjuán: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Maria Cardona: Fiction | Non-Fiction
English Authors Only:
Jessica Craig: Fiction | Non-Fiction
All agents: Query letter only.
The agency is also a film production company.
Twitter: @PontasAgency Literary agents Marina Penalva @marinaphalpin Leticia Vila-Sanjuán @letivilasanjuan Jessica Craig @barcelonagent Maria Cardona @mmcardona
S-T
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: contact@ellasher.com
Address to sole agent:
Ella Sher: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter, synopsis, bio, and the first 50 pages.
Twitter: @EllaSherLitAg
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: christian.marti@eurotransmit.com
Address to sole agent:
Christian Martí-Menzel: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Query letter only.
The agency actively supports writers from Eastern Europe.
U-Z
Julio F. Yañez Literary Agency
The agency does not have a website.
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions: Julio F. Yañez Agencia Literaria S.L, Via Augusta 139, 6˚-2a Barcelona, 08021, Spain
E-mail submissions: Agent specified.
Montse F-Yañez: Fiction | Non-Fiction | Biography | History | Sociology | Technology | montse@yanezag.com
Query letter only.