There are only around 30 literary agencies within the 3.8 million sq. miles of Canada. Therefore attracting their attention can be considerably challenging for a writer.
So it is no wonder that nearly 10% of published Canadian authors do not actually have a literary agent representing them at all.
There was a tendency for Canadian writers to approach literary agencies in the US instead. But the internet age has made this an option rather than a necessity.
A literary agent understands the publishing marketplace, whether it be in their country, or another.
Through conferences, international meetings, and liaising with sub-agents in other countries, a Canadian literary agent can bring the work of their clients to a worldwide readership. Some now even take on clients who live outside of Canada and the US.
Unless otherwise indicated, these literary agencies are based in Toronto.
Rick Broadhead & Associates
Website: Official Site
Genres: Non-Fiction | History | Politics | Business | Natural History | Environment | Current Affairs | Humor | Self-Help | National Security & Intelligence | Biography | Science | Popular Culture | Science | Health | Medicine | Military History
Does not accept: Fiction, Children’s Books.
E-mail submissions only: submissions@rbaliterary.com
Query Non-Fiction: Query letter only.
The Bukowski Agency
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Genre Fiction | Non-Fiction
Does not accept: Children’s Books.
Email submissions only: info@bukowskiagency.com
Currently looking for: Click here for regular updates.
All Queries: Query letter, a proposal, and a sample chapter. No attachments.
Note: Writers must be a resident of Canada to submit.
CookeMcDermid
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Crime Fiction | Mysteries & Thrillers | Horror | Science-Fiction | Fantasy | Children’s Books | YA | New Adult | Middle Grade | Non-Fiction | Popular Culture | Science | History | Politics | Business | Social Sciences | Self-Help | Memoirs | Psychology
E-mail submissions only: Agent specific. Click here for current agent availability and online form to submit.
All Queries: Query letter, brief bio, and the first 3 pages. All within the body of an e-mail.
Note: The agency welcomes international clients, and currently represents writers from Canada, US, the UK, New Zealand and Australia.
Donaghy Literary Group
The agency is based in Aurora, Ontario.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Commercial Fiction | Romantic Suspense | Mystery | Contemporary Romance | Historical Romance | Urban Fantasy | Thrillers | Erotica | New Adult | YA | Non-Fiction | Popular Culture | Biography
Email submissions: Using their Query Manager system.
All Queries: Query letter, synopsis, and the first 10 pages. All within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
The Helen Heller Agency
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified. Click here for their own requests.
All Queries: Query letter only.
P.S. Literary Agency
The agency is based in Oakville.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Romance | Women’s Fiction | World Literature | YA | Middle Grade | Picture Books | Mysteries & Thrillers | Non-Fiction | Business | History | Politics | Current Affairs | Health | Pop Science/Psychology | Memoir
E-mail submissions only: query@psliterary.com
Current Agent availability: Click here for regular updates on which agents are open to queries.
All Queries: Query letter only. No attachments.
Note: The agency also has an office in New York.
Beverley Slopen Literary Agency
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Non-Fiction | History | Anthropology | Biography | True Crime | Self-Help
E-mail submissions only: beverley@slopenagency.ca
All Queries: Query letter, and 2-3 pages. All within the body of an e-mail.
The Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction | Science | Nature | History | Travel | Politics | Popular Culture | Food | Lifestyle | Parenting | Memoir
Does not accept: Science-Fiction, Children’s Picture Books, or Poetry.
Note: Not currently accepting submissions.
Transatlantic Literary Agency, Inc.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Historical Fiction | Thrillers | Women’s Fiction | Children’s Books | YA | Middle Grade | Non-Fiction | Graphic Novels
E-mail submissions only: Agent specified. Click here for details.
All Queries: Query letter only.
Note: Agents based in Toronto, Boston, Portland, and New York.
Westwood Creative Artists
Website: Official Site
Genres: Literary Fiction | Commercial Fiction | Mysteries & Thrillers | Non-Fiction | Memoir | History | Biography | Biography | Science | Current Events
E-mail submissions only: submissions@wcaltd.com
Current Agent availability: Click here for regular updates on which agents are open to queries.
All Queries: Query letter, synopsis, and the first 10 pages. All within the body of an e-mail. No attachments will be opened.
Note: The largest literary agency in Canada.