We accept email queries only.
To avoid falling into spam, the subject line MUST begin as follows: QUERY: (The title of the manuscript and any SHORT message you would like us to see should follow). We do not open email attachments, unless specifically requested by an agent. Your entire submission must appear in the body of the email and not as an attachment.
Queries not following the above guidelines will be deleted unread.
Fiction
Please email a query letter along with the first chapter of your manuscript and a synopsis pasted into the body of your email. Please be sure to include the genre and word count in your cover letter.
Illustrators & Picture Books
Picture book submissions should include a short query along with the entire manuscript in the body of email. Feel free to send 2-3 picture book submissions at one time (within the body of the email). Artwork is not required to submit a picture book text, but if you are an illustrator and/or seeking representation for artwork, please include a link to your online portfolio and a link to the online dummy. Please do not attach artwork to the email submission.
Non-fiction
Please email your full non-fiction proposal including a query letter and a sample chapter.
Please send your query to only one agent at a time.
Please go to the individual agent’s profiles to find the best person to represent your work. You are welcome to submit to another agent if the first one you submitted to passes, but you must wait for a response from that agent first. There is no need to query exclusively to Bradford Literary Agency. We encourage queries to be shared with multiple agencies, but we do ask that you inform us of any interest while we are still considering your work.
Laura Bradford: queries @ bradfordlit.com
Natalie Lakosil: Use this form
Sarah LaPolla: sarah @ bradfordlit.com
Kari Sutherland: Use this form
Jennifer Chen Tran: Use this form
***Please note that Natalie, Kari, and Sarah are currently CLOSED to queries. Natalie is open for queries by referral only. Kari is closed to submissions from December 13th, 2019 and will reopen on January 20th, 2020. Sarah will remain open to submissions requested from conferences, online pitch events, and contests, as well as previously requested revisions and official referrals. All unsolicited queries sent during this time will be deleted unread. In addition, any queries sent to Laura or Natalie’s personal emails will also be deleted unread.
It is our goal to respond to every query we receive. Our approximate response time for queries is 6 to 8 weeks.
We look forward to considering your work!