Agents open and close to queries on short notice — always confirm on the agency's official page before submitting.
What Jim is looking for
As an avid fiction reader, his interests encompass both literary and commercial works in the adult, young adult, and middle grade categories. He is particularly interested in literary fiction, underrepresented voices, fantasy, mysteries, romance, anything unusual or unexpected, and any book that makes him cry or laugh out loud. In addition to fiction he is also interested in narrative nonfiction whether it be memoir, history, or pop culture.
Notable sales & clients
- Jade City by Fonda Lee
- Save the Cat! Writes A Novel by Jessica Brody
- Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead
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Hear from Jim: interviews & talks
The fastest way to understand what an agent responds to is to hear them talk about it.
- 🎙 S2E4: Agent Jim McCarthy Rejected Both of Us — Write or Die Podcast (2019)
- 🎙 Middle Grade Ninja Episode 88: Literary Agent Jim McCarthy — Middle Grade Ninja (2020)
- Agent Advice: Jim McCarthy of Dystel & Goderich — Writer's Digest
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Frequently asked questions
Is Jim McCarthy open to queries right now?
Agents open and close to queries on short notice, so we don't display a live status. Check the agency's official submission page before querying — or subscribe to Agent Alert (free) to be notified the week agents like Jim open.
What genres does Jim McCarthy represent?
Jim McCarthy represents Fantasy, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Romance, Mystery, Literary Fiction, Memoir, Narrative Nonfiction.
How do I query Jim McCarthy?
Submit via QueryTracker. Submit via the official query link on this page.
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Profile compiled from public sources; last reviewed by the QueryAcademy research team on June 11, 2026. Agents open and close to queries frequently — always confirm against the agency's official guidelines before submitting. Spot an error or have an update? Suggest a correction or email hello@queryacademy.com.