Daniel Lazar is a senior agent at Writers House, New York, whose deal record spans commercial fiction, literary fiction, and nonfiction—making them a strong match for writers with broad audience appeal and a distinctive voice.
In brief
Daniel Lazar is based at Writers House, one of the most powerful literary agencies in the US, giving their clients direct access to major publishers across all imprints.
Their deal record skews toward commercial and upmarket fiction as well as narrative nonfiction, suggesting a preference for work that balances literary ambition with genuine marketability.
Writers House has deep relationships with the Big Five and their imprints—querying Lazar means querying an agent with real placement muscle.
Query status was observed as open in April 2026, but status can change quickly; always confirm on the live submission form before sending.
The raw data available for this profile is limited—writers should supplement this overview with Lazar's own agency page and any recent public interviews before querying.
Lately
Query status observed as open in mid-April 2026, indicating Lazar is actively accepting new submissions at that time.
What Daniel is looking for
Lazar is drawn to fiction that sits at the intersection of literary craft and broad commercial appeal—stories with a strong hook, a distinctive narrative voice, and characters readers genuinely care about. Think page-turning momentum without sacrificing depth.
Ambitious, voice-driven literary novels are welcome, particularly those with an emotional core that connects with a wide readership rather than a purely academic audience.
Compelling true stories told with novelistic pacing and deep research. Lazar responds to nonfiction that has a clear commercial hook as well as a meaningful cultural angle.
Not the right fit
On Daniel's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Daniel
Submit through the Writers House website query form, following the submission guidelines posted there — they are the authoritative source for what Lazar currently wants and how to format your pitch.
Confirm open/closed status on the live form itself before submitting; snapshot dates (like April 2026) can go stale quickly.
Write a query letter that leads with the hook and stakes of your book in the first paragraph — agents at major New York houses receive high query volumes and a slow-building query risks being passed over.
Be precise about genre and word count; Writers House agents work across a wide range, so clarity about where your book sits commercially helps Lazar evaluate fit quickly.
If you have relevant publication credits, platform, or expertise that strengthens your project (especially for nonfiction), include a brief bio paragraph.
Do not attach unsolicited full manuscripts or large files unless the submission guidelines explicitly request them.
Personalize your query with a specific, genuine reason why you are querying Lazar in particular — vague 'I found you on a list' openers are less compelling than a real connection to their track record or stated interests.