Dara Hyde is a Senior Agent at Hill Nadell Literary Agency whose core hunting ground is adult literary fiction, YA, and middle grade — in both prose and graphic novel form — with a strong pull toward socially resonant stories and voices historically underrepresented in publishing.
In brief
Dara's stated priorities — literary fiction, YA, MG, and graphic novels — are consistent across every available signal, making this an unusually coherent target for writers in those lanes.
The breadth of formats Hyde explicitly welcomes (prose AND graphic novel at every age level) is rare among agents; author-illustrators and comics writers have a genuine advocate here.
Hyde's taste descriptors consistently emphasize character complexity over concept alone — a high-concept premise without deep character work is likely to be passed on, no matter how clever the hook.
Hyde is deeply embedded in the L.A. literary and academic conference circuit, suggesting strong relationships with university MFA programs and the West Coast indie publishing ecosystem.
Query status was directly observed as CLOSED in mid-2022; writers must verify the live form before submitting, as the current state is unconfirmed.
Lately
Hyde's own agency profile frames their current focus as adult literary fiction, YA, and MG in both prose and graphic novel formats — a consistent and narrower articulation than their full genre list might suggest.
What Dara is looking for
This is Hyde's stated primary focus for adult prose. They are drawn to work that wrestles with social issues through a fresh lens, features characters who are flawed and evolving rather than fully formed, and rewards close attention to language. Crossover appeal — books that blur the line between literary and commercial — is a particular draw.
Contemporary YA is listed as a favorite sub-genre. Hyde wants YA that explores family bonds (both biological and chosen), centers underrepresented voices, and leaves the reader genuinely changed. High concept is welcome, but only if matched by strong characterization and precise prose.
Literary MG is an explicitly named favorite. Hyde is interested in MG that handles real social and emotional complexity with the same craft expectations applied to adult literary fiction — not issue-book didacticism, but earned, character-driven depth.
Hyde explicitly represents graphic novels in adult, YA, and MG formats — an unusual breadth. Their personal taste runs from alternative/literary comics to genre-bending superhero narratives, suggesting openness to a wide tonal range as long as the storytelling craft is strong.
Domestic suspense and literary noir are both named as favorite sub-genres, sitting at the intersection of Hyde's love for literary craft and genre momentum. Think character-driven crime or thriller work with real prose ambition rather than pure plot-machine thrillers.
Hyde takes nonfiction across several categories including history, memoir, humor, illustrated books, true crime, and pop culture. The literary standards and preference for underrepresented perspectives that apply to fiction likely apply here too — a distinctive voice and a genuine point of view matter.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Dara
Verify the live form status before doing anything else — the last observed state was closed (mid-2022) and that may have changed in either direction.
Do not query Dara Hyde and another Hill Nadell agent for the same project simultaneously; the agency explicitly asks writers to query only one agent at a time.
If you submit electronically via the form, do not also send a hard copy — pick one method only.
Hyde responds to the specificity of your social lens: name the underrepresented voice or social issue your book engages, and be precise about how your treatment is fresh rather than familiar.
High concept is a door-opener but not a closer — your query letter needs to demonstrate character depth and prose intentionality, not just a clever premise.
If your work has genuine crossover appeal (YA/adult, or genre-blending), say so explicitly and explain the blend; Hyde lists this as an active interest.
Graphic novel submitters: Hyde is one of the few agents who explicitly welcomes comics-format work across all age categories — name your format clearly in the query.
Expect an 8–10 week response window, and note that the agency may not respond to all submissions given volume.