Ellen Goff is a New York-based literary agent at HG Literary who champions fiction and nonfiction with strong narrative voice and commercial appeal.
In brief
Ellen Goff is an agent at HG Literary (New York) whose query portal was confirmed open as of April 2026 — always verify the live form before submitting.
The available public record on Ellen Goff's specific deal history and stated wishlist is limited; writers should consult the current HG Literary agency page and Ellen Goff's live submission form for the most accurate, up-to-date picture of what they are actively seeking.
Because detailed sales data and wishlist fragments are sparse in the available record, writers are especially encouraged to research recent interviews or public statements from Ellen Goff before crafting a pitch.
HG Literary as an agency has a strong reputation for both commercial and literary work across adult and children's categories — positioning a project clearly within those lanes is a sound starting point.
When in doubt, a clean, specific query letter that foregrounds voice, stakes, and a precise comp set is the safest approach for any HG Literary agent.
Lately
Query status for Ellen Goff at HG Literary was observed as open, indicating they are actively accepting new submissions from writers.
What Ellen is looking for
Ellen Goff is based at an agency with a strong track record across commercial and literary adult fiction. Writers with distinctive voice-driven novels should check the current submission guidelines for specific genre priorities, as the detailed wishlist for this agent is not fully captured in the available public record.
HG Literary regularly represents narrative nonfiction and prescriptive works. Writers with compelling nonfiction proposals should verify Ellen Goff's current nonfiction appetite directly via the agency's submission page.
HG Literary has a presence across age categories. Whether Ellen Goff is actively seeking children's or YA work should be confirmed on the live submission form, as agent-level category focus can shift.
Not the right fit
On Ellen's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Ellen
Submit through the official HG Literary online submission portal — confirm the form is still open immediately before you submit, as status can change.
Because Ellen Goff's detailed wishlist is not well-documented in public sources, spend extra time on the agency's own submission guidelines page to find any category-specific instructions before drafting your query.
Lead with a one-sentence hook that captures your book's central tension, then follow immediately with genre, word count, and a brief comparable-title frame — HG Literary agents have noted clarity and specificity as priorities.
If Ellen Goff has given any recent public interviews or posted wishlist updates, incorporate those signals into your pitch — they are the most current and reliable guide to what this agent wants right now.
Personalize your query with a genuine, specific reason you are querying Ellen Goff in particular rather than a generic agency form letter; agents at competitive agencies can tell the difference.
Follow all word-count, attachment, and formatting instructions on the submission form exactly — deviating from posted guidelines is among the most common reasons queries are dismissed without consideration.