Jennifer De Chiara is a New York–based literary agent and founder of Jennifer De Chiara Literary Agency, known for championing a wide range of fiction and nonfiction across children's, young adult, and adult categories with a particular eye for authentic voice and commercial staying power.
In brief
Jennifer De Chiara founded their own agency, giving them unusual autonomy to build a roster that spans picture books through adult nonfiction — a breadth rarely seen at boutique shops.
The agency's name doubles as their personal brand: when you query Jennifer De Chiara, you are pitching the founder directly, which means editorial tastes are stable and decisions are not delegated.
Their submission portal was observed open as of April 2026, but boutique agency windows can shift quickly — always verify the live form before submitting.
Writers should treat this as a relationship-first agency: Jennifer De Chiara values voice and authenticity above trend-chasing, so lead with what makes your book irreplaceable, not what makes it marketable.
The agency's breadth is a double-edged signal for querying writers — it means De Chiara is genuinely eclectic, but it also means competition comes from every category, so a precise, well-targeted query letter matters enormously.
Lately
Agency submission portal observed as actively accepting queries across multiple categories, with no stated pause or moratorium in place.
What Jennifer is looking for
Jennifer De Chiara considers picture books, but the gate matters: they are interested in author-illustrators or manuscripts with a genuinely distinctive concept. Writers submitting text-only projects should confirm current appetite before querying, as selectivity in this category is high.
Character-driven stories with authentic emotional stakes and a strong sense of place or world. Adventure, contemporary, and light speculative are all in play. De Chiara gravitates toward voices that feel genuinely young without being condescending.
One of the agency's most active areas. Contemporary, literary, and genre-crossing YA all have a home here, particularly when the protagonist's interiority is vivid and the stakes feel real to a teenage audience. De Chiara is drawn to work that doesn't shy away from difficult topics when handled with craft.
Literary and upmarket commercial fiction with a strong narrative voice. De Chiara is interested in stories that have something genuine to say while still delivering a compelling read. Genre crossovers — especially literary thrillers or emotionally resonant speculative fiction — are welcome.
Nonfiction projects with a clear narrative through-line and a writer who has real authority on their subject. Memoir in particular benefits from a distinctive voice and a story arc that extends beyond the personal into something universally resonant.
Not the right fit
On Jennifer's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Jennifer
Submit through the agency's official online submission form — this is the primary and preferred intake channel; email queries sent outside the form are likely to be missed or deprioritized.
Personalize your query to Jennifer De Chiara specifically: mention a title or stated interest that demonstrates you have done targeted research, not a blanket submission.
Lead with voice. De Chiara's track record suggests a consistent preference for manuscripts where the narrator's perspective is immediately distinct — open your query with a line or two that showcases the prose itself, not just the plot.
Be precise about category and age range. The agency handles a wide span, so a query that clearly states 'YA contemporary' or 'adult literary fiction' signals professionalism and saves De Chiara from having to guess where the book belongs.
Include comparable titles published within the last three to five years. Choose comps that reflect tone and audience, not just subject matter — De Chiara is a discerning reader and generic comps suggest the writer hasn't read widely in their own category.
If submitting a picture book as a writer (not author-illustrator), address whether you have illustration concepts or a collaborator in mind — the selectivity in that category makes context valuable.
Keep the synopsis tight and focused on emotional stakes rather than plot mechanics. What does the protagonist lose if they fail? That question should be answerable in one sentence.
Confirm the live form is still open on the day you submit — agency windows at boutique firms can shift without a public announcement.