Jessica Larios-Zarate is a Northern California–based agent at Wave Literary who champions marginalized and intersectional voices across a wide spectrum of commercial, literary, and speculative fiction, plus narrative and historical nonfiction.
In brief
Larios-Zarate is a newer agent actively building her list — an opportunity for writers whose work fits her specific identity-forward focus.
Her fiction brief is unusually broad (commercial through literary through speculative), but a clear through-line unites it: she wants protagonists from underrepresented communities and does NOT want those stories to be 'issue-driven' — the identity should be lived-in, not the plot engine.
Her nonfiction lane is narrow but specific: Ancient History, Civil Rights, Indigenous History, and Historical Expeditions — War History is explicitly off the table.
With no confirmed deal record yet public, her sales relationships and commercial track record remain to be established — early queriers are betting on taste and trajectory, not a proven auction history.
She trained at two well-regarded agencies (Creative Media Agency and Dystel, Goderich & Bourret) and was part of the Writers House Mentor Initiative, signaling serious professional formation before launching at Wave Literary.
Lately
Introduced to the writing community as a new agent at Wave Literary, Larios-Zarate outlined a broad fiction wish list anchored by a single principle: she wants stories featuring LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and disabled protagonists whose narratives are not issue-driven — the identity is lived, not lectured.
What Jessica is looking for
Broad commercial appeal with protagonists from LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled communities. The identity should be organic to the character's world — she is explicit that she does not want the narrative to be issue-driven. She wants books that make her laugh, cry, swoon, or stay up talking about them.
Fiction that straddles the commercial and literary divide, with emotional resonance and strong voice. Same identity-forward lens applies — underrepresented protagonists whose stories transcend a single 'issue' framework.
Ambitious, voice-driven work featuring characters from marginalized and intersectional backgrounds. She values books that provoke conversation and stay with readers long after the last page.
Genre-driven mysteries and thrillers with LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, neurodivergent, and/or disabled leads. The emotional hook — surprise, suspense, stakes — matters as much as the plot mechanics.
Science fiction, fantasy, and adjacent speculative work centered on underrepresented voices. She gravitates toward stories that use speculative elements to illuminate human experience rather than as mere backdrop.
Story-driven nonfiction with a compelling through-narrative. No further subject restrictions stated beyond her overall identity-forward mandate.
Focused on four specific areas: Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, and Indigenous History. War History is explicitly excluded. Within these lanes she welcomes work that surfaces overlooked perspectives and underrepresented histories.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Jessica
Submit through the Wave Literary website's submission form — this is the official and only stated route; no direct email queries are indicated.
Lead with your protagonist's identity in a way that is specific and characterful, not as a diversity checkbox — she has explicitly said she wants identity to be organic, not issue-driven, so frame your character as a full person first.
Her emotional litmus test is memorable: she wants to laugh, cry, swoon, or be surprised — and above all to have a book she can't stop talking about. Your query letter should convey the emotional register of your story, not just its plot mechanics.
For nonfiction, anchor your pitch in one of her four named lanes (Ancient History, Historical Expeditions, Civil Rights Movements, Indigenous History) and avoid framing your work as war history even if there is military context — she has explicitly excluded that subject.
As a newer agent actively building her list, she may be more open to debut voices and unconventional projects than more established agents. Emphasize why your book is a conversation-starter.
Verify that the submission form is still accepting queries before you send — open/closed status can shift at any time.