Paige Wheeler is the founder of Creative Media Agency and a veteran of 30+ years in publishing — editor, TV agent, and book agent combined — who hunts for high-concept, voice-driven fiction and practical or narrative nonfiction with genuine commercial legs.
In brief
Paige Wheeler founded Creative Media Agency in 1997 and has been in the publishing industry since 1991, bringing an unusually broad background as a former book editor, TV agent, and literary agent — that editorial-plus-screen lens shapes the kind of high-concept, character-driven projects they champion.
Their submission form was confirmed closed as of late January 2026; writers should verify the live form before querying.
Wheeler's stated wishlist spans a wide range — women's fiction, book club fiction, contemporary romance, crime/thriller, YA, middle grade, and multiple nonfiction categories — signaling a generalist sensibility anchored by voice and commercial viability rather than a narrow genre niche.
International rights flow through sub-agent Taryn Fagerness, and Wheeler handles dramatic, audio, and other rights directly — a useful signal that the agency actively works subsidiary rights, not just primary sales.
Wheeler is a member of AALA, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Women's Media Group, indicating genuine community engagement across the genre categories they represent.
Lately
Wheeler's submission form was confirmed closed in late January 2026. Writers should monitor the agency's online form for any reopening before sending a query.
What Paige is looking for
Wheeler wants women's fiction that is relatable and emotionally grounded, with room for suspense or a focus on pivotal life transitions. Think commercial but substantial — books that feel both entertaining and meaningful, with strong female perspectives at the center.
Commercially appealing literary fiction designed for group conversation — layered plots, memorable characters, and enough ambiguity or emotional complexity to spark debate. Wheeler wants the kind of novel that dominates reading-group lists.
Wheeler wants contemporary romance that charms completely — witty, warm, and emotionally satisfying with a fresh angle. The bar is high: projects should feel like a genuine reader experience, not a formula execution.
Wheeler is actively seeking crime, mystery, thriller, and suspense — across the full spectrum from psychological domestic thriller to propulsive crime narratives. Atmospheric, tightly plotted, with a strong sense of place or character distinctiveness preferred.
Wheeler gravitates toward aspirational memoirs rooted in a specific place, experience, or transformative journey — books with a strong sense of adventure, self-discovery, or cultural immersion. Travel memoir is a noted sweet spot.
Wheeler wants narrative nonfiction that reads with the momentum of a novel — deep research worn lightly, with a compelling human story at its core. Science, history, and social subjects all have a place here.
Motivational and empowerment nonfiction aimed at women, with an emphasis on inspiration over instruction. Voice and personal authority matter enormously — Wheeler wants to be moved, not just informed.
Practical business and leadership books with a fresh framework or a distinctive authorial voice, particularly those with a professional-women or entrepreneurial angle.
Wheeler wants practical nonfiction that genuinely teaches the reader something — books with a clear, useful premise delivered with authority and verve. Strong concepts and actionable takeaways are the priority.
Wheeler is open to YA across multiple modes: grounded contemporary, fast-paced mystery, and high-stakes dystopian. Voice and emotional authenticity are paramount; the YA comps Wheeler cites tend toward the bestselling, broadly appealing end of the market.
Wheeler welcomes middle grade with heart and imagination — contemporary stories about belonging, whodunits with kid-detective energy, and fantastical adventures built around libraries, learning, and wit. Strong series potential is likely a plus given the comps cited.
Not the right fit
On Paige's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Paige
The submission form is the only accepted route — do not email a cold query; older sources reference a direct email address but the agency has moved to the form exclusively.
Check the live form status before doing anything else: as of late January 2026 the form was confirmed closed, and submitting to a closed form is wasted effort.
Wheeler's own language emphasizes 'high concept' and 'fresh, unique voice' above all else — your query letter must lead with a crisp, single-sentence hook that captures both the premise and the distinctiveness of the narrative voice.
The comps Wheeler names in the wishlist are revealing: they skew toward recent commercial bestsellers with strong reader communities (book clubs, romance readers, YA fandoms). Frame your comps in that same commercial-but-quality register — avoid obscure or overly literary titles.
Wheeler specifically mentions being drawn to stories that let a reader 'experience something they've always wanted to do' and characters who 'grip by the hand' — use the query to convey the experiential quality of the read, not just the plot mechanics.
The agency actively manages international rights (via sub-agent Taryn Fagerness) and dramatic rights (directly through Wheeler) — if your project has clear adaptation potential, a brief note in the query is worth including.
Include the first five pages of the manuscript in your submission, as the agency guidelines request — even if the form does not explicitly prompt for them, having them ready ensures compliance.
Wheeler belongs to MWA and RWA among other organizations, signaling genuine genre community investment; writers querying crime or romance should feel confident their work will be understood on its own genre terms.