Ritu Anand is a writer-turned-agent at D4EO Literary Agency who champions debut voices across kidlit, literary fiction, general fiction, and historical fiction, with a particular passion for bringing underrepresented and diverse stories into the world.
In brief
Ritu joined D4EO in Spring 2023 and is actively building her list, making her an especially promising target for debut authors who might be overlooked by more established agents.
Her stated wish list is unusually broad — spanning picture books through adult literary fiction — so writers should be specific about category and audience in their query letter to help her place the work quickly.
Her explicit emphasis on 'debut voices' and diverse/underrepresented authors is a meaningful signal, not boilerplate: she frames her entire mission around giving first-time writers a path to publication.
No confirmed sales record is publicly available yet, which is consistent with her recent entry into agenting; writers should weigh the trade-off between a lighter track record and a genuinely hungry, writer-identified advocate.
She is a working writer herself, which typically signals strong editorial instincts and deep empathy for the drafting and revision process — a practical advantage for debut authors navigating their first round of editorial notes.
Lately
A writer noted publicly that they had begun their submission journey with Ritu Anand, suggesting she was actively receiving and considering queries from debut authors at that time.
What Ritu is looking for
Actively seeking picture book manuscripts. As an agent who is also a writer and who centers debut voices, she is likely receptive to fresh, character-driven concepts. Diverse and underrepresented creators are explicitly encouraged to submit.
Looking for middle grade novels across a range of tones and themes. Debut voices from underrepresented backgrounds are especially welcome.
Seeking YA novels broadly. No specific subgenre is called out, suggesting openness across contemporary, historical, and literary YA — though she explicitly excludes paranormal and sci-fi, so speculative YA should avoid those lanes.
Wants literary drama, fairy tale retellings, and fiction written in verse. The inclusion of verse fiction is a distinctive and relatively rare appetite — poets writing long-form narrative fiction should take note.
Her general fiction appetite spans women's fiction, drama, humor, realistic fiction, satire, and tragedy. The range signals an interest in emotionally resonant, character-led stories rather than plot-driven genre fare. Humorous and satirical voices are an interesting niche here — not many agents name those explicitly.
Specifically calls out women's historical fiction, historical romantic fiction, and historical fantasy. This is one of her most precisely defined areas of interest, suggesting genuine enthusiasm. Historical fantasy is notably included here even though she excludes speculative genres more broadly — the historical grounding appears to be the key qualifier.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Ritu
Send a query letter plus the first twenty pages of your manuscript to ritu@d4eo.com — this is her stated, specific preference, so do not deviate from this format.
Identify your category and target audience clearly in the first paragraph; her wish list is wide, and she needs to know instantly whether your book is a picture book, MG, YA, or adult title.
Lead with the fact that you are a debut author if applicable — her entire agenting philosophy centers on debut voices, and naming that alignment signals you have done your homework.
If you are a writer from a diverse or underrepresented background, stating that in your query is not just acceptable — she explicitly invites it.
If you are submitting historical fantasy, make the historical grounding prominent; she excludes paranormal and sci-fi, so the 'fantasy' label alone could get you filtered out before she reads far enough to see the historical setting.
Fiction in verse is a genuine appetite for her — do not bury that in the query. If your manuscript is written in verse, say so in the subject line or opening sentence.
Keep the tone of your query letter warm but professional; as a writer herself, she will respond to craft in the letter as much as in the pages.
Double-check her agency page for any format updates before sending, as submission guidelines can change.