A genre-spanning agent at a children's-and-adult house who builds across picture books, middle grade, YA, and adult fiction and nonfiction — chasing voice-driven, high-concept work with a speculative streak and a clear commitment to underrepresented voices.
In brief
One of the widest-ranging lists you'll find: Farkas actively acquires from picture books up through adult fiction and narrative nonfiction, so the gate is fit and execution, not category.
Across everything, the throughline is exemplary, voice-driven writing with a strong hook — often with a speculative or fabulist twist, even in otherwise grounded stories.
Their recent deals confirm real breadth: a picture book, upmarket adult fantasy, historical fiction, and YA all sold in a single 2025 stretch.
Diverse and historically underrepresented voices are a stated priority in every category.
Currently closed but recovering from a busy book-fair season and reading queries, with a reopening flagged as coming 'soon-ish' — time your submission accordingly.
Lately
Posted that they were finally catching their breath after a very busy book-fair season, working through queries, and hoping to reopen 'soon-ish.'
What Sam is looking for
A core focus. Farkas wants upmarket fiction with irresistible writing and a strong hook regardless of genre, with named appetites for lyrical, immersive fantasy with book-club appeal; fun fantasy that doesn't take itself too seriously; literary fiction with a fabulist or speculative bent; high-concept upmarket fiction; truly swoony 'romantasy' with crisp, tight writing; and historical fiction in particular.
Female-centric, twisty, edge-of-your-seat suspense; fast-paced thrillers with a light speculative element; and haunting, atmospheric horror that carries incisive social commentary. The common thread is propulsive pacing plus a hook that's hard to put down.
Retellings of under-served myths and legends (fairytales and non-Western stories yes; probably not Greek-myth retellings); 'weird' fiction that leans into the strange; and LitRPG, where Farkas is an enthusiastic fan and especially welcomes work that pays homage to beloved games and franchises.
Immersive narrative history that reads like a novel; food-and-beverage writing, especially memoir (not cookbooks); millennial/Gen-Z-minded self-help around connection and post-isolation life; cultural history and analysis (especially film and TV); timely essay collections; and beautifully written deep-dive pop science.
Bold, out-of-the-box MG that surprises. Particular pulls: contemporary that makes them laugh or cry (ideally both), contemporary with a light speculative element, stories about kids seeing adults as flawed, heavily illustrated humor, transportive fantasy, funny real-world adventures, mysteries, multi-timeline structures, LitRPG, puzzle/code-driven stories, and 'classic-feeling' MG built to last.
Again, the standout and surprising. Named loves: fun, fast-paced high-stakes fantasy that refreshes beloved tropes; weird, unexpected books; voice-driven contemporary that doesn't dodge hard subjects; tightly plotted thrillers and mysteries; and atmospheric horror.
A narrower door — select picture books with lots of kid appeal. Their recent picture-book sales show this is an active, not nominal, part of the list.
Not the right fit
Threads through Sam's deals
The deal record is unusually broad for a single agent: in one 2025 window Farkas placed picture books, an upmarket adult fantasy, a historical novel, and YA. This backs up the stated 'all categories' positioning with actual sales rather than aspiration — they really do work top to bottom of the age range.
The adult sales cluster around the speculative-meets-upmarket fantasy and historical fiction that the wishlist emphasizes — a sign the stated taste is real and bankable, not just a list of comps. If your project sits in immersive fantasy or richly textured historical, you're hitting a proven lane.
Their children's deals land at recognizable imprints — Disney, Chronicle, Bloomsbury, Peachtree Teen — indicating real traction for picture books and YA at major children's publishers despite picture books being framed as 'select.'
On Sam's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Sam
Lead with voice and a strong, clear hook — that's the constant across every category they take.
Format the subject line as the agency specifies: QUERY, your title and name, the age group and genre, and 'ATTN: Sam Farkas.' Attach materials as a .docx.
Name the category honestly; their list runs from picture books to adult, so fit and execution matter more than genre.
A speculative or fabulist angle is a plus even in otherwise grounded fiction — it's a recurring thread in what they seek and sell.
Diverse and underrepresented voices are an explicit priority across the board.
They were closed but reading and signaling a reopening — check the agency site for the current window before you send.