Sarah Nicolas is an independent literary agent who personally responds to every query and maintains a transparent, writer-first approach to submissions.
In brief
The most striking signal from the available data is operational, not editorial: Sarah Nicolas publicly commits to responding to every single query — an increasingly rare practice in contemporary agenting.
As an independent agent, Sarah Nicolas operates outside a traditional agency structure, which means submission guidelines and category focus should be verified directly through their current channels before querying.
A recent public post (April 2026) confirms Sarah Nicolas was actively working through a query backlog, suggesting they were open to queries as of that date — but writers should verify current status before submitting.
Sarah Nicolas explicitly rejects automated 'closed/no-response' query statuses as inaccurate, signaling a strong preference for direct, human communication with writers.
Lately
Since I'm opening to queries in 80 minutes, here are my top wishlist items: 1) queer or feminist or bipoc mystery or domestic thriller that is FUN to read and has something to say 2) upmarket sffh/speculative with a killer hook and voice set in the south, the Midwest, Appalachia, or rural FL
I'll be taking pitches here! See my full wishlist at www.sarahnfisk.com
Another reason you want to read the comp titles you decide to use in a query, is so you dont say "it's like COMP TITLE but with [element]!" when [element] is a core part of COMP TITLE's climax and resolution
I've responded to all queries sent before October 1! I know i'm behind but I'm working on it, promise! This is your reminder that i respond to all queries & request no nudges unless I've announced I've passed your submission date. Also a reminder that QM's automatic marking of a query as CNR is bs
I keep getting queries that refer to my "interest in historical settings" and... is this an AI thing? My wishlist mentions historical twice and both times it's as something I don't want. Is it because I'm technically open to historical fiction on qm?
Sarah Nicolas posted publicly that they had responded to all queries received before October 1 and were continuing to work through their queue. They reiterated their policy of responding to every query and asked writers not to send nudges unless they have announced the submission date has passed. Notably, they pushed back against automated query-management tools that mark unanswered queries as 'closed/no response,' calling that designation inaccurate.
What Sarah is looking for
Specific current category preferences are not confirmed in available sources. Writers should consult Sarah Nicolas's current submission guidelines directly for up-to-date wish list information. What is confirmed is their commitment to reading and responding to all queries received.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Sarah
Do NOT send a nudge or follow-up unless Sarah Nicolas has publicly announced that your submission date has passed — they have explicitly asked writers to respect this policy.
Sarah Nicolas responds to every query, so if you have not heard back, your query is still in the queue, not lost.
Verify current open/closed status and category preferences directly before submitting, as this profile lacks confirmed wish list details.
Because Sarah Nicolas is an independent agent, submission guidelines may be hosted on a personal website or social channels rather than a traditional agency page — seek those out for the most accurate, current instructions.