Yona Levin is a United Talent Agency literary agent and foreign-rights coordinator who champions off-beat speculative fiction for young readers, character-driven adult literary fiction, and big-idea nonfiction — with a particular soft spot for humor, clever formats, and gymnastics.
In brief
Levin's wishlist skews distinctly literary and quirky: they invoke Terry Pratchett and The Mysterious Benedict Society as touchstones, signaling a strong preference for wit-forward, format-inventive children's fiction over mainstream YA trends like paranormal romance.
Their adult fiction appetite is narrow but specific — family sagas and character studies with a literary or magical-realist edge; genre-first commercial fiction (thriller, romance, SFF blockbusters) is not the play here.
Levin wears two hats at UTA: they sell and license books internationally for the whole agency AND build their own client list, which means authors they sign get foreign-rights attention baked in.
The wishlist contains unusually specific wish-list items — updated classic kids' series in the vein of Magic Tree House, gymnastics-themed stories, and nonfiction about internet communities — giving writers concrete hooks to match against their manuscripts.
Query status was observed as open in April 2026, but the wishlist profile carries a 'currently closed' flag — these two signals conflict. Confirm the live form state on UTA's website before submitting.
Lately
Levin's wishlist profile calls out several very specific gaps they want filled: a modern reimagining of classic episodic kids' series, nonfiction diving into the subcultures of the internet (fandoms, linguistic communities, online activism), and any project — fiction or nonfiction — centered on gymnastics.
What Yona is looking for
Levin wants MG that is inventive, funny, and a little eccentric — not the safe commercial center. They're drawn to clever children who outsmart adults, pirate adventures, and fairy-tale retellings with a twist. The benchmark is the wit and world-building of Terry Pratchett (particularly the Tiffany Aching arc) and the ensemble puzzle-solving energy of The Mysterious Benedict Society. Format experimentation is welcome. LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent perspectives are actively sought across MG. They'd especially love to see modern updates of beloved classic kids' series (in the tradition of Magic Tree House or Boxcar Children) and anything centered on gymnastics.
Levin gravitates toward YA that sits off the well-worn path — speculative and fantasy titles that bring something fresh rather than following current trends (think literary, offbeat, Pratchett-esque rather than vampire or academy-drama fare). They're also drawn to adventure, humor, and unconventional structures. LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent voices are a stated priority. The Last True Poets of the Sea is a named touchstone, pointing toward emotionally resonant, character-rich contemporary YA as well.
Family sagas and character-driven narratives are the core interest in adult fiction. Levin also welcomes magical realism and grounded speculative fiction that keeps character at the center — the kind of speculative premise that illuminates human experience rather than driving plot spectacle. Stories about single-parent families are a specific wish-list callout.
Levin seeks nonfiction that reframes how readers understand the world — fresh angles on familiar subjects rather than conventional expertise books. Particularly interested in explorations of internet communities (fandoms, online linguistics, digital activism), cultural criticism, pop culture, feminism, and LGBTQ+ perspectives. The bar is a genuinely novel framework, not just solid reporting.
Not the right fit
Taste fingerprint
How to query Yona
Submit through the query form on UTA Publishing's website — that is the only accepted submission channel; email queries to individuals at the agency are not the correct route.
CRITICAL: Confirm the form is currently open before submitting. As of April 2026, open and closed signals conflict between sources. Do not assume open.
If your project hits one of Levin's specific wish-list items — gymnastics, a modern update of a classic episodic kids' series, or nonfiction about internet communities — name that connection explicitly in your query letter; Levin has made these wishes unusually public, and a direct callout shows you've done your homework.
For MG and YA, lead with what makes your book's tone or format distinctive, and avoid comparisons to mainstream paranormal or academy-drama titles. Pratchett-esque wit or puzzle-mystery ensemble energy is the kind of signal Levin responds to.
For adult fiction, anchor the pitch in character and relationship before plot mechanics. If your novel has magical-realist elements, foreground the human stakes.
For nonfiction, open with the reframing argument — what does your book make readers see differently? — rather than credentials or subject coverage.
LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent perspectives are a stated priority across all age categories; if your work centers these identities, say so clearly early in the query.
Levin explicitly does not want mystery/thriller/suspense or romance — do not attempt to soften or reframe a genre project in those categories.