Writers House is one of the most prestigious literary agencies in publishing. Founded in 1973, they represent authors such as Nora Roberts, Neil Gaiman, and Stephenie Meyer; and nonfiction authors like Bruce Campbell, Stephen Hawking, and Bob Sullivan. Some of the literary agents at Writers House who accept nonfiction material include Daniel Lazar, Simon Lipskar, Susan Ginsburg, Albert Zuckerman, Susan Cohen, Merrilee Heifetz, Rebecca Sherman, Michele Rubin, Maya Rock, and Ken Wright. Each agent has his or her own preferences for genres and submissions, so check their guidelines before sending material.
Trident Media Group, LLC, is a large literary agency that represents a variety of genres. Robert Gottlieb and Dan Strone founded the agency in September 2000; the agency has gone on to make huge deals for successful clients like Mel Brooks, Eric Bogosian, Deepak Chopra, and Stephen Colbert. As of December 2009, nonfiction literary agents who take submissions include Eileen Cope, Alex Glass, Scott Miller, John Silbersack, and Ellen Levine. Check the Trident Media Group website for submission guidelines.
When trying to find a literary agent, consider agencies that are smaller in size — but no less prestigious — and agents who work solo. Some nonfiction literary agencies to consider include Curtis Brown, Ltd.; Donald Maass Literary Agency, the Bent Agency; Nelson Literary Agency, LLC; Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc.; FinePrint Literary Management; Foundry Literary and Media; Dystel & Goderich Literary Management; Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency and Harvey Klinger, Inc.