Betsy Amster

The last time the agent had an active listing on Duotrope, the agent was affiliated with Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises

This agent is on indefinite hiatus from accepting queries. (August 2026)

About

Before opening the agency, principal Betsy Amster spent ten years as an editor at Pantheon and Vintage and two years as editorial director of the Globe Pequot Press. She has been described in the Los Angeles Times as “a dogged prospector of…literary talent” and celebrated in a profile in the American Society of Journalists and Authors newsletter for her “no-nonsense style and whimsical sense of humor.” She frequently speaks in PEN USA’s Emerging Voices Program and Portland State’s Publishing Program, teaches classes on publishing at UCLA Extension’s Writers Program and The Loft, and moderates panels at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books.
The agency’s areas of interest for adult projects include: Literary fiction, upscale commercial women’s fiction, voice-driven mysteries and thrillers, narrative nonfiction (especially by journalists), travelogues, memoirs (including graphic memoirs), social issues and trends, psychology, self-help, popular culture, women’s issues, history & biography, lifestyle, careers, health and medicine, parenting, cooking and nutrition, gardening, and quirky gift books. We do not represent romances, screenplays, poetry, westerns, fantasy, horror, science fiction, techno thrillers, spy capers, apocalyptic scenarios, self-published books, or political or religious arguments.

This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, assume your submission will not be accepted.

Country of Publication

United States

Professional Associations

Member of AALA

AI Policy

Unknown AI policy

Collapse section Fiction On Hiatus

Audience:

Adults.

Genres:

General Open to all/most Subgenres, including: Women's Fiction
Mystery/Crime Open to all/most Subgenres
Suspense/Thriller Open to all/most Subgenres

Lengths:

Novel

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Collapse section Nonfiction On Hiatus

Audience:

Adults.

Lengths:

Book

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.

Topics:

Children/Family: Parenting/Child care.
Health/Medicine.
History: General, Biographies.
Lifestyle: General, Cooking, Gardening.
Memoir.
Psychology.
Sexuality/Gender: Women/Female issues.
Society/Culture: Pop culture, Social issues.
Travel: See guidelines.
Other: See guidelines.

Submissions:

Method: Email.
Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

No recent cover image of a book represented by Betsy Amster available.

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Betsy Amster Submission Statistics

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Accuracy

We have received 1 report within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information.

Other Information

This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting a reasonable amount of time, assume your submission will not be accepted.
Date compiled: 20 Sep 2026 05:03 UTC (less than a minute ago).

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Dates

Last Updated: 14 Aug 2026