John Cusick An agent with Folio Literary Management (see other agents at this agency). About I represent a diverse list award winners and New York Times bestsellers. My focus is middle grade and young adult novels, as well as genre fiction (sci-fi, fantasy, thriller, horror) in the YA-adult crossover space.I graduated Wesleyan University in 2007 with a double major in English and Russian Literature—a degree one professor called “fun but useless.” After working as a freelance writer, bookseller, dog walker, cashier, and radio host, I became a literary agent’s assistant and quickly began building my own list. Around the same time I also became an author; my young adult novels, Girl Parts and Cherry Money Baby, were published by Candlewick Press. My middle-grade, Dimension Why, was released by Harper Collins in 2020.As a writer myself, I bring both a creative and commercial sensibility to my agenting style. I’m an editorial agent who works closely with my clients, whether it’s developing a debut project or helping a seasoned author take that next step. My goal is to match writers with their dream editor, secure the best deals possible, facilitate the exploitation of dramatic (film and TV) rights in my clients’ work, and grow authors’ readership over long careers.I am passionate about helping clients achieve their full potential, and I’m looking for dedicated, original, fervent, visionary creators. This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting 30 days, assume your submission will not be accepted. Country United States AI Policy Human-created work only; no AI use allowed Statistics Synopsis FasterJohn Cusick's overall average response time is faster than most agents. Fiction Open I’m seeking unique voices in middle-grade, young adult and new adult / crossover fiction, as well as adult romance and rom-com, fantasy and romantasy, and horror. I want stories that move readers, moments that make me look up and say “Wow, yes. I’ve felt that," and books that remind us why we love reading.I want compelling page-turners that create life-long readers, stories that will inspire fandoms, characters readers will cosplay as, obsess over, and never forget. I'm especially interested in stories from voices underrepresented in fiction: BIPOC, queer and LBTQIA+, neurodiversity, and chronic illness. I love the strange, iconoclastic, and unusual. Send me the books kids will sneak / steal / borrow in secret. Those intimate, dangerous, life-saving stories.I love proactive protagonists, someone chasing a dream or a hero who swings in with a song in her heart and a knife in her teeth. I love characters unafraid to be vulnerable, willing to open their hearts and risk it all for love.Audience:Open to a broad Audience, including: Adults, Middle grades, Young adults.Genres: Open to all/most Genres, including: General Open to all/most Subgenres Fantasy Open to all/most Subgenres Horror Open to all/most Subgenres Science Fiction Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: NovelStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Submissions:Method: QueryTracker. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to agent's webpage Report: Submission/Query Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:X (Twitter) @johnmcusickFacebook FacebookInstagram @folioliteraryX (Twitter) @FolioLiterary For the Agent: Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Agent Impersonation Scams are becoming commonplace.A legitimate agent will not contact you and request money to represent you. Never pay an agent an up-front fee. That is not how literary agent representation works. Agents earn a commission only after they've landed a publishing deal for you. Also, agents scarcely ever contact writers. If an agent that you haven't queried contacts you about representation, be suspicious. Look up the agent and check if the email address is correct for that agent/agency. John Cusick Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the agency or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: Group by submission Include outliers Include other agents at the same agency Accuracy We have received 9 reports from 8 different members within the past 12 months. The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Days Reported 2 min | 62.4 mean avg | 43.0 median | 222 max days (264.9 std dev) Other Information The agent will try to make a decision within 30 days. (77.8 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 30 days.) This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting the time indicated above, assume your submission will not be accepted. Most recent response reported was received on 04 Feb 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 19 Jan 2026. Date compiled: 15 Sep 2026 03:01 UTC (2 hours, 44 minutes ago). Work submitted to this agent was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted by this agent also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Other Agents at this AgencyJan BaumerJamie Chambliss DNQSonali ChanchaniClaudia Cross DNQDado DerviskadicRachel Ekstrom DNQRoger Freet DNQLauren HallMichael HarriotErin HarrisScott Hoffman DNQJeff Kleinman DNQJenna Land FreeKatherine LatshawEstelle LaureWill Murphy DNQErin NiumataKatherine Odom-TomchinRuth Pomerance DNQMarcy PosnerAdriann Ranta Zurhellen CLOSEDQuressa RobinsonJeff Silberman DNQLauren SpiellerMargaret Sutherland BrownHannah TeachoutSteve Troha DNQEmily van BeekFrank WeimannMelissa White DNQ Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. 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