Finding a literary agent often feels like shouting into a void and hoping someone with a checkbook and a fancy New York office shouts back. But if you’re writing the kind of book that people actually talk about at dinner parties—the smart, sharp, "unputdownable" kind—then Allison Hunter literary agent is likely already on your radar.
She isn't just a gatekeeper. Honestly, she’s more of a tastemaker.
Hunter is a founding partner at Trellis Literary Management, a powerhouse agency she launched in 2021 alongside Michelle Brower and Stephanie Delman. Before that, she put in serious time at some of the industry's heaviest hitters: Janklow & Nesbit, InkWell Management, and the Stuart Krichevsky Literary Agency. She didn’t just wake up one day and decide to represent bestsellers. She spent years learning the gears of the machine, starting all the way back in 2005 at a publicity firm in LA.
What Allison Hunter Is Actually Looking For
If you’re looking for a pattern in her list, look for the "smart beach read."
That sounds like a contradiction, right? It’s not. She wants books that are incredibly fun to read but don’t treat the reader like they’re incapable of complex thought. Think upmarket book club fiction, women's fiction, and rom-coms that have a little more "meat" on their bones.
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She’s also a sucker for:
- Female friendship stories that feel messy and real.
- Campus novels (dark academia fans, take note).
- Family epics and sprawling love stories.
- Domestic suspense and thrillers that prioritize character over just "the twist."
On the nonfiction side, she's very specific. She loves working with journalists. If you are an expert in your field and can write about pop culture, women’s issues, or the "current cultural climate" without sounding like a textbook, you’re in her wheelhouse. She’s represented big names like Anne Helen Petersen, Charlotte Alter, and Zakiya Dalila Harris (author of The Other Black Girl).
The "No-Go" Zone: What Not to Query
Don't waste your time—or hers—sending something that’s clearly out of her lane. She’s been pretty vocal about her "hard pass" categories.
Basically, if it’s for kids, it’s a no. No YA, no middle grade, and no picture books. She’s also not the right fit for "hard" genre fiction. If your book is high fantasy with a 30-page map in the front, or a hard sci-fi space opera, keep moving. She’s also generally not looking for traditional memoirs where the only hook is "this happened to me." She wants narrative nonfiction that uses a personal story to interrogate a larger cultural trend.
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Oh, and if your thriller is a straightforward police procedural? Probably not for her. She wants the spiky, weird, and socially relevant stuff.
Why the Background Matters (Stanford and Law Degrees)
Most agents have a background in English lit. Hunter does too (from Stanford), but she also has a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.
That matters.
Why? Because publishing is a business of contracts. Having an agent who can dissect a 40-page publishing agreement with the eye of a lawyer is a massive advantage. She knows how to protect her authors. When you're looking at a multi-book deal with complex subsidiary rights, you want someone who isn't just "good with words" but "good with the fine print."
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The Trellis Literary Management Edge
Trellis isn't your grandfather’s literary agency. It was built to be modern, collaborative, and incredibly aggressive in a good way. Since founding the agency, Hunter and her partners have created a space that feels more like a boutique powerhouse than a corporate factory.
They work closely with co-agents for film and TV. This is crucial in 2026, where a book deal is often just the first step toward a Netflix series or a Hulu adaptation. Hunter’s track record with authors like Rosie Walsh (Ghosted) and Carola Lovering (Tell Me Lies) proves she knows how to pick stories that translate across different media.
Actionable Steps for Your Query
If you think your manuscript fits the "Allison Hunter vibe," here is how to actually get her attention without looking like an amateur.
- Perfect your comps. Don’t just list Great Gatsby. Use modern, relevant comparisons that show you know the current market. Think Dolly Alderton, Emily Henry, or Celeste Ng.
- Check the status. Agents open and close to queries constantly. Check the Trellis Literary Management website or QueryTracker before hitting send.
- The Hook is everything. In her interviews, Hunter often mentions that she needs to be "hooked" within the first few pages. If your story doesn't start until Chapter 4, fix it before querying.
- Follow the guidelines. It sounds boring, but send exactly what she asks for (usually a query letter and the first ten pages in the body of the email). No attachments. No "creative" formatting.
Read her favorite authors. Before you query, read a few books by her favorite non-client authors like Liane Moriarty or Curtis Sittenfeld. If your writing style feels like it could sit on a shelf next to them, you’re on the right track. Hunter looks for "narrative urgency." If your book has it, and it speaks to the way women live and think today, you might just find yourself on the Trellis roster.
Key Information Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Agency | Trellis Literary Management (Founding Partner) |
| Education | Stanford University (B.A.), University of Chicago Law School (J.D.) |
| Top Client Examples | Rosie Walsh, Anne Helen Petersen, Zakiya Dalila Harris |
| Primary Interests | Upmarket fiction, Rom-coms, Narrative Nonfiction, Pop Culture |
| Submission Method | Via Trellis Literary Management website/Query Manager |
The best way to approach a high-level agent like Allison Hunter is to treat your writing like a professional product. Ensure your manuscript is polished, your query is brief and punchy, and your "why me/why you" section is specific. Research her recent deals on Publishers Marketplace to see exactly what she has been selling in the last 12 months to ensure your project is a fit for her current list.