Our unique approach

  • Our agents keep 100% of their commission, allowing them to make a living and be fully invested in their authors and projects.

  • Author clients sign with one of our agents, not the MG&L agency. This means that if your agent decides to leave MG&L, your relationship is not affected.

  • Agents benefit by being part of the MG&L Collaborative—a place where we learn together, grow together, benefitting from one another’s success.

Welcome to the collaborative

We are a boutique literary agency, and since 2006, we have supported writers and their careers. We’ve agented over one thousand books and guided hundreds of authors. We’ve always been more interested in doing what’s best for the client rather than chasing one-and-done book deals. In other words, we’ll pick up the phone whether or not there’s money to be made. It’s a promise that has established us as a trustworthy, reliable literary agency that authors and publishers enjoy doing business with.

In an ever-changing industry, you need an agent who can secure a great deal and help you think big picture about your career.

Founded by Chip MacGregor in 2006 as MacGregor Literary, the agency took on a new name—MacGregor & Luedeke—in 2008 when Amanda Luedeke was promoted to partner. Now, with Chip retired and Amanda at the helm, the agency operates as a collective of agents: MacGregor & Luedeke Collaborative LLC.

Our mission of building author careers and maintaining good relations with publishers is the same, but we’ve made some changes that empower our agents to take ownership of their careers and the projects they work so hard on.

On our client lists, you will find celebrities, athletes, speakers, artists, award-winners, and at-home parents. You will find influencers with important things to say and lesser-known writers with experiences and worlds to share. Each of them, working with us to build a career one step at a time.

Our guiding principles

  • We assist authors in developing great ideas, expressing them through great writing, and supporting them with a great platform.

  • We encourage authors to think strategically about their books as well as their careers.

  • We value long-term friendships with authors, editors, and publishers.

  • We strive to remain in-step with the changing rhythms of the publishing industry.

  • We long to see lives transformed through the artistry and craft of our authors.

  • We embrace and see the value in self-publishing, indie publishing, and making your own way in this ever-changing industry.

submission guidelines

Though we look at every query, we regretfully cannot respond to everyone. Please note that we are very particular about who we work with, as we tend to represent people and not just projects. If we feel that you are a fit, we will be in touch.

We know how important it is to put your best foot forward. Please review this website to learn the types of projects we represent. We do not require exclusive submissions. Some general submission tips:

For a nonfiction manuscript:

  • A proposal detailing the title, audience, uniqueness, sales handle, and reasons why you believe the work will attract a readership

  • A list of current titles that would help a publisher understand how your book will compete in the current market

  • A description of how you can help market the book

  • A table of contents and chapter outline in which you share a brief description of each chapter

  • The first three chapters (approximately 50 pages of the work)

  • A complete biography with your publishing history and an explanation of why you are qualified to write this particular project

For a fiction manuscript:

  • A brief proposal detailing genre, length, comparable titles, and author platform (if any)

  • A complete biography and links to personal social media and/or website

  • The full manuscript or the first 50 pages ... we do not represent unfinished fiction manuscripts

  • Why you think we/one of our agents would be a fit for the novel

Resources

If you don’t know how to create a query or proposal, we recommend Step by Step Pitches & Proposals by Chip MacGregor with Holly Lorincz.

If you’re a literary agent looking for camaraderie and support, consider joining the Collaborative. You’ll keep your business, client list, and 100% of earnings.