The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency: 4 Agents' 2025 Manuscript Wish Lists And The Deals That Define A Top Agency
For any author seeking representation in the competitive publishing landscape, the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency (MLLA) stands out as a high-powered, deal-making firm. As of December 2025, MLLA continues to solidify its reputation as one of the industry's top agencies, frequently appearing on Publishers Marketplace dealmakers lists and championing a diverse range of fiction and non-fiction titles. This article provides an in-depth, current look at the agency, its founding partners, its key agents, and—most crucially—the specific manuscript wish lists (MSWL) they are actively seeking for the 2025-2026 submission cycle, offering a fresh roadmap for querying authors.
Founded by two industry veterans, Jill Marsal and Kevan Lyon, the agency operates with a clear mission: to help writers achieve not just a single book deal, but a lasting career. The agency's success is built on decades of experience in the publishing business, with a focus on securing significant deals across major publishing houses. Understanding the current needs of their agents is the single most important step for any prospective client aiming to join their prestigious roster.
The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency Roster: Founding Partners and Key Agents
The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency is led by its two founding partners and supported by a team of highly active and specialized literary agents. Each agent brings a unique editorial eye and market expertise, making the agency a powerhouse across multiple genres. Securing representation here means gaining access to a team known for their strategic approach and long-term career planning for authors.
- Jill Marsal (Founding Partner): A top dealmaker frequently cited by Publishers Marketplace. Jill focuses on a wide array of fiction, known for her commitment to commercial success.
- Kevan Lyon (Founding Partner): With over 25 years in the publishing business, Kevan champions stories that resonate deeply with readers. She is a veteran agent with a passion for both historical and contemporary narratives.
- Shannon Hassan (Literary Agent): An agent with over a decade of experience at MLLA and a member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA). Shannon is known for her commercial and upmarket tastes.
- Patricia Nelson (Literary Agent): A highly active agent who has been noted for securing multiple high-end deals, particularly in the Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) spaces, alongside her adult fiction acquisitions.
Agent-Specific Manuscript Wish Lists (MSWL) for 2025
The key to a successful query is tailoring your submission to an agent's current Manuscript Wish List. The MLLA agents are actively seeking new clients, and their 2025 wish lists provide a clear target for aspiring authors. This is the most up-to-date breakdown of what the four main agents at Marsal Lyon are looking for now.
Jill Marsal: The Commercial Fiction Dealmaker
Jill Marsal is known for her broad commercial appeal and is particularly interested in manuscripts that will perform well in the mainstream market. Authors should focus on strong hooks and high-concept premises.
- Fiction: She is open to all types of fiction, with a particular emphasis on compelling, high-stakes narratives.
- Women’s Fiction: Jill actively seeks great women’s fiction manuscripts, focusing on complex characters and emotionally resonant plots.
- Mystery/Thrillers: High-quality, well-plotted mystery or suspense novels are consistently on her list.
Kevan Lyon: Historical and Speculative Story Champion
Kevan Lyon’s list is defined by powerful, transporting stories, often featuring strong female protagonists or unique genre blends. Her interests span adult fiction with a focus on depth and compelling voice.
- Historical Fiction: She is looking for "fresh takes on strong women in history doing amazing things"—stories that are both educational and immersive.
- Adult Fiction: Kevan is open to Contemporary Fiction, Magical Realism, Speculative Fiction, and Romance.
- Literary/Commercial Fiction: She seeks commercial fiction with a literary sensibility, focusing on beautiful prose and a gripping story.
Shannon Hassan: The Humor, Heart, and Book Club Specialist
Shannon Hassan has a clear vision for books that spark discussion and connect with a wide readership. Her interests lean toward upmarket commercial fiction and non-fiction with a strong platform.
- "Book Club" Reads: She is actively seeking novels that hit the sweet spot between commercial appeal and literary quality, perfect for group discussion.
- Contemporary Fiction: Stories with genuine humor and deep heart are a top priority.
- Historical Fiction: She looks for historical narratives that inspire, thrill, or bring previously untold stories to light.
- Non-Fiction: Exceptional narrative non-fiction from authors who have a strong, established platform.
Patricia Nelson: The Speculative and YA/MG Voice Seeker
Patricia Nelson is a go-to agent for genre-blending and high-concept Young Adult and Middle Grade titles. Her adult fiction tastes are distinctly upmarket and often speculative.
- Upmarket Speculative Fiction: She is thrilled by novels like Emily St. John Mandel's *Station Eleven* or Naomi Alderman's *The Power*, seeking upmarket fiction with a speculative twist.
- YA & Middle Grade: Her primary focus in the children's market is a stunning voice and a gripping plot.
- Political Themes: Patricia is drawn to novels that engage with political themes in a non-didactic, nuanced way.
Recent Marsal Lyon Book Deals: A Look at 2024-2027 Acquisitions
The true measure of a literary agency's power is its recent deal activity. MLLA's announcements in 2024 and 2025 demonstrate their continued success in placing clients with major publishing houses, often securing multi-book and international rights deals. This fresh data confirms the agency's current market strength and topical authority.
Multi-Book Deals and High-Concept Fiction
The agency has shown significant prowess in securing multi-book contracts, indicating a strong belief in their authors' career longevity. In a September 2024 announcement, Patricia Nelson closed a two-book deal for world English rights, with publication set for 2026 and 2027, demonstrating long-term planning and high publisher confidence. Another major acquisition by Patricia Nelson in early 2024 involved a Young Adult Fiction title, slated for a Fall 2025 and Winter 2025 release, further confirming her active role in the YA market.
International and Commercial Successes
Jill Marsal has been instrumental in securing international deals for established authors. In a March 2024 announcement, she negotiated the World English Language rights deal for bestselling author Amanda Prowse with Storm Publishing. This highlights Jill's ability to navigate complex rights negotiations and secure major commercial releases. Separately, Shannon Hassan handled a deal with Pegasus, announced in May 2024, for a non-fiction title, showcasing her strong presence in the narrative non-fiction space.
Historical and Upmarket Acquisitions
Kevan Lyon continues to champion high-quality fiction with international appeal. She was involved in a deal with the Little, Brown Book Group for a novel titled *The Secret Life of Marie Madeleine*, which was made in conjunction with a UK publisher, demonstrating her reach into global markets. She also secured a major auction deal for Nigerian author Jane Igharo's forthcoming Young Adult novel, expected to hit shelves in 2024, underscoring her commitment to diverse and high-demand voices.
How to Submit Your Manuscript to Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency accepts electronic submissions only, streamlining the process for authors globally. Their goal is to respond to every query in a timely manner, though response times can vary based on agent volume.
To maximize your chances of success, authors should follow these critical steps:
- Research the Agent: Do not send a general query. Match your manuscript's genre and themes directly to the specific, current MSWL of the individual agent (Jill Marsal, Kevan Lyon, Shannon Hassan, or Patricia Nelson). A Young Adult fantasy novel, for instance, should go to Patricia Nelson, not an agent focused purely on Historical Fiction.
- Follow Guidelines: The agency's official website will provide the most precise, up-to-date instructions on what to include in the query email (e.g., query letter, first 5-10 pages, synopsis, etc.). Adherence to these guidelines is non-negotiable.
- Professionalism: Ensure your query letter is polished, concise, and professional. Highlight your book's unique selling points, comparable titles (comps), and any author platform you may have.
The Marsal Lyon Literary Agency represents a gold standard in literary representation. By leveraging the specific, current information on their agents’ 2025 Manuscript Wish Lists and understanding the caliber of their recent deals, aspiring authors can significantly increase their odds of securing a career-defining partnership.
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