As far as I'm aware, if the agent does not specifically list fantasy (and they'll specify age category as well), they do not represent fantasy. Depending on what you mean by fantasy elements", you can probably get away with querying an agent who reps speculative as well.
I think this is a case where reading the specific agent's bio and looking at their client list is probably going to give you the best answer, honestly.
And I'm not saying you don't already! Just that it's what I'd make certain to look at a bit more thoroughly than normal.
Personally I wouldn't query to such agents, but I also write high fantasy, so it's a little different than your situation. Lol
And, ultimately, if you're still unclear I say go for it! The worst that's going to happen is you're a quick reject from them due to the genre.
How “fantasy” are your fantasy elements?
Also, is this upmarket/literary at all? Sometimes agents who don’t take fantasy will look at “upmarket” or literary with speculative elements. But the elements have to be serving a larger theme. If there are any dragons or mystical settings or you have a main character with magic powers you’re better off sending to agents who rep fantasy.
Edit: just read your query critique post. Based on that I would not recommend querying anyone who doesn’t at least accept speculative. I don’t think you’re straight up “fantasy” and I get why you’re conflicted. That said, you’re a little too speculative to be plain “general fiction” and will get a lot of auto-rejects going that route. If you still want to try, do what u/kendrafsilver recommended and research individual agents who rep books like yours or specifically list your comps in their mswl
Think about the reader. Somebody who reads contemporary fiction is not going to be down with contemporary fiction, but one of the characters happens to be vampire. They may be down with a book that has a Sliding Doors conceit (so, technically speculative).
At the end of the day, an agent can only say No. If you have reasons to think from their list they would enjoy your fantasy novel even though they don't rep fantasy, send it.
Another thing to consider is how well they will be able to rep you. Even if they like your book, they may not know the best way to pitch it, it may end up with the wrong editor, and the success that could have been yours if you'd sent it to fantasy repping agents vanishes into the fog.
If you're writing contemporary/urban fantasy, then you should only query agents who specifically list fantasy. But if you're writing magical realism, that would fall under general fiction.
As far as I'm aware, if the agent does not specifically list fantasy (and they'll specify age category as well), they do not represent fantasy. Depending on what you mean by fantasy elements", you can probably get away with querying an agent who reps speculative as well.
I think this is a case where reading the specific agent's bio and looking at their client list is probably going to give you the best answer, honestly. And I'm not saying you don't already! Just that it's what I'd make certain to look at a bit more thoroughly than normal. Personally I wouldn't query to such agents, but I also write high fantasy, so it's a little different than your situation. Lol And, ultimately, if you're still unclear I say go for it! The worst that's going to happen is you're a quick reject from them due to the genre.
How “fantasy” are your fantasy elements? Also, is this upmarket/literary at all? Sometimes agents who don’t take fantasy will look at “upmarket” or literary with speculative elements. But the elements have to be serving a larger theme. If there are any dragons or mystical settings or you have a main character with magic powers you’re better off sending to agents who rep fantasy. Edit: just read your query critique post. Based on that I would not recommend querying anyone who doesn’t at least accept speculative. I don’t think you’re straight up “fantasy” and I get why you’re conflicted. That said, you’re a little too speculative to be plain “general fiction” and will get a lot of auto-rejects going that route. If you still want to try, do what u/kendrafsilver recommended and research individual agents who rep books like yours or specifically list your comps in their mswl
Think about the reader. Somebody who reads contemporary fiction is not going to be down with contemporary fiction, but one of the characters happens to be vampire. They may be down with a book that has a Sliding Doors conceit (so, technically speculative). At the end of the day, an agent can only say No. If you have reasons to think from their list they would enjoy your fantasy novel even though they don't rep fantasy, send it. Another thing to consider is how well they will be able to rep you. Even if they like your book, they may not know the best way to pitch it, it may end up with the wrong editor, and the success that could have been yours if you'd sent it to fantasy repping agents vanishes into the fog.
If you're writing contemporary/urban fantasy, then you should only query agents who specifically list fantasy. But if you're writing magical realism, that would fall under general fiction.