United Kingdom Literary Agents

Fiction, non-fiction

Jon Curzon represents literary fiction and non-fiction titles that start conversations and spark ideas. He is drawn to debut fiction, memoir, nature writing, science, history, and biography. His emphasis is always towards writers whose work is intelligent and original.

Email a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters to submissions@artellusltd.co.uk. Postal submissions are not accepted.

Fiction and non-fiction

Book club/crossover fiction, crime and thrillers (incl unusual hooks), historical fiction (incl historical crime). Non-fiction: memoir, narrative-led books from experts (history/science/tech/politics/nature)

Submit via the agency online form at https://amheath.com or submissions

Drama, comedy-drama, thriller, science fiction, horror, genre mashups

Drama and comedy-drama with elevated storytelling, including thrillers, grounded science fiction, horror, and genre mashups. Series that explore social politics and human psychology while remaining highly entertaining with complex, well-rounded characters. A unique perspective and original voice are particularly valued.

Read the submissions guidelines first. Send your submission to cisubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk if you believe you are a good match. Allow up to six weeks for a response, if you do not hear back within that timeframe, assume your submission has been unsuccessful.

Women's fiction, crime, thrillers, new nature writing

Well-written, engrossing fiction with a compelling plot, characters worth caring about, and an intriguing or attractive world. Particularly interested in women's fiction, contemporary or historical, as well as crime and thrillers. Also actively seeking new nature writing as a personal enthusiasm.

Email anne@khla.co.uk. The agency accepts submissions by email only.

Fiction and non-fiction

Adult fiction and non-fiction (agency represents adult and children's, not picture books or scripts)

Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: book club, psychological suspense, crime, speculative, historical, commercial and upmarket women's with unique hook/voice/characters. Non-fiction: history (with platform) and memoir

Email - kate@khla.co.uk

Adult fiction, upper na or crossover fantasy, crossover sci-fi, crossover dystopian, crossover steampunk, crossover post-apocalyptic

Adult fiction of all genres and upper NA/Crossover (16+) fantasy (including urban), SF, dystopian, steampunk, and post-apocalyptic fiction. Crossover fiction in these genres is accepted by Laura only.

Email - submissions@liverpool-literary.agency

Children's and ya (and some adult)

Middle grade and YA fiction across genres (pref voice/character-driven, contemporary/realistic settings, magical realism, original psychological thrillers, atmospheric horror, light fantasy). Also open to original children/YA non-fiction, selectively adult literary projects

Submit by email via the PFD books submission page at https://petersfraserdunlop.com or submissions or books/, including a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters or approximately 50 pages for fiction, or a detailed proposal for non-fiction.

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Layered/nuanced writing, challenges form/genre, explores language, memory and truth, moral ambiguity, humour or uncomfortable reads, generally prefers contemporary settings. Non-fiction: overlooked/unexpected subjects, art/body/mind/natural world, passion and expertise, new connections

Submit via the online form at https://amheath.com or submissions with a covering letter (max 500 words), synopsis (max 1,500 words), and first 10,000 words. Use submissions@amheath.com only if another agent has requested your full manuscript, you have received an offer of representation, you have had no response within 6 weeks, or you are submitting a cookery proposal or illustrated children's book. To submit directly to Anna, email anna.webber@amheath.com, noting she may take a while to respond.

General fiction, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, women's commercial fiction, non-fiction, arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, health

Wants: See submissions page; requires synopsis and first 3 chapters.

General fiction including thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, and women's commercial fiction. On the nonfiction side, illustrated books covering arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, and health. Open to submissions from new authors.

Email a brief synopsis and the first three chapters as Word or Open Document attachments to mail@limelightmanagement.com. Include 'Submission' in the subject line and the title of your work in the attachment filename. Also include a note about your professional life and writing ambitions.

Non-fiction

History, politics, psychology, current affairs, natural world, expert-led books that change how we think, memoir (unique perspective), narrative non-fiction

Email a cover letter, one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters or 50 pages (or a proposal and sample chapters for non-fiction) to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk, addressed FAO Charlotte Merritt.

Non-fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, speculative fiction, crime fiction

Non-fiction across a broad range of subjects, particularly from authors who are authoritative and accessible, including activists, psychologists, creatives and thought leaders. Also growing a fiction list focused on book club, fantasy, historical, speculative and crime fiction. Actively champions marginalised and underrepresented voices.

For non-fiction, email nonfiction@grahammawchristie.com with a one-page topic summary, detailed chapter-by-chapter outline, author credentials, online profiles, market overview, promotional plan, and 1-2 sample chapters. For fiction, email fiction@grahammawchristie.com with a completed manuscript, including genre in the subject line, a one-to-two line elevator pitch, a 500-800 word synopsis (including spoilers), up to five comparative titles, author bio, promotional notes, and the first three chapters or approximately 10,000 words. Attach documents in Word, Pages or PDF format. Do not submit directly to individual agents. No postal submissions accepted.

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food

Quality commercial and popular literary fiction with emotional heft, original voices and broad appeal, including twisty thrillers, ghost stories, and epic romantic stories. For non-fiction, experts in their fields writing about history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, original thinking, lifestyle and food — particularly books that educate and illuminate worlds readers don't know, strong women's voices, and food writers with fresh perspectives or a built community.

Email submissions@hhbagency.com with the genre in the subject line. Put your covering letter in the body of the email including a brief pitch, relevant background, and comparison titles. Attach the first three chapters or around 50 pages as a Word document, plus a synopsis. Fiction writers must have completed the manuscript before submitting. Non-fiction writers may submit before completion.

Fiction and non-fiction

Strong POVs (especially women), intelligent, witty, emotionally affecting literary/genre fiction and non-fiction, feminist/provocative voices, twists

Email - lizzymanuscripts@davidhigham.co.uk

Fiction, non-fiction

See source page for more info

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email, a 1-page synopsis attached, and the first three chapters or 50 pages attached. Address the submission to Alex Stephens and make this clear in the subject line. For non-fiction, send an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters instead.

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: literary/well-written including pacey thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible, estimable writing with commercial potential (journalists/experts/scholars/public figures, fascinating true stories)

Email - submissions@jonathanpegg.com

Memoir, geography, economics, politics, history, nature writing, biography, science, travel, literary fiction

Wants: Genres include memoir; geography; economics; politics; history; nature writing; biography; science; travel; and literary fiction.

See source page for more info

Email james@jameslockhartagency.com with a covering letter in the body of the email and the first 30 pages attached as a Word doc or PDF.

Fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction 8 and

Distinctive fiction, non-fiction including memoir, history, narrative, biography, lifestyle, sports, self-help, humour, pop culture. Not horror, sci-fi, screenplays, or picture books

Email info@lisarichards.ie. For fiction, include the first three or four chapters, a covering letter, and an SAE if required. For non-fiction, send a detailed proposal, a sample chapter, and a cover letter.

Middle grade, ya, sff, children's

Wants: Per fba new voices bio: YA and commercial adult fiction; romance and fantasy for all ages; smart/engaging/bold with international appeal. note: agency submissions page currently not accepting fantasy/romantasy/SFF or children's/YA.

Actively building a list spanning middle grade, YA and crossover fiction across all genres, and selective adult fiction in the SFF space. Drawn to immersive world-building, complex characters, twisty plots, and stories exploring identity, belonging and transformation.

Submit via the PFD submissions page. Include a covering letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters or approximately 10,000 words.

Non-fiction

Wants: Non-fiction (per 'how to submit' requirements)

See source page for more info

Email lownie@globalnet.co.uk with: a 1-page bullet-point mini-synopsis highlighting what makes the book new and special, including proposed word count and delivery date, a 1-page author biography covering qualifications to write the book, a 1-page overview of the five most recent competing and comparable titles with author, title, publisher, date, and a note on how each relates to your book, a 1-page list of sources used, a 1-page note on specialist marketing outlets, a half-page synopsis per chapter (around ten pages total), and a sample chapter. Do not send blanket submissions addressed to multiple agents.

Fiction, literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history

Small list: fiction and literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history

Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

Authors and illustrators across all genres and age ranges, non-fiction

Picture books with strong characterisation, genuine emotional impact, and artwork and stories that feel full of life; non-fiction where artists and authors bring fresh energy to familiar subjects through a new perspective or by experimenting with style and format

Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary

Film and tv, screenwriting, playwriting

Represents over 30 scriptwriters, directors and playwrights, and handles film and TV rights for the agency's book clients. Involved in every aspect of TV programming from soaps and documentaries to original series and event dramas.

Email your submission directly to Conrad Williams at Blake Friedmann. The subject line should include your book title and your name. Your cover letter should form the body of the email. Attach a synopsis (250–300 words for fiction, up to 500 words for non-fiction) and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words (fiction), or a chapter plan and two sample chapters (non-fiction), as Word documents (.doc or .docx) with 1.5 line spacing and numbered pages. Each attachment should be named with the book title and your name.

Fiction, non-fiction, crime, historical fiction, thriller

A good story, whether fiction or non-fiction, peopled by credible characters and told in a distinctive voice. Represents crime writers, historical novelists, thriller writers and non-fiction. Also looks after several major literary estates including Georgette Heyer.

Email - peter@theampersandagency.co.uk

Science fiction, fantasy, horror, crime, thriller, sport non-fiction

Commercial fiction, especially science fiction, fantasy, horror, crime and thrillers. Also looking for sport-related non-fiction and keen to see submissions from under-represented voices and LGBTQ writers.

Email jamie@theampersandagency.co.uk

Visit agent's website for details

See source page for more info

Email: lucy@lucyluck.com

Commercial non-fiction, self-help, memoir, literary non-fiction

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Building a list of fiction and non-fiction authors with a particular focus on digital-first writers. Specialises in commercial, self-help and literary non-fiction across memoir, mindfulness, interior design and lifestyle. A committed advocate for emerging and diverse writers.

Email - hello@bergstromstudio.co.uk

Adult fiction, adult nonfiction, children's fiction, young adult, german-language authors

Wants: German-language submissions, covering letter, one-page synopsis, first three chapters, first fifty pages, nonfiction proposal, sample chapters

Christina Kruse is a junior agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates representing a select list of German-language authors. She is open only to submissions written in German. She considers adult fiction and nonfiction as well as children's and YA manuscripts, and is drawn to well-crafted, voice-driven stories with heart, narratives that take place in the margins, and fresh, thoughtful perspectives that go against the grain.

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk and address the submission to Christina Kruse in the subject line. Submit German-language work only. Include a covering letter in the email body, a one-page synopsis attached, and the first three chapters or 50 pages attached. For nonfiction, send an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters.

Non-fiction

History, current affairs/politics/economics, biography and memoir, narrative/literary non-fiction, sport/adventure, pop culture/film/music, popular science/psychology, ideas ('smart thinking'), narrative-led business

Email - andrewgordon@davidhigham.co.uk

Crime fiction, thriller fiction, contemporary fiction, historical fiction, women's fiction

Kate Burke seeks dark thrillers with surprising plot twists and interesting narrative structures, crime series featuring fresh lead investigators, and high-concept thrillers with 'what if?' premises that comment on society. She represents historical fiction combining strong sense of place and time with mystery elements, particularly post-1800 settings, and has special interest in Gothic, atmospheric historical thrillers set in spooky old houses. Burke also looks for contemporary novels with discussable issues suitable for book club debates and sweeping family stories about mothers, sisters and daughters set anywhere in the world.

Email kate@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email and the book title and your name in the subject line. Attach a synopsis (250–300 words for fiction, up to 500 words for non-fiction) and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx) with 1.5 line spacing and numbered pages. Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Do not send PDFs, Pages files, or external links such as Google Docs. Submit to one agent only.

Literary fiction, non-fiction

Wants: Literary fiction and non-fiction; does not represent science fiction or fantasy (per agent page)

Represents literary fiction and non-fiction. Clients include Sarah Bakewell, Heston Blumenthal, Frank Cottrell Boyce and A.S. Byatt. Also represents the literary estates of Angela Carter, Alasdair Gray and Nancy Mitford.

Email phoebe@rcwlitagency.com

Non-fiction, memoir, celebrity memoir, ghostwriting

Brings thirty-five years of editorial experience to help authors realise their vision. Background as an award-winning journalist, author of twenty-one books, and former Articles Editor at Mademoiselle. Has ghostwritten two number one New York Times bestsellers.

Online submission form

Fiction, children's fiction, children's non-fiction

Smart romance with an edge, fresh and page-turning crime fiction, horror and literary horror with a contemporary resonance, and literary fiction that is funny and moving with a brand new hook. In children's books, a funny and engaging author-illustrator with a fresh series for young readers (5+), middle grade fiction with strong world-building and characters we haven't seen before, grounded YA fantasy, high-concept YA contemporary, and books about unusual relationships. In children's non-fiction, books that tackle curriculum subjects in a new and engaging way, and real-life stories for middle grade and YA readers. No longer accepting picture books.

Email submissions@colwillandpeddle.com with subject line 'Fiction or Children's Submission' (delete as applicable). Include a cover letter, a one-page synopsis, and the first chapter of your work.

Visit agent's website for details

See source page for more info

Email the appropriate regional office with a concise cover letter (including contact details and relevant background), a brief synopsis, and either the first three chapters or a detailed proposal. French-language submissions go to paris@susannalea.com, UK, ANZ, and Commonwealth submissions to london@susannalea.com, North American submissions to ny@susannalea.com. Do not submit to more than one office. Postal and fax submissions are not accepted.

Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, popular science, historical fiction, crime, thrillers

See source page for more info

Send a submission package to london@susannalea.com. See the submissions page for more details on how to submit to the London office.

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Strong commercial genre fiction (noir-ish thrillers/spy/gritty crime; also saga/romance/romcom) and surprising reading-group fiction; non-fiction with strong narrative voice in memoir/history and big ideas/smart thinking

Wide range of fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial. Has a taste for the unlikely, likes to be surprised and transported. In fiction, loves stories that take him somewhere strange and wonderful. For non-fiction, loves books that reveal something new or inspire readers to imagine the world differently.

Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk