39+ United Kingdom illustrated / picture books literary agents whose current PairPi record says they are open to submissions. Each listing includes a source link and last-checked date.
39+ verified agents · 39 currently open
Children's and ya
Children's picture book texts, junior novels, YA (incl thrillers/romance), verse, children's non-fiction concepts, broad/non-prescriptive
Online form - https://amheath.com or submissions
Children's authors and illustrators
Children's fiction and non-fiction across all ages, with a particular love for picture books, and authors and illustrators across fiction and non-fiction for all ages
Email penny@holroydecartey.com with a cover letter. Authors: attach synopsis and full manuscript as separate Word files labelled with title and author name, picture book authors may send up to three finished texts, non-fiction authors should include a CV, three-page proposal, and market analysis. Illustrators: send a portfolio of around 12 images as JPEG or PDF, maximum 5MB, do not send links to websites or file transfer services. Submit to either Claire or Penny, not both.
Picture books, novelty, pre-school, middle grade, narrative non-fiction, general non-fiction, gift, comics, graphic novels, activity books
Exceptional children's book creators, with a particular interest in inventive approaches to familiar themes, passion projects from diverse and exceptional new talents, and innovative formats that push the boundaries of children's publishing. Books that spark curiosity and wonder, especially visually extraordinary objects that reward repeated reading.
Review David Higham's submission guidelines before submitting. Send your work by email to isobelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk. If you do not receive a response within twelve weeks, the agent will not be pursuing your work.
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
Literary/book club/romantic fiction, character-led "gentler" crime in communities, non-fiction including relationships, pop culture, social history, food, some cookery/illustrated. Not currently considering memoir
Email juliet@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email. Attach a full synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Include your title and name in the subject line. Do not send PDFs or external links.
Children's fiction, children's nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrators
Wants: Covering letter, brief pitch, first three chapters, synopsis, complete picture book text, illustration samples
Becky Bagnell founded Lindsay Literary Agency. The agency specialises in writing for children, from picture books to Young Adult fiction and nonfiction for young people. It is currently open to submissions, particularly from diverse or underrepresented authors. It is full for picture book scripts, but actively looking for YA in any genre, middle grade with a strong concept or hook, epic middle-grade fantasy, younger 5-7 stories around 5,000 words, voice-led YA, high-concept YA, contemporary love stories, and romantasy.
Email info@lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk. For novels, attach the first three chapters and a single-page synopsis as two separate double-spaced Word documents, and put a covering letter in the email body with brief author information and a 2-3 sentence pitch. Picture book submissions should include a covering letter and complete story in Word format, illustrators should send small PDF samples and a link to online work. Postal submissions are not accepted.
Nonfiction, illustrated books, fashion, biography, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, illustrators
Wants: Publishing history, CV, synopsis, three sample chapters
Isabel Atherton is an experienced literary agent and founder of Creative Authors. The agency represents commercially strong titles in fashion, biography especially music, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, and illustrators. Creative Authors is not currently looking for new fiction clients but is considering well-crafted nonfiction and illustrated books. It is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, poetry, short stories, plays, scripts, or fiction at present.
Submit through the Creative Authors Join Us form with publishing history and CV, synopsis, and three sample chapters. Creative Authors does not accept paper submissions, does not charge a reading fee, and asks writers not to telephone about unsolicited submissions.
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: literary/upmarket with edge, romance (incl dark academia, paranormals, grounded romantasy), mysteries with fresh angle, some literary speculative (not hard SFF). Non-fiction: science/nature, art/culture, social issues/politics, love/relationships, illustrated non-fiction, food/drink
Email (to one agent) - dchandley@pfd.co.uk
Children's fiction, ya, children's non-fiction, picture books, illustration
Wants: Children's and YA writing/illustration; high-quality work with fresh approaches to storytelling/illustration
High-quality writing and illustration that takes a fresh or different approach to storytelling or illustration; the agency does not publish a detailed wishlist because they often do not know what they want until they see it
Email submissions@springliterary.com with a covering email explaining who you are and why you are getting in touch. Fiction: one-page synopsis and 5,000–10,000 word sample chapters in Word (no full manuscript). Non-fiction: synopsis, rationale for writing it, and three sample sections or chapters, optional short CV. Picture books: up to four full texts. Illustrators: portfolio of up to 10 images as PDFs or JPGs, keeping file sizes small.
Adult and children's, picture books, illustrators
Adult and children's chapter books, picture books (text only), illustration
Chapter books: synopsis and first chapter (if under 3 chapters, send whole manuscript). Picture books: text only. Illustrators: samples
Children's (mg or ya or crossover), adult commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction
Genre fiction and crossover children's, boy-led MG, teen fiction, graphic novel/illustrated MG or younger YA, quirky fantasy, dark/off-beat romantic comedy, domestic noir, cultural history/narrative non-fiction with strong voice
Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis and first three chapters or up to 50 pages as attachments. Mark the subject line FAO Gyamfia Osei. For non-fiction, send an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters.
Fiction, non-fiction, illustration
Full manuscript/portfolio; brief description of the work; brief bio (per contact page).
Full manuscript or portfolio, brief description of the work, and brief bio
Picture books, middle grade, ya, adult romance, adult romantasy, adult fantasy
Extraordinary, diverse stories, strong preference for underrepresented voices, see on-site wishlist for specifics (MG/YA, adult romance/romantasy/fantasy etc.)
Submit via QueryManager at http://querymanager.com or aliceashliterary, or by email to submissions@ashliterary.com. Do not submit via both routes simultaneously.
Children's books (and illustrated concepts)
Engaging, original illustrated stories and concepts across genres, children's editorial and illustration focus
Email your submission to submission@bell-lomax.co.uk. For fiction, children's fiction, YA, and narrative non-fiction send a short synopsis (including full plot details), the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter with details of any previously published work, all as Word documents or PDFs. For picture books, send the full text of up to three manuscripts in one email, sample illustrations (if available) as PDF, PNG, or JPG, and a covering letter. Do not use WeTransfer or Google Drive links.
Picture books, young fiction, children's fiction, middle grade
Picture books and young fiction, classic storytelling for 8-12 across genres, not right agent for YA
Email jhodges@unitedagents.co.uk
Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, graphic novels, ya, middle grade, adult sff, adult fantasy
Wants: Children's: fiction/non-fiction/picture books/graphic novels; not currently taking picture-book-text-only creators. adult: imaginative SFF with thoughtful society/humanity themes; cosy or dark; witches/magicians/werewolves/teashops welcomed
A middle grade or YA standalone reflecting the experience of growing up in a multicultural or multifaith household. A character-led teen series in which the protagonist pursues an exciting career, in the vein of Geek Girl or Alex Rider. Dark academia for YA or adult with detailed worldbuilding and an emphasis on the dark. Palestinian voices in any age group or genre.
Email christabelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk with your submission. Note that writers focusing solely on picture book texts are not currently being taken on.
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
Fiction and non-fiction
Non-fiction across many areas (narrative, prescriptive, self-help, illustrated, cookery/history/philosophy/economics/memoir/tech/science/business/nature). Fiction: science fiction, horror, fantasy (incl upmarket body horror, book-club friendly SFF, time travel, inventive fantasy epic, underrepresented voices)
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Fiction and non-fiction
Eclectic: bestselling fiction/non-fiction including history/medicine/memoir/illustrated, edgy detective novels, fast-paced thrillers, big stories, smart one-sentence hooks, not SFF/fantasy
Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com
Children's authors, children's illustrators
Picture books, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, illustration
Picture books: full text. Fiction or non-fiction: synopsis and first 3 chapters. Graphic novels: synopsis and full script. Illustrators: PDF portfolio (10 and samples). Via submission form
Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, illustration
Author/illustrator proposals for picture books, young fiction and non-fiction, illustration with creative brand-building potential beyond publishing
Email claire@holroydecartey.com with a cover letter. Authors: attach synopsis and full manuscript as separate Word files named with title and author name. Picture book authors: up to three finished texts. Non-fiction authors: CV, three-page proposal, and market analysis. Illustrators: portfolio of around a dozen images as JPEG or PDF up to 5MB. Do not submit to both agents.
Non-fiction
Thought-provoking non-fiction across arts, humanities and sciences, investigative journalism and narrative non-fiction, cookery and food writing, travel and nature writing, memoir, illustrated projects
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
Middle grade, ya, crossover, new adult, picture book, adventure, mystery, horror
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages
Kat is actively building her own list from middle grade through YA, crossover and New Adult, with a character-led taste and interest in adventure, mystery, darker YA and select picture book authors.
Email Kat directly at kat@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts.
Action or adventure, chapter book, diversity, funny, graphic novels, illustrated fiction, underrepresented voices, picture book, non-fiction
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages, proposal for non-fiction
Lorna is looking for illustration-led children's books including board books, picture books, chapter books, highly illustrated fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction.
Email Lorna directly at lorna@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts. Non-fiction submissions should include a proposal, full chapter list and up to three sample chapters.
Children's fiction, ya, graphic novels, illustrated fiction
Bold, commercial, zeitgeisty children's/YA, prioritises under-represented voices, not currently taking on new picture book clients
Email sohoagencychildrenssubmissions@gmail.com with first 3 chapters or first 30 pages, a synopsis, and a covering letter, addressed FAO Lydia Silver.
Authors and illustrators
Whimsical, narrative-led children's illustration and author-illustrator work
Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary
Authors and illustrators
Children's illustration and author-illustrator work
Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, illustrated non-fiction, serious non-fiction
Novels across the literary-commercial scale and non-fiction from highly illustrated to serious non-fiction, with diversity within the list as an ever-present priority. Does not represent scriptwriting, high fantasy, or, in non-fiction, business, self-help or parenting books. Represents poetry and children's books (including MG and YA) only where she already represents the author.
Email submissions@philippasitters.co.uk with a cover letter in the email body. For fiction, attach the first 30 pages (double spaced) and a 1-2 page synopsis (single spaced) as Word documents or PDFs. For non-fiction, attach a proposal with a detailed chapter outline and up to three sample chapters (double spaced), information on target market and comparable titles is helpful but not required.
Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, ya fiction, children's non-fiction, author-illustrators
Wants: Children's fiction/non-fiction; picture books; first 3 chapters for fiction
Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and non-fiction for children, and author-illustrators who both write and illustrate their own work as well as illustrate for other authors
Send a short synopsis, first 3 chapters for fiction (excluding prologues), or full manuscript for picture books, plus a covering letter with full contact details including email address. Submit electronically to john.mclay@btinternet.com or by post, if posting include a stamped self-addressed envelope.
Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing
Wants: Jpg samples, art samples
Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.
Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.
Illustrators, author-illustrators, children's illustration, picture books
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Trade children's book illustrators and author-illustrators, with a focus on visual storytelling, portfolio development, and author-illustrated picture book stories.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing
Wants: Jpg samples, art samples
Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.
Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.
Illustrators, children's illustration, picture books
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Children's illustration artists who can work in publishing contexts. Her background covers publishing, art, and agenting.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Illustrators, children's illustration, middle grade, non-fiction, poetry
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Artists and visual storytellers for children's books, with a background in Middle Grade fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and illustrated storytelling.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing
Wants: Jpg samples, art samples
Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.
Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.
Illustrators, children's illustration, children's books
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Children's illustration artists and publishing projects, with experience in children's trade titles and digital illustration.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Illustrators, children's illustration, educational publishing, religious publishing
Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples
Artists for children's illustration projects, especially work that connects clients and artists for education and religion publishing.
Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.
Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing
Wants: Jpg samples, art samples
Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.
Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.
Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing
Wants: Jpg samples, art samples
Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.
Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.
Search our full directory with advanced filters, save agents to shortlists, and track your submissions.
Browse all agents