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Ben Illis

Closed
The BIA·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
middle grade fictionmiddle grade non-fictionYA
Looking for
Middle grade fiction (7+/9+), middle grade non-fiction, teen/YA fiction. Does not accept picture books, under-7s, adult books, poetry/rhyming, or hard copy. UK/Europe-based clients only
How to submit
Complete the online form at http://www.the-bia.com or submissions, attaching your opening 50 pages or 3 chapters and synopsis (fiction) or 2-page proposal (non-fiction) as Word documents (.doc), labelled with full title and author name. Use single line spacing, 12-point font, standard formatting. One submission per writer only. Submissions are currently closed.
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Last checked 12 Jul 2026·Last verified: 12 Jul 2026
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Ben Illis is a literary agent at The BIA based in UK. Their list focuses on middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, and YA. Currently closed to submissions, with responses usually within a couple of months. Submissions via Online Form. For current guidelines, check the agent's own submission page linked below.

Age Categories

Middle Grade, YA

Response Time

Usually responds within a couple of months

Notes

Submissions page states submissions are currently closed ('July 2021' notice) and advises submissions will not be successful until reopened; when open, submit via the form on the submissions page (Word docs only). Ben has a background as a trained actor, bookseller (Books Etc, London), co-founder of Old Street Publishing, and freelance travel writer before moving into agenting in 2010. He is particularly drawn to diverse and marginalised voices, lyrical writing, myth and folklore, strong world-building, and genuine humour. He actively maintains connections with creative writing degree programmes and speaks regularly at writers' festivals and conferences.

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This profile was last verified on 12 Jul 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.