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Chris Wellbelove

Open
Aitken Alexander Associates·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
literary fictionspeculative fictionnarrative nonfictionsubject-led nonfictionpoetry
Looking for
Literary-spectrum fiction (incl speculative); narrative-forward nonfiction with original idea/voice; not currently taking on new poets
How to submit
Email
View source·Agent page
Recently verified·Last verified: 25 May 2026
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Chris Wellbelove is a literary agent at Aitken Alexander Associates based in UK. Their list focuses on genres including literary fiction, speculative fiction, and narrative nonfiction. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within 3 months; no response means a pass. Submissions via Email. For current guidelines, check the agent's own submission page linked below.

Age Categories

Adult

Response Time

Usually responds within 3 months; no response means a pass

Manuscript Wishlist

Literary-spectrum fiction (incl speculative); narrative-forward nonfiction with original idea/voice; not currently taking on new poets

Submission Tips

Submission route: Email (agency submissions), submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk AAA submissions: email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk FAO chosen agent; attach first 3 chapters/50pp + synopsis (fiction) or proposal/sample (non-fiction). Agent page lists assistant but requests you do not submit to assistant directly.

Notes

Wellbelove's list includes Gary Stevenson (The Trading Game, Sunday Times number one bestseller), Kaliane Bradley (The Ministry of Time, Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, Barack Obama pick), Sophie Elmhirst (A Marriage at Sea, Nero Gold Prize winner, Barack Obama pick, New York Times 10 Best Books of 2025), Daisy Johnson, Evie Wyld, the Secret Barrister, and poets including Liz Berry and Kayo Chingonyi. He has recently worked on the Secret Barrister's first legal thriller, signalling openness to elevated genre fiction.

Other agents at Aitken Alexander Associates

Emma Paterson

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsFiction, non-fiction, poetry
Looking forStory-led and character-driven novels, rich worldbuilding (realist/speculative, contemporary/historical). Non-fiction: history, politics, philosophy, psychology, true crime, narrative sports writing, literary biography, academics, journalists, critics
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the subject line marked FAO Emma Paterson. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative non-fiction, send a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing, for subject-led non-fiction, send a proposal of approximately 5,000 words outlining the book and your credentials, plus at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief book description, any writing credits or relevant qualifications, and a short biographical note. Note whether you are submitting simultaneously to other agencies.
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Lisa Baker

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction and narrative non-fiction
Looking forFiction: stunning sentences, convincing narratives, on-the-page magic. Non-fiction: narrative, personal accounts with political context, transporting/teaching. Original voices and captivating storytelling
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the subject line marked FAO Lisa Baker. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or up to fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative non-fiction, include a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing, for subject-led non-fiction, a proposal of approximately 5,000 words and at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a short biographical note. Submit to one agent only, do not contact agents' assistants directly.
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Monica MacSwan

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forFiction: literary/upmarket with escapism and page-turning readability, big high-stakes love stories from original angles. Non-fiction: writers shifting public discourse, health, medicine, history, politics, biographies/memoirs, cookery, art, music, lifestyle with a strong angle
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with subject line marked FAO Monica MacSwan. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis. For narrative non-fiction, attach a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led non-fiction, attach a proposal of approximately 5,000 words and no less than 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a brief description of the book, any writing credits or qualifications, and a short biographical note. All attachments should be Microsoft Word compatible.
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Lesley Thorne

Aitken Alexander Associates

Check availability
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction, screenwriting, film/TV rights, estates
Looking forFor screen: high-end/intelligent drama, smart genre, entertaining/comedy drama. Publishing list selective currently
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with subject line FAO Lesley Thorne. For fiction, include the first 3 chapters or up to 50 pages and a short synopsis. For narrative non-fiction, include an overview and up to 10,000 words of sample material. For subject-led non-fiction, include a proposal of around 5,000 words and a sample of at least 5,000 words. No postal submissions.
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Gillon Aitken

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsVisit agent's website for details
Looking forSee source page for more info
How to submitSubmit work to submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk, marking the subject line for the attention of one literary agent. For fiction, send the first three chapters or fifty pages together with a short synopsis as Microsoft Word compatible attachments, along with a cover letter including a book description, previous writing credits or qualifications if applicable, and a brief biographical note. For narrative non-fiction, send a short overview and up to ten thousand words of sample writing. For subject-led non-fiction, send a proposal of approximately five thousand words outlining the book and your credentials, along with no less than five thousand words of sample writing. Include details of simultaneous submissions or other agent interest. Ensure contact information is provided.
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Clare Alexander

Aitken Alexander Associates

Check availability
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forSelective due to large list. Fiction that surprises (especially fierce female voices), beautifully written memoir/history/biography. Does not want: imitative fiction, how-to/inspirational/wellness non-fiction
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with Clare Alexander in the subject line. For fiction, include the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible attachments. For narrative non-fiction, send a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led non-fiction, send a proposal of approximately 5,000 words plus at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Include a cover letter with a book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a brief bio. Do not submit directly to the agent or their assistant.
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Agents with overlapping taste

Irene Baldoni

Georgina Capel Associates

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, narrative non-fiction, crime, sci-fi, poetry
Looking forLiterary fiction, narrative non-fiction, well-crafted crime and sci-fi, building a curated list of poetry
How to submitSend a covering letter, a synopsis of approximately 500 words, and the first three chapters by post to Georgina Capel Associates Ltd, 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS (mark envelope 'Submissions Department'), or by email to irene@georginacapel.com. Include your email address and or or telephone number. AI-generated content is not accepted.
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Georgina Capel

Georgina Capel Associates Ltd

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Looking forLiterary, book club, and commercial fiction including thrillers and YA; short story collections and poetry; narrative non-fiction with strong style; well-crafted crime and sci-fi; history, politics, science, psychology, true crime, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, and popular psychology. Writers for children and young adults are also welcome.
How to submitSubmit by email or post. The postal address is 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS. For email, visit georginacapel.com or contact to find the address.
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Nelle Andrew

Rachel Mills Literary (RML)

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How to submitEmail nelle@rmliterary.co.uk with a one-page outline, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, and a covering letter.
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Anna Power

Johnson & Alcock

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RepresentsFiction and narrative non-fiction
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How to submitEmail anna@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter including a blurb and author info. For fiction, include a synopsis of no more than two pages and the opening 50 pages. For non-fiction, include a proposal with introduction, chapter breakdown, and sample material totalling around 50 pages. Attachments in Word .doc or .docx format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy.
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Elena Berry

D H H Literary Agency

Open
RepresentsFiction
Looking forCharacter-driven speculative fiction, female-led literary and crossover, book club fiction, contemporary rom-coms, sweeping love stories (historical/contemporary), crime and psychological thrillers, female-led fantasy, romantasy, retellings. Not: children/YA, police procedurals, cosy crime, epic sci-fi, poetry, plays, screenplays, any non-fiction
How to submitElena is currently open for submissions. Send your cover letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters as attachments, not in the body of the email. Submit to submission@dhhliteraryagency.com. Only submit to one agent at DHH Literary Agency
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Laura Williams

Greene & Heaton

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How to submitEmail submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.
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This profile was last verified on 25 May 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.