PairPi
Liverpool Literary Agency·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
historical fictioncrime fictionpsychological thrillerswomen's fictionadult fiction
Looking for
Prefers historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women's fiction; open to great adult fiction with strong hook (excludes non-fiction, children's and YA for Clare). Encourages under-represented writers from the North of England; submission window rules apply.
How to submit
Email
Recently verified·Last verified: 31 May 2026

Clare Coombes is a literary agent at Liverpool Literary Agency based in UK. Their list focuses on genres including historical fiction, crime fiction, and psychological thrillers. Currently closed to submissions, with responses usually within If no response within 12 weeks treat as pass. Submissions via Email. For current guidelines, check the agent's own submission page linked below.

Age Categories

Adult

Response Time

Usually responds within If no response within 12 weeks treat as pass

Notes

Clare will reopen submissions on 1 March 2026. She founded the first Liverpool-based literary agency in 2020, has over 20 years of professional writing and editing experience, and has published two novels: Definitions (2015) and We Are of Dust (2018), the latter of which received development funding from the Liverpool Film Office for a TV adaptation. She accepts submissions only from writers born or currently living in the North of England, with the geographic boundary defined as from the southern edges of Cheshire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Yorkshire up to the Scottish border, including Northumberland and Cumbria — exceptions apply for writers coming through Jericho Writers or I AM in Print programmes.

Other agents at Liverpool Literary Agency

Liverpool Literary Agency

Open
RepresentsAdult fiction, upper na/crossover fantasy, crossover sci-fi, crossover dystopian, crossover steampunk, crossover post-apocalyptic
Looking forAdult 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.
How to submitEmail - submissions@liverpool-literary.agency
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

Agents with overlapping taste

David Higham Associates

Open
RepresentsCommercial fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, psychological suspense, women's fiction, speculative fiction, non-fiction, lifestyle, pop culture, humour
Looking forCommercial and upmarket fiction: book club/accessibly literary, crime/thrillers, upmarket historical, psychological suspense, women's fiction, speculative/high-concept, lightly magical edge. Non-fiction: innovative lifestyle, pop culture, unique personal stories, humour
How to submitEmail jemimasubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk with your name and title in the subject line, and attach a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters.
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

Bell Lomax Moreton

Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forAdult crime, thrillers and suspense, contemporary romance, women's fiction (commercial/literary/historical/humour). Adult non-fiction: mental health advocates, adventurers, entertainers
How to submitEmail - submission@bell-lomax.co.uk
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

Kate Hordern Literary Agency (KHLA)

Open
RepresentsWomen's fiction, crime, thrillers, new nature writing
Looking forWell-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.
How to submitEmail anne@khla.co.uk. The agency accepts submissions by email only.
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

Shesto Literary

Open
RepresentsCrime fiction, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural suspense, ghost stories, romantic suspense, historical fiction, women's fiction, middle grade, YA, horror, non-fiction, self-help, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Looking forCrime fiction encompassing thriller, mystery, and psychological thriller; supernatural suspense; ghost stories; romantic suspense; historical fiction; women's fiction; children's fiction at middle grade and YA level; horror; and non-fiction including topical, accessible works such as self-help, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, short stories, poetry collections, erotica, or picture books.
How to submitSubmit by email only. Fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a synopsis, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Non-fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a proposal with chapter breakdown, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Use the submissions page at https://shesto-literary.com or submissions or to send your materials.
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

HHB Agency

Open
RepresentsCommercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food
Looking forQuality 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.
How to submitEmail 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.
Recently verified
Are you this agent?

Peters Fraser and Dunlop (PFD)

Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forCommercial and book club fiction across genres, high-concept thrillers/suspense, atmospheric reads, women's fiction, uplifting speculative edge, female-led historical, romantic fiction, underrepresented voices
How to submitSubmit by email via the PFD submissions page at https://petersfraserdunlop.com or submissions or books/. Include a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters or approximately 50 pages for fiction, or a detailed proposal for non-fiction.
Recently verified
Are you this agent?
Compare with similar agents

Browse by genre

This profile was last verified on 31 May 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.