David Riding
OpenMBA Literary Agents·UK
Agent profile summary
- Represents
- nonfictionsportmemoirautobiographyliterary fiction
- How to submit
Recently verified·Last verified: 1 Jun 2026
David Riding is a literary agent at MBA Literary Agents based in UK. Their list focuses on genres including nonfiction, sport, and memoir. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within If no response within 8 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 8 weeks treat as pass
Notes
Submit first 3 chapters and synopsis as attachments and covering letter in body; attachments in Word, PDF, or Final Draft; address FAO relevant agent. David Riding is a Director at MBA with a background at Penguin Books. His clients include multiple Sunday Times number one and Top Ten bestsellers, among them cricketer Jonny Bairstow, boxer Ricky Hatton, and Yorkshire Vet star Julian Norton. He takes an editorial and commercial approach to all submissions, and the agency does not accept postal submissions.
Other agents at MBA Literary Agents
MBA Literary Agents
RepresentsFiction, non-fiction
Looking forFiction and non-fiction, with a current focus on television drama, across film, TV, radio, and the stage; especially interested in authors who can work across several genres, widening the range of their writing talents
How to submitEmail submissions@mbalit.co.uk, addressed FAO Diana Tyler. Include a covering letter in the body of the email with first 3 chapters and a synopsis as attachments in Word, PDF, or Final Draft format.
Recently verified
MBA Literary Agents
RepresentsNon-fiction (primarily)
Looking forNon-fiction (strong list including journalists), off-beat projects with a commercial edge
How to submitEmail - submissions@mbalit.co.uk (FAO Susan Smith)
Recently verified
MBA Literary Agents
Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction, audio rights, some playwrights
Looking forChildren's fiction, historical fiction, mystery and supernatural horror; particularly slick and humorous middle grade fiction and STEM titles for children
How to submitEmail - submissions@mbalit.co.uk (FAO Sophie Gorell Barnes)
Recently verified
Agents with overlapping taste
David Higham Associates
Open
RepresentsNon-fiction
Looking forHistory, 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
How to submitEmail - andrewgordon@davidhigham.co.uk
Recently verified
Watson, Little Ltd
Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forNon-fiction: history, popular science, social issues, nature, money/life management, music, sport, film, technology, memoir, true crime, experts with wide appeal. Fiction: literary and well-written commercial, boundary-pushing style with emotional heart and plot, upmarket with satisfying arc, historical or contemporary, genre-mixing
How to submitEmail submissions@watsonlittle.com with a cover letter in the body of the email, a synopsis, and approximately 10,000 words from the beginning of the manuscript for fiction, or a proposal including a sample chapter and chapter summaries for non-fiction. Address one agent only. No AI-originated or AI-edited material.
Recently verified
Johnson & Alcock
Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction, estates
Looking forFiction: originality/style, literary to commercial, imaginative setting, strong voice, compelling premise, active SFF list, high concept, intelligent crime/thrillers, genre-transcending. Not taking new YA/children's, no plays/film scripts. Non-fiction: politics, narrative history, sport, natural history, quirky memoir, popular culture, inventive angles
How to submitEmail - ed@johnsonandalcock.co.uk
Recently verified
David Higham Associates
Open
RepresentsFiction, children's, non-fiction
Looking forLiterary and genre fiction (incl historical, horror, speculative), multi-generational, high-concept book club, domestic dramas, crime/thrillers with a twist, non-fiction including history/true crime/current affairs/travel/food/psychology/feminism/memoir, children's high-concept with humour/heart
How to submitEmail veroniquemanuscripts@davidhigham.co.uk with a covering letter, a 1-2 page synopsis, and the first 3 chapters.
Recently verified
Rachel Mills Literary (RML)
Open
RepresentsFiction, literary memoir, narrative nonfiction
Looking forActively seeking wide-ranging fiction: excellent writing, compelling plots, diverse/unexpected voices, engrossing reads, especially literary/commercial crossover, romantasy, psychological thrillers/suspense, family dramas, savvy love stories, ambitious crime/thriller, smart historical/speculative/magical realism. Not looking for children's/YA/MG, short story collections, poetry or drama, no straight sci-fi or high fantasy that is not romantasy
How to submitEmail nelle@rmliterary.co.uk with a one-page outline, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, and a covering letter.
Recently verified
Susanna Lea Associates (London)
Open
RepresentsFiction and narrative non-fiction
Looking forGeneral fiction, book club, literary fiction, smart clean or lyrical prose, interesting form/structure, character-driven with unusual protagonists, stories exploring gender/race/class/sexuality, selective memoir/nature/social commentary
How to submitEmail a concise cover letter with contact details and relevant background, a brief synopsis, and either the first three chapters or a detailed proposal to london@susannalea.com. Do not submit to more than one office.
Recently verified
Browse by genre
This profile was last verified on 1 Jun 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.