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Emma Paterson

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Aitken Alexander Associates·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
fictionnon-fictionpoetry
Looking for
Story-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 submit
Email 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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Last checked 8 Jul 2026·Last verified: 8 Jul 2026
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Emma Paterson is a literary agent at Aitken Alexander Associates based in UK. Their list focuses on fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within 3 months; no reply means 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 reply means pass

Manuscript Wishlist

Story-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

Submission Tips

Submission route: Email (central submissions), submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk (FAO Emma Paterson) Submit to submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk and mark subject FAO one agent. Fiction: first 3 chapters/50pp + short synopsis. Non-fiction: overview/proposal + sample writing.

Notes

Aitken Alexander has a strong track record discovering debut talent; recent examples of authors first found via their submissions inbox include Natasha Brown, Cherie Jones, and Ailsa McFarlane. The agency is boutique and selective, using experienced readers to triage submissions before passing them to agents.

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literary fictioncrime & thrillerscience fictioncontemporaryhistorical fictionbiographyhistorypolitics & current affairstrue crimesportspoetry

This profile was last verified on 8 Jul 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.