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Emma Paterson

Open
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
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Recently verified·Last verified: 25 May 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.

Other agents at Aitken Alexander Associates

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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Harriet Moore

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry
Looking forLiterary fiction with clarity, energy and intention, ambitious structure/craft, tactile/idiosyncratic sentences, strange/spooked books, big family novels and love stories, literary genre-bending. Non-fiction: literary biography, social/cultural/oral history, creative scholarship, memoir/essay, interests include art, design, psychoanalysis, food, women's lives
How to submitEmail submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with subject line marked FAO Harriet Moore. Include a cover letter with a short book description, any writing credits or qualifications, and a brief bio. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or 50 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 at least 5,000 words of sample writing. Attachments should be Microsoft Word compatible. Submit to one agent only, no postal submissions. If you have not heard back within three months, treat this as a pass.
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Agents with overlapping taste

Ian Drury

Sheil Land Associates

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, commercial women's fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, genre romance, historical fiction, horror, ghost stories, sagas, science fiction, biography, memoir, cookery, gardening, gift books, humour, history, military history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, self-improvement, politics, popular science, psychology, travel, children's, YA
Looking forSF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music
How to submitEmail submissions@sheilland.co.uk with a cover letter, a one-page synopsis (fiction) or brief outline (non-fiction), a short CV, and the first three chapters or around fifty pages. Submissions should be 1.5 line spaced with margins and page numbers, and must include a word count. Only one work at a time. No AI-generated content accepted.
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Donald Winchester

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.
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Veronique Baxter

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.
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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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Anna Power

Johnson & Alcock

Open
RepresentsFiction and narrative non-fiction
Looking forFiction: literary and genre including historical/speculative/crime/romance, distinctive voice/worldbuilding, moral dilemmas, families/relationships, darkness and humour. Non-fiction: history/memoir/current affairs/cultural criticism/popular science/travel/food, experts with surprising takes
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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Jon Wood

RCW Literary Agency

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, crime fiction, thriller, historical fiction, science fiction, fantasy, commercial fiction, book club fiction, upmarket fiction, history, sport, popular science
Looking forEntertaining and diverse fiction with well-told stories, big ideas, emotional hooks and gripping plots. In commercial fiction, particularly interested in crime, thriller, book group and upmarket titles, as well as historical fiction, science fiction and fantasy. In non-fiction, looks for expertise, fresh ideas and genuine passion for the subject, working across history, sport and popular science.
How to submitDirect queries about submissions to Isobel@rcwlitagency.com.
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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.