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Gemma Cooper

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Gemma Cooper Literary·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
children's fictionYAmiddle gradechapter booksgraphic novelscosy crime
+1 morecrime fiction
Looking for
Big-concept commercial series fiction for children and YA, with particular interest in middle grade across all subgenres — mystery, fantasy, historical, funny, adventure, verse, illustrated, animal perspectives — especially with a strong voice or hook. Chapter books with series potential for ages 7 and up, and graphic novels across all children's and YA age ranges. In YA, contemporary novels including rom-coms with a hook, high-concept stories with strong friendships or sibling relationships, mysteries, thrillers, and light speculative fiction; will consider historical YA with action. For adult, only open to cosy crime, smart contemporary crime with humour, crime with a fantasy twist, and crime with a sci-fi element — nothing dark or gritty, no child death or gratuitous violence. Not open to picture books, YA fantasy, contemporary adult fiction, adult non-fiction, literary novels, romance, or poetry.
How to submit
Email gemmaqueries@gemmacooperliterary.com with the book title, a short pitch, a brief author bio, and the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email — no attachments. Graphic novel or illustrated non-fiction submissions may include a link to a website or social media where work is shared, or attach up to five low-res images. Emails sent to info@gemmacooperliterary.com will be deleted unread.
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Last checked 9 Jul 2026·Last verified: 9 Jul 2026
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Gemma Cooper is a literary agent at Gemma Cooper Literary based in UK. Their list focuses on genres including children's fiction, YA, and middle grade. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within 8 weeks. Submissions via Email. For current guidelines, check the agent's own submission page linked below.

Age Categories

Children's, YA, Middle Grade, Adult

Response Time

Usually responds within 8 weeks

Notes

Submission email must include pitch and bio and first 10 pages pasted into email body (no attachment). Illustrated non-fiction/graphic novel may attach up to 5 low-res images. Queries to info@ are deleted unread. Gemma has been a literary agent since 2011, previously a director at The Bent Agency, and founded GCL in 2024. Her client list includes number one New York Times and Sunday Times bestsellers, Barnes and Noble Children's Book Award winners, Waterstones Children's Book Prize winners, and books shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and Edgar Award. She sells directly to publishers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Writers from underrepresented communities, particularly those writing chapter books and middle grade, are especially encouraged to submit. An autoresponder confirms receipt of queries; if no response arrives within eight weeks, resubmission is welcome.

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crime & thrillerchildren'smiddle gradeyoung adult (ya)graphic novels

This profile was last verified on 9 Jul 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.