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Joanna Swainson

Open
Hardman & Swainson·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
fictionnon-fiction
Looking for
Fiction: crime/thrillers across commercial-literary; atmospheric/setting-as-character; accessible speculative; ghost stories; folk horror; originality and distinctive voice; humour threaded. Non-fiction: narrative history/prehistory; memoir; nature/landscape; folklore.
How to submit
Email
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Recently verified·Last verified: 7 May 2026
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Joanna Swainson is a literary agent at Hardman & Swainson based in UK. Their list focuses on fiction and non-fiction. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within If no response within 8 weeks, treat as a 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 a pass

Notes

Submit to central address and name preferred agent in cover email per agency submissions guidance. The agency does not represent TV or film scripts or poetry. Writers submitting fiction should include the full manuscript upfront rather than waiting to be asked; non-fiction submitters should send a complete proposal and sample material in a single email.

Other agents at Hardman & Swainson

Caroline Hardman

Hardman & Swainson

Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forFiction: literary, upmarket commercial, book club, historical, crime, thrillers (no sci-fi/fantasy/children's). Non-fiction: serious/pop science, psychology, feminism, big ideas/current affairs, health/body/mind, personal development, selective lifestyle, narrative/memoir
How to submitEmail submissions@hardmanswainson.com. Name your chosen agent in the cover email. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and a sample chapter, or the whole work if complete. Submit to one agent only.
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Lucy Malone

Hardman & Swainson

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, crime, thrillers, non-fiction
Looking forMulti-generational domestic novels that follow characters over a significant time frame, particularly those exploring the intricacies of female familial relationships. Pre-twentieth century historical fiction. Big, pacy standalone crime and thriller novels, preferably with surprising twists. Non-fiction with an element of mystery and discovery, especially books that challenge readers to re-examine previously held conceptions of history.
How to submitEmail submissions@hardmanswainson.com naming Lucy Malone in your cover email. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, include a covering email outlining the book, why it has a place on the bookshelf, and why you are qualified to write it, along with a proposal and a sample chapter or the whole work if completed. Submit to one agent only, do not email individual agent addresses.
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Hannah Ferguson

Hardman & Swainson

Check availability
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forWomen's fiction (commercial to literary), book club reads, crime and thrillers, interesting narrative non-fiction
How to submitEmail submissions@hardmanswainson.com and specify Hannah Ferguson's name in the cover email.
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Agents with overlapping taste

Laura Williams

Greene & Heaton

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, gothic, horror, crime, psychological thriller, speculative fiction, YA, middle grade, memoir, narrative non-fiction, true crime
Looking forLiterary and upmarket commercial fiction of all kinds, especially meditative or moving novels about modern life with warmth and heart alongside sharpness. Historical and period fiction that sheds light on untold stories, ambitious cross-centuries narratives, and historical mysteries. High-concept love stories and romantic comedies with depth. Gothic, horror, murder mysteries, ghost stories, psychological thrillers, speculative and magical realist fiction, and novels with a true-crime feel. A small list of YA and middle grade that feels current and contemporary with a real conversation at its core — not currently seeking fantasy or anything younger than middle grade. On the non-fiction side: memoirs of extraordinary people, narrative non-fiction on subjects the author is passionate about, books on mental health, untold stories across popular science, history and popular culture, and a brilliant true crime book. Particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories and diverse voices from across the globe. Not currently looking for cookery, wellness, or lifestyle.
How to submitEmail submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.
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Imogen Morrell

Greene & Heaton

Open
RepresentsLiterary fiction, speculative fiction, gothic fiction, thriller, psychological horror, noir, non-fiction, history, popular science, political writing, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, food
Looking forProvocative, morally ambiguous fiction charged with darkness and desire — exploring themes of shame, obsession, and power — often blending literary fiction with thriller, noir, or psychological horror. Speculative and gothic novels haunted by grief, repressed desire, climate, technological dread, colonialism, or history. Voice-driven, humorous fiction with emotional heft, including messy family dramas, campy queer tragedies, and rural romances with a self-aware take on identity and community. In non-fiction, academics and journalists writing on history, popular science, politics, investigative journalism, cultural criticism, memoir, biography, nature, and food — particularly writers who can marry vivid narrative with deep research. Also political and cultural commentary, mind-bending science writing, narrative biography, landscape and history memoir, insider accounts, and obsessive literary true crime.
How to submitEmail submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email and submission materials as Word Document attachments. Include Imogen Morrell's name in the subject line. Fiction: first three chapters or around fifty pages, plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: three sample chapters or around fifty pages, plus a proposed chapter summary or synopsis — a completed manuscript is not required. No postal submissions accepted. AI-generated or AI-edited submissions will not be considered.
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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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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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Nelle Andrew

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.
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Jack Fogg

DunnFogg

Open
RepresentsSpeculative fiction, historical fiction, upmarket crime and thriller, memoir, narrative-led non-fiction, nature, food, sport, psychology, business, craft and design, social sciences, investigative journalism
Looking forIn fiction, books combining compelling storytelling, engaging characters and strong plotting, especially novels of ambition and scope with big-hearted characters. Particularly interested in speculative fiction with a real-world edge or near-future settings. In non-fiction, broad tastes including memoir, narrative non-fiction with deep focus that expands outward to explain a culture or subculture, immersive journalism, and books where subject-matter expertise meets great writing. Does not represent children's books.
How to submitFiction: first 3 chapters or 50 pages and synopsis. Non-fiction: pitch and sample chapter
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This profile was last verified on 7 May 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.