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Justine Smith

Open
Bell Lomax Moreton·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
children's books (and illustrated concepts)
Looking for
Engaging, original illustrated stories and concepts across genres; experienced children's editor/illustration background (per agent bio).
How to submit
Email
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Recently verified·Last verified: 18 May 2026
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Justine Smith is a literary agent at Bell Lomax Moreton based in UK. Their list focuses on children's books (and illustrated concepts). Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within 8 to 12 weeks, replies only if interested. Submissions via Email. For current guidelines, check the agent's own submission page linked below.

Age Categories

Children's

Response Time

Usually responds within 8 to 12 weeks, replies only if interested

Notes

Bell Lomax Moreton submissions: synopsis and first 3 chapters/<=50pp (fiction/NF narrative) and cover letter as Word/PDF; picture books: full text up to 3 and sample illustrations; no WeTransfer/Google Drive links; not poetry/short stories/educational textbooks/scripts/plays. Julie Gourinchas queries via QueryManager only.

Other agents at Bell Lomax Moreton

Julie Gourinchas

Bell Lomax Moreton

Closed
RepresentsFiction
Looking forUpmarket and literary adult/new adult fiction (genre-agnostic within upmarket/literary, sweet spot literary-speculative). Interested in high-concept/hooky work, uncommon voices, strong aesthetic, gothic/grounded fantasy, "weird girl lit", dark academia, select romantasy etc
How to submitQueryManager - https://querymanager.com or juliegourinchas
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Lauren Gardner

Bell Lomax Moreton

Open
RepresentsChildren's and YA fiction, na/crossover, commercial women's fiction, narrative non-fiction
Looking forMG: voice-driven with heart/humour, contemporary or MG fantasy series. YA: friendships/firsts/feels, high-concept/speculative romance or thriller. NA and commercial women's: romance-forward with unusual circumstances, romcom (college/university), darkly comic new-parenthood, also speculative/historical romance. Romantasy: romance-forward, grounded magic, morally grey. Non-fiction: extraordinary challenges/adventures, experts in STEM/history/pop culture/mental health. Not sci-fi, crime fiction, picture books
How to submitEmail submission@bell-lomax.co.uk with a covering letter in the email body, a short synopsis (including full plot details), and the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced) as a Word document or PDF. Do not address the submission to more than one agent.
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Eddie Bell

Bell Lomax Moreton

Closed
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction, children's
Looking forEddie Bell has vast experience in publishing and co-founded Bell Lomax Moreton after serving as Executive Chairman and Publisher at HarperCollins. His official profile says he is not currently open to submissions.
How to submitEddie Bell is not currently open to submissions. Bell Lomax Moreton has general submission guidelines for the agency, but Eddie Bell's official profile specifically states that he is not currently open to submissions.
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June Bell

Bell Lomax Moreton

Closed
RepresentsFiction, non-fiction, children's
Looking forJune Bell was instrumental in founding Bell Lomax Moreton, developed her own client list, and supports the other agents with their work. Her official profile says she is not currently open to submissions.
How to submitJune Bell is not currently open to submissions. Bell Lomax Moreton has general submission guidelines for the agency, but June Bell's official profile specifically states that she is not currently open to submissions.
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Jo Bell

Bell Lomax Moreton

Open
RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forAdult crime, thrillers and suspense, contemporary romance, women's fiction (commercial/literary/historical/humour). Adult non-fiction: mental health advocates, adventurers, entertainers
How to submitEmail - submission@bell-lomax.co.uk
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John Baker

Bell Lomax Moreton

Open
RepresentsSpeculative fiction (SFF/fantasy/horror/romantasy etc.)
Looking forSpeculative fiction broadly: epic/urban/historical fantasy, SF (space opera/near future), horror (folklore/gothic), weird/high-concept, action/adventure/espionage, underrepresented voices
How to submitEmail submission@bell-lomax.co.uk with a short synopsis covering the entire plot, the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter including details of any previously published work. Do not address submissions to more than one agent.
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Agents with overlapping taste

Ariana Philips

Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency

Closed
RepresentsFiction, nonfiction, children's books, illustration
Looking forAriana Philips represents a diverse range of award-winning fiction and nonfiction for adults and children, as well as talented illustrators. She loves to find new talent and work with clients to develop strong manuscripts and proposals. Her philosophy is to take on an author for the duration of their career and help guide them through the ever-changing publishing landscape.
How to submitAriana Philips is an agent at the Jean V.
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Millie van Grutten

RCW Literary Agency (RCW International)

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RepresentsPicture books, chapter books, children's illustration
Looking forPicture books and chapter books with strong narrative in both text and illustration, particularly work by illustrators. Stories with suspense, emotional depth, and structural integrity.
How to submitSubmit your work via email to millie@rcwlitagency.com. Due to the volume of submissions received, individual responses are only provided if the agent wishes to discuss your work further. If you do not receive a response after eight weeks, please consider it a decline.
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Rick Richter

Aevitas Creative Management (ACM UK)

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RepresentsSelf-help, pop culture, music, memoir, history, science, politics, social justice, narrative food writing, faith, true crime, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, horror thrillers, children's books, picture books, YA
Looking forRick Richter represents self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, and psychological/horror thrillers and diverse voices in all categories. He has extensive experience in children's books and represents illustrators and children's authors writing fiction and non-fiction from picture books through YA.
How to submitRick Richter only accepts queries through Query Manager. Please check his Query Manager profile for more information.
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Penny Holroyde

Holroyde Cartey

Open
RepresentsChildren's authors and illustrators
Looking forChildren's fiction and non-fiction across all ages, with a particular love for picture books, and authors and illustrators across fiction and non-fiction for all ages
How to submitEmail penny@holroydecartey.com with a cover letter. Authors: attach synopsis and full manuscript as separate Word files labelled with title and author name, picture book authors may send up to three finished texts, non-fiction authors should include a CV, three-page proposal, and market analysis. Illustrators: send a portfolio of around 12 images as JPEG or PDF, maximum 5MB, do not send links to websites or file transfer services. Submit to either Claire or Penny, not both.
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Isobel Boston

David Higham Associates

Open
RepresentsPicture books, novelty, pre-school, middle grade, narrative non-fiction, general non-fiction, gift, comics, graphic novels, activity books
Looking forExceptional children's book creators, with a particular interest in inventive approaches to familiar themes, passion projects from diverse and exceptional new talents, and innovative formats that push the boundaries of children's publishing. Books that spark curiosity and wonder, especially visually extraordinary objects that reward repeated reading.
How to submitReview David Higham's submission guidelines before submitting. Send your work by email to isobelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk. If you do not receive a response within twelve weeks, the agent will not be pursuing your work.
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Charlotte Atyeo

Greyhound Literary

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RepresentsFiction and non-fiction, children's books
Looking forCurrently (Jan 2026) only open to: non-fiction (adult or children) from experts, and non-rhyming picture books (especially author-illustrators)
How to submitEmail charlotte@greyhoundliterary.co.uk with a cover letter and pitch in the body of the email. For fiction, attach the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and sample writing. For children's picture books, attach the full manuscript and sample illustrations if you are also the illustrator.
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This profile was last verified on 18 May 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.