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Monica MacSwan

Open
Aitken Alexander Associates·UK

Agent profile summary

Represents
fiction and non-fiction
Looking for
Fiction: literary/upmarket with escapism and page-turning readability; big high-stakes love stories from original angles. Non-fiction: writers shifting public discourse with new frameworks; health/medicine/history/politics; biographies/memoirs; also cookery/art/music/lifestyle with strong angle.
How to submit
Email
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Recently verified·Last verified: 29 May 2026
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Monica MacSwan is a literary agent at Aitken Alexander Associates based in UK. Their list focuses on fiction and non-fiction. Currently open to submissions, with responses usually within If no reply within 3 months treat as 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 reply within 3 months treat as pass

Manuscript Wishlist

Fiction: literary/upmarket with escapism and page-turning readability; big high-stakes love stories from original angles. Non-fiction: writers shifting public discourse with new frameworks; health/medicine/history/politics; biographies/memoirs; also cookery/art/music/lifestyle with strong angle.

Submission Tips

Submission route: Email (general submissions inbox), submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk (subject FAO Monica MacSwan) Aitken Alexander requires submissions to be sent only to submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk, marked for the attention of one agent; fiction sample = first 3 chapters/50pp + short synopsis; narrative NF overview + up to 10,000 words; subject-led NF proposal (~5,000 words) + >=5,000 words sample.

Notes

Aitken Alexander requires submissions to be sent only to submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk, marked for the attention of one agent; fiction sample = first 3 chapters/50pp and short synopsis; narrative NF overview and up to 10,000 words; subject-led NF proposal (~5,000 words) and >=5,000 words sample. The agency has a strong record of discovering debut talent; recent examples include Natasha Brown, Cherie Jones, and Ailsa McFarlane, all first found via the general submissions inbox. Submissions should be sent only to the general inbox and not directly to agents or their assistants; simultaneous submissions to other agencies are acceptable but should be disclosed.

Other agents at Aitken Alexander Associates

Emma Paterson

Aitken Alexander Associates

Open
RepresentsFiction, non-fiction, poetry
Looking forStory-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 submitEmail 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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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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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

Caroline Wood

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RepresentsFiction and non-fiction
Looking forFiction: literary prize-winners to upmarket reading group, well-written crime, ambitious/surprising, messy family stories, longing/relationships. Non-fiction: art, culture, music, food, nature, mental health
How to submitSubmit via the online portal at https://felicitybryan.com or submissions or submit-your-work/ — upload a synopsis or proposal and the first 3–4 chapters.
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Caroline Hardman

Hardman & Swainson

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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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Ian Drury

Sheil Land Associates

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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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Antony Topping

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RepresentsHistorical thrillers, literary fiction, upmarket genre fiction, book club fiction, science writing, food writing, history, nature writing, music journalism, memoir, cultural criticism
Looking forContemporary crime and thrillers, historical fiction and historical crime, upmarket and literary fiction with a fresh or distinctive angle, voices from marginalised or underrepresented communities, and non-fiction on any subject where the author has found the right angle and can make the material a page-turning story
How to submitEmail submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter breakdown or synopsis. Attach files as Word documents, not PDFs. Include preferred agent name in the subject line.
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Donald Winchester

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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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Imogen Pelham

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Looking forLiterary and upmarket fiction, literary thrillers, smart women's fiction. Non-fiction on serious subjects in innovative ways (history, science, memoir, cookery, cultural criticism, social issues, psychology)
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This profile was last verified on 29 May 2026. PairPi tracks UK literary agents' submission guidelines against their own websites. If you spot something wrong, please email hello@pairpi.com.