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UK Biography Literary Agents

43 agents · 34 currently open to submissions

UK biography asks for more than admiration for the subject. Agents want access, authority, narrative control, and a reason this life needs another book. The field runs from political lives and cultural history to celebrity, science, music, sport, and literary biography in the Hermione Lee tradition.

This UK page shows agents who explicitly represent biography. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under history, memoir, narrative non-fiction, politics, music, sport, or cultural writing.

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Represents

Non-fiction

Looking for

Commercial and upmarket non-fiction, psychology, popular science, wellbeing, narrative non-fiction, biography, food, sustainability, health, expert-led projects with international/screen potential

How to submit

Email rachel@rmliterary.co.uk with as much detail about yourself and the project as possible, ideally including at least one sample chapter. No reply within one month means the project was not a fit.

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Represents

Non-fiction and select fiction

Looking for

Non-fiction: compelling narrative history, ideas books on urgent questions, absorbing biography and memoir, pop culture, humour, and entertainment. Fiction: memorable characters on gripping journeys, principally crime or literary-commercial crossover. Not considering children's, YA, sci-fi/fantasy, or screenplays

How to submit

Send your work and a covering letter to wiseofficesubmissions@curtisbrown.co.uk. Gordon Wise and his team are taking on only a couple of fiction writers a year. They are not considering submissions for Children's, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fantasy, or screenplays. If you have not heard back within four to six weeks, this means they are unable to offer representation.

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Represents

Biography, history, military history, popular science, narrative history, humour, natural history, popular culture, memoir

Looking for

Popular science with clear everyday relevance, narrative history, military history, humour, biography, popular culture, and natural history. Also memoirs by people whose lives have been well lived and who bring authentic experience to their writing.

How to submit

Submit through the Aevitas Creative Management contact and submissions form available on their website. The form is shared across all agents, so writers should direct their query to Trevor Dolby specifically.

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Represents

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, literary non-fiction, commercial non-fiction, ya, children's books, biography, memoir, history, popular culture, humour

Looking for

Quality women's fiction including romantasy and love stories, smart contemporary thrillers with a difference, a great northern novel set in the north east or midlands, biography, memoir, history, popular culture, humour

How to submit

Email synopsis and three sample chapters as a Word attachment, plus author biography, to info@sarah-such.com. No unsolicited manuscripts or telephone enquiries.

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Represents

Non-fiction

Looking for

Sport, celebrity biography, business and leadership, food-writing, nature-writing, lifestyle. Does not represent fiction, poetry, scripts, or screenplays

How to submit

Email admin@davidluxtonassociates.co.uk with: a synopsis of around 300 words explaining the book and its audience and why you are qualified to write it, a chapter breakdown showing how you will approach the subject, a sample chapter of your choice, and a short biography including any previous writing credits.

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Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, children's fiction 8 and

Looking for

Distinctive fiction, non-fiction including memoir, history, narrative, biography, lifestyle, sports, self-help, humour, pop culture. Not horror, sci-fi, screenplays, or picture books

How to submit

Email info@lisarichards.ie. For fiction, include the first three or four chapters, a covering letter, and an SAE if required. For non-fiction, send a detailed proposal, a sample chapter, and a cover letter.

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Represents

Memoir, geography, economics, politics, history, nature writing, biography, science, travel, literary fiction

Wants: Genres include memoir; geography; economics; politics; history; nature writing; biography; science; travel; and literary fiction.

How to submit

Email james@jameslockhartagency.com with a covering letter in the body of the email and the first 30 pages attached as a Word doc or PDF.

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Represents

Commercial fiction, women's fiction, intelligent crime, thrillers, historical fiction, history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, lifestyle, food

Looking for

Quality commercial and popular literary fiction with emotional heft, original voices and broad appeal, including twisty thrillers, ghost stories, and epic romantic stories. For non-fiction, experts in their fields writing about history, nature, science, self-development, biography, memoir, original thinking, lifestyle and food — particularly books that educate and illuminate worlds readers don't know, strong women's voices, and food writers with fresh perspectives or a built community.

How to submit

Email submissions@hhbagency.com with the genre in the subject line. Put your covering letter in the body of the email including a brief pitch, relevant background, and comparison titles. Attach the first three chapters or around 50 pages as a Word document, plus a synopsis. Fiction writers must have completed the manuscript before submitting. Non-fiction writers may submit before completion.

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Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Contemporary, historical and literary fiction, crime and thrillers, memoir, biography, narrative history

How to submit

Email isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email. Attach a synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Include the book title and your name in the subject line. For non-fiction, attach a synopsis of up to 500 words, a chapter plan, and two sample chapters.

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Represents

Fiction, non-fiction and children's books

Looking for

Children's books across all ages, narrative non-fiction, biography, sport, music, autobiography, crime fiction and 'weird and wonderful'. Not poetry, short stories/novellas, educational textbooks, or film/stage scripts

How to submit

Synopsis and first 3 chapters (max 50 pages) and covering letter (Word or PDF). Picture books: up to 3 full texts plus sample illustrations. Do not submit to more than one BLM agent

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Represents

Nonfiction, illustrated books, fashion, biography, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, illustrators

Wants: Publishing history, CV, synopsis, three sample chapters

Looking for

Isabel Atherton is an experienced literary agent and founder of Creative Authors. The agency represents commercially strong titles in fashion, biography especially music, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, and illustrators. Creative Authors is not currently looking for new fiction clients but is considering well-crafted nonfiction and illustrated books. It is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, poetry, short stories, plays, scripts, or fiction at present.

How to submit

Submit through the Creative Authors Join Us form with publishing history and CV, synopsis, and three sample chapters. Creative Authors does not accept paper submissions, does not charge a reading fee, and asks writers not to telephone about unsolicited submissions.

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Represents

Children's books, narrative nonfiction, biography, sport, music, autobiography, crime fiction, weird fiction

Wants: Synopsis, first three chapters, covering letter, detailed outline, sample material

Looking for

Paul Moreton is Managing Director of Bell Lomax Moreton. He is interested in children's books across all age ranges, narrative nonfiction, biography, sport, music, autobiography, crime fiction, and anything a bit weird and wonderful.

How to submit

Email submissions@belllomaxmoreton.co.uk. For fiction, children's and young adult fiction, or narrative nonfiction, send a short synopsis including the full plot for fiction, the first three chapters or no more than 50 pages double spaced, and a covering letter with any previous publications. For illustrated nonfiction send a detailed outline, sample material if available, and previous publication information. Query one Bell Lomax Moreton agent at a time.

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Represents

Literary 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 for

Provocative, 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 submit

Email 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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Represents

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry

Looking for

Literary 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 submit

Email 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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Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Fiction: book club/literary, character- and voice-driven crime/thriller/suspense, dark/gothic/uncanny, love stories, family sagas, historical from a slant, Highsmithian thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible social/cultural history, biography/memoir, reportage, popular science, nature, arts, food/cookery, experts, journalists, lived experience

How to submit

Email charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk with a short covering letter (including a book blurb and brief author bio), a synopsis of no more than two pages, and the opening 50 pages of the manuscript (fiction), or a book proposal of approximately 50 pages (non-fiction). Submissions must be in Word Doc format, at least 1.5 line spaced, page-numbered, on A4. Submit to one agent only, do not blind-copy. Attachments must be under 5MB.

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Represents

Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, politics, pop culture, popular science, history, journalism, memoir, biography

Looking for

David Kuhn is co-CEO of Aevitas Creative Management. His official Aevitas profile says he represents literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, politics, pop culture, popular science, history, journalism, memoir, and biography.

How to submit

Submit through the official Aevitas contact or submissions page if David Kuhn is available in the agent dropdown. Aevitas asks writers to include a query letter and, for nonfiction, a proposal if available, for fiction, include sample pages as directed by the form. Do not send unsolicited material outside the official route.

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Represents

Literary 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 for

SF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music

How to submit

Email 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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Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

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 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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Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

High-quality adult non-fiction and fiction, YA for young teens. Non-fiction: natural history, memoir, biography, history, cookery, current affairs, humour, lifestyle

How to submit

Send an initial letter to Barn Cottage, Veryan, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5QA with a short description of your book or idea. The agency prefers postal submissions due to high email volume.

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Represents

Non-fiction, literary fiction, memoir, cookery, biography, thriller

Wants: Non-fiction that informs understanding of world/society; life writing; topical/essayistic; cookery/food; experts writing accessibly. fiction: 'what if' novels; incisive/witty; moral dilemmas; fun romantic reads. not children/YA; not historical fiction; not adult sf/fantasy

Looking for

Building a list with a particular focus on perspectives that have been historically excluded from the mainstream. Interested in cookery, literary memoir, historical biography, zeitgeisty fiction and thrillers.

How to submit

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with a covering letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis and first three chapters or 50 pages as attachments. Address the email FAO Silé Edwards and make this clear in the subject line. For non-fiction, send an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters instead.

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Represents

General fiction, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, women's commercial fiction, non-fiction, arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, health

Wants: See submissions page; requires synopsis and first 3 chapters.

Looking for

General fiction including thrillers, crime, historical fiction, suspense, mystery, and women's commercial fiction. On the nonfiction side, illustrated books covering arts and crafts, cookery, biography and autobiography, popular science, business, natural history, sport, travel, and health. Open to submissions from new authors.

How to submit

Email a brief synopsis and the first three chapters as Word or Open Document attachments to mail@limelightmanagement.com. Include 'Submission' in the subject line and the title of your work in the attachment filename. Also include a note about your professional life and writing ambitions.

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Represents

Non-fiction, politics, culture, biography, memoir, music writing, fiction

Wants: Adult

Looking for

Serious and popular non-fiction, with a particular focus on politics and culture from across the ideological spectrum, as well as music writing. Also represents fiction, though non-fiction remains the core of the list. Areas include political commentary, cultural criticism, biography, memoir, and music history.

How to submit

Submissions should include a covering letter, a short bio, and a brief synopsis. A full manuscript or an excerpt of the work should be attached as a Word document. Queries by mail or over the phone are not accepted. Submissions can be made through the agency's online submission form on their website, which accepts doc, pdf, and docx files up to 128 MB. If no response is received within two months, the agency will not be making an offer of representation.

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Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, literary estates

Looking for

Non-fiction: history, current affairs, biography, geopolitics, intelligence studies, history of war. Fiction: international thrillers and espionage

How to submit

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with a covering letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis and first three chapters or 50 pages as attachments (for non-fiction: an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters). Address the email for the attention of Michael Dean in the subject line.

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Represents

Commercial fiction, commercial non-fiction, food writing, cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting

Wants: Commercial non-fiction and fiction, with focus on health and cookery (agency focus). submissions start with a brief email explaining book and target audience; no attachments.

Looking for

Commercial non-fiction, food writing and cookery, memoir, biography, true crime, lifestyle, health, parenting, and commercial fiction

How to submit

Brief email explaining book and target audience, no attachments initially

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Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Biography, history, current affairs, travel, gardening, health, fiction. Not taking new clients

How to submit

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with cover letter in the email body, first 3 chapters or up to 50 pages and a 1-2 page synopsis (fiction), or sample chapters or up to 50 pages and a synopsis or chapter summary (non-fiction). Word documents preferred.

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Represents

Non-fiction, autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, crime fiction

Looking for

Nonfiction across a wide range of categories including autobiography and biography, health, fitness and personal development, humour and language, inspirational real lives, popular culture, history and current affairs, true crime, war and military, and crime fiction.

How to submit

The Robert Smith Literary Agency is currently closed to new submissions and is not accepting any new book proposals at this time.

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Represents

Narrative non-fiction, american history, social policy, constitutional law, nature writing, biography, journalism

Looking for

Narrative nonfiction that explores American history, social policy, constitutional law, and the natural world, from distinguished historians, biographers, journalists, legal scholars, and naturalists who bring rigorous research and compelling storytelling to their work

Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, poetry

Looking for

Fiction: novels, short stories, novellas with heart and intellect, protagonists on the margins, fresh subversions, class conflict, formally challenging work. Non-fiction: oral/narrative histories, contemporary political/philosophical issues, investigative journalism, literary/cultural criticism, biography

How to submit

Online portal - https://felicitybryan.com or submissions or submit-your-work/

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Represents

Memoir, biography, health and wellness, spirituality, non-fiction, arts and entertainment

Looking for

Karen Brailsford represents non-fiction and is especially interested in arts and entertainment, memoir, biography, health and wellness, spirituality, and works of non-fiction that inspire and shine a light on contemporary conditions.

How to submit

Online submission form

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Represents

Non-fiction, history, biography, social science, mental health, spirituality, music, sport

Looking for

Keshava Guha is building an international list, primarily non-fiction but with select fiction projects. His tastes in non-fiction are eclectic, with interests including history, biography, social science, mental health, spirituality, music, and sport. He is particularly interested in projects with global or transnational themes.

How to submit

Submit to Keshava via QueryManager at https://querytracker.net or query or 3858. Please note that he is not open to fiction submissions at this time.

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Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Looking for

Selective 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 submit

Email 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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