UK Children's Literary Agents

Children's and ya

Children's picture book texts, junior novels, YA (incl thrillers/romance), verse, children's non-fiction concepts, broad/non-prescriptive

Online form - https://amheath.com or submissions

Adult fiction, non-fiction, ya, middle grade, children's

Jennifer Weltz has sold books domestically, internationally, and for film for over three decades. She takes on an author's career rather than just a single project, serving as business manager, confidant, task master, preliminary editor, and matchmaker. She is very careful and selective about signing on new authors.

Please only submit your query to one agent at the agency. Your query should include a brief description of your work and a short author bio.

Children's books

See agent wishlist / agency guidelines; actively seeking new clients (per submissions page)

Submit via QueryManager at https://querymanager.com or query or 2304

Non-fiction and children's fiction

History, philosophy, biography, outstanding nature writing with compelling memoir, experts overturning received wisdom

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

Authors and author-illustrators (children's)

Wants: Represents a small list of acclaimed authors and author-illustrators; see agency author list. initial enquiry triggers auto-responder with current guidelines and the submission address.

Authors and author-illustrators producing children's books, both unpublished and established writers seeking representation

Email enquiries@eddisonpearson.com with a brief enquiry. An auto-responder will reply with the current submission address and guidelines. Send your submission to that address, you should receive an acknowledgement within 24 hours. If not, call the agency directly.

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

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

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.

Fiction and non-fiction

Adult fiction and non-fiction (agency represents adult and children's, not picture books or scripts)

Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

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

Smart romance with an edge, fresh and page-turning crime fiction, horror and literary horror with a contemporary resonance, and literary fiction that is funny and moving with a brand new hook. In children's books, a funny and engaging author-illustrator with a fresh series for young readers (5+), middle grade fiction with strong world-building and characters we haven't seen before, grounded YA fantasy, high-concept YA contemporary, and books about unusual relationships. In children's non-fiction, books that tackle curriculum subjects in a new and engaging way, and real-life stories for middle grade and YA readers. No longer accepting picture books.

Email submissions@colwillandpeddle.com with subject line 'Fiction or Children's Submission' (delete as applicable). Include a cover letter, a one-page synopsis, and the first chapter of your work.

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

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

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.

Humorous fiction, action fiction, commercial fiction

Books with humour, particularly when it is edgy, smart, and driven by characters' own actions, flaws, and foibles. Strong-voiced action stories that create genuine connection with a character before placing them in peril, with premises that explore "what if" scenarios to their extremes. Narratives that deliver surprises in a satisfying, inevitable way.

Other submissions

Children's fiction

Children's fiction from early readers through to YA (agency remit)

The agency is not currently taking new clients.

Fiction, children's fiction

See source page for more info

Email submissions@colwillandpeddle.com with the subject line 'Fiction or Children's (delete as applicable) Submission'. Include a cover letter about you and your writing background, a synopsis of no longer than one A4 page, and the first chapter of your work.

Children's

See source page for more info

Submission form: https://davidhigham.co.uk/submissions/

Children's writers and illustrators

Writers and illustrators for children, from picture books to YA

Email - childrens@jennybrownassociates.com

Adult fiction, children's fiction, mg, ya

Children's: MG and YA fiction (all genres), esp YA fantasy with unusual settings/magic systems, YA spec fic/horror/thrillers. Adult: commercial fantasy and sci-fi, horror (social conscience), high-concept/general fiction with speculative/gothic edge, murder mysteries

Email - plantqueries@thebentagency.com

Adult and children's books

Small list across adult and children's. Not taking new clients

Email submissions via https://rcwlitagency.com or submissions/

Fiction and non-fiction, children's

Eddie 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.

Eddie 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.

Fiction, non-fiction, children's

June 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.

June 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.

Writers and directors (screen or audio or stage)

Writers and directors for projects ranging from children's animation to feature films, original and episodic TV, radio drama, and theatre

Email - info@rochellestevens.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters, total word count, writing CV, full contact details

Writers and illustrators across a range of categories, including novels, non-fiction, and picture books, with strong international potential. Does not consider poetry, playscripts, screenplays, or individual short stories.

Email or Post - fraserrossassociates@gmail.com

Fiction, non-fiction, children's

Andrew Nurnberg is the founder of Andrew Nurnberg Associates, established in 1977, specialising in the international representation of authors. He retired from agenting in 2023.

Email: info@nurnberg.co.uk

Children's books

Children's fiction and illustration: voice/style-first, strong hooks, diverse/own voices welcomed

Email a short cover letter, a one- or two-sentence pitch including the hook and intended readership, and a writing sample pasted into the body of the email (a full picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel) to submissions@thecatchpoleagency.co.uk. Illustrators should also include a link to their online portfolio. Do not submit by post. If own voices or diverse applies, include #ownvoices or #diverse in the subject line.

Children's fiction

Children's fiction from early readers through to YA

The agency is not currently taking new clients.

Children's fiction (toddler to teenage) and illustrators

Children's fiction (toddler to teenage)

The agency is no longer accepting new submissions.

Literary fiction, crime, women's fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's, picture books, ya

Fiction: literary fiction, crime, women's fiction. Non-fiction: narrative. Children's: picture books to YA

Email submissions to submissions@jennybrownassociates.com for adult work (or directly to jenny@jennybrownassociates.com or lisa@jennybrownassociates.com), or to childrens@jennybrownassociates.com for children's submissions. Write a covering letter in the body of the email. Fiction: attach first three chapters (around 50 pages) and a synopsis in a single document. Non-fiction: attach a proposal and a couple of sample chapters. Picture books: send three complete stories. Illustrators: send samples and a link to your website. Attach text as .doc, .docx, or .pdf, illustrations as .jpeg, .gif, or .pdf. Number your pages.

Literary fiction

Wants: Synopsis, writing sample

Barrie James accepts work across a broad range of categories including General Fiction, Thrillers, Romance, Short Stories, Non-Fiction, Erotica, Supernatural, Fantasy, Children's, History, Science Fiction, Religion, Guides, Poetry, and Women's Fiction. The agency focuses on unpublished new writers seeking exposure for their work.

Online submissions are preferred. Submissions should be approximately 1,500 words in total, with the first 200 words used as a synopsis and the remainder as a sample of the work. A one-off registration fee of £20.00 is required.

Children's and ya

Distinctive voices, unforgettable characters, exciting ideas, stories that make her laugh/cry/think. Currently seeking younger fiction, MG, YA, and non-fiction for children/teens; not currently seeking new picture book writers.

Email - submissions@anneclarkliteraryagency.co.uk

Fiction

Fantasy, science fiction, and children's (PB to YA) with underrepresented perspectives, character-driven speculative, queer romance across ages

Submit via QueryManager at https://querymanager.com or StevieFinegan

Fiction and non-fiction

Commercial/high-concept fiction with hook (romance/crime/thriller/general), accessible literary, speculative/SFF/horror, fun fantastical MG, big-emotion YA. Less keen on political or gangland thrillers

Email submissions@thenorthlitagency.com when open to submissions

Children's fiction

Middle grade with mystery/adventure, heartfelt contemporary MG, ambitious fantasy, young fiction (5-8) with clear hook, YA (incl romantasy/thrillers/romance tropes), underrepresented voices

Email chloe@darleyanderson.com when open to submissions

Lgbtqia and writers and creators across all genres

Radical, complex queer stories beyond stereotypes, intersectional diversity

Frog is currently closed to submissions. Check https://www.frogliterary.agency or submissions for updates on when they reopen.

Picture books, children's fiction

Voice and style come first — the agency needs to fall for your voice above all else. Ideas are secondary and can be developed, but the voice must draw them in immediately. Particularly interested in hearing from diverse authors and illustrators, and those writing own voices stories. Also interested in illustrators who write or intend to write, as they benefit most from the agency's editorial input.

Email submissions@thecatchpoleagency.co.uk with: a short cover letter with a couple of details about yourself, a one- or two-sentence pitch setting out the hook of your premise, a brief note on intended readership, and a writing sample pasted into the body of the email (a complete picture book text or a couple of chapters of a novel). Illustrators should also include a link to work viewable online plus some writing. No postal submissions accepted. If own voices or diverse applies to you, include #ownvoices or #diverse in the subject line. Note: submissions are closed until June 2026.

Fiction and non-fiction

Non-fiction: craft, cookery, biography, memoir, health, mind body spirit, travel, history, natural history, true crime, pop culture. Fiction: commercial women's, crime, thrillers, literary (not experimental), YA, children's

Agency is currently closed to new clients and not accepting submissions.

Fiction, nonfiction, children's books, illustration

Ariana 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.

Ariana Philips is an agent at the Jean V.

Children's and ya

See source page for more info

QueryManager or email (agency) - submissions@ashliterary.com

Translation and german rights (agent)

Voice-driven German fiction for adult and younger readers

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with 'FAO Sabine Pfannenstiel' in the subject line. Include a cover letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis, and the first three chapters or 50 pages (or a non-fiction proposal).