UK Children's Literary Agents

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, graphic novels, ya, middle grade, adult sff, adult fantasy

Wants: Children's: fiction/non-fiction/picture books/graphic novels; not currently taking picture-book-text-only creators. adult: imaginative SFF with thoughtful society/humanity themes; cosy or dark; witches/magicians/werewolves/teashops welcomed

A middle grade or YA standalone reflecting the experience of growing up in a multicultural or multifaith household. A character-led teen series in which the protagonist pursues an exciting career, in the vein of Geek Girl or Alex Rider. Dark academia for YA or adult with detailed worldbuilding and an emphasis on the dark. Palestinian voices in any age group or genre.

Email christabelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk with your submission. Note that writers focusing solely on picture book texts are not currently being taken on.

Commercial fiction, literary fiction, commercial non-fiction, children's fiction, ya

Wants: Agency is building its list and welcomes unsolicited submissions (see remit on site)

Commercial and literary fiction across all genres, commercial non-fiction, and children's and young adult fiction, with a particular interest in projects with book-to-screen adaptation potential

Email info@whisperingbuffalo.com marked for the attention of the Submissions Department. For fiction include a brief biography, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters (double-spaced) as a Word document attachment. For non-fiction include a proposal and sample chapter.

Children's authors and illustrators

Children'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

Email 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.

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, women's fiction, adult fiction

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women's fiction, open to great adult fiction with a strong hook. Excludes non-fiction, children's and YA. Encourages under-represented writers from the North of England

Email submissions@liverpool-literary.agency with a cover email including details about you, the book genre, blurb, inspirations, comparable authors and titles, and why your book will stand out. Attach a synopsis and first three chapters or first 5,000 words in a Word document with numbered pages.

Fiction, non-fiction, children's, ya

New adult voices in most genres (except women's fiction), domestic thrillers, clever drama with a twist, accessible non-fiction, children's 9+ and YA

Email hicksoffice@sophiehicksagency.com with covering letter in the body of the email and sample pages attached as a Word or PDF document. Fiction: synopsis and first three chapters or approximately 50 pages. Non-fiction: detailed outline and at least one sample chapter.

Children's fiction, children's non-fiction, picture books, illustration

Author/illustrator proposals for picture books, young fiction and non-fiction, illustration with creative brand-building potential beyond publishing

Email claire@holroydecartey.com with a cover letter. Authors: attach synopsis and full manuscript as separate Word files named with title and author name. Picture book authors: up to three finished texts. Non-fiction authors: CV, three-page proposal, and market analysis. Illustrators: portfolio of around a dozen images as JPEG or PDF up to 5MB. Do not submit to both agents.

Action or adventure, chapter book, diversity, funny, graphic novels, illustrated fiction, underrepresented voices, picture book, non-fiction

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages, proposal for non-fiction

Lorna is looking for illustration-led children's books including board books, picture books, chapter books, highly illustrated fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction.

Email Lorna directly at lorna@darleyanderson.com. For novels, send the first three chapters or first twenty pages plus a one-page synopsis. Picture book writers may send up to three full texts. Non-fiction submissions should include a proposal, full chapter list and up to three sample chapters.

Children's fiction, ya, graphic novels, illustrated fiction

Bold, commercial, zeitgeisty children's/YA, prioritises under-represented voices, not currently taking on new picture book clients

Email sohoagencychildrenssubmissions@gmail.com with first 3 chapters or first 30 pages, a synopsis, and a covering letter, addressed FAO Lydia Silver.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, illustrated non-fiction, serious non-fiction

Novels across the literary-commercial scale and non-fiction from highly illustrated to serious non-fiction, with diversity within the list as an ever-present priority. Does not represent scriptwriting, high fantasy, or, in non-fiction, business, self-help or parenting books. Represents poetry and children's books (including MG and YA) only where she already represents the author.

Email submissions@philippasitters.co.uk with a cover letter in the email body. For fiction, attach the first 30 pages (double spaced) and a 1-2 page synopsis (single spaced) as Word documents or PDFs. For non-fiction, attach a proposal with a detailed chapter outline and up to three sample chapters (double spaced), information on target market and comparable titles is helpful but not required.

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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, 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/

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

Fiction

Fiction only; does not handle poetry, children's, or science fiction

Email jane@conway-gordon.co.uk. Note: the list is currently closed.

Children's writers and illustrators

Writers and illustrators for children, from picture books to YA

Email - childrens@jennybrownassociates.com

Adult fiction, select children's or ya and non-fiction

Upmarket commercial/book club and accessible literary, female-lens storytelling, historical with hook, romcoms, unusual structures, thrillers/crime with point of difference, select children's/YA crime/thrillers and MG adventure

Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com

Fiction, non-fiction and children's books

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

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

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

Children's fiction

Children's fiction from early readers through to YA

The agency is not currently taking new clients.

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.

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

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.

Adult and children's books

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

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

Children's fiction

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

The agency is not currently taking new clients.

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

Historical fiction, crime, thrillers, book club fiction, science fiction, fantasy, children's

Historical fiction, crime/thrillers, book club, science fiction and fantasy (actively building list)

Email julieacrisp@gmail.com. The contact page also hosts a form and notes responses within one week.

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 (toddler to teenage) and illustrators

Children's fiction (toddler to teenage)

The agency is no longer accepting new submissions.