156 agents · 108 currently open to submissions
UK literary fiction agents tend to build small, deliberate lists, which makes the category more selective than it looks from outside. Voice, intention, structure, and a reason for the book to exist matter more than plot volume. The right comparison is often tone or ambition, not shelf position.
This UK page shows agents who explicitly represent literary fiction. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under upmarket fiction, book club fiction, narrative non-fiction, or a broader literary list.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, graphic novels, general non-fiction
Original page-turning adult fiction and non-fiction across genres (agency notes it does not currently represent Children's/YA or Science Fiction/Fantasy)
Email representme@rockingchairbooks.com with a whole manuscript or just a few chapters. A covering letter is welcome but not essential — the agency typically reads the work first.
Fiction and non-fiction
Thrillers, commercial fiction, historical and literary fiction, narrative non-fiction (history, natural history, politics, military)
Email - philip@marjacq.com
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
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.
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.
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: literary/upmarket with edge, romance (incl dark academia, paranormals, grounded romantasy), mysteries with fresh angle, some literary speculative (not hard SFF). Non-fiction: science/nature, art/culture, social issues/politics, love/relationships, illustrated non-fiction, food/drink
Email (to one agent) - dchandley@pfd.co.uk
Fiction and non-fiction
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
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.
Nonfiction, sport, memoir, autobiography, literary fiction
Sport and a broad range of nonfiction, including journalism, sports figures, actors, TV personalities, doctors, business figures, and military history. Also novelists, and memoir and autobiography from public figures with a distinctive story to tell.
Email submissions@mbalit.co.uk with first three chapters and synopsis as Word, PDF, or Final Draft attachments, covering letter in the email body, and the email marked for the attention of David Riding.
Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, personal development, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Literary and upmarket fiction, and in non-fiction expert voices in personal development, narrative non-fiction, emotive memoir, and books that engage with politics, culture and the status quo with intellectual depth. Passionate about bringing undiscovered ideas and fresh conversations to the mainstream.
Email a synopsis and sample material to hello@bergstromstudio.co.uk
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, literary non-fiction, commercial non-fiction, ya, children's books, biography, memoir, history, popular culture, humour
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
Email synopsis and three sample chapters as a Word attachment, plus author biography, to info@sarah-such.com. No unsolicited manuscripts or telephone enquiries.
Fiction
Character-driven speculative fiction, female-led literary and crossover, book club fiction, contemporary rom-coms, sweeping love stories (historical/contemporary), crime and psychological thrillers, female-led fantasy, romantasy, retellings. Not: children/YA, police procedurals, cosy crime, epic sci-fi, poetry, plays, screenplays, any non-fiction
Elena is currently open for submissions. Send your cover letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters as attachments, not in the body of the email. Submit to submission@dhhliteraryagency.com. Only submit to one agent at DHH Literary Agency
Nonfiction, literary fiction, science fiction, fantasy
Nonfiction that illuminates the past and present across arts, pop culture, education, politics, sociology, and technology, with a vision toward more just and equitable futures; also select genre fiction with literary merit, particularly science fiction and fantasy stories that explore new worlds while revealing something essential about our own.
Submit through Aevitas Creative Management's contact and submissions form.
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.
Fiction, nonfiction, commercial fiction, literary fiction, international authors
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters, proposal
Carole Delmon is listed on the official Susanna Lea Associates Paris team page. The Paris office says its taste is eclectic and that it is interested in works of both fiction and nonfiction, commercial and literary, with projects that have international potential beyond the French market.
For submissions in France, email paris@susannalea.com. SLA asks for a concise and thoughtful cover letter, a brief synopsis, and either the first three chapters or a detailed proposal. Do not submit to more than one SLA office, and do not send post or fax queries.
Fiction and non-fiction, literary estates
Broad/omnivorous tastes, excited by new literary voices, sprawling literary fiction, ambitious/speculative, would like a well-characterised, genuinely thrilling thriller, narrative non-fiction that reads like fiction, food writing, fresh takes on cookery
Online form - https://amheath.com or submissions
Literary and upmarket or book club fiction
Character-driven, emotionally resonant, culturally insightful literary/upmarket fiction, sweeping narratives, complex family dynamics, intergenerational sagas, sociopolitical/postcolonial/global themes, speculative or magical realism grounded in human experience, literary thrillers with psychological nuance
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
Literary fiction, historical fiction, psychological suspense, crime, thrillers, non-fiction
Multi-generational domestic novels that follow characters over a significant time frame, particularly those exploring the intricacies of female familial relationships. Pre-twentieth century historical fiction. Big, pacy standalone crime and thriller novels, preferably with surprising twists. Non-fiction with an element of mystery and discovery, especially books that challenge readers to re-examine previously held conceptions of history.
Email submissions@hardmanswainson.com naming Lucy Malone in your cover email. For fiction, attach a one-page synopsis and the full manuscript. For non-fiction, include a covering email outlining the book, why it has a place on the bookshelf, and why you are qualified to write it, along with a proposal and a sample chapter or the whole work if completed. Submit to one agent only, do not email individual agent addresses.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, thrillers, historical fiction, children's, young adult, non-fiction
Literary and commercial fiction, crime, thrillers, and historical fiction. Particularly excited by debut authors and actively welcomes submissions of the highest standard. Not currently considering science fiction and fantasy.
Submit by email to sam@rcwlitagency.com. Due to the volume of submissions received, you should assume no response within eight weeks indicates a rejection.
Crime, thrillers, literary thriller, commercial thriller, fantasy, dystopian, literary speculative fiction, dark academia, horror, high-concept book club fiction
Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters
Characters with dark pasts, tragic futures or buried trauma. Crime and thrillers across the literary and commercial spectrum, fantasy, dystopian fiction, literary speculative fiction, dark academia, horror, and high-concept book club fiction.
Email submissions@mushens-entertainment.com with the subject line 'Fiction Submission: TITLE OF YOUR WORK', addressed to Rachel Neely. Include a cover letter in the body of the email, a synopsis as an attachment, and a PDF or Word document of your first three chapters, first 10–15,000 words, or first 50 pages. Manuscript must be complete at time of submission.
Literary fiction, thriller, non-fiction, cultural commentary, history, science, politics, psychoanalysis, poetry
Wants: Cover letter, biographical note, first three chapters (fiction) or proposal (non-fiction)
Extraordinary and precisely crafted literary fiction in the vein of Anita Brookner, Jenny Offill, and Gwendoline Riley—work that transforms everyday experience into elegant prose. She is also drawn to literary fiction that plays with genre, including political and erotic thrillers with astute characterization and propulsive pacing, as well as narratives exploring obsession, infatuation, longing, and belonging. In contemporary prose, she looks for playful, innovative writing with sharp observation and wit—novels that assess humanity with shrewdness, clarity, and humour. For non-fiction: stylish writing and fresh perspectives on history, science, politics, and cultural commentary from experts, academics, journalists, and critics writing for trade audiences, as well as experimental, genre-defying work and thought-provoking writing on psychoanalysis and therapy.
Send a brief cover letter along with a biographical note and either the first three chapters of your work (if fiction) or a proposal (if non-fiction) to kat@lexingtonliterary.co.uk.
Fiction, literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history
Small list: fiction and literary non-fiction, memoir, biography, nature, history
Email - submissions@nurnberg.co.uk
Non-fiction
History, current affairs/politics/economics, biography and memoir, narrative/literary non-fiction, sport/adventure, pop culture/film/music, popular science/psychology, ideas ('smart thinking'), narrative-led business
Email - andrewgordon@davidhigham.co.uk
Literary fiction, popular science, history, literary criticism, cultural criticism, current affairs, nature writing, non-fiction
Rory Clarke is actively building his list of fiction and non-fiction. In non-fiction, he is interested in popular science, history, literary and cultural criticism, current affairs, and nature writing, primarily seeking compelling, original stories from emerging experts with surprising and new takes on a subject. In fiction, he is drawn to voice-driven and story-led literary writing powered by strong ideas, evocative settings, and a command of form.
Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with the submission addressed to Rory Clarke in the subject line. Fiction: covering letter in the body of the email, plus a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters or 50 pages as attachments. Non-fiction: an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters. Andrew Nurnberg Associates does not represent children's picture books or scripts.
Fiction and narrative non-fiction
Commercial and literary fiction (excluding SFF), narrative non-fiction; currently seeking voicy character-driven book club fiction, fresh crime, upmarket horror, and accessible eye-opening non-fiction
Email - mhoskins@unitedagents.co.uk
Literary fiction, innovative fiction, humor, nonfiction, history, art, social commentary, political commentary, nature writing
Wants: Cover letter, writing sample, synopsis, proposal
Cora MacGregor is Associate Agent and Assistant to Patrick Walsh at PEW Literary. She is drawn to generically and formally innovative literary fiction that speaks to the present moment, or anything that makes her laugh. Her nonfiction interests are diverse and include history, art, social and political commentary, and nature writing.
Submit to PEW Literary by email at submissions@pewliterary.com or by post. Email submissions should be in Word or PDF format, 1.5 or double-spaced, with a cover letter. Fiction submissions should follow PEW's fiction guidelines, and nonfiction submissions should follow PEW's nonfiction guidelines. Do not send a stamped addressed envelope for postal submissions, include an email address for response.
Literary and general fiction, non-fiction, poetry (select)
Original, distinctive voices, literary and general fiction including short stories, non-fiction with persuasive perspectives and interplay between personal/political (power, class, culture), literary memoir/auto-fiction borderlands, selective cookery/food writing and cookbooks
Email - nicolasubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk
Fiction and non-fiction
Literary/book club/romantic fiction, character-led "gentler" crime in communities, non-fiction including relationships, pop culture, social history, food, some cookery/illustrated. Not currently considering memoir
Email juliet@blakefriedmann.co.uk with your cover letter as the body of the email. Attach a full synopsis of 250-300 words and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words as Word documents (.doc or .docx). Name each attachment with the book title and your name. Include your title and name in the subject line. Do not send PDFs or external links.
Fiction and non-fiction
Commercial women's fiction with strong hook/twisty plots/emotion/drama, eclectic list. Agency also considers crime/mystery/suspense/thrillers, horror, historical, commercial and literary, non-fiction including politics/current affairs, environment, lifestyle, popular science, self-help/how-to, true crime
Email submissions@cmm.agency with a one-paragraph author biography, a one-paragraph blurb or hook including genre and audience, a short synopsis covering plot, setting, theme and characters, and the first three chapters as an attachment. Manuscript must be double or 1.5 line-spaced, with wide margins, in a font no smaller than 12-point (preferably Times New Roman), fully page-numbered, with your name, address, contact number and email on the first page.
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: 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
Submit 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.
Fiction and non-fiction
Crime, thriller, general fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction proposals (case-by-case)
Email - bill@billgoodall.co.uk
Fiction and non-fiction
Fiction: literary/well-written including pacey thrillers. Non-fiction: accessible, estimable writing with commercial potential (journalists/experts/scholars/public figures, fascinating true stories)
Email - submissions@jonathanpegg.com
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.
See source page for more info
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.
Literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, current affairs, politics, pop culture, popular science, history, journalism, memoir, biography
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.
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.
Fiction and non-fiction
Pacy romcoms, dark literary, historical forgotten perspectives, under-represented voices, non-fiction provoking discussion (memoir/polemic/recovered histories/culture studies/self-help)
Email af.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com with cover letter, one-page synopsis, and first three chapters for fiction. For non-fiction, send a proposal including an overview, author bio, chapter breakdown, sources, sample chapter, comparable titles, media links, and any praise.
Literary fiction, commercial fiction, crime, sci-fi, short story collections, poetry, narrative non-fiction, history, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, popular science, popular psychology, children's, ya
Wants: Cover letter and ~500-word synopsis and first 3 chapters; include contact details
Literary, book club, and commercial fiction including thrillers and YA; short story collections and poetry; narrative non-fiction with strong style; well-crafted crime and sci-fi; history, politics, science, psychology, true crime, travel, food, nature writing, investigative journalism, and popular psychology. Writers for children and young adults are also welcome.
Submit by email or post. The postal address is 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS. For email, visit georginacapel.com or contact to find the address.
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, crime, sci-fi, poetry
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, well-crafted crime and sci-fi, building a curated list of poetry
Send a covering letter, a synopsis of approximately 500 words, and the first three chapters by post to Georgina Capel Associates Ltd, 29 Wardour Street, London W1D 6PS (mark envelope 'Submissions Department'), or by email to irene@georginacapel.com. Include your email address and or or telephone number. AI-generated content is not accepted.
Literary fiction, speculative fiction, narrative nonfiction, subject-led nonfiction, poetry
Wants: Literary-spectrum fiction (incl speculative); narrative-forward nonfiction with original idea/voice; not currently taking on new poets
Literary novels that prioritise plot and find fun, surprising ways to explore ideas or a moment in time — entertaining, thought-provoking, and ideally moving. Open to work that plays with and elevates genre. In nonfiction, drawn to original ideas with unique, narrative-driven telling, whether from journalists, memoirists, thought leaders, academics, or cultural figures. Not currently taking on new poets.
Email submissions@aitkenalexander.co.uk with the agent's name in the subject line. For fiction, attach the first three chapters or fifty pages plus a short synopsis as Word-compatible files. For narrative nonfiction, attach a short overview and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. For subject-led nonfiction, attach a proposal of around 5,000 words and 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's assistant.
Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, poetry
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
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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