UK Literary fiction Literary Agents

Fiction and non-fiction

Non-fiction: narrative, political writing, popular science/psychology, history, big ideas, nature, travel, essays, memoir. Fiction: literary to book club, emotionally complex, families/friendship, vivid historical fiction

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

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 and non-fiction

Literary and commercial fiction, children's and YA, non-fiction including memoir/biography, cookery, gardening, humour, history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, politics, popular science, psychology, travel

Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk

Narrative and commercial non-fiction, literary fiction

Strong new voices in non-fiction across musical, visual, dramatic, cultural and culinary arts, history, memoir, biography, essays and humour, select fiction and literary-quality short stories

Email - natalie@greyhoundliterary.co.uk

Children's and ya (and some adult)

Middle grade and YA fiction across genres (pref voice/character-driven, contemporary/realistic settings, magical realism, original psychological thrillers, atmospheric horror, light fantasy). Also open to original children/YA non-fiction, selectively adult literary projects

Submit by email via the PFD books submission page at https://petersfraserdunlop.com or submissions or books/, including a cover letter, synopsis, and the first three chapters or approximately 50 pages for fiction, or a detailed proposal for non-fiction.

Literary fiction, book club fiction, memoir, narrative non-fiction

Distinctive voices, strong writing, literary-to-commercial sweet spot, short powerful novels, ambitious intergenerational stories, gothic, historical, some fantasy, experts writing popular science/health/social history

Email a covering letter, a short synopsis, and the first three chapters (or up to 5,000 words) to submissions@lutyensrubinstein.co.uk. If you have a particular agent in mind, let the reader Susannah Godman know. No plays or scripts, do not post unsolicited manuscripts.

Fiction and non-fiction

Strong POVs (especially women), intelligent, witty, emotionally affecting literary/genre fiction and non-fiction, feminist/provocative voices, twists

Email - lizzymanuscripts@davidhigham.co.uk

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction

Literary fiction and narrative non-fiction, award-winning food writers, academics, stylish prose, sly humour, complex characterisation, challenging ideas and identity

Email zross@unitedagents.co.uk with a one-line elevator pitch, two or three comparable books, and a back-cover blurb. Attach a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters (fiction), or a proposal with a twenty-page writing sample (non-fiction).

Commercial non-fiction, self-help, memoir, literary non-fiction

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Building a list of fiction and non-fiction authors with a particular focus on digital-first writers. Specialises in commercial, self-help and literary non-fiction across memoir, mindfulness, interior design and lifestyle. A committed advocate for emerging and diverse writers.

Email - hello@bergstromstudio.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, non-fiction

Wants: Literary fiction and non-fiction; does not represent science fiction or fantasy (per agent page)

Represents literary fiction and non-fiction. Clients include Sarah Bakewell, Heston Blumenthal, Frank Cottrell Boyce and A.S. Byatt. Also represents the literary estates of Angela Carter, Alasdair Gray and Nancy Mitford.

Email phoebe@rcwlitagency.com

Fiction, non-fiction, literary fiction, commercial fiction

Wants: Strong commercial genre fiction (noir-ish thrillers/spy/gritty crime; also saga/romance/romcom) and surprising reading-group fiction; non-fiction with strong narrative voice in memoir/history and big ideas/smart thinking

Wide range of fiction and non-fiction, literary and commercial. Has a taste for the unlikely, likes to be surprised and transported. In fiction, loves stories that take him somewhere strange and wonderful. For non-fiction, loves books that reveal something new or inspire readers to imagine the world differently.

Email - submissions@sheilland.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction: literary and speculative (and overlap), all adult/YA fiction (not below YA). Non-fiction: untold/unknown stories, expert insights, narrative/serious non-fiction

Email - submissions@appletreeliterary.com

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

Literary fiction and narrative non-fiction

Literary fiction with distinctive/off-kilter voice, high-concept literary, realist novels exploring moral/philosophical/political questions, non-fiction bold voices, investigative/essayistic work, cultural histories, literary true crime

Email - seren@lexingtonliterary.co.uk

Literary fiction, non-fiction, estates

Wants: Synopsis, three chapters, covering letter

Nemonie Craven Roderick is a director of Jonathan Clowes Ltd. Her clients include the Estate of Doris Lessing, the Estate of Elizabeth Jane Howard, the Estate of David Nobbs, Maureen Duffy, Miles Gibson, Simon Critchley, Toby Vieira, Delyth Badder, David Llewellyn, and Gruff Rhys.

Email - nemonie@jonathanclowes.co.uk

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.

Fiction and non-fiction

Non-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

Email 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.

Literary fiction, upmarket fiction, non-fiction

Literary and upmarket fiction and non-fiction (incl lifestyle/wellbeing), stand-out stories with strong leading idea and emotional depth, humour/charm. Currently not looking for crime fiction

Email 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 as a Word document. For non-fiction, send a proposal as a single document including a sample chapter and chapter list with summaries.

Fiction, non-fiction, literary estates

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

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.

Fiction, narrative non-fiction

Crime, thrillers, epic family sagas, book club literary fiction, memoir

Email sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com with a covering letter, synopsis, and the first 3 chapters or first 30 pages. No postal submissions.

Fiction and narrative non-fiction

Commercial genre fiction (romcom, crime, thrillers), accessible literary/reading group, narrative non-fiction (often by women), emotional family drama, multigenerational stories, female-led crime, social-issue thrillers

Email - sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary 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)

Email imogen@marjacq.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Upmarket commercial to literary fiction, distinctive voice/character-driven with strong hook/unusual perspective, multigenerational novels, gripping love stories, funny fiction, feminist/revisionary, experimental/form. Non-fiction: memoir and narrative, history, food writing/food system, nature/planet, popular science, genre-melding cultural writing

Email submissions@janklow.co.uk with your full name, the title of your work, and Claire Paterson Conrad's name in the subject line. For fiction: include a covering letter (in the email body), synopsis, and the first three chapters or first fifty pages as attachments. For non-fiction: include a covering letter, a full chapter-by-chapter outline, and a sample chapter. All documents should be double-spaced, size 12, in a reasonable font, and submitted as Word or PDF attachments — no external links. Responses are sent within 8 weeks if the agency wishes to read more.

Fiction and non-fiction

Literary and commercial fiction and non-fiction (good writing, great literature)

Submit via the RCW submissions page at https://rcwlitagency.com or submissions or with a cover letter, synopsis, and first 3 chapters or 50 pages for fiction, or a proposal of up to 20 pages for non-fiction. Submit to one agent or assistant only.

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction, thrillers, mysteries

Literary fiction, narrative non-fiction (current affairs etc), and high-quality thrillers and mysteries

Email submissions directly to amd@theampersandagency.co.uk

Literary fiction

See source page for more info

Email submissions@paperliterary.com with the agent's name, manuscript title, and your full name in the subject line. Include your query letter in the body of the email, and attach a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters (approximately 10,000 words) as Word documents. Address the email to Catherine Cho specifically.

Fiction, literary memoir, narrative nonfiction

Actively seeking wide-ranging fiction: excellent writing, compelling plots, diverse/unexpected voices, engrossing reads, especially literary/commercial crossover, romantasy, psychological thrillers/suspense, family dramas, savvy love stories, ambitious crime/thriller, smart historical/speculative/magical realism. Not looking for children's/YA/MG, short story collections, poetry or drama, no straight sci-fi or high fantasy that is not romantasy

Email nelle@rmliterary.co.uk with a one-page outline, the first 3 chapters or 50 pages, and a covering letter.

Fiction and narrative non-fiction

General fiction, book club, literary fiction, smart clean or lyrical prose, interesting form/structure, character-driven with unusual protagonists, stories exploring gender/race/class/sexuality, selective memoir/nature/social commentary

Email a concise cover letter with contact details and relevant background, a brief synopsis, and either the first three chapters or a detailed proposal to london@susannalea.com. Do not submit to more than one office.

Non-fiction and select fiction

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

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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, women's fiction, crime fiction, non-fiction

Well-written commercial and literary fiction (incl women's fiction, award-winning crime, upmarket), interested in dysfunctional families, outsiders, messiness, working-class/regional voices (Irish/Scottish), diverse perspectives. Non-fiction: housing, class, feminism, social change, globalisation, sexuality and similar areas

Email - submissions@ryeliterary.com

Fiction and non-fiction

Adult crime, thrillers and suspense, contemporary romance, women's fiction (commercial/literary/historical/humour). Adult non-fiction: mental health advocates, adventurers, entertainers

Email - submission@bell-lomax.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.

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