UK Middle grade Literary Agents

Children's books

Actively seeking new clients, MG adventure/series potential, YA romance and fantasy, horror/monster stories, contemporary teen, queer/found-family, SFF across YA/new adult (not grimdark)

Email - childrens@darleyanderson.com

Picture books, young fiction, children's fiction, middle grade

Picture books and young fiction, classic storytelling for 8-12 across genres, not right agent for YA

Email jhodges@unitedagents.co.uk

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.

Fiction and non-fiction

Prioritising MG/YA and new adult/adult commercial fiction, romance including romcom/dark/epic, romantasy, YA contemporary with humour/romance, YA thrillers/horror, MG funny contemporary

Email - submissions@watsonlittle.com

Fiction and non-fiction, audio rights, some playwrights

Children's fiction, historical fiction, mystery and supernatural horror; particularly slick and humorous middle grade fiction and STEM titles for children

Email - submissions@mbalit.co.uk (FAO Sophie Gorell Barnes)

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

See individual agent pages (JVNLA covers many genres incl fiction/non-fiction/cookbooks/children's)

Read each agent's individual submission guidelines on the agency website, choose the agent that best fits your project, and email that one agent only. Include a brief description of your work and a short author bio. Do not send queries by post. AI-generated queries or manuscripts are not accepted.

Children's authors and illustrators

Children's/YA book projects (UK and Ireland only)

Email submissions@alicewilliamsliterary.co.uk with a covering email briefly introducing the submission (genre, age, word count) and a little about yourself. Fiction: pitch in the body of the email, attach the full manuscript as a Word doc (double line spacing) and a one-side A4 synopsis. Picture book texts: attach two or three texts as separate Word documents. Non-fiction: provide an overview of concept, length, structure, readership, and sample spreads or chapters. Illustrators: include a portfolio link and optionally a low-res PDF dummy. Do not use AI-generated text or illustrations in your submission.

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.

Adult fiction, non-fiction, ya, middle grade

Alice Tasman represents a diverse range of writers with an emphasis on fiction. She is drawn to distinctive voices and unique perspectives, and she particularly enjoys discovering debut writers. She is dedicated to nurturing and developing her clients' careers over the long term.

Submit a query to one agent only at the agency. Your query should include a brief description of your work and a short author bio. Find Alice Tasman's specific submission instructions by clicking her name on the submissions page at https://www.jvnla.com or submissions. The agency does not accept queries by regular mail or AI-generated queries or manuscripts.

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

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.

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.

Middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, ya

Middle grade fiction (7+/9+), middle grade non-fiction, teen/YA fiction. Does not accept picture books, under-7s, adult books, poetry/rhyming, or hard copy. UK/Europe-based clients only

Complete the online form at http://www.the-bia.com or submissions, attaching your opening 50 pages or 3 chapters and synopsis (fiction) or 2-page proposal (non-fiction) as Word documents (.doc), labelled with full title and author name. Use single line spacing, 12-point font, standard formatting. One submission per writer only. Submissions are currently closed.

Children's

See source page for more info

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

Middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, ya, teen fiction

Middle Grade fiction for ages 7+ and 9+, Middle Grade non-fiction including biographies and handbooks, and teen and Young Adult fiction for ages 12+, 14+, and 16+. All genres and sub-genres considered within these age ranges. Writers must be based primarily in the UK or Europe.

Submissions are currently closed. When open, submit via the online form at http://www.the-bia.com or submissions. Include the opening 50 pages or 3 chapters as a Word document, a synopsis of no more than one side of A4 (fiction), or a detailed 2-page proposal (non-fiction), plus book title, intended readership, and a brief author biography. Files must be labelled with full title and author name, sent as Word documents only, in standard formatting, single line spacing, 12-point font. One submission per writer.

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

Science fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction, contemporary ya, middle grade, ya, adult

Wants: First 10 pages, query letter, synopsis

Speculative fiction across all sub-genres, with a strong voice and original concept — a speculative element is required for adult and Middle Grade works. For YA, also accepts contemporary fiction without a speculative element. Particularly interested in work informed by non-binary, bisexual, and chronically ill perspectives, and inspired by video games and tabletop RPGs. Not a fit for literary fiction, adult contemporary, non-fiction, historical fiction without a significant speculative lens, picture books, or chapter books.

Miriam is currently closed to unsolicited queries. When open, submit your first 10 pages, query letter, and synopsis via QueryTracker: https:// queryTracker.net or query or miriamc

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 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.

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.

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

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.

Middle grade fiction, ya fiction, adult fiction, non-fiction

Atmospheric, emotionally intense, relationship-led fiction, romance/romantasy, select thrillers/crime, historical with strong relationships, big-idea accessible non-fiction at intersection of science/society, not picture books/poetry/original screenplays

Submit via Query Manager through the 'Submit Your Work' link at https://solasliterary.co.uk or submissions. Include a one-sentence elevator pitch capturing the book's central hook, the first five chapters, and a synopsis of 1–2 pages outlining the full plot including the ending.

Children's and ya

See source page for more info

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

Middle grade, ya, science fiction, fantasy, horror, romance

Sci-fi, fantasy, horror and romance from MG through YA/crossover to adult, with quality writing, compelling characters and hooky plots

Email - mjamieson@unitedagents.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction, children's

Adult: literary fiction, commercial women's, psychological suspense, gothic thrillers, ghost stories, historical including alternate histories, creeping-horror edge (not high fantasy). Children's: 7+/MG/YA, originality/depth, underrepresented voices welcome

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk

Fiction and non-fiction

Virtually everything, from feminist thrillers and memoirs to ghost stories and reading group fiction. The writing must deliver on every page with smart language, clever ideas, and a unique voice, as concept alone is no longer enough. Polished manuscripts and strong pitches are essential.

Email the first three chapters or 10,000 words and short synopsis for fiction or proposal for non-fiction to summerhayesofficesubmissions@curtisbrown.co.uk.

Fiction, non-fiction, middle-grade fiction, ya

Steven reads fiction and non-fiction of all kinds. In non-fiction, he is drawn to books that shed light on under-represented perspectives, communities and histories. In fiction, he seeks novels that explore new ideas, challenge the reader, or play with style, form, character and/or plot — writing with a sense of purpose that takes him by surprise. In middle-grade fiction, he is particularly looking for a quirky detective/mystery series, a fun historical adventure exploring contemporary issues, and a funny, warm-hearted family- or relationship-based drama with a strong voice. In YA, he is keen to read more thrillers.

Do not send submissions directly to Steven's email address unless he has specifically requested your work. For general submissions, please check the agency's submission guidelines first.

Picture books, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, children's nonfiction

Middle-grade and young adult fiction, including novels celebrating unlikely underdog alliances, close siblings, fierce friendships, and found families, with particular interest in stories centered on queer and BIPOC community and joy. In middle-grade: cozy, emotionally resonant fantasy and literary-leaning multi-layered mysteries. In young adult: sweeping fantasy set in fully realized unique worlds, especially those inspired by non-European cultures, as well as thrillers with strong hooks. Also open to well-researched, propulsive narrative nonfiction for both categories, especially from authors from marginalized communities.

Query Erin Murphy through Query Tracker only. Include a query letter and sample pages as requested through the platform.

Children's authors and illustrators

Picture books, young fiction (5-8, series/character-led), MG (incl mystery/spooky/diary-format/graphic novel), YA (gritty realism, romance with twist, some spec elements), children's non-fiction

Email (to agent) - https://www.unitedagents.co.uk or etalbotunitedagentscouk