UK Middle grade Literary Agents

Illustrators, author-illustrators, children's illustration, picture books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Trade children's book illustrators and author-illustrators, with a focus on visual storytelling, portfolio development, and author-illustrated picture book stories.

Use the official Bright submissions form. Illustrators should upload a PDF portfolio with at least 10 samples and a website or social media link. Author-illustrators should follow the relevant picture book or Middle Grade instructions and include art samples.

Literary fiction, upmarket commercial fiction, historical fiction, romantic comedy, gothic, horror, crime, psychological thriller, speculative fiction, ya, middle grade, memoir, narrative non-fiction, true crime

Literary and upmarket commercial fiction of all kinds, especially meditative or moving novels about modern life with warmth and heart alongside sharpness. Historical and period fiction that sheds light on untold stories, ambitious cross-centuries narratives, and historical mysteries. High-concept love stories and romantic comedies with depth. Gothic, horror, murder mysteries, ghost stories, psychological thrillers, speculative and magical realist fiction, and novels with a true-crime feel. A small list of YA and middle grade that feels current and contemporary with a real conversation at its core — not currently seeking fantasy or anything younger than middle grade. On the non-fiction side: memoirs of extraordinary people, narrative non-fiction on subjects the author is passionate about, books on mental health, untold stories across popular science, history and popular culture, and a brilliant true crime book. Particularly keen on LGBTQI+ stories and diverse voices from across the globe. Not currently looking for cookery, wellness, or lifestyle.

Email submissions@greeneheaton.co.uk with your covering letter in the body of the email. Include the agent's name in the subject line. Fiction: attach the first three chapters or around fifty pages plus a one-to-two page synopsis that reveals the ending, as Word documents. Non-fiction: attach three sample chapters or around fifty pages plus a chapter summary or synopsis, and explain why you are best placed to write the book and who the intended readership is. AI-generated or AI-edited content is not accepted. No postal submissions.

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

Children's writers and illustrators (agent)

Strong, sharp storytelling with humour and adventure, not currently accepting picture book texts

Email

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 and non-fiction (to ya or crossover)

Ambitious storytelling, bold structure/voice, fresh takes on genre, author/illustrators, underrepresented/marginalised voices, high-concept contemporary YA romance, horror/thrillers, hooky YA fantasy/speculative, hilarious MG, screen potential

Email - rachelsubmissions@theblairpartnership.com

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Children's writers and illustrators

Writers and illustrators for children, from picture books to YA

Email - childrens@jennybrownassociates.com

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.

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.

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 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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

Fiction and non-fiction

Upmarket-commercial fiction, series crime/thrillers, historical fiction, high-concept fiction, narrative non-fiction, true crime, memoir, popular science/psychology, serious history

Email agauntlett@pfd.co.uk with a cover letter, full synopsis, and first three chapters (approximately 50 pages). Non-fiction submissions should include a detailed proposal and a cover letter with CV.

Humor, children's, picture books, middle grade, young adult

Creative, proactive, and friendly artists working across all genres and age ranges, particularly projects that are humorous, quirky, or designed to spark meaningful conversations

Send all enquiries to mail@thebrightagency.com.

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 and ya, select adult speculative

Exceptional MG and YA fiction with global commercial appeal, graphic novels for children/YA with illustrations in place, very selective adult speculative, not picture books for new clients

Email - mollysubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk

Children's and ya

See source page for more info

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

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, children's books, illustration

See source page for more info

Email davinia@andlynliterary.co.uk for all enquiries.

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