UK Picture Books Literary Agents

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.

Picture books, novelty, pre-school, middle grade, narrative non-fiction, general non-fiction, gift, comics, graphic novels, activity books

Exceptional children's book creators, with a particular interest in inventive approaches to familiar themes, passion projects from diverse and exceptional new talents, and innovative formats that push the boundaries of children's publishing. Books that spark curiosity and wonder, especially visually extraordinary objects that reward repeated reading.

Review David Higham's submission guidelines before submitting. Send your work by email to isobelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk. If you do not receive a response within twelve weeks, the agent will not be pursuing your work.

Children's fiction, children's nonfiction, young adult, middle grade, picture books, illustrators

Wants: Covering letter, brief pitch, first three chapters, synopsis, complete picture book text, illustration samples

Becky Bagnell founded Lindsay Literary Agency. The agency specialises in writing for children, from picture books to Young Adult fiction and nonfiction for young people. It is currently open to submissions, particularly from diverse or underrepresented authors. It is full for picture book scripts, but actively looking for YA in any genre, middle grade with a strong concept or hook, epic middle-grade fantasy, younger 5-7 stories around 5,000 words, voice-led YA, high-concept YA, contemporary love stories, and romantasy.

Email info@lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk. For novels, attach the first three chapters and a single-page synopsis as two separate double-spaced Word documents, and put a covering letter in the email body with brief author information and a 2-3 sentence pitch. Picture book submissions should include a covering letter and complete story in Word format, illustrators should send small PDF samples and a link to online work. Postal submissions are not accepted.

Nonfiction, illustrated books, fashion, biography, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, illustrators

Wants: Publishing history, CV, synopsis, three sample chapters

Isabel Atherton is an experienced literary agent and founder of Creative Authors. The agency represents commercially strong titles in fashion, biography especially music, autobiography, crafts, health, cookery, children's picture books, history, natural history, popular culture, true crime, select fiction, and illustrators. Creative Authors is not currently looking for new fiction clients but is considering well-crafted nonfiction and illustrated books. It is not looking for fantasy, science fiction, poetry, short stories, plays, scripts, or fiction at present.

Submit through the Creative Authors Join Us form with publishing history and CV, synopsis, and three sample chapters. Creative Authors does not accept paper submissions, does not charge a reading fee, and asks writers not to telephone about unsolicited submissions.

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

Wants: Children's and YA writing/illustration; high-quality work with fresh approaches to storytelling/illustration

High-quality writing and illustration that takes a fresh or different approach to storytelling or illustration; the agency does not publish a detailed wishlist because they often do not know what they want until they see it

Email submissions@springliterary.com with a covering email explaining who you are and why you are getting in touch. Fiction: one-page synopsis and 5,000–10,000 word sample chapters in Word (no full manuscript). Non-fiction: synopsis, rationale for writing it, and three sample sections or chapters, optional short CV. Picture books: up to four full texts. Illustrators: portfolio of up to 10 images as PDFs or JPGs, keeping file sizes small.

Adult and children's, picture books, illustrators

Adult and children's chapter books, picture books (text only), illustration

Chapter books: synopsis and first chapter (if under 3 chapters, send whole manuscript). Picture books: text only. Illustrators: samples

Children's (mg or ya or crossover), adult commercial fiction, narrative non-fiction

Genre fiction and crossover children's, boy-led MG, teen fiction, graphic novel/illustrated MG or younger YA, quirky fantasy, dark/off-beat romantic comedy, domestic noir, cultural history/narrative non-fiction with strong voice

Email submissions@nurnberg.co.uk with a cover letter in the body of the email, a one-page synopsis and first three chapters or up to 50 pages as attachments. Mark the subject line FAO Gyamfia Osei. For non-fiction, send an overview, chapter outlines, and three sample chapters.

Fiction, non-fiction, illustration

Full manuscript/portfolio; brief description of the work; brief bio (per contact page).

Full manuscript or portfolio, brief description of the work, and brief bio

Children's books (and illustrated concepts)

Engaging, original illustrated stories and concepts across genres, children's editorial and illustration focus

Email your submission to submission@bell-lomax.co.uk. For fiction, children's fiction, YA, and narrative non-fiction send a short synopsis (including full plot details), the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter with details of any previously published work, all as Word documents or PDFs. For picture books, send the full text of up to three manuscripts in one email, sample illustrations (if available) as PDF, PNG, or JPG, and a covering letter. Do not use WeTransfer or Google Drive links.

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.

Authors and illustrators across all genres and age ranges, non-fiction

Picture books with strong characterisation, genuine emotional impact, and artwork and stories that feel full of life; non-fiction where artists and authors bring fresh energy to familiar subjects through a new perspective or by experimenting with style and format

Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary

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

Children's authors, children's illustrators

Picture books, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels, illustration

Picture books: full text. Fiction or non-fiction: synopsis and first 3 chapters. Graphic novels: synopsis and full script. Illustrators: PDF portfolio (10 and samples). Via submission form

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.

Middle grade, ya, crossover, new adult, picture book, adventure, mystery, horror

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first 3 chapters or 20 pages

Kat is actively building her own list from middle grade through YA, crossover and New Adult, with a character-led taste and interest in adventure, mystery, darker YA and select picture book authors.

Email Kat directly at kat@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.

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.

Authors and illustrators

Whimsical, narrative-led children's illustration and author-illustrator work

Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary

Authors and illustrators

Children's illustration and author-illustrator work

Online form - https://thebrightagency.com or uk or submissions or new?division=literary

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.

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, ya fiction, children's non-fiction, author-illustrators

Wants: Children's fiction/non-fiction; picture books; first 3 chapters for fiction

Poetry, picture books, young fiction, middle grade fiction, YA fiction and non-fiction for children, and author-illustrators who both write and illustrate their own work as well as illustrate for other authors

Send a short synopsis, first 3 chapters for fiction (excluding prologues), or full manuscript for picture books, plus a covering letter with full contact details including email address. Submit electronically to john.mclay@btinternet.com or by post, if posting include a stamped self-addressed envelope.

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art 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.

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Illustrators, children's illustration, picture books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Children's illustration artists who can work in publishing contexts. Her background covers publishing, art, and agenting.

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.

Illustrators, children's illustration, middle grade, non-fiction, poetry

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Artists and visual storytellers for children's books, with a background in Middle Grade fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and illustrated storytelling.

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.

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Illustrators, children's illustration, children's books

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Children's illustration artists and publishing projects, with experience in children's trade titles and digital illustration.

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.

Illustrators, children's illustration, educational publishing, religious publishing

Wants: Pdf portfolio, website link, art samples

Artists for children's illustration projects, especially work that connects clients and artists for education and religion publishing.

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.

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

Illustrators, artists, children's illustration, picture books, publishing, art licensing

Wants: Jpg samples, art samples

Professional children's illustrators and commercial artists for publishing, licensing, greeting cards, products, and related illustration work.

Use the official artist submissions page. Submit JPG samples for consideration and state interest in Advocate Art Agency. Applications are reviewed with ITSme and Advocate Art agents.

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.

Children's writers and illustrators

Writers and illustrators for children, from picture books to YA

Email - childrens@jennybrownassociates.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.

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.

Picture books, chapter books, children's illustration

Picture books and chapter books with strong narrative in both text and illustration, particularly work by illustrators. Stories with suspense, emotional depth, and structural integrity.

Submit your work via email to millie@rcwlitagency.com. Due to the volume of submissions received, individual responses are only provided if the agent wishes to discuss your work further. If you do not receive a response after eight weeks, please consider it a decline.

Self-help, pop culture, music, memoir, history, science, politics, social justice, narrative food writing, faith, true crime, commercial fiction, psychological thrillers, horror thrillers, children's books, picture books, ya

Rick Richter represents self-help, pop culture and music, memoir, history, science, politics and social justice, narrative food writing, and faith. He is also interested in select true crime, commercial fiction, and psychological/horror thrillers and diverse voices in all categories. He has extensive experience in children's books and represents illustrators and children's authors writing fiction and non-fiction from picture books through YA.

Rick Richter only accepts queries through Query Manager. Please check his Query Manager profile for more information.

Fiction and non-fiction, children's books

Currently (Jan 2026) only open to: non-fiction (adult or children) from experts, and non-rhyming picture books (especially author-illustrators)

Email charlotte@greyhoundliterary.co.uk with a cover letter and pitch in the body of the email. For fiction, attach the first three chapters and a synopsis. For non-fiction, attach a proposal and sample writing. For children's picture books, attach the full manuscript and sample illustrations if you are also the illustrator.

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.

Fiction, children's books, illustration

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

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.

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

Children's literature, middle grade, chapter books, young adult, picture books

Penny Moore represents children's literature, mainly middle grade, chapter books, young adult, and select picture books. Though she is interested in all genres, she is specifically seeking inventive works featuring breakout voices and compelling plot lines that will make young readers feel seen and heard for the first time.

Penny only accepts submissions via Query Manager. Submit through her Query Manager page at https:// queryManager.com or LiteraryPenny.

Fiction, non-fiction, illustration, children's, adult

Sallyanne Sweeney represents fiction, non-fiction, and illustration across children's and adult publishing. She is always drawn to projects that combine creative ambition with broad readership appeal, with taste ranging from the literary to the commercial. She focuses on distinctive voices, strong storytelling, and fresh perspectives, and has a particular gift for guiding debut writers into long-term careers while supporting established voices to reach new audiences.

Submit via Query Tracker.

Children's authors and illustrators

Children's authors/illustrators across ages/genres, currently especially: witches, teen romance/romcom series, MG/YA sci-fi/fantasy, MG/YA horror/supernatural, YA romantasy, books for boys, compelling contemporary. For picture books/graphic novels currently only author-illustrators

Email childrensbooksubmissions@theagency.co.uk with submissions as attachments, not download links. Do not email the agent directly. No postal submissions.