130 agents · 83 currently open to submissions
UK YA is smaller than the US market, but it still rewards a voice that knows exactly who it is speaking to. Romance, fantasy, contemporary, and thriller each have their own readers and shelves. The stakes need to matter in the teenage world, not merely borrow adult problems.
This UK page shows agents who explicitly represent YA. The broad search toggle catches more who'd consider it under children's, teen fiction, new adult, or a wider commercial list.
Fiction and non-fiction
Most genres/categories for adults and younger readers (excludes plays, screenplays, poetry, 'self-help' non-fiction, picture books)
Email a brief outline and the opening three chapters (around 10,000 words) to mail@antonyharwood.com. Fiction writers who are unpublished should only submit once their manuscript is complete.
Middle grade, ya, adult fiction
MG adventures (fresh), funny MG with series potential, contemporary and mythology for MG, YA romance with strong hook. Adult: women's fiction, dark psychological thrillers, contemporary funny romantic adventure
Email - jo@antonyharwood.com
Fiction and select non-fiction
Commercial and book-club fiction, selective romance, thrillers/mystery, different-feeling historical fiction, selective YA, selective non-fiction (popular history/untaught areas, cultural deep-dives, narrative non-fiction). Not children's, not sci-fi, not grisly horror
Submit via the online form on Hannah Schofield's agent page at https://lbabooks.com or agents or hannah-schofield
Fiction, nonfiction, ya, children's fiction
Young Adult fiction that pushes boundaries and literary fiction that resonates on a deeply emotional level, with universal themes, unexpected twists, and stories that linger long after the final page. Also interested in nonfiction and children's fiction, with a particular emphasis on narratives that surprise and move.
Check agent's submission page
Genre fiction, ya, translation rights
Genre fiction (SFF/speculative/crime/horror) and YA, atmospheric settings, big hooks, snappy dialogue, gothic romantasy, teen slasher/YA horror, dark academia
Email - sandra@marjacq.com
Ya, new adult, contemporary romance, romantasy, fantasy, paranormal romance
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Kristina represents authors and publishers across many genres and categories. She is actively seeking Horror, particularly folk horror, Gothic with a fresh twist, horror fantasy, social horror, feminist horror, queer horror, and dark comedies that bleed into horror territory. She is also looking for crossover YA/NA Fantasy with strong romantic elements and well-considered world building, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Non-Fiction focused on neuroscience, narrative popular science, smart thinking, and lesser-known female historical figures.
Kristina is currently closed to queries. When open, all queries must be submitted through Query Manager. Writers should upload a query letter and the first ten pages of their novel or the first ten pages of a non-fiction sample chapter. Submissions received by email or other methods will not be considered or read. Exclusive queries are not accepted.
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, non-fiction, children's
Fiction, non-fiction and children's (excluding picture books and ghostwritten non-fiction)
For fiction: email a covering letter with word count and one Word attachment containing your first three chapters (double line spaced) and a one-page synopsis to fiction@evewhite.co.uk. For non-fiction: email a covering letter with word count, a full book proposal with sample writing, and your CV to nonfiction@evewhite.co.uk. For children's fiction or non-fiction: follow the same format as adult fiction or non-fiction respectively and send to childrens@evewhite.co.uk.
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.
Young adult, new adult, contemporary romance, romantasy, fantasy, paranormal romance
Wants: Query letter, first ten pages
Isabel Lineberry is Junior Agent and Rights Administrator at Perez Literary & Entertainment and is building a client list focused on YA, New Adult, and romance. She represents YA and New Adult and is particularly interested in contemporary romance, romantasy, fantasy, paranormal romance, queer and underrepresented voices, strong character and voice, romantic tension, charming villains, banter, morally grey characters, kick-ass heroines, believable worldbuilding, fairytale retellings, dark fantasy, alternate histories, historical fantasy, and occasional steampunk or dystopia. She is not interested in cheating storylines, accidental pregnancy, step-sibling romance, unnecessary miscommunication tropes, or Tolkien-esque hard worldbuilding with 100k+ quests.
Submit only through QueryManager at http:// queryManager.com or IsabelLineberry. PLE asks for a query letter and the first ten pages of a novel or the first ten pages of a nonfiction sample chapter. Submissions received by email or other methods will not be considered or read. Do not send an exclusive query.
Fiction, non-fiction, ya, children's
Big, expansive, emotionally powerful 'game-changing' stories, commercial fiction and non-fiction and children's titles (priority focus on under-represented groups and lower socio-economic backgrounds), stories with cross-media potential
Email a covering letter, synopsis, and first three chapters to originatesubmissions@originateliterary.co.uk. For illustrated fiction or non-fiction, include sample spreads instead of chapters. A completed manuscript is not required for fiction queries.
Children's fiction
Children's fiction from emerging readers to YA/crossover (not picture books)
Email the full manuscript as a Word document, a one-page synopsis, and a covering email to submissions@skylark-literary.com. Submissions by email only.
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.
Crime fiction, thriller, mystery, psychological thriller, supernatural suspense, ghost stories, romantic suspense, historical fiction, women's fiction, middle grade, ya, horror, non-fiction, self-help, narrative non-fiction, memoir
Crime fiction encompassing thriller, mystery, and psychological thriller; supernatural suspense; ghost stories; romantic suspense; historical fiction; women's fiction; children's fiction at middle grade and YA level; horror; and non-fiction including topical, accessible works such as self-help, narrative non-fiction, and memoir. Does not represent science fiction, fantasy, short stories, poetry collections, erotica, or picture books.
Submit by email only. Fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a synopsis, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Non-fiction submissions should include a cover letter in the body of the email, a short bio, a proposal with chapter breakdown, and three sample chapters as separate attachments. Use the submissions page at https://shesto-literary.com or submissions or to send your materials.
Literary fiction, contemporary fiction, upmarket fiction, book club fiction, fantasy, horror, young adult, crossover
Wants: Query letter, synopsis, first three chapters
Clara Foster wants intelligent, original fiction with deep emotion, strong line-level writing, and voice-led characters. She is looking for adult literary contemporary fiction with a strong female focus, upmarket and book club novels that are cleverly conceived, beautifully written, and accessible, fantasy and horror that explore the real world or the self, historical romantasy, urban fantasy, academic settings, body horror, lightly speculative fiction, and YA/crossover stories that are political while providing a strong story. She is not a likely fit for commercial women's fiction, science fiction, World War II or Holocaust stories, or narratives driven primarily by sexual assault, eating disorders, a great lie, or death of a child. She is not accepting nonfiction except by referral.
Submit via Clara Foster's official QueryTracker link from her submissions page. Send a query letter, synopsis, and first three chapters. All queries will receive a response.
Children's fiction, ya, middle grade, chapter books, graphic novels, cosy crime, crime fiction
Wants: See agent page for currently-open genres; query must match listed genres. does not represent picture books
Big-concept commercial series fiction for children and YA, with particular interest in middle grade across all subgenres — mystery, fantasy, historical, funny, adventure, verse, illustrated, animal perspectives — especially with a strong voice or hook. Chapter books with series potential for ages 7 and up, and graphic novels across all children's and YA age ranges. In YA, contemporary novels including rom-coms with a hook, high-concept stories with strong friendships or sibling relationships, mysteries, thrillers, and light speculative fiction; will consider historical YA with action. For adult, only open to cosy crime, smart contemporary crime with humour, crime with a fantasy twist, and crime with a sci-fi element — nothing dark or gritty, no child death or gratuitous violence. Not open to picture books, YA fantasy, contemporary adult fiction, adult non-fiction, literary novels, romance, or poetry.
Email gemmaqueries@gemmacooperliterary.com with the book title, a short pitch, a brief author bio, and the first ten pages pasted into the body of the email — no attachments. Graphic novel or illustrated non-fiction submissions may include a link to a website or social media where work is shared, or attach up to five low-res images. Emails sent to info@gemmacooperliterary.com will be deleted unread.
Fiction, non-fiction
Wants: Cover letter, first three chapters, synopsis
Adult and children's fiction, along with a small amount of non-fiction — above all, a great story with characters to care deeply about. Bold, distinctive voices, intriguing stories with a strong hook, and flawed characters with something to learn. Truly diverse characters and inclusive, body-positive, joyful representation, as well as big, mind-bending ideas and fresh combinations of genres. Particularly interested in Thrutopias, graphic novels, highly integrated illustrated middle grade or YA fiction, and funny fiction for children and young adults.
Submit via the online form at https://hs-la.com or submissions or during the open window (1st–7th of each month). Include a cover letter, the first three chapters of your manuscript, and a synopsis.
Fiction, children's books, nonfiction, thriller, suspense, historical fiction, literary fiction, book club fiction, young adult, middle grade, romantasy, memoir, cookery, lifestyle, narrative nonfiction
Wants: Covering letter, synopsis, first three chapters, first fifty pages, outline, sample chapter, bio
Hellie Ogden is co-head of WME UK Books and represents fiction, children's books, and nonfiction. She is actively taking on new clients and wants bold storytelling, moving prose, vivid thought-provoking characters, standout debut work, high-concept thrillers and suspense with fresh hooks and daring twists, historical fiction with original courageous ideas, page-turning literary fiction about millennial experience, nostalgia, sexuality and family complexities, upmarket book club fiction with commercial hooks, female-led mysteries, emotionally deep fiction, YA with big heart and voice, romantasy, middle grade adventure with magic, memoir, standout cookery, lifestyle writers, moving narrative nonfiction, and work with social following and cross-media potential.
Submit through Hellie Ogden's official WME profile or query button. Include the author full name and work title in the email subject line. Fiction submissions should include a covering letter, synopsis, and either the first three chapters or first fifty pages. Nonfiction submissions should include a covering letter, full chapter outline, and if possible a sample chapter. Include a bio with all submissions. Query one WME agent at a time.
Children's fiction
Children's fiction from emerging readers to YA/crossover. Not picture books
Email - submissions@skylark-literary.com
Sff, speculative fiction, horror, middle grade, ya, crossover fiction, graphic novels
Adult SFF, speculative fiction and horror, children's middle grade, YA and crossover fiction, and graphic novels across all age ranges. Actively seeks authors and author-illustrators from diverse and traditionally underrepresented backgrounds.
Email submissions directly to katie@theampersandagency.co.uk. Note: she does not represent children's picture books or short stories not fitting the above genres.
Fiction, non-fiction
Horror (especially folk/social/feminist/queer, not heavy body horror), crossover YA/NA fantasy with romance, paranormal romance/urban fantasy, narrative pop science (neuroscience) and smart-thinking, lesser-known female historical figures
Submit via QueryManager at https://www.perezliterary.com or submit or submit-to-kristina/
Children's and ya fiction, na or crossover, commercial women's fiction, narrative non-fiction
MG: voice-driven with heart/humour, contemporary or MG fantasy series. YA: friendships/firsts/feels, high-concept/speculative romance or thriller. NA and commercial women's: romance-forward with unusual circumstances, romcom (college/university), darkly comic new-parenthood, also speculative/historical romance. Romantasy: romance-forward, grounded magic, morally grey. Non-fiction: extraordinary challenges/adventures, experts in STEM/history/pop culture/mental health. Not sci-fi, crime fiction, picture books
Email submission@bell-lomax.co.uk with a covering letter in the email body, a short synopsis (including full plot details), and the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced) as a Word document or PDF. Do not address the submission to more than one agent.
Children's writers and illustrators (agent)
Strong, sharp storytelling with humour and adventure, not currently accepting picture book texts
Fiction
Commercial/genre fiction: romance/romcom, adult and YA fantasy (romance/spice, trials), crime/thrillers/mysteries, hooky pitches and page-turning drama
Email - maddalenacavaciuti@davidhigham.co.uk
Fiction, non-fiction and children's books
Children's books across all ages, narrative non-fiction, biography, sport, music, autobiography, crime fiction and 'weird and wonderful'. Not poetry, short stories/novellas, educational textbooks, or film/stage scripts
Synopsis and first 3 chapters (max 50 pages) and covering letter (Word or PDF). Picture books: up to 3 full texts plus sample illustrations. Do not submit to more than one BLM agent
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.
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.
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
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.
Commercial fiction, romance, saga, crime, thriller, book club fiction, children's fiction, ya, non-fiction, business, finance, self-help, wellbeing, lifestyle, cookery
Commercial fiction (romance/saga, crime/thriller, book club), children's novels 9+ to YA, non-fiction including business/finance, self-help/wellbeing, lifestyle/cookery. Not sci-fi, short stories, or poetry
Email submissions@susanyearwoodagency.com with your name and title or genre in the subject line (e.g. Joe Bloggs, The Title, Book Club fiction). Attach the first 30 pages and a separately titled synopsis or outline. Include a cover email with a pitch sentence, a brief description of the submission, comparative authors published in the last three years, your writing background, and a paragraph on why you wrote the book. Attachments should be Word or PDF, 1.5 or double-spaced, with page numbers. Let the agent know if you are also submitting to other agents.
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.
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.
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.
Fiction, non-fiction, children's, ya
New adult voices in most genres (except women's fiction), domestic thrillers, clever drama with a twist, accessible non-fiction, children's 9+ and YA
Email hicksoffice@sophiehicksagency.com with covering letter in the body of the email and sample pages attached as a Word or PDF document. Fiction: synopsis and first three chapters or approximately 50 pages. Non-fiction: detailed outline and at least one sample chapter.
Fiction and non-fiction
High-quality adult non-fiction and fiction, YA for young teens. Non-fiction: natural history, memoir, biography, history, cookery, current affairs, humour, lifestyle
Send an initial letter to Barn Cottage, Veryan, Truro, Cornwall TR2 5QA with a short description of your book or idea. The agency prefers postal submissions due to high email volume.
Fiction and non-fiction
Crossover romantasy/romance/dark academia, SFF with strong hook, gothic/horror/thriller, magical MG, adventure, funny books all ages, inspiring non-fiction all ages, diverse authors
Online form - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk or submissions/
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