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UK Young adult (YA) Literary Agents

128 agents · 80 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.

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Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Email christabelsubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk with your submission. Note that writers focusing solely on picture book texts are not currently being taken on.

Last checked 18 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Children's authors and illustrators

Looking for

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

How to submit

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.

Last checked 16 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers, women's fiction, adult fiction

Looking for

Historical fiction, crime fiction, psychological thrillers and women's fiction, open to great adult fiction with a strong hook. Excludes non-fiction, children's and YA. Encourages under-represented writers from the North of England

How to submit

Email submissions@liverpool-literary.agency with a cover email including details about you, the book genre, blurb, inspirations, comparable authors and titles, and why your book will stand out. Attach a synopsis and first three chapters or first 5,000 words in a Word document with numbered pages.

Last checked 14 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, children's, ya

Looking for

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

How to submit

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.

Last checked 12 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

Author/illustrator proposals for picture books, young fiction and non-fiction, illustration with creative brand-building potential beyond publishing

How to submit

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.

Last checked 9 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

Lorna is looking for illustration-led children's books including board books, picture books, chapter books, highly illustrated fiction, graphic novels and non-fiction.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 7 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Horror, fantasy, suspense, thrillers, romantasy, romance

Looking for

Jenny is currently looking for clients she can co-rep with her colleague James Mustelier. They are seeking all kinds of high concept genre fiction for adults and young adults: horror, fantasy, suspense/thriller, romantasy, and romance. Of particular interest are authors who have successfully been working in the indie space and are now looking to transition into traditional or hybrid publishing, and submissions from BIPOC authors are additionally welcomed. Jenny tends to prefer plot-driven books with strong pacing, novels with an element of magic or fantasy, and stories that are dark and weird in content but traditional in structure and storytelling — she is not the right fit for books with overtly political or extremely complicated plotlines.

How to submit

Email your chosen agent at the address listed on their individual page, or use their QueryManager link if indicated. Include the title of your project in the subject line. Paste the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email — no attachments. For picture books, include the complete text, illustrators should also include a link to your website or two to three PDFs or JPEGs of your work. For graphic novels, paste the first ten pages of your script plus the first five pages of your dummy in the body of the email.

Last checked 19 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction and children's books

Looking for

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

How to submit

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

Last checked 19 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction, non-fiction, children's

Looking for

June Bell was instrumental in founding Bell Lomax Moreton, developed her own client list, and supports the other agents with their work. Her official profile says she is not currently open to submissions.

How to submit

June Bell is not currently open to submissions. Bell Lomax Moreton has general submission guidelines for the agency, but June Bell's official profile specifically states that she is not currently open to submissions.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction, children's

Looking for

Eddie Bell has vast experience in publishing and co-founded Bell Lomax Moreton after serving as Executive Chairman and Publisher at HarperCollins. His official profile says he is not currently open to submissions.

How to submit

Eddie Bell is not currently open to submissions. Bell Lomax Moreton has general submission guidelines for the agency, but Eddie Bell's official profile specifically states that he is not currently open to submissions.

Last checked 14 Oct 2026Via Email
Represents

Commercial fiction, book club fiction, horror, fantasy, young adult, new adult, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, non-fiction

Looking for

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

How to submit

Submit via QueryManager at https://www.perezliterary.com or submit or submit-to-kristina/

Last checked 6 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

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

Wants: First 10 pages, query letter, synopsis

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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

Last checked 1 Oct 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, horror, mysteries, thrillers, suspense, fantasy, romantasy, speculative fiction

Looking for

James represents high concept literary and genre fiction for adults and young adults, co-repping with his colleague Jenny Bent. Together they are specifically interested in compact horror and mysteries with unique hooks and intricate plotting, atmospheric thrillers and suspense novels with a strong sense of place, and unique fantasy/romantasy. They are particularly interested in authors who have successfully been working in the indie space and are now looking to transition into traditional or hybrid publishing. On his own, James is looking for voice-driven literary fiction (including books with genre elements but literary execution) and grounded speculative fiction with high stakes that touches on contemporary issues. Across all genres, he prizes direct, economical prose, complex characters, building tension, narrative gravity, and a distinct sense of humor.

How to submit

Email your query to James Mustelier at the address listed on his agent page, or use his QueryManager link if indicated there. Include the title of your project in the subject line. Paste the first ten pages of your manuscript in the body of the email — no attachments. For picture books, include the complete text, for illustrated work, include a link to your website or two to three PDFs or JPEGs. Do not query multiple Bent Agency agents simultaneously, if James passes, you may then query another agent at the agency.

Last checked 30 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Middle grade fiction, middle grade non-fiction, ya

Looking for

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

How to submit

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.

Last checked 29 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

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

Looking for

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.

How to submit

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.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via Online Form
Represents

Fantasy, sf, horror, crime, thriller, historical fiction, urban fantasy, space opera

Wants: Plot-driven fantasy and sf (not tolkien-derivative); monsters/magic; also hybrids incl horror/thriller/crime/historical

Looking for

Plot-driven narratives where a character faces a problem and the story is driven by forward momentum. Considers all kinds of fantasy and SF but not Tolkien derivatives; likes cool monsters, heavy magic, and magic seeping into contemporary life. Will read urban fantasy but only at the highest quality. Open to space opera, horror, thrillers, crime, historical fiction, and combinations thereof. Not interested in political treatise disguised as fiction, overly whimsical writing, or failed comedy.

How to submit

Email berlyne@zenoagency.com following the agency's submission guidelines. Currently closed to submissions.

Last checked 28 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

Fiction and non-fiction

Wants: Cover letter, synopsis, first three chapters, total word count, writing CV, full contact details

Looking for

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.

How to submit

Email or Post - fraserrossassociates@gmail.com

Last checked 27 Sept 2026Via Email
Represents

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

Looking for

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

How to submit

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.

Last checked 26 Sept 2026Via QueryManager
Represents

Literary fiction, crime, women's fiction, narrative non-fiction, children's, picture books, ya

Looking for

Fiction: literary fiction, crime, women's fiction. Non-fiction: narrative. Children's: picture books to YA

How to submit

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.

Last checked 22 Sept 2026Via Email

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