UK Young adult (YA) Literary Agents

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

Fantasy, romantasy, rom-coms, book club romance, female-focused psychological thrillers, historical fiction, commercial non-fiction

Dark fantasy, romantasy (commercial and upmarket), dark academia, political intrigue, genre-blending (horror/romance, fantasy/horror), psychological thrillers with a dark edge, unhinged female protagonists, stories from underrepresented backgrounds. Interested in previously self-published authors within these genres and fanfiction authors writing original fiction

Send your cover letter, synopsis, and first three chapters or 10,000 words for fiction, or a proposal for non-fiction, to ciara.finan@curtisbrown.co.uk. Due to the volume of submissions received, a response to every query is not guaranteed. Writers should keep the agent updated if they receive a full manuscript request or an offer of representation from another agent.

Adult fiction, upper na or crossover fantasy, crossover sci-fi, crossover dystopian, crossover steampunk, crossover post-apocalyptic

Adult fiction of all genres and upper NA/Crossover (16+) fantasy (including urban), SF, dystopian, steampunk, and post-apocalyptic fiction. Crossover fiction in these genres is accepted by Laura only.

Email - submissions@liverpool-literary.agency

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.

Fiction, non-fiction, ya

Character-driven, high-concept fiction with commercial hook, genre esp fantasy/horror, high-concept thrillers, voice-led contemporary, sweeping historical, romance/romcom, select narrative non-fiction (memoir/history/nature/science)

Email maria@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.

Literary fiction, commercial fiction, book club fiction, contemporary fiction, commercial women's fiction, crime, mystery, thrillers, fantasy, genre romance, historical fiction, horror, ghost stories, sagas, science fiction, biography, memoir, cookery, gardening, gift books, humour, history, military history, lifestyle, mind-body-spirit, self-improvement, politics, popular science, psychology, travel, children's, ya

SF/fantasy, sweeping historical fiction, character-driven sci-fi, action/adventure, crime. Non-fiction: history, biography, music

Email submissions@sheilland.co.uk with a cover letter, a one-page synopsis (fiction) or brief outline (non-fiction), a short CV, and the first three chapters or around fifty pages. Submissions should be 1.5 line spaced with margins and page numbers, and must include a word count. Only one work at a time. No AI-generated content accepted.

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

Speculative fiction (sff or fantasy or horror or romantasy etc.)

Speculative fiction broadly: epic/urban/historical fantasy, SF (space opera/near future), horror (folklore/gothic), weird/high-concept, action/adventure/espionage, underrepresented voices

Email submission@bell-lomax.co.uk with a short synopsis covering the entire plot, the first three chapters (no more than 50 pages, double spaced), and a covering letter including details of any previously published work. Do not address submissions to more than one agent.

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

Fiction and non-fiction, children's

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.

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.

Genre fiction (and select ya)

Fantasy, sci-fi, romance, horror, thriller, action and adventure, YA fantasy

Submit via QueryManager when open: send the first ten pages, your query letter, and synopsis (if you have one) to https://querytracker.net or query or HelenLane. Personalisation in the query letter is not required.

Fiction, non-fiction, children's

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.

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.

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

Fiction and non-fiction

Fiction and non-fiction for adults and young adults

Email - rw@rwla.com

Adult and ya science fiction, fantasy, horror, related genres, serious non-fiction (broad history)

Strong voices/atmosphere, genre with social criticism, not memoir/women's fiction/very spicy stories

Submit a query letter, synopsis, and first fifty pages via https://querytracker.net or query or fabienneschwizer/

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.

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

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.

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

Children's fiction

Children's fiction from early readers through to YA

The agency is not currently taking new clients.

Children's fiction (toddler to teenage) and illustrators

Children's fiction (toddler to teenage)

The agency is no longer accepting new submissions.

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

Lgbtqia and writers and creators across all genres

Radical, complex queer stories beyond stereotypes, intersectional diversity

Frog is currently closed to submissions. Check https://www.frogliterary.agency or submissions for updates on when they reopen.

Fiction and non-fiction

Non-fiction: craft, cookery, biography, memoir, health, mind body spirit, travel, history, natural history, true crime, pop culture. Fiction: commercial women's, crime, thrillers, literary (not experimental), YA, children's

Agency is currently closed to new clients and not accepting 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.