Here are ten UK literary agents actively seeking clients. All are from reputable literary agencies with solid track records. They are seeking a wide variety of genres, including literary fiction, memoir, narrative nonfiction, scripts, fantasy, children's literature and much more.
Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists.
You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients
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Jennifer worked in marketing and advertising for 12 years, and as a literary agent for 13 years. Starting in PR ( The Rowland Company, Saatchi & Saatchi), she moved into advertising (TBWA, Ogilvy and Mather) and then journalism (BBC and freelance). She has also worked as a ghostwriter.
What she is seeking: I am keen to see memoirs with a distinctive voice and timely themes; general non-fiction that blends personal narratives with broader societal issues; experts in smart thinking, psychology and self-improvement who help us make more informed decisions and act with greater self awareness; academics who bring history, science and economics to life and make them relevant now; and well-paced, robustly argued big thinking.
How to submit: Please email your submission to submissions@grahammawchristie.com with the title of your work in the subject header and the word 'submission'. See the website for details.
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Megan graduated from Goldsmiths with a BA in English and American Literature in 2013 and worked as an intern at Watson, Little and Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency before returning to the agency as the assistant in July 2014. She is now an Associate Agent and is building her own list.
What she is seeking: Megan is looking for writers in a variety of areas, and from a wide range of backgrounds – she is particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ writers across all genres. At the moment, she is prioritising authors writing MG, YA and new adult/adult commercial fiction.
In Fiction, Megan is keen to find more authors in the romance space – particularly romcoms, dark romance, sweeping epic love stories, high concept romance, and ‘romantasy’ novels – for adult and ‘new adult’ readers. She’d especially love to see those familiar romance tropes – enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forbidden love etc. – with underrepresented characters and cultures at the centre (think Sara Desai’s The Marriage Game or Jesse Sutanto’s Aunties series).
In fantasy and ‘romantasy’, she is looking for rich and layered world building with unique magic systems and – for romantasy, a swoon-worthy romance at its core. She’d be keen to novels exploring different cultures in this space too, and retellings that are exploring largely untold mythology and folk tales.
In YA, she is keen to see contemporary stories with humour and romance at the heart – fun and emotional novels that appeal to the interests and issues of teenage readers – and anything with a really strong pitch or concept. She’d also love to see thrillers and horror stories for this age group too, as well as epic fantasy as long as there’s a thread of romance throughout.
On the younger end, Megan is looking for funny, contemporary middle grade – think Louise Rennison and Karen McCombie but for a modern reader. She’d love to find something as off kilter and unique as Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (that will always be true) and is keen to find original adventure stories in both fantastical and realistic settings.
How to submit: Send all queries to submissions@watsonlittle.com. For fiction, send approximately 10,000 words or the nearest equivalent. Please send this as a single document, taken from the beginning of the book. For non-fiction send a proposal.
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Ms. Florence Rees of A.M. Heath & Co. Ltd
"I love that feeling of having to read one more chapter. Characters (real or fictional) can stay with me for years. I’ve spent memorable hours weeping over the last pages in the beautiful, heart-wrenching memoirs of Paul Kalanthi’s When Breath Becomes Air and Cathy Rentzenbrink’s The Last Act of Love. It’s not limited to non-fiction though. Marian Keyes’s character, Amy, from The Break had me imagining my life had my (non-existent) husband of twenty years left me for a gap year. I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams recently and felt such empathy for Queenie, who is just trying to live her life as best she knows how. Aren’t we all?"
What she is seeking: I'm keen to find non-fiction and fiction writers who speak to a millennial and younger audience, be that a journalist who is looking to expand an idea, a screenwriter who is looking to try their hand at fiction or perhaps an activist with a social media platform. I'm actively looking for writers who are under-represented in the publishing world, through non-traditional channels, as well as my submissions, and I'm always interested in environmental and social issues.
How to submit: Use their online submission form HERE.
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Ms. Charlotte Seymour of Johnson and Alcock
How to submit: Email Lucy at lucy.morris@curtisbrown.co.uk with your synopsis and first three chapters (for fiction), or your proposal (for non-fiction).
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Ms. Seren Adams of Lexington Literary
Seren worked at Granta and Foyles, and then for nine years at United Agents, before co-founding Lexington Literary in 2024.
Megan graduated from Goldsmiths with a BA in English and American Literature in 2013 and worked as an intern at Watson, Little and Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency before returning to the agency as the assistant in July 2014. She is now an Associate Agent and is building her own list.
What she is seeking: Megan is looking for writers in a variety of areas, and from a wide range of backgrounds – she is particularly keen to hear from Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ writers across all genres. At the moment, she is prioritising authors writing MG, YA and new adult/adult commercial fiction.
In Fiction, Megan is keen to find more authors in the romance space – particularly romcoms, dark romance, sweeping epic love stories, high concept romance, and ‘romantasy’ novels – for adult and ‘new adult’ readers. She’d especially love to see those familiar romance tropes – enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, love triangles, forbidden love etc. – with underrepresented characters and cultures at the centre (think Sara Desai’s The Marriage Game or Jesse Sutanto’s Aunties series).
In fantasy and ‘romantasy’, she is looking for rich and layered world building with unique magic systems and – for romantasy, a swoon-worthy romance at its core. She’d be keen to novels exploring different cultures in this space too, and retellings that are exploring largely untold mythology and folk tales.
In YA, she is keen to see contemporary stories with humour and romance at the heart – fun and emotional novels that appeal to the interests and issues of teenage readers – and anything with a really strong pitch or concept. She’d also love to see thrillers and horror stories for this age group too, as well as epic fantasy as long as there’s a thread of romance throughout.
On the younger end, Megan is looking for funny, contemporary middle grade – think Louise Rennison and Karen McCombie but for a modern reader. She’d love to find something as off kilter and unique as Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (that will always be true) and is keen to find original adventure stories in both fantastical and realistic settings.
How to submit: Send all queries to submissions@watsonlittle.com. For fiction, send approximately 10,000 words or the nearest equivalent. Please send this as a single document, taken from the beginning of the book. For non-fiction send a proposal.
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"I love that feeling of having to read one more chapter. Characters (real or fictional) can stay with me for years. I’ve spent memorable hours weeping over the last pages in the beautiful, heart-wrenching memoirs of Paul Kalanthi’s When Breath Becomes Air and Cathy Rentzenbrink’s The Last Act of Love. It’s not limited to non-fiction though. Marian Keyes’s character, Amy, from The Break had me imagining my life had my (non-existent) husband of twenty years left me for a gap year. I read Queenie by Candice Carty-Williams recently and felt such empathy for Queenie, who is just trying to live her life as best she knows how. Aren’t we all?"
What she is seeking: I'm keen to find non-fiction and fiction writers who speak to a millennial and younger audience, be that a journalist who is looking to expand an idea, a screenwriter who is looking to try their hand at fiction or perhaps an activist with a social media platform. I'm actively looking for writers who are under-represented in the publishing world, through non-traditional channels, as well as my submissions, and I'm always interested in environmental and social issues.
How to submit: Use their online submission form HERE.
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Ms. Charlotte Seymour of Johnson and AlcockCURRENTLY CLOSED TO QUERIES
Charlotte Seymour began her career in publishing as a literary scout at Eccles Fisher Associates. Following six and a half years as an agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, in 2022 she joined Johnson & Alcock, representing fiction and non fiction, and selling UK rights on behalf of US publisher Other Press.
What she is seeking: In fiction, Charlotte is looking for stories that grip and move her, be they nail-biting and suspenseful, funny and uplifting or heart-breaking. She loves beautiful writing that crosses boundaries, whether geographic or linguistic or in bringing a twist to a genre. She has a penchant for the dark and haunting, and occasionally a hint of the speculative or uncanny. She is always on the hunt for a great love story.
In non-fiction, she is looking for accessible, engaging writing on a range of subjects including popular science, social and environmental issues, linguistics, social and cultural history, nature, food and cookery, and popular culture. She especially loves hybrid books, for example, when in a memoir, the personal is interwoven with a bigger story or subject.
Charlotte enjoys working editorially with her authors, bringing existing projects to fruition and helping come up with new ideas. As well as championing literature in translation, she is eager to see more submissions from new and original voices in English from around the world.
How to submit: Email your submission to charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk. See site for submission details.
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Ms. Meg Davis of Ki Agency
Meg worked in the theatre and in bookselling before becoming an agent. After some years at MBA, she started Ki Agency in 2011 to represent authors and scriptwriters. Meg’s work for her clients is informed by her involvement behind the scenes, previously as co-Chair of the Dramatists’ section of the PMA, on the management board of Public Lending Right, and as the external examiner for the MA in Scriptwriting course at Sheffield Hallam. She is currently Chair of the Writers’ Organisations Advisory Group, and serving a third term on the committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents.
What she is looking for: Meg is happy to consider scripts in all genres, and books in some genres, especially genre fiction.
How to submit: For film, TV or theatre, she likes to receive the full script in PDF format. For books, please send a full synopsis and the first three chapters / first 50 pages as a Word document or PDF. She exclusively accepts submissions via email and asks that you tell her a little about yourself in the covering email. Send materials to meg@ki-agency.co.uk. Does not accept writers from the US.
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Mr. Jamie Maclean of Coombs Moylett MacLean Literary Agency
Charlotte Seymour began her career in publishing as a literary scout at Eccles Fisher Associates. Following six and a half years as an agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates, in 2022 she joined Johnson & Alcock, representing fiction and non fiction, and selling UK rights on behalf of US publisher Other Press.
What she is seeking: In fiction, Charlotte is looking for stories that grip and move her, be they nail-biting and suspenseful, funny and uplifting or heart-breaking. She loves beautiful writing that crosses boundaries, whether geographic or linguistic or in bringing a twist to a genre. She has a penchant for the dark and haunting, and occasionally a hint of the speculative or uncanny. She is always on the hunt for a great love story.
In non-fiction, she is looking for accessible, engaging writing on a range of subjects including popular science, social and environmental issues, linguistics, social and cultural history, nature, food and cookery, and popular culture. She especially loves hybrid books, for example, when in a memoir, the personal is interwoven with a bigger story or subject.
Charlotte enjoys working editorially with her authors, bringing existing projects to fruition and helping come up with new ideas. As well as championing literature in translation, she is eager to see more submissions from new and original voices in English from around the world.
How to submit: Email your submission to charlotte@johnsonandalcock.co.uk. See site for submission details.
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Meg worked in the theatre and in bookselling before becoming an agent. After some years at MBA, she started Ki Agency in 2011 to represent authors and scriptwriters. Meg’s work for her clients is informed by her involvement behind the scenes, previously as co-Chair of the Dramatists’ section of the PMA, on the management board of Public Lending Right, and as the external examiner for the MA in Scriptwriting course at Sheffield Hallam. She is currently Chair of the Writers’ Organisations Advisory Group, and serving a third term on the committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents.
What she is looking for: Meg is happy to consider scripts in all genres, and books in some genres, especially genre fiction.
How to submit: For film, TV or theatre, she likes to receive the full script in PDF format. For books, please send a full synopsis and the first three chapters / first 50 pages as a Word document or PDF. She exclusively accepts submissions via email and asks that you tell her a little about yourself in the covering email. Send materials to meg@ki-agency.co.uk. Does not accept writers from the US.
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AGENCY IS CURRENTLY CLOSED TO QUERIES
Educated at Edinburgh College of Art, Jamie was fortunate enough to join the pilot scheme of the Sotheby’s Works of Art Course. Subsequently he worked for Sotheby’s and briefly ran the newly formed Victorian paintings department before moving to Michael Parkin Fine Art, a gallery specializing in modern British art. His next job was at Wildenstein & Co, the international art dealers. Three years later he set up his own dealership, the Maclean Gallery, holding exhibitions of paintings, drawings and prints from the 18th century to the present day, for which he produced several catalogues. In 1985 he curated the first exhibition of erotic art to be held legally in the UK.
What he is seeking: Jamie specialises in both fiction and non-fiction and is particularly interested in sexual politics, relationship, lifestyle how-to’s, erotica, thrillers, whodunit and historical crime.
How to submit: Use the agency's online form HERE.
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Ms. Cara Lee Simpson of Susanna Lea Associates
After growing up in Wales, I moved to London to study English Literature at King’s College London then a Masters at the London School of Economics. I joined the SLA London office as a Literary Agent in 2024, having previously been an agent at PFD where I launched the Queer Fiction Prize. I represent literary, book club and general fiction, as well as some narrative non-fiction and am actively developing a carefully curated client list of career authors. My authors have been international number one bestsellers and won or been shortlisted for numerous prizes. I love working closely with my clients to developing their manuscripts, which I then handle in the UK and North America, with my wonderful colleagues looking after their translation and Film & TV rights around the globe.
What she is seeking: I am on the lookout for general fiction, immersive book club novels and literary fiction. I’m drawn to smart, clean prose or a lyrical voice, books with an interesting form or structure, and character-driven fiction with unusual and absorbing protagonists. I am editorially focused and looking for career writers who I can work with to develop their craft over multiple novels, so the quality of the writing itself is always key when taking on a new client.
How to submit: Follow submission guidelines HERE.
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Ms. Sophie Gorell Barnes of MBA Literary Agents Ltd
Sophie studied theatre and television and worked as a researcher for several years on factual programmes and for the COI. She has written children’s books for Macmillan Education, reviewed theatre and worked on magazines as a sub editor. She joined MBA at the end of 1993 and moved to agenting original and talented children’s writers, working on picture books to YA fiction. She also agents writers for theatre, adult non fiction and handles audiobook rights for MBA.
What she is seeking: She is looking, in particular, for slick and humorous middle grade fiction, STEM titles for children and mind-provoking adult fiction.
How to submit: Please send the first three chapters and a synopsis as attachments and a covering letter in the body of the email. All attachments must be in Word, PDF or Final Draft format. Please e-mail all submissions to submissions@mbalit.co.uk marking your email for the attention of the relevant agent.
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Lucy Morris of Curtis Brown
Lucy Morris joined the Curtis Brown Books Department in September 2014 from Bloomsbury Publishing.
What she is seeking: Currently she is looking for commercial and reading-group novels written with wit and warmth, irresistible contemporary romance, truly chilling ghost stories, and thrillers with a high concept and strong emotional roots.
Educated at Edinburgh College of Art, Jamie was fortunate enough to join the pilot scheme of the Sotheby’s Works of Art Course. Subsequently he worked for Sotheby’s and briefly ran the newly formed Victorian paintings department before moving to Michael Parkin Fine Art, a gallery specializing in modern British art. His next job was at Wildenstein & Co, the international art dealers. Three years later he set up his own dealership, the Maclean Gallery, holding exhibitions of paintings, drawings and prints from the 18th century to the present day, for which he produced several catalogues. In 1985 he curated the first exhibition of erotic art to be held legally in the UK.
What he is seeking: Jamie specialises in both fiction and non-fiction and is particularly interested in sexual politics, relationship, lifestyle how-to’s, erotica, thrillers, whodunit and historical crime.
How to submit: Use the agency's online form HERE.
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After growing up in Wales, I moved to London to study English Literature at King’s College London then a Masters at the London School of Economics. I joined the SLA London office as a Literary Agent in 2024, having previously been an agent at PFD where I launched the Queer Fiction Prize. I represent literary, book club and general fiction, as well as some narrative non-fiction and am actively developing a carefully curated client list of career authors. My authors have been international number one bestsellers and won or been shortlisted for numerous prizes. I love working closely with my clients to developing their manuscripts, which I then handle in the UK and North America, with my wonderful colleagues looking after their translation and Film & TV rights around the globe.
What she is seeking: I am on the lookout for general fiction, immersive book club novels and literary fiction. I’m drawn to smart, clean prose or a lyrical voice, books with an interesting form or structure, and character-driven fiction with unusual and absorbing protagonists. I am editorially focused and looking for career writers who I can work with to develop their craft over multiple novels, so the quality of the writing itself is always key when taking on a new client.
How to submit: Follow submission guidelines HERE.
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Sophie studied theatre and television and worked as a researcher for several years on factual programmes and for the COI. She has written children’s books for Macmillan Education, reviewed theatre and worked on magazines as a sub editor. She joined MBA at the end of 1993 and moved to agenting original and talented children’s writers, working on picture books to YA fiction. She also agents writers for theatre, adult non fiction and handles audiobook rights for MBA.
What she is seeking: She is looking, in particular, for slick and humorous middle grade fiction, STEM titles for children and mind-provoking adult fiction.
How to submit: Please send the first three chapters and a synopsis as attachments and a covering letter in the body of the email. All attachments must be in Word, PDF or Final Draft format. Please e-mail all submissions to submissions@mbalit.co.uk marking your email for the attention of the relevant agent.
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Lucy Morris joined the Curtis Brown Books Department in September 2014 from Bloomsbury Publishing.
What she is seeking: Currently she is looking for commercial and reading-group novels written with wit and warmth, irresistible contemporary romance, truly chilling ghost stories, and thrillers with a high concept and strong emotional roots.
"In fiction, I represent both commercial and literary writing. I am interested in topical themes, incisive social commentary and thoughtful, intimate observations of people: their emotions, their behaviours, their relationships. Books with heart and humour, and voices that sparkle with originality. Long-time favourites include Megan Abbott, Liane Moriarty and Marian Keyes, and recently I’ve loved Tia Williams’ Seven Days in June, Clare Chambers’ Small Pleasures, and Rachel Khong’s Goodbye Vitamin. I have read (and will continue to read) everything that Mhairi Macfarlane has ever published – modern and completely irresistible love stories, underpinned by spirited characters and a fierce wit. In crime and thriller I look for high concepts with an emotional core, and am very lucky indeed to work with Gillian McAllister, queen of the moral dilemma!
In non-fiction I enjoy working with writers to bring their passion and expertise to a wide audience in books that are practical and accessible, told with an engaging voice. I have a particular soft spot for memoir, stories of extraordinary lives and remarkable careers. I’m always intrigued by an unusual approach to putting a life on to the page, think Maggie O’Farrell’s masterful I Am, I Am, I Am, or the food vignettes of Nigel Slater’s Toast."
How to submit: Email Lucy at lucy.morris@curtisbrown.co.uk with your synopsis and first three chapters (for fiction), or your proposal (for non-fiction).
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Seren worked at Granta and Foyles, and then for nine years at United Agents, before co-founding Lexington Literary in 2024.
What she is seeking: She represents writers of literary fiction and narrative non-fiction, and many of her authors have been nominated for and won prizes for their work.I am looking for literary novels, novellas and stories set anywhere in the world. Increasingly I am drawn to fiction with a distinctive and off-kilter voice which holds my attention; often it is wryly funny and/or full of feeling, and usually inflected with strangeness, intensity or longing. In non-fiction I am looking for bold new voices in the vein of Janet Malcolm, Anna Funder, Rachel Aviv, Julia Ebner, Claudia Rankine and Amia Srinivasan. I love beautifully written and important cultural histories like those by Philippe Sands.
How to submit: To submit your work to me, please send a sample and description of the project along with a brief biographical note. Sned materials to seren@lexingtonliterary.co.uk
How to submit: To submit your work to me, please send a sample and description of the project along with a brief biographical note. Sned materials to seren@lexingtonliterary.co.uk
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