4 UK Agents Seeking Crime Fiction, Nonfiction, SFF, Literary Fiction, Memoir and more

Updated 7/19/22

Here are four UK agents expanding their client lists. Mark "Stan" Stanton is always on the lookout for new crime writers. He is actively searching for new novelists and non-fiction projects. Jamie Cowen is looking for genre fiction of all kinds, including crime, thrillers, SF, fantasy and horror, and all fiction for young adults. He is also looking for sport-related non-fiction, and commercial narrative non-fiction, and is keen to see submissions of all genres from BAME and LGBTQ writers. Julian Alexander represents fiction and nonfiction of all kinds, from history and medicine, heartwarming memoir, to illustrated books, to edgy detective novels and fast paced thrillers. John Ash is seeking  literary fiction, ambitious fantasy, and anything with a dark vein of humour running through it. On the non-fiction side, he loves to read literary and unusual narrative non-fiction and memoir, and is especially interested in writing on music, cultural history, nature and art.

Always check the agency website and agent bio before submitting. Agents can switch agencies or close their lists, and submission requirements can change.

You can find a full list of agents actively seeking new clients here: Agents Seeking Clients.

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John Ash of Creative Artists Agency

John Ash joined Creative Artists Agency as a literary agent in its books department, having previously been at PEW Literary for six years. John studied for undergraduate and MPhil degrees in English at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, and spent a year singing with the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge. 

What he is seeing: His fiction tastes are varied – and unpredictable – but he is particularly drawn to beautifully-written literary fiction, ambitious fantasy, and anything with a dark vein of humour running through it. On the non-fiction side, he loves to read literary and unusual narrative non-fiction and memoir, and is especially interested in writing on music, cultural history, nature and art.

How to submit: If submitting a fiction manuscript, please submit the opening three chapters (or fifty pages) along with a synopsis. The synopsis should be a clear explanation of the plot from first to final chapter. Please accompany your submission with a brief cover letter that tells us a little about you as a writer. Send your work to UKBookSubmissions@caa.com For non-fiction send a proposal. Your proposal should be approximately thirty pages long. (See website for specifics.)

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Mark "Stan" Stanton of The North Literary Agency

Stan has been an agent most of the 21st century. His first best-seller was Paul Torday’s Salmon Fishing in the Yemen – a winner of the Wodehouse Prize and translated into 28 languages. His novelists include the Costa Award shortlistees John Ironmonger and Sophie Hardach, as well as Gavin Extence – winner of the Waverton Good Read Award. John Ash is particularly drawn to beautifully-written literary fiction, ambitious fantasy, and anything with a dark vein of humour running through it. On the non-fiction side, he loves to read literary and unusual narrative non-fiction and memoir, and is especially interested in writing on music, cultural history, nature and art.

What he is seeking: He is always on the look out for new crime writers. He is actively searching for new novelists and non-fiction projects (particularly in the areas of sport, culture and politics).

How to submit: Use the agency's submission form HERE.

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Jamie Cowen of The Ampersand Agency

Jamie Cowen has worked in publishing for 17 years. Before joining Ampersand in 2013 he was a commissioning editor at HarperCollins, and prior to that he worked in legal and contracts departments at HC and the Hachette Group.

What he is seeking: Jamie is looking for genre fiction of all kinds, including crime, thrillers, SF, fantasy and horror, and all fiction for young adults. He is also looking for sport-related non-fiction, and commercial narrative non-fiction, and is keen to see submissions of all genres from BAME and LGBTQ writers.

How to submit: Send your first three chapters, together with a brief outline and some biographical details to  jamie@theampersandagency.co.uk

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Mr. Julian Alexander of The Soho Agency

Julian has been an agent his entire professional life.

What he is seeking: He represents an eclectic list that includes bestselling fiction and nonfiction of all kinds, from history and medicine, heartwarming memoir, to illustrated books, to edgy detective novels and fast paced thrillers. He also handles the book output for a number of high-profile IP creators. He helps develop and package projects for his clients and has the experience to plan long term careers. Julian’s tastes are wide ranging, expansive and occasionally quirky. He likes big stories both in fiction and non-fiction and books with real heart. He likes smart ideas and elegant writing – especially when they combine to form a book you can describe in one sentence. He doesn’t represent science fiction and fantasy.

How to submit: Send your query to sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com along with the first three chapters or first thirty pages of your manuscript in word format, along with a synopsis.