5 UK Agents Seeking Memoir, Thrillers, Commercial Fiction, Nonfiction, Sci-fi, Fantasy, Kidlit and more

Updated 10/3/23

Here are five UK literary agents seeking clients. Charlotte Merritt's list covers a wide range of non-fiction, including history, memoir, politics, psychology and current affairs. Katie Fulford is looking for authors in both non-fiction and fiction. Emily Talbot is on the lookout for middle grade of any kind as well as picture books. Julie Crisp wants historical fiction, crime/thrillers, bookclub fiction and science fiction and fantasy. Kate Walsh is looking for commercial non-fiction, particularly with a political or current affairs slant. Michael Dean is primarily looking for a broad range of non-fiction.

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

NOTE: Don't submit to two agents at the same agency simultaneously. If one rejects you, you may then submit to another.

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

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Charlotte Merritt of Andrew Nurnberg Associates 

Charlotte joined Andrew Nurnberg Associates in 2018, having returned to London after living and working in India and Hong Kong. Prior to that she worked in publishing in London for over a decade, first at Bloomsbury and then at Hodder & Stoughton.

What she is seeking: Her list covers a wide range of non-fiction, including history, politics, psychology and current affairs. She is particularly interested in books that change the way we think, shine a fresh light on the past or offer a window into the future. Charlotte is also searching for unforgettable memoirs, as well as new perspectives on the natural world. Her aim for 2021 is to find books that make us laugh or offer advice on how to live a good life.

How to submit: For non-fiction proposals, please send an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk. Address your submission for the attention of Charlotte Merritt.

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Michael Dean of Andrew Nurnberg Associates 

Michael graduated with a First in English Language & Literature from the University of Leeds, including a year at the Universidad de Oviedo. He joined Andrew Nurnberg Associates in 2016 as an intern, before working as Andrew’s assistant and then assistant agent. In addition to handling Film & TV rights for the agency’s authors, Michael continues to support Andrew in the representation of authors, clients and estates, and is always keen to hear from potential new authors for his own list.

What he is seeking: He is primarily looking for non-fiction across a broad range including social, cultural or military history, sport, music, technology and the natural world. In fiction, he would like to see upmarket crime and thrillers, and speculative or literary fiction that brings something new to the genre, be it through voice, character or setting. In all of the above he is particularly keen to hear from underrepresented voices.

How to submit: For non-fiction proposals, please send an overview, chapter outlines and three sample chapters to submissions@nurnberg.co.uk. For fiction attach the first 50 pages. 

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Ms. Kate Walsh of United Agents, LLP 

Kate Walsh joined United Agents in 2015 and, alongside assisting Robert Kirby with his list, is actively building her own. 

What she is seeking: She's on the lookout mainly for commercial non-fiction, particularly with a political or current affairs slant, and anything that feels like a fresh and original way of looking at the world. She is especially drawn to 20th and 21st century affairs, and anyone willing to speculate on what comes next. Whilst Kate is working mainly with non-fiction, she is always excited to read anything, fiction or non-, with a strong and transporting sense of place and time. 

How to submit: For submissions, please send a brief cover letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters of your work to kwalsh@unitedagents.co.uk

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Ms. Emily Talbot of United Agents, LLP 

Emily Talbot started working at United Agents in 2013 in the foreign rights department, representing the overseas rights for UA's children's authors and illustrators, before moving over to primary agenting in 2015. 

What she is seeking: "I love books that touch on the gritty realisms of life such as the writing of Louise O'Neill and Holly Bourne. I'm also on the lookout for middle grade of any kind; everything from authentic and emotive to humorous adventure. Above all I have a passion for great characterisation and am on the hunt for a distinctive, new and underrepresented voice in children’s literature, whatever age group that may find itself in. I am also looking for picture book authors and illustrators. My favourite picture books are those with an off the wall, irreverent humour. Not Now Bernard frames many a childhood memory for me for example. On the illustration side, If you’re looking for representation the most important thing you can do is find your own voice and adapt a style that is unique to you."

How to submit: Please send a covering email, a synopsis and the first three chapters as attachments to etalbot@unitedagents.co.uk. For picture books I'll need three stories and a covering email and for illustrators it’s a covering email and a selection of jpegs. If you are an author/illustrator then it’s fine to send a selection of both stories and jpegs. 

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Ms. Julie Crisp of Julie Crisp Literary Agency 

I am an editor with over fifteen years’ experience working for three major houses across a broad spectrum of commercial titles within fiction, non-fiction and children’s. This also included three years spent working in the Australian publishing industry. For nine years, I headed up the UK arm of one of the largest global brands of science fiction and fantasy, Tor. I’ve worked on bestselling and award-winning authors such as Ann Cleeves, Peter F. Hamilton, China Miéville, Neal Asher, Amanda Hocking, Naomi Novik and TV/Game partnerships including Halo, The Returned, The Walking Dead and Twin Peaks. 

What she is seeking: Historical fiction, crime/thrillers, bookclub fiction and science fiction and fantasy. 

How to submit: Use her form HERE.