397 agents found
Every literary agent we list in the UK, with their agency and location. Search or filter below, see the full A–Z list, or read how to approach an agent.
This directory lists 397 literary agents working in the UK. You can search by name, agency or city above, or scan the complete A–Z list of UK literary agents on one page. The notes below cover what an agent does, how to choose who to approach and what to send.
A literary agent (sometimes called a book agent or publishing agent) sells your work to publishers, negotiates the contract and manages the rights that go with it, such as translation, audio, film and television. Most of the large trade publishers only consider submissions that arrive through an agent, so for a novel or a commercial non-fiction book an agent is usually the route in. See what happens after you get an agent and self-publishing vs literary agents if you are weighing up the options.
Agents specialise. One who sells crime and thrillers is unlikely to take on a picture book, and many agents do not handle poetry, short stories or scripts at all. Before you add anyone to your list, read their profile and their agency's website to confirm they represent the kind of book you have written. Our guide to finding the right agent for your genre goes through this in detail, and writers for film, television and theatre should start with the screenwriting and book-to-screen agents list.
Agents open and close their lists through the year, and newer agents who are still building a list are often the most receptive to debut writers. The literary agencies accepting submissions page lists agencies that publish how to submit. Treat the agency's own website as the final word on whether a particular agent is open on the day you send.
Not much. Most UK agencies are in London (see literary agents in London), but submissions are sent by email or online form and meetings are often held by video call, so a writer in Glasgow or Cardiff is at no disadvantage. If you would still like an agent near you, use the city filter on this page.
For fiction, the standard UK submission is a short cover letter, a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters or about 50 pages. For non-fiction, agents usually ask for a proposal and a sample chapter instead of a finished manuscript. Each agency sets its own rules on length, format and how to send, and following them exactly is the simplest way to avoid an early rejection. These guides cover each part:
Send to a small batch of six to ten agents, wait for replies, then send the next batch. That way, if the first round brings only form rejections, you can revise your letter or opening chapters before you have used up your whole list. Approach one agent per agency at a time unless its guidelines say otherwise. Replies commonly take six to twelve weeks.
An agent earns commission on the money your work makes, typically 15% on UK sales and 20% on overseas, film and television deals, and nothing before that. A reputable agent does not charge a reading fee. More in how literary agents make money and what literary agents look for.
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