Contact Managing Director, Shane Rhodes
Insider Info Catalogue and manuscript guidelines available online.
Publishes Mainstream/Contemporary titles.
Submission Guidelines Submit completed manuscript.
Recent Title(s) Digging the Vein, Tony O’Neill
(Novel)
Tips Wrecking Ball Press is an independent press specializing in poetry and contemporary fiction. If possible all submissions should be on a disk, as well as paper.
Xcite Books
Suite 11769, 2nd Floor, 145–147 St John Street, London, EC1V 4PY
T 020 7858 1024
E Online form
W www.xcitebooks.com
Parent Company Accent Press
Insider Info Catalogue is free on request, and available online. Manuscript guidelines are available online.
Publishes Erotica titles.
Submission Guidelines Submission guidelines available online.
Recent Title(s) The First Deadly Sin, Gwen Masters
The X Press
PO Box 25694, London, N17 6FP
T 020 8801 2100
F 020 8885 1322
E [email protected]
W www.xpress.co.uk
Contact Editorial Director, Dotun Adebayo; Publisher, Steve Pope
Established 1992
Imprint(s) Black Classics, Nia, 20/20
Insider Info Publishes 25 titles per year. Catalogue available online.
Publishes Children’s/Teenage, Literary, Mainstream/Contemporary and Black Interest titles.
Submission Guidelines Submit completed manuscript.
Recent Title(s) Black Rising Star, Peter Kalu
(Novel)
Tips The X Press has grown into Europe’s largest publisher of black interest books. The Nia imprint publishes literary black fiction, 20/20 publishes contemporary black fiction, and the Black Classics series reprints classic novels by black writers. The X Press also publishes general black fiction aimed at a younger audience, and aims to take black writing into a new era. Prefers full manuscript submissions rather than proposals, preferably black interest popular fiction from black writers.
Y Lolfa Cyf
Talybont, Ceredigion, SY24 5HE
T 01970 832304
F 01970 832782
E [email protected]
W www.ylolfa.com
Contact Managing Director, Garmon Gruffudd; Chief Editor, Lefi Gruffudd
Established 1967
Imprint(s) Dinas
Insider Info Publishes 50 titles per year. Payment is via royalties. Catalogue available online.
Publishes Mainstream/Contemporary and Translation titles.
Recent Title(s) Welsh Folk Tales in a Flash, Y Lolfa (Children’s)
Tips Y Lolfa is an independent Welsh publisher specializing in fiction and non-fiction from, or about Wales. They print in both Welsh and English and also offer services as a commercial print company. The Dinas imprint is a part-author subsidized press for unusual and non-mainstream Welsh interest books. Its aim is to produce interesting and original books, which enhance the variety of books published in Wales.
AGENCIES & CONSULTANCIES
UK & Irish Literary Agents
A&B Personal Management Ltd
Suite 330 Linen Hall, 162–168 Regent Street,
London, W1B 5TD
T 020 7434 4262
F 020 7038 3699
E [email protected] Established 1982
Insider Info No unsolicited manuscripts. Please submit query email first. Rejected work will be destroyed with no rejection slip sent. Commission rates of 12.5 per cent for domestic sales, 15 per cent for foreign sales and 12.5 per cent for film sales. Charges a reading fee for full-length book manuscripts.
Tips Enquire about fees before submitting proposal. No unsolicited manuscripts considered.
Aitken Alexander Associates
18–21 Cavaye Place, London, SW10 9PT
T 020 7373 8672
F 020 7373 6002
E [email protected]
W www.aitkenalexander.co.uk
Contact Gillon Aitken; Clare Alexander (New Fiction Writers, History, Biography, Memoir and Science); Kate Shaw (Literary and Popular Fiction for Adult’s and Children’s Authors); Lesley Thorne (Screenplays, Literary Fiction, Crime Thrillers, Memoir, Travelogue/Adventure, Biography and Popular Culture); Matthew Hamilton (Literary Fiction, Thrillers and Popular Culture); Andrew Kidd (Literary and Contemporary Fiction)
Established 1976
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Aims to respond to queries and proposals within eight weeks. Unsuccessful submissions are returned with SAE. Commission rates are 10 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales and 10 per cent for film sales. Does not charge a reading fee. “The agents have mainly come from publishing and editorial backgrounds.
Considers General, Literary and Children’s Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with outline, biography and a 30-page sample of writing. All pages should be single-sided and double-spaced.
Client(s) Josephine Cox, Sebastian Faulks, Helen Fielding, Germaine Greer, JD Salinger, Tom Shakespeare, Andrew Wilson
Tips Formerly known as Gillon Aitken Associates. Aitken Alexander Associates are unable to answer queries by email. Postal queries and submissions only. A list of writing credits (in any genre) would be useful to include with the submission.
Alexandra Nye
‘Craigower’, 6 Kinnoull Avenue, Dunblane, Perthshire, FK15 9JG
T 01786 825114
Contact Director, Alexandra Nye Established 1991
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients usually obtained through queries/submissions. Commission rates of 10 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales. Reading fee will be charged for a detailed report on manuscripts.
Considers General and Literary Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Accepts query with SAE and synopsis. “No telephone enquiries.
Client(s) Dr Tom Gallagher, Harry Mehta
Tips The agency is known for its interest in Scottish history and literary fiction.
AM Heath
6 Warwick Court, Holborn, London, WC1R 5DJ
T 020 7242 2811
F 020 7242 2711
W www.amheath.com
Contact Bill Hamilton (Literary and Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction); Sara Fisher (Translation Rights, Client Representation); Sarah Molloy (Children’s Writers); Victoria Hobbs (Literary and Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction); Euan Thorneycroft (Literary and Commercial Fiction and Non-Fiction)
Established 1919
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Aims to respond within four months. Proposals returned if accompanied by SAE. Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales, 15 per cent for film sales. Does not charge a reading fee.
Considers Literary, Commercial and Children’s Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with SAE, synopsis and three sample chapters. Submission should be double spaced on single-sided A4 paper.
Client(s) Christopher Andrew, Rosemary Ashton, David Conn, Kate Ellis, William Horwood, Helena McEwan
Tips No young children’s fiction accepted. Manuscripts or queries will not be accepted via email.
The Ampersand Agency
Ryman’s Cottages, Little Tew, Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, OX7 4JJ
T 01608 683677/683898
F 01608 683449
E [email protected]
W www.theampersandagency.co.uk
Contact Peter Buckman (all types of submissions); Anne-Marie Doulton (Literary Fiction, Women’s Fiction)
Established 2003
Insider Info Seeking both new and established writers. Represents more than 35 clients, 85 per cent of whom are new or previously unpublished writers. Will consider simultaneous submissions. Aims t
o respond to queries within two weeks and manuscripts within four weeks. Unsuccessful proposals will be returned with SAE. The Ampersand Agency obtains new clients through recommendations from others and through queries and submissions. Will also sometimes approach writers with ideas. Has seen 17 book projects through publication in the past year. Commission rates of 12.5–15 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales and 15 per cent for film sales. Offers a written contract that may be terminated at any time. Does not charge a reading fee or offer a criticism service.
“The agency specializes in good storytelling, whether in fiction or non-fiction, and is made distinct by its candour and rapid responses. Before becoming an agent, Peter Buckman was a publisher and then a full-time writer. Anne-Marie Doulton was an editor and a literary scout.
Considers Children’s Fiction, Detective/Police/Crime, Family Saga, Historical, Literary, Mainstream, Mystery, Romance, Thriller/Espionage, Women’s/Chick Lit and Young Adult Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with outline, one or two sample chapters and author biography. Also accepts queries via email. Actively seeking good stories, commercial and literary fiction and non-fiction, for adults and young people. Does not want poetry, science-fiction, fantasy or political satires sent in the future.
Recent Sale(s) Taking the Medicine, Druin Burch (Chatto); Zelah Gree: Queen of Clean, Vanessa Curtis (Egmont); Dream Machine, Will Davis (Bloomsbury); Double Cross, Tracy Gilpin (Black Star); Sting of Justice, Cora Harrison (Macmillan); Octavia’s War, Beryl Kingston (Allison & Busby); Smart/Casual, Niamh Shaw (Headline)
Client(s) Helen Black, SJ Bolton, Martin Conway, Druin Burch, Anna Crosbie, Andrew Cullen, Vanessa Curtis, Will Davis, Catherine Deveney, Tracy Gilpin, Cora Harrison, Georgette Heyer, Michael Hutchinson, Beryl Kingston, Miriam Morrison, Philip Purser, Richard Piers Rayner, Niamh Shaw, P Robert Smith, Georgina Sowerby & Brian Luff, Ivo Stourton, Vikas Swarup, Nick Van Bloss, Michael Walters
Andrew Mann Ltd
1 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 5JA
T 020 7734 4751
F 020 7287 9264
E [email protected]
Contact Anne Dewe, Tina Betts, Sacha Elliot
Established 1975
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients usually acquired through queries/submissions. Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales. No reading fees charged.
Submission Guidelines Send submissions with SAE, synopsis and three sample chapters. Queries accepted by email. No poetry considered.
Tips Manuscripts sent by email will not be accepted, send a synopsis only. Unsolicited manuscripts will be accepted only with an accompanying letter.
Andrew Nurnberg Associates Ltd
Clerkenwell House, 45–47 Clerkenwell Green, London, EC1R 0QX
T 020 3327 0400
F 020 7253 4851
E [email protected]
W www.andrewnurnberg.com
Contact Director, Andrew Nurnberg
Established 1970s
Insider Info Seeking both new and established writers. Clients usually acquired through queries/submissions. Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales and 20 per cent for foreign sales.
Considers Novels
Submission Guidelines Send short, one-page synopsis and first three chapters (double or 1.5 spaced) with a covering letter and SAE or email submission to: [email protected].
Tips Represents established authors and agents. Specializes in foreign rights.
Annette Green Authors’ Agency
1 East Cliff Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9AD
T 01892 514275
F 01892 518124
E [email protected]
W www.annettegreenagency.co.uk
Contact Annette Green, David Smith
Established 1998
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Simultaneous submissions are accepted. Aims to respond to queries/proposals within four weeks. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients usually acquired through queries/submissions. Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales and 20 per cent for foreign sales. Does not charge a reading fee. “Annette Green established her own literary agency in 1998 after working at AM Heath & Co. Ltd for several years. David Smith joined as a partner in 2001.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with SAE, synopsis and 5,000–10,000 words of the opening chapters. No dramatic scripts, poetry, science-fiction or fantasy considered.
Recent Sale(s) Mummy Said the F-Word, Fiona Gibson (Novel)
Client(s) Meg Cabot, Fiona Gibson, Justin Hill, JB Aspinall, Ian Marchant, Anva Khan, Bernadette Strachan
Tips Specializes in discovering new, exciting talent.
Anthony Sheil
18–21 Cavaye Place, London, SW10 9PT
T 020 7373 8672
F 020 7373 6002
E [email protected]
W www.aitkenalexander.co.uk
Contact Anthony Sheil
Established 1998
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Aims to respond to queries/proposals within eight weeks. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients usually acquired through queries/submissions. Commission rates of 10 per cent for domestic sales and 20 per cent for foreign sales. Does not charge a reading fee. “Anthony Sheil became an independent agent in association with Gillon Aitken Associates in 1998, after running Anthony Sheil Associates and being Chairman of Sheil Land Associates.
Considers Novels.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with SAE, synopsis and sample chapters consisting of the first 30 pages of continuous text. Submission should be double spaced, single-sided A4.
Client(s) Caroline Alexander, Paul Arden, Rosalind Belben, Catrine Clay, Piers Dudgeon, John Fowles, Diarmuid Jeffreys, Maurice Keen, Robert Wilson, Benjamin Woolley
Antony Harwood Ltd
103 Walton Street, Oxford, OX2 6EB
T 01865 559615
F 01865 310660
E [email protected]
W www.antonyharwood.com
Contact Antony Harwood, James MacDonald Lockhart
Established 2000
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients usually acquired through queries/submissions. Does not charge a reading fee. “Before establishing the agency in 2000, Antony Harwood began publishing at Chatto & Windus in 1978, then became an agent at Gillon Aitken. In 1990 he joined the Curtis Brown Group as a director, before returning for a period at Gillon Aitken. James MacDonald Lockhart was with Hodder Headline before going to Gillon Aitken in 1998. Two years later he joined Antony Harwood to set up their own independent agency.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with SAE, synopsis and three sample chapters. Queries accepted by email. No material for children under ten.
Recent Sales(s) The Temporal Void, Peter F
Hamilton (Tor); The Woman in the Fifth, Douglas Kennedy (Arrow Books)
Client(s) Peter F Hamilton, Douglas Kennedy, Malcolm Knox, Deborah Levy, Roger Levy, Mark Lynas
Anubis Literary Agency
6 Birdhaven Close, Lighthorne, Warwick,
CV35 0BE
T 01926 642588
F 01926 642588
E [email protected] Contact Steve Calcutt Established 1994
Insider Info Specializes in fiction. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales. Does not charge a reading fee.
Considers Fantasy, Horror and Science-Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Send submission with SAE, a one-page synopsis and the first 50 pages only. Queries are not accepted by telephone.
Tips No manuscripts accepted other than fiction from the genres listed above.
AP Watt Ltd
20 John Street, London, WC1N
2DR
T 020 7405 6774
F 020 7831 2154
E [email protected]
W www.apwatt.co.uk
Contact Caradoc King, Derek Johns, Linda Shaughnessy, Georgia Garrett, Natasha Fairweather, Jon Elek, Juliet Pickering, Elinor Cooper
Established 1875
Insider Info Commission rates of 15 per cent for domestic sales, 20 per cent for foreign sales. No reading fee charged.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter to the relevant agent. Does not accept poetry or any unsolicited manuscripts.
Recent Sales(s) The Secret Scripture, Sebastian Barry (Literary Fiction)
Clients(s) Tony Parsons, Rudyard Kipling, John Creed, Michael Innes and Camille Griffin, Robert Heller, Mick Jackson, James Robertson, Elaine Showalter, Zadie Smith
Tips No unsolicited manuscripts accepted. No responsibility accepted for submitted materials.
Artellus Ltd
30 Dorset House, Gloucester Place, London, NW1 5AD
T 020 7935 6972
F 020 8609 0347
E [email protected]
W www.artellusltd.co.uk
Contact Chairperson/Agent/Consultant, Gabriele Pantucci; Director/Agent, Leslie Gardner (Film Rights); Associate Agent/Company Secretary, Darryl Samaraweera (Foreign and Theatrical Rights); Associate Agent/Administrator/Picture Researcher, Liz Mallett
Established 1986
Insider Info Actively seeking clients. Submissions accompanied by SAE will be returned. Clients are usually acquired through recommendation or queries/submissions. Commission rate of ten per cent for domestic sales, 15 per cent for foreign sales. Fee charged for a selective reading service, by invitation.
Considers Crime, Fantasy, Literary Fiction and Science-Fiction titles.
Submission Guidelines Send query letter with SAE, synopsis, three sample chapters and a biography by post only.
The Novelwriter's Toolkit Page 23