PEOPLE
Kate Nash, Literary Agent
As a former author, publisher, publicist and marketer, Kate has seen every side of publishing and set up her own literary agency so she could do “the best job in publishing”. Kate’s reading tastes – from crime fiction to rom coms – are highly commercial.
Kate has a degree in History (BA Hons.) from the University of York and later garnered two undergraduate modules in Creative Writing and Literature from the Open University (both with Distinction!). She also holds a postgraduate certificate from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
Kate Nash is listed in the Top 20 in UK Fiction by Publishers Marketplace, based on number of deals made. Kate was named a Bookseller Rising Star in 2018 and was awarded Agent of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2019. She was also shortlisted for both Literary Agent of the Year by the British Book Awards and Literary Agent of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2022. Kate enjoys travel, wine, the theatre and fine art.
Justin Nash, Managing Director
Justin is looking for thrillers and crime fiction of all types; book club and historical fiction that moves me and makes me think (including novels featuring fantasy/mythology) and SF. In non-fiction, books which open up the conversation and take me on a journey.
He has a BA in History and an MA in Medieval Studies from Birkbeck, University of London. Justin worked for a number of years as a teacher of History and Politics. He enjoyed teaching any period from the Middle Ages to the present day. Justin has edited and helped research new editions of two books on the Far East Prisoner of War experience in World War Two. Another book which he helped edit is a memoir about the life of a British family trapped in occupied France during the same period, written from the viewpoint of the youngest member of the family.
Justin particularly enjoys military, ancient and medieval history, as well as travel – he dreams about visiting the Himalayas. He is working on a new non-fiction book. He is also learning to play the classical guitar (a lifetime ambition).
Francesca Riccardi, Literary Agent
Francesca has over fifteen years of experience in the publishing industry, starting at RNIB where she transcribed books into accessible formats for blind and partially sighted readers. She has since worked in sales and marketing roles at publishers Canelo, Atlantic Books, Constable & Robinson and HarperCollins.
Francesca reads widely, especially across popular commercial genres, but is a particular fan of crime and thrillers, and loves a dogged detective or unusual sleuth. She also enjoys books about unusual family dynamics, toxic friendships and people keeping secrets.
As well as reading, Francesca enjoys watching gritty television dramas and reality shows, walking, visiting sites of historical interest and gardening. She was born and raised in Peterborough and lived in Leeds and in London before moving to Southend-on-Sea, Essex, where she lives with her partner and their two rescue dogs.
Saskia Leach, Literary Agent
Saskia joined Kate Nash Literary Agency in 2021, after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London with a BA degree in English and History. She served as Secretary of the AAA Bridge Committee, a sub-committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents who support early career agents, from 2022 to 2024.
She loves musical theatre, both as a performer and viewer, and supports Brighton and Hove Albion FC.
Saskia enjoys reading a wide range of genres and is fascinated by stories written from multiple perspectives. She also loves books which feature complex and dynamic characters.
Sophie Sullivan, Agency Reader
After completing her HND in Creative Media Production, Sophie decided to reconnect with her childhood passion: books. She has reviewed books, assessed manuscripts, narrated audiobooks for Librivox and she has started her own blog, Off the Hook Books. She has also been a guest book reviewer for BBC WM and has just completed her first CIEP proofreading training course.
When she’s not busy in the land of the written word, you will find her either binge-watching Murder, She Wrote, Agatha Christie’s Poirot and Columbo or badly singing at gigs, fishing and trying to learn French. Inspired by her favourite novella, Of Mice and Men, her biggest ambition in life is to buy her own countryside cottage and live off ‘the fatta the land’ with her fiance, David.
Sophie’s ingredients for the perfect novel are complex characters, a gripping plotline, effective dialogue and originality.
Alice Togneri, Finance Manager
Alice joined the Agency in 2019 and brought with her a wealth of financial and accounting experience in both the not-for-profit and commercial sectors. Prior to working for Kate Nash, Alice was the Finance Manager of a London based social policy research organisation. She has a degree in Geography, AAT accounting qualifications, and is a full member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT). On a voluntary basis, she helps small organisations with their account reporting.
Alice has two children, loves reading a wide variety of books, has a keen interest in conservation, and enjoys walking in the woods.
TRANSLATION RIGHTS
If you are interested in the rights for Kate Nash Literary Agency authors in overseas territories, please contact the relevant sub-agency below:
France: AJA – Anna Jarota Agency
Spain and Portugal: The Foreign Office
Germany: Michael Meller Literary Agency
Italy: Piergiorgio Nicolazzini Literary Agency
Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and Ukraine: Prava i prevodi
Türkiye: AnatoliaLit Agency
Japan: Japan UNI Agency
Arabic language: Jazlah Literary Agency
أهلًا وسهلًا!
We represent all other territories directly. Please contact Saskia Leach (saskia@katenashlit.co.uk) with all other translation rights enquiries.
FILM & TV RIGHTS
The Kate Nash Literary Agency represents the dramatic rights for the majority of our authors. We work directly with scouts, producers, studios and broadcasters in the UK, USA and in Europe to showcase books for adaptation.
To request manuscripts, information, or to arrange a meeting with our agents, please contact Saskia Leach: saskia@katenashlit.co.uk.