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, Junior Agent
Saskia joined Kate Nash Literary Agency in 2021, after graduating from Royal Holloway, University of London in 2020 with a BA degree in English and History. She is also Secretary of the AAA Bridge Committee, a sub-committee of the Association of Authors’ Agents who support early career agents.
She loves musical theatre, both as a performer and viewer, supports Brighton and Hove Albion FC and runs her own Bookstagram (@saskia.reads).
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
After completing a degree in Geography from the University of Portsmouth (BA Hons), Alice went on to gain her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualification. She has many years of experience working in accounts, having worked mainly in the not-for-profit sector, including working for a local authority, a Think Tank, and a crime prevention charity.
Alice loves the outdoors, country walks, reading a wide variety of books, and eating chocolate.
TRANSLATION RIGHTS
Rebecca Winfield & Nick Walters - David Luxton Associates
Our translation rights are handled by Rebecca Winfield and Nick Walters from David Luxton Associates. Do please get in touch if you have any 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, Agent’s Assistant: saskia@katenashlit.co.uk.