SUBMISSIONS
***The agency is now closed to submissions. Please keep checking back as we will update the website when we re-open.***
We’re always on the lookout for great stories to share with the world. We welcome approaches from both debut and published authors, across many genres, from any background.
Please approach us about full length work only. We cannot consider and do not represent short stories or novellas.
At the moment, our agents are not looking for: Children’s, Erotica or Comedy. Please do not send us submissions in these genres at the current time, as these submissions will not be considered.
We receive a large number of submissions every week, which means that we are unable to represent the vast majority of the work we read. Each agent can only represent so many clients and give them the attention they deserve.
To give yourself the best chance of success, please examine our submission guidelines carefully, as well as ask yourself these two key questions:
Is the Kate Nash Literary Agency right for me?
This is the most crucial question. Every agent represents different kinds of writing. Take some time to familiarise yourself with our client list and recent publications. Do we seem to enjoy the kind of book that you have written? Would you be interested in pursuing a professional relationship with us? You can read more about the agency and our agents in the People section.
Am I ready to submit?
Have you finished your story? Have you edited it? Are you happy with it, with the pacing, the plot development, the characterisation? Have you formatted it neatly and clearly? If you’re writing non-fiction, have you completed the proposal? Have you identified the timescales required for any further research? whi
WHAT HAPPENS TO YOUR SUBMISSION?
We run a central submissions inbox which means every submission is automatically filed by date of arrival. Submissions are reviewed by everyone at the agency and those submissions for further review are shared among the team so that the best possible agent for your work will be the one to ultimately read and decide if your submission shows promise.
We hold a weekly submissions meeting at the agency where promising submissions are discussed and can be taken forward.
Because of the volume of submissions received we cannot give individual feedback. However if your submission has been taken forward by one or more of our agents but was ultimately unsuccessful, we will provide some feedback to explain what we liked but why it was not quite right for us.
HOW TO SUBMIT
FICTION
Please submit using our Submission Form which requires:
- A one line ‘elevator pitch’ of your book
- Your telephone number and home address
- A one page cover letter
- A one page synopsis of your novel
- The opening chapter of your novel
In your cover letter, please include some information about yourself, and how you came to write your novel, as well as an outline of your ambitions as a writer. If the full manuscript has been requested by another agency or if you have received an offer of representation or publishing deal, please note this at the start of your cover letter.
NON-FICTION
Please submit using our Submission Form which requres:
- A one line ‘elevator pitch’ of your book
- Your telephone number and home address
- A one page cover letter
- A full length proposal for your non-fiction book
- A detailed chapter-by-chapter synopsis of the book
- Sample chapter(s) from your book
In your cover letter, please include some information about yourself, and how you came to write your novel, as well as an outline of your ambitions as a writer. If the full manuscript has been requested by another agency or if you have received an offer of representation or publishing deal, please note this at the start of your cover letter.
TIPS
- In your covering letter, it is often beneficial to include a couple of similar books, where you think it might sit in a bookshop and any genre it might fall into.
- It’s always helpful to mention any previous writing experience or publications. If you don’t have any, please don’t worry!
- If you have any direct, lived experiences that have shaped your work, it can be helpful to mention these in your covering email.
- The synopsis of your book should include the main characters, the main plot twists and, importantly, what happens at the end (the resolution).
- We ask for your telephone number because our agents may want to call you to discuss your submission.
USEFUL RESOURCES
Here is a collection of useful resources you might want to check out:
- The Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook: updated yearly, this is a book of industry advice for writers and artists. It contains contact details for publishers and agents, written pieces by published writers various relevant subjects, and much more. There are also online resources.
- The Children’s Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook: a companion publication/resource to the Writers’ & Artist’s Yearbook, containing the same sort of information but focusing on writers and illustrators for children.
- The Society of Authors: a trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators, at all stages of their careers.
- The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain: the WGGB is a trade union representing professional writers in TV, film, theatre, radio, books, comedy, poetry, animation and videogames, as well as emerging and aspiring writers.
- The Crime Writers’ Association: The CWA support, promote and celebrate great crime writing. They publish a monthly magazine called Red Herrings packed with crime-related articles, a digital monthly newsletter, and they also run the prestigious CWA Dagger Awards.
- The Historical Novels ‘ Society: The HNS provide useful guides, features and reviews of historical fiction. They also run the Historical Novels Awards, as well as a yearly conference.
- The Romantic Novelists’ Association: RNA is a professional body primarily for writers of romantic fiction. They exist to raise the prestige of romantic fiction, and to encourage romantic authorship, championing the quality and diversity of romantic fiction.
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators – British Isles: SCWBI is non-profit organisation created specifically for individuals who write and illustrate for children and young adults.
- The Bookseller: a print and online publication reporting industry news within the book sector. It includes reviews, previews, opinion, news coverage so can be a great source for market research.
- House of Illustration: the UK’s only public gallery dedicated solely to illustration and graphic art. A registered charity, House of Illustration supports and promotes new talent, commissions new work and has a pioneering learning programme delivered by professional illustrators. It was founded by Sir Quentin Blake.
- Google: most agents and publishers have helpful websites of their submissions policy and what they are looking for. Do do your research before submitting anything, anywhere.
- Your local library: your local library might well have copies of some of these resources. They will also have books on writing, provide a quiet place for writing, and have computers.
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