Literary agents for speculative writers

It takes a lot of time to trawl literary agencies to find agents who are willing to represent speculative fiction writers, I've done of the work for you with a list here. Plus, where possible, any relevant authors who they represent. Remember when contacting them to adhere to their submission policies rigorously. If you receive a rejection, don't forget it may not be because your work isn't good enough, it may be decided by their List . Agents handle a combination of authors, people with commercial potential combined with commercial income . Agents make their salaries from what their authors earn. Therefore, they take on only a handful of debut writers because the income they generate is not guaranteed, they are a risk . Your work might be brilliant but if their list has a lot of debut writers, they won't want to take on any more because it would affect what they earn. They are entrepreneurs! With that in mind, here are some agents you might want to approach: Curtis Brown - not only a literary agency but Curtis Brown Creative is an agent-led writing school. Their courses are in London and online. Courses range from tutor-led write-your-novel to how to edit and pitch your finished work to an agent. Courses always include contact with their agents. Stephanie Thwaites is open to children's and YA speculative fiction as well as a story with a 'kick-ass' heroine like Villanelle or Arya Stark. Email: isobel.gahan@curtisbrown.co.uk Alice Lutyens is looking for 'a fantastically written novel with a twist of the magical or supernatural, but based in reality'. Email: alice@curtisbrown.co.uk Conville and Walsh - they are commercially linked to Curtis Brown. Alexander Cochran is a great guy, agent to the brilliant Tade Thompson and Gareth Powell. He wants 'sci-fi and fantasy that push boundaries or cross genres, but are rooted in the believable.' Email: alexander.cochran@cwagency.co.uk Blake Friedmann - Kate Burke wants high-concept thrillers (contemporary, historical or speculative) that have a ‘what if?’ plot structure and say something about our society now or then. Email: kate@blakefriedmann.co.uk Ki Agency - this is a small agency that specialise in developing bespoke and supportive relationships with their authors. Meg Davis is a friendly and helpful agent who enjoys genre fiction and I've found her to offer helpful insights even while rejecting my work! Email: meg@ki-agency.co.uk Johnson and Alcock - Ed Wilson is their speculative fiction agent and represents writers like RJ Barker and Cameron Johnston. On Twitter he's active on his @literarywhore account. Email: ed@johnsonandalcock.co.uk DHH Literary agency - is the home of Harry Illingworth and he wants 'high concept speculative fiction and science fiction and fantasy of all kinds, especially gritty and epic'. He's the grimdark author, Anna Stephens' agent. Email: hi.submission@dhhliteraryagency.com Peters, Fraser and Dunlop - is a large agency and Lucy Irvine deals with their SFF authors, "I am drawn to narratives driven by world building; quick-paced, addictive, and adventurous, with returnable series potential. I love stories set in worlds that pull you in and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading." Email: lirvine@pfd.co.uk John Jarrold - the ultimate speculative fiction agent, John specialises in this area and his list includes authors like Kareem Mahfouz, Ben Galley, Harry Turtledove and Richard Webb. Email: j.jarrold@btinternet.com Julie Crisp is another specialist speculative fiction agent. She represents authors such as Devin Madsen, John Gwynne and Sam Hawke. She is also a professional editor. You can contact her on her site here Juliet Mushens has recently set up her own agency and is another champion for speculative fiction. She's agent to Jen Williams, Grey Williams, Stephen Aryan. On Twitter she's https://twitter.com/mushenska Her email: jmsubmissions@mushens-entertainment.com If you know of other literary agents who are open to speculative fiction or have constructive experiences you'd like to share, please get in touch and I can add them to this post.