Siân Ellis-Martin

Submission status: Open
Submission route: Email
Response time: Assume no reply = no after 8 weeks
Last checked: 22 days ago

About

Siân represents authors in a range of fiction and non-fiction genres from commercial to the accessible end of the literary spectrum.

She is keen to hear from authors who feel their voice is underrepresented in publishing. It is important to her to work with authors from a wide variety of backgrounds.

What they represent

Looking for

a love story, whether it's a big ‘made-for-each-other’ romance like One Day by David Nicholls, or a quieter depiction of desire like The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
rom-coms with interesting backdrops or with a focus on queer love
a sweeping friendship or family saga (think Tom Lake or The Dutch House by Ann Patchett and Pachinko by Min Jin Lee)
truly unputdownable standalone books with twists that you don't see coming or mysteries that get the cogs of your brain turning
books that focus on the psychology of the characters at the same time as providing pacey plot, like Notes on an Execution by Danya Kukafka or Three Hours by Rosamund Lupton
books based on real events or people or stories with a gothic or darker feel like Sarah Waters
historical fiction that looks at the lives of people we don't hear so much about in periods of time that we already know well, like In Memoriam by Alice Winn
books that read like fiction and/or draw you into a topic you never expected to be interested in
informative books that make complicated topics accessible or shine a light on something new, like Unwell Women by Elinor Cleghorn or Doppelganger by Naomi Klein
a literary true crime story, like This House of Grief by Helen Garner
untold histories (think The Five by Hallie Rubenhold)
cookery and food writing, delicious food and uncomplicated recipes

Not looking for

Clients include

Shani Akilah
Ros Anderson
Emily Chudy
Alex Clark
Jenny Glanfield
Sammy Hyde
Letitia Jarrett
Leeanne O'Donnell
Jacob Stokoe
Cristina Wolf

Agency submission guidelines

Blake Friedmann accepts submissions across many genres from published and debut authors, but does not represent children's books. Submissions are by email only; paper submissions are not accepted. What to send: An introductory email, a synopsis and a writing sample, sent as Microsoft Word (.doc or.docx) attachments. For non-fiction, an introductory email plus a proposal including a synopsis, chapter plan and sample material. Fiction: A full synopsis of 250-300 words, covering the whole story including the ending. The first three chapters, or the first 10,000 words. Non-fiction: A synopsis of up to 500 words. A chapter plan for the entire work, with each chapter heading followed by a paragraph detailing its content. Two sample chapters, one of which should be the introduction or opening chapter. Total proposal length is often around 10,000 words. Formatting: Attachments should be Word documents, not PDFs or Pages, preferably with 1.5 line spacing and numbered pages. Each attachment should be named with the book title and the writer's name (plus SYNOPSIS or CHAPTERS). Each document should have a first page with book title, name and contact details, and contact details should also appear in the email. If using a pseudonym, include both real name and pseudonym on the sample material and in the email. Covering letter: An opening paragraph introducing the book, its genre and a couple of comparative titles. A one-paragraph blurb. A note on any significant previous publications or writing experience, if relevant. A note on any personal experience relating to the book's subject, if relevant. Who to submit to: Submit to only one agent at Blake Friedmann; agents will pass work to a colleague if they think it more suited elsewhere. Consult individual agent pages to choose the most appropriate agent. Agent email addresses: Isobel Dixon (isobel@blakefriedmann.co.uk), Kate Burke (kate@blakefriedmann.co.uk), Sian Ellis-Martin (sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk), Finlay Charlesworth (finlay@blakefriedmann.co.uk).

Agency AI policy

They do not accept submissions originated, written or edited by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. This includes use of AI to write your cover letter or synopsis, or to submit your work.

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