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Clare Wallace

Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency

Also listed at Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency

Submission status
Open
Submission route
Email
Response time
Aims to reply within 12 weeks
Last checked
14 days ago

About

Clare has been working with Darley Anderson since 2011 and is Managing Director and a literary agent at the Darley Anderson Children's Book Agency.

Her clients have been Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers and Irish Book Award winners, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, picked as Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, shortlisted for the Branford Boase, and nominated, longlisted and shortlisted for the Carnegie, with many titles adapted for or in development for the screen. In 2024 she was shortlisted for Agent of the Year by the British Book Awards. Before joining Darley Anderson she proof-listened to audio books, took a Masters in Creative Writing, coached international students, worked as a research assistant, assisted at a specialist non-fiction agency, waitressed and bartended for years, cherry-picked for months in Gumeracha, and worked one night in a casino emptying ashtrays. Working closely with her clients she is in it for the long term, and she loves creative discussions and developing ideas as much as the satisfying polish of a last line edit. She represents everything from picture books through to young adult, alongside a boutique list of adult fiction, and is always led by standout voices and characters. She is passionate about inclusivity and keen to read submissions from under-represented writers.

Genres

Children's BooksContemporary FictionFantasyGraphic NovelsHistorical (Non-Fiction)HorrorMiddle GradeOther Non-FictionRomanceRomantic FantasyThrillerYoung Adult

Looking for

  • young adult across all genres, her heartland
  • young adult and new adult romantic comedy, high-concept romance and romantasy
  • terrifying horror
  • twisty thrillers
  • mashups, especially horromance
  • new younger illustrated fiction and graphic novels
  • funny writing across all ages
  • middle grade with new worlds, big adventures and unique magic systems
  • accessible contemporary middle grade narratives, especially those looking at friendships and families or exploring a child-centred issue
  • stories inspired by real events across middle grade, young adult and new adult, especially with a particular relevance to today or exploring an experience we have not heard much about before
  • unusual or historical non-fiction with a vibrant and accessible tone
  • close narration and real immediacy
  • an authorial voice that is authentic, distinctive and truly unique
  • action and adventure
  • picture books through to young adult
  • submissions from under-represented authors and illustrators

Agency submission guidelines

Submissions are by email only, to one agent at a time; the agency discusses promising submissions internally, so there is no need to approach more than one agent. What to send: your covering letter in the body of the email, with attachments as Word documents or PDFs. Novels: the first three chapters or first twenty pages, with a one-page synopsis, spoilers included. Picture books: up to three full texts, each as a separate attachment, without illustrations unless you are also submitting as an illustrator. Non-fiction: a proposal, a full chapter list and up to three sample chapters, which need not be consecutive. Illustrators: apply through the agency's illustration website. Under-represented writers are encouraged to add the hashtag #diversevoices to the email subject line.

Links

Clients include

  • Adeola Sokunbi
  • Alex Evelyn
  • Alexa Brown
  • A.M. Howell
  • Ana Stretcu
  • Ayaan Mohamud
  • Beth Reekles
  • Briana Fitzsimons
  • Caroline Crowe
  • Catherine Jacob
  • Cathy Cassidy
  • Charissa Coulthard
  • Claire Powell
  • Dave Rudden
  • Deirdre Sullivan

Other agents at Darley Anderson Children’s Book Agency