alterean.

Elise Dillsworth

Elise Dillsworth Agency

Also listed at David Higham Associates

Submission status
Open
Submission route
Email
Response time
Assume no reply = no after 12 weeks
Last checked
Today

About

Elise is a literary agent based in London, representing literary and general fiction and non-fiction.

She became an agent in 2012, having previously worked as a commissioning editor at Virago Press. She co-founded the Diversity in Publishing Network in 2004 and has judged several literary prizes, including the OCM Bocas Fiction Prize and the SI Leeds Prize.

What they represent

BiographyCommercial FictionContemporary FictionLiterary FictionMemoirNarrative Non-FictionOther Non-Fiction

Looking for

  • literary and general fiction and non-fiction
  • with a keen aim to reflect writing that is international

Not looking for

  • crime
  • thriller
  • science fiction
  • fantasy
  • film/TV scripts or plays
  • young adult or children's books

Links

Clients include

  • Maria Bradford
  • Karen Downs-Barton
  • Anthony Joseph
  • Foday Mannah
  • Diane Oliver
  • Yewande Omotoso
  • Courtney Pine
  • Noo Saro-Wiwa
  • Stephanie Victoire
  • Aisling Watters

Agency submission guidelines

The agency represents literary and general fiction, and non-fiction (especially memoir, autobiography, biography, cookery and travel writing). It does not represent crime, thriller, science fiction, fantasy, film/TV scripts, plays, young adult or children's books. Submissions written with generative AI tools are not considered; any AI use must be disclosed, non-fiction proposals should not rely on AI-driven research, and cover letters should be written without AI assistance. Submissions not adhering to the guidelines will be deleted. Send submissions by email to elise@elisedillsworthagency.com. Fiction: Send a covering email introducing the work and relevant information about the author. Put name and title of the work in the subject header. Attach separately a short synopsis and the first three chapters (or approximately 50 pages) of the finished work in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Submissions must be double spaced and page numbered. Non-fiction: Send a covering email introducing the work and including relevant professional expertise or credentials showing suitability to write the book. Put name and title of the work in the subject header. Attach separately a proposal about the subject and its necessity, a chapter outline and a writing sample (approximately 30 pages) in Word format. Submissions must be double spaced and page numbered.

Agency AI policy

They do not wish to consider submissions written with generative AI tools. The use of AI must be disclosed in the submission. Non-fiction proposals should not rely on AI-driven research, and cover letters should be written without the assistance of AI.

Also open to memoir right now

See all

  • John Ash

    CAA Publishing

    John Ash is a literary agent at CAA Publishing, representing literary fiction, upmarket general fiction and serious nonfiction. He began his career at PEW Literary, where he spent six and a half years before joining CAA in 2023. His fiction interests range from literary fiction and epic fantasy to upmarket general fiction, while his nonfiction interests include history, memoir and reportage.

    Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Fantasy · Historical Non-Fiction · Literary Fiction +3 more

    Open
    Last checked today

  • Natalie Jerome

    Originate Literary Agency

    Natalie is an agent at Originate Literary Agency, seeking game-changing stories across fiction, non-fiction, young adult and children's books. She represents Sir Lenny Henry's children's publishing. Her taste has been shaped by writers such as Toni Morrison, James Baldwin and Octavia E. Butler, and by a lifelong search for diverse voices and backgrounds in books.

    Genres:Biography · Children's Books · Commercial Fiction · Literary Fiction · Memoir +3 more

    Open
    Last checked today

  • Maria Whelan

    Mushens Entertainment

    Maria represents both fiction and nonfiction writers at Mushens Entertainment. Before joining the agency in September 2025, she worked at InkWell Management in New York for over eight years as an assistant and agent. She began her career in publishing as a Foreign Rights Assistant at Janklow & Nesbit in New York. Maria graduated from University College Dublin with a BA in English and Drama, then obtained her Master's in Literature and Modernity from the University of Edinburgh.

    Genres:Contemporary Fiction · Food & Drink · Historical Non-Fiction · Horror · Literary Fiction +2 more

    Open
    Last checked today

  • Karolina Sutton

    CAA Publishing

    Karolina is known for launching successful debuts in literary and upmarket commercial fiction, as well as shepherding long-term literary careers. She works across literary fiction, crime and psychological suspense, historical fiction, serious non-fiction and memoir, and remains open to new voices, including traditional storytellers and those challenging form and convention. She has worked with many admired novelists, journalists, academics and public figures, including winners of the Booker Prize, the Nobel Peace Prize and the Baillie Gifford Prize. In 2020, she was named Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards.

    Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Crime · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction +3 more

    Open
    Last checked today

  • Harriet Poland

    CAA Publishing

    Harriet focuses on narrative, voice-driven non-fiction, pop culture, memoir, comedy, journalism, and platform talent. She joined CAA in 2023 after serving as editorial director at Hodder & Stoughton. Prior to Hodder, she held positions at Hodder Studio, Audible, and The Hanbury Agency.

    Genres:Historical Non-Fiction · Memoir · Narrative Non-Fiction · Other Non-Fiction

    Open
    Last checked today

  • Sarah Harvey

    CAA Publishing

    Sarah is a literary agent at CAA who builds a list of commercial to reading-group fiction and commercial non-fiction for the UK market. Sarah joined CAA in 2022, having previously worked at HarperCollins, Hachette, Pan Macmillan, The Curtis Brown Agency, and David Higham Associates. Their background is in translation rights, and they also represent US and translated authors in the UK.

    Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Historical Non-Fiction +11 more

    Open
    Last checked today