Elise Dillsworth

About

Elise is a London-based literary agent who represents 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.

Genres

Agency submission guidelines

The agency is looking for 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. The agency does not wish to consider submissions written with generative AI tools; any AI use must be disclosed, non-fiction proposals should not rely on AI-driven research, and writers are encouraged to write their cover letter without AI assistance. Submissions should be sent by email, following the guidelines below; submissions not adhering to these guidelines will be deleted. Fiction submissions: send a covering email introducing the work and any relevant information about the author, with name and title of the work in the subject header. A short synopsis and the first three chapters (or approximately 50 pages) of the finished work must be attached separately in Microsoft Word or PDF format, double spaced and page numbered. Non-fiction submissions: send a covering email introducing the work, including relevant professional expertise or credentials showing suitability to write the book, with name and title of the work in the subject header. A proposal about the subject and its necessity, a chapter outline and a writing sample (approximately 30 pages) must be attached separately in Word format, double spaced and page numbered.

Agency AI policy

The agency is dedicated to defending the unique value of authors’ original, human-created work, and does not wish to consider submissions written with generative AI tools. If you have used any, you must disclose this in your submission.

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