Caroline Hardman

Submission status: Open (conditions apply)
Submission route: Email
Response time: Assume no reply = no after 8 weeks
Last checked: 15 days ago
When to submit: Submissions open 1st September to 16th October.

About

Caroline co-founded Hardman & Swainson and represents a growing list of critically-praised, up-and-coming and bestselling authors.

Caroline was previously an agent at the Christopher Little Literary Agency and The Marsh Agency, specialising in translation rights. Caroline has a strong understanding of global trade publishing. Caroline studied English Literature at the University of Leeds, gaining a first class BA and an MA with distinction.

What they represent

Looking for

novels that combine great writing, plot and pace, distinctive characters, emotional depth and a strong hook
literary
upmarket commercial
book club
historical
crime and thrillers
serious non-fiction including popular science, particularly in the fields of human biology and medicine, psychology, feminism, big ideas and current affairs
well-researched, fact-based writing on health (of the body or mind) and personal development
selective wellness and lifestyle projects
narrative non-fiction, especially compelling personal voices, first person pieces and memoir

Not looking for

science fiction
fantasy
children's

Clients include

Katie Allen
Sophie Austin
Jennifer Barclay
Chetan Bhatt
Tracy Buchanan
Elisabeth Carpenter
HS Chandler
Joanna Cherry
Emma Christie
Deb Cohen
Sharron Davies
Daniel M. Davis
Sarah Ditum
Andrew Doig
Charlotte Duckworth

Agency submission guidelines

The agency represents a range of fiction and non-fiction, but does not represent TV/film scripts or poetry. Submit to one agent only. Fiction: send a short covering email, a one-page synopsis, and the full manuscript. Name the chosen agent in the cover email. Non-fiction: send a covering email outlining the book, why it has a place on the bookshelf, and why the writer is qualified to write it, along with a proposal and a sample chapter or the whole work if completed. All sample material should be included as an attachment along with the query in one submission. Where to send: submissions@hardmanswainson.com, not individual agents' email addresses. Nina Leon: uses QueryTracker only, submissions should go via https://QueryTracker.net/query/NinaLeon

Other agents at Hardman & Swainson

Hannah Ferguson
Hardman & Swainson
Hannah is a literary agent at Hardman & Swainson, representing fiction and non-fiction. She grew up above her family's bookshop in the Midlands and later studied Creative Writing at Goldsmiths. She began her career as an intern at The Marsh Agency, staying for seven years before becoming an agent and selling her first author, Ali McNamara. She joined Hardman & Swainson in 2014.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Crime · Literary Fiction · Narrative Non-Fiction · Thriller +1 more
Open
Last checked 15 days ago
Joanna Swainson
Hardman & Swainson
Joanna is a co-founder of Hardman & Swainson and represents both fiction and non-fiction. She trained as a reader and in-house editor for Christopher Little, where she met Caroline. Before that she ran a copywriting and editing business after studying French.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Crime · Fantasy · Historical Fiction +7 more
Open
Last checked 15 days ago
Nina Leon
Hardman & Swainson
Nina is an agent at Hardman & Swainson, representing authors across a broad range of genres, with a particular focus on romantasy, young adult, upmarket and contemporary romance.
Genres:Contemporary Fiction · Romance · Romantic Fantasy · Young Adult
Open
Last checked 15 days ago

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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
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Genres:Biography · Business · Current Affairs · Historical Non-Fiction · Narrative Non-Fiction +3 more
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Genres:Business · Children's Books · Commercial Fiction · Crime · Food & Drink +9 more
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