Agency submission guidelines
Submissions are made through the forms on the agency website: Adult Fiction, Non-fiction, or Children's and YA, addressed to the agent who best suits your work. Submissions are not accepted by post or by direct email; only the website forms are read.
Format: manuscript and synopsis in Word, 1.5 or double spaced, with only one attachment per form.
Adult fiction, and only when the manuscript is complete: an introduction with a one or two-line elevator pitch, up to three comparable books or authors from the past ten years, a compelling blurb and any relevant information about yourself; then a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words in a single attachment. The synopsis should tell the story, with spoilers.
Non-fiction, sold on proposal, so the book need not be complete: a covering letter introducing yourself and the project, then one document containing a writing sample of about 5,000 to 10,000 words and a proposal. The proposal should cover what the book is about and why it needs to be written, where it sits in the market against similar titles, why you are the person to write it, and a chapter outline with a paragraph or two per chapter.
Children's and young adult, only when the manuscript is complete: the same shape as adult fiction: an introduction with an elevator pitch, up to three comparable books or authors, a blurb and relevant information about yourself, then a one-page synopsis and the first three chapters or first 10,000 words in a single attachment. Picture book submissions are not currently considered.
Worth knowing: the agency takes up to twelve weeks to consider a manuscript and cannot reply to everyone; no reply after twelve weeks means no. A receipt email confirms arrival. After an unsuccessful submission you may try a different agent after twelve weeks, flagging who you first sent it to. The agency does not accept scripts, poetry or picture books, and agents only ever email from a madeleinemilburn.com address. If another agent requests your full manuscript or offers representation, tell the agency by email.
