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Olivia Maidment

Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency

Submission status
Open
Submission route
Website
Response time
Assume no reply = no after 12 weeks
Last checked
19 days ago

About

Olivia is a Director and Literary Agent at Madeleine Milburn, specialising in literary, upmarket and book club fiction, and always keen to discover bold, original voices from around the world.

Since joining the agency in 2020 she has built a list of prizewinning authors and emerging voices including Oisín McKenna, Julia Armfield, Freya Bromley and Sarvat Hasin, with clients recognised by the Polari Prize, the Nero Book Award, the RSL Encore Award and the Observer's debut novelists list. She works closely and editorially with her authors from early drafts through to publication, building long-term global careers, and is passionate about launching debut fiction.

Genres

Contemporary FictionLiterary FictionPsychological SuspenseThriller

Looking for

  • literary and upmarket fiction with real ambition, a distinctive voice, a strong emotional core and the potential to resonate widely
  • character-driven contemporary novels that are emotionally precise and attentive to modern life
  • fiction exploring identity and belonging and the complexities of relationships in all their forms
  • expansive or international fiction where personal lives intersect with social, political or historical change
  • fresh perspectives on place, culture and community
  • speculative fiction and magical realism grounded in character and emotional truth
  • literary thrillers with atmosphere and psychological depth

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.

Agency AI policy

Does not accept submissions of material generated by artificial intelligence.

Links

Clients include

  • Oisín McKenna
  • Julia Armfield
  • Freya Bromley
  • Sarvat Hasin
  • Hope Tala
  • Sufiyaan Salam

Other agents at Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV & Film Agency