Gabrielle Demblon

Watson, Little Ltd

Submission status
Closed
Submission route
Email
Response time
Aims to reply within 6 weeks
Last checked
8 days ago

About

Gabrielle is a literary agent and Foreign Rights Manager at Watson, Little.

Gabrielle joined the agency in 2024, after six years working as a literary scout. Gabrielle heads up the foreign rights department, helping Watson, Little authors find publishers around the world, and is building their own list of authors focused on literary and upmarket fiction, select thrillers and nonfiction.

Looking for

  • literary and upmarket fiction, particularly with queer themes or from unusual/underrepresented perspectives, as well as select upmarket thrillers and nonfiction
  • bold hooks and flawed characters, stories that start conversations and challenge assumptions, like DETRANSITION, BABY by Torrey Peters, ALL FOURS by Miranda July, BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin, and REJECTION by Tony Tulathimutte
  • atmospheric, character-led stories about overlooked or uncomfortable aspects of history and popular culture, like THE SAFEKEEP by Yael van der Wouden, ORDINARY HUMAN FAILINGS by Megan Nolan, BOX HILL by Adam Mars Jones, FIRE RUSH by Jacqueline Crooks, SCATTERLINGS by Rešoketšwe Manenzhe, and THE MANNINGTREE WITCHES by AK Blakemore
  • literary speculative/high concept fiction from queer/female/transnational perspectives, in the vein of STATION ELEVEN by Emily St John Mandel, TOWARD ETERNITY by Anton Hur, MINISTRY OF TIME by Kaliane Bradley, and TRIANGULUM by Masande Ntshanga
  • horror reminiscent of works by Carmen Maria Machado, Eliza Clark or Julia Armfield
  • atmospheric mysteries involving family secrets, small communities, or epic natural settings, in the vein of Tana French or THE GOD OF THE WOODS by Liz Moore
  • experts, academics, journalists, or influencers specializing in dating and relationships, personal finance, career guidance, queer family formation, fashion, cultural history, economics, food, or music, especially from a unique or unusual perspective

Not looking for

  • crime procedurals
  • hard sci-fi
  • fantasy
  • young adult
  • children's

Clients include

  • Dr Elliott Carthy
  • Margie Orford

Agency submission guidelines

Submissions are accepted by email only, to submissions@watsonlittle.com. Submissions sent by post will not be read. Submissions should be directed to one agent only, not sent to more than one agent at the agency at once. The agency shares submissions internally and may pass work to a better-suited agent. Cover letter: include a synopsis and writing sample attached as Word documents for fiction, or a proposal for non-fiction, with the cover letter in the body of the email. For a graphic novel or a self-illustrated children's book, send the material as a PDF. The cover letter should briefly describe the novel or proposal, including genre, word count and a one-line pitch, followed by a paragraph or two about the plot. It should also cover the writer's background, any writing experience or previous publications, and mention a couple of recently published comparable titles. Fiction: send approximately 10,000 words (or to the end of the nearest chapter) from the beginning of the book as a single attached document, plus a separate synopsis outlining the plot or structure from beginning to end, including spoilers, written as a factual summary rather than a marketing blurb. Children's fiction: where the total word count is under 20,000 words, send the full manuscript. Non-fiction: send a proposal as a single attached document addressing the subject of the book and why it needs to be published now, the writer's background and credentials, comparable previously published books, a sample chapter, and a list of potential chapters with summaries. What not to submit: poetry or screenplays for film, television, radio or theatre are not represented. Material wholly or partially originated, written or edited by AI is not accepted. Writers may submit to multiple agencies at once, but should inform the agency of any full manuscript requests or offers from other agents. Keep a copy of anything submitted, and do not send original artwork.

Agency AI policy

Does not accept any material that has been wholly or partially originated, written or edited by AI.

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