alterean.

Francesca Ali

WME Literary Agency

Submission status
Open
Submission route
Other
Response time
Assume no reply = no after 6 weeks
Last checked
2 days ago

About

Francesca is a literary agent at WME, based in the London office.

She joined WME in 2019 and sells UK rights for the agency's US-based authors. She is editorially focused, with a passion for working alongside authors from the conception of an idea to the final manuscript.

Genres

FantasyMemoirMiddle GradeNarrative Non-FictionRomanceScience FictionYoung Adult

Looking for

  • science-fiction
  • speculative works
  • a project with an expansive world that prioritises character at heart and leans literary in tone
  • romance is a plus but should not be the driving factor of the narrative
  • science-fiction that plays with form and takes the genre in new directions (like This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone and The Surviving Sky by Kritika H. Rao)
  • any work that will need a map at the front of the book and a glossary at the back
  • multi-narrator, epic fantasies that tackle large-scale issues, such as The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon or The City of Brass by Shannon Chakraborty, as well as mythical and evocative standalones like Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross or The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
  • queer and neurodivergent stories
  • works that reframe historical narratives
  • illustrated memoir
  • writing that weaves the wider exploration of a subject with a personal and intimate lens

Agency submission guidelines

Query one WME agent at a time; the team works collaboratively, so if you have not heard back after six weeks you are free to try another agent and to keep them posted on your project. Each agent's preferred query format is below and on their profile page, where the query button sends your submission. Include your bio with every submission. The agency cannot respond to every query, and it does not consider screenplays. WME agents will only ever contact you from a wmeagency.com email address and never ask for payment. Francesca Ali: for fiction, the first three chapters and a synopsis as a Word document. For illustrated projects, a portfolio, sample pages and a full script. For non-fiction, a short overview of the project and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. Kimberley Atkins: for fiction, a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters or fifty pages. For non-fiction, a covering letter, a full outline setting out the aims of each chapter and, if possible, a sample chapter. Put your full name and the title of your work in the email subject line. Fiona Baird: for fiction and completed works of non-fiction, a query letter, synopsis and the first three chapters. For non-fiction on proposal, a query letter and the full proposal. Lucy Balfour: for fiction, a query letter, synopsis and the first three chapters or fifty pages. For non-fiction, a query letter and a proposal including a full outline and chapter breakdown. Suzannah Ball: for fiction, the first three chapters as a Word document and a synopsis; only submit once your manuscript is complete. For non-fiction, a short overview of the project and up to 10,000 words of sample writing. Florence Dodd: for all projects, a synopsis, an outline and up to ten sample pages as a Word document. Matilda Forbes Watson: for fiction, a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters or fifty pages. For non-fiction, a covering letter, a full outline and, if possible, a sample chapter. Karolina Kaim: non-fiction only. A short overview of the project and up to 10,000 words of sample writing as a Word document; the proposal should include a working title, an elevator pitch and an outline of contents. For platform-led projects, include an overview of relevant statistics. James Munro: for fiction, a query letter and the first ten pages in the body of the email. For non-fiction, a query letter with the full proposal or manuscript attached. Hellie Ogden: for fiction, a covering letter, synopsis and the first three chapters or fifty pages. For non-fiction, a covering letter, a full outline setting out the aims of each chapter and, if possible, a sample chapter. Put your full name and the title of your work in the email subject line.

Links

Clients include

  • Abby Dewsnup
  • Georgina Donnelly
  • A.S. Greenleaf
  • Monique Hazel
  • Solar Hoàng
  • Phoebe Yemi Ara
  • Felicia Day
  • Cat Dang
  • Isabelle Mongeau
  • Joseph Eckert
  • Danny Go!

Other agents at WME Literary Agency