alterean.

Hellie Ogden

WME Literary Agency

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

About

Hellie is co-head of WME's UK Book division and a Partner at the agency.

She joined WME's London office in 2023 and became a Partner in 2026. She was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year at the 2025 British Book Awards and sits as President of the Association of Authors' Agents. She is an editorially focused agent with a particular interest in helping to develop and nurture debut writers.

Genres

Children's BooksCrimeHistorical FictionLiterary FictionMemoirMiddle GradeMysteryNarrative Non-FictionOther Non-FictionRomanceRomantic FantasyThrillerYoung Adult

Looking for

  • high-concept thrillers and suspense with fresh hooks, big ideas and daring twists
  • original, courageous ideas and seeing a time/place/person in a new light
  • page turning literary fiction tapping into the millennial experience, nostalgia, sexuality, grief, and family complexities
  • anything darkly funny
  • mother/daughter dynamic
  • work that celebrates women
  • female-led mysteries in the vein of HOW TO KILL YOUR FAMILY, the beautiful GIRL A and the skilfully crafted SUCH A FUN AGE
  • young adult stories with a big heart and voice that tackle the often messy side of growing up
  • romantasy and great world building
  • middle-grade adventure mixed with magic
  • something eccentric and mad and outrageously fun
  • standout cookery
  • lifestyle writers
  • moving narrative nonfiction projects as well as work that has a social following with cross-media potential

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

Other agents at WME Literary Agency