Matilda Forbes Watson

About

Matilda is a Partner and Co-Head of the UK Book division at WME, representing a diverse list of bestselling adult fiction and non-fiction.

She joined WME in 2013 and enjoys working with debut authors in the early stages of developing a project, as well as writers with established careers. She supports authors from submission through to publication, connecting them with the specialists and resources available at WME.

Genres

Looking for

• extraordinary untold stories, big ideas, smart thinking, investigative journalism, and agenda-setting books
• proposals by professionals, experts, or writers with a platform, which explore how we live and how we might live better, offering the reader understanding and practical suggestions to implement change
• standout UK voices writing for readers of Glennon Doyle, Gabor Mate or Brené Brown who address how we feel
• brave, unapologetic, intimate stories
• voice or character-driven novels set in the real world, with high emotional stakes and a strong hook

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

• Dr Annie Zimmerman
• Dr Emily Leeming
• Dr Rayyan Zafar
• Akala
• Ben Francis
• Judy Blume
• Tina Brown
• Laura Dave
• Jhumpa Lahiri
• Amor Towles
• Dave Grohl
• Quentin Tarantino

Other agents at WME Literary Agency

• Fiona Baird

  WME Literary Agency

  Fiona is a literary agent at WME, representing adult fiction and non-fiction. She joined WME in 2016 and is based in London. Alongside her US colleagues, she offers UK representation to a number of WME's US-based authors.

  Genres:Commercial Fiction · Literary Fiction · Memoir · Narrative Non-Fiction

  Open

  Last checked 2 days ago

• Florence Dodd

  WME Literary Agency

  Florence is an agent in WME's International Rights group, based in the London office. She handles translation and UK rights sales for a wide range of projects and titles. She is bilingual in French and English and is passionate about international publishing. She also offers some primary representation to UK and international authors.

  Genres:Health & Wellness · Memoir · Other Non-Fiction · Sports

  Open

  Last checked 4 days ago

• Francesca Ali

  WME Literary Agency

  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:Fantasy · Memoir · Middle Grade · Narrative Non-Fiction · Romance +2 more

  Open

  Last checked 2 days ago

• Hellie Ogden

  WME Literary Agency

  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 Books · Crime · Historical Fiction · Literary Fiction · Memoir +8 more

  Open

  Last checked 2 days ago

• Karolina Kaim

  WME Literary Agency

  Karolina is a nonfiction agent at WME's London office. She joined the agency in 2024 after more than eight years of commissioning experience at publishing houses in the UK and abroad. She trained in intellectual property law and works closely with her US colleague to find homes for the agency's talent.

  Genres:Business · Health & Wellness · Memoir · Narrative Non-Fiction · Self-Help

  Open

  Last checked 4 days ago

• Kimberley Atkins

  WME Literary Agency

  Kimberley is a literary agent at WME representing commercial fiction and non-fiction. She joined WME's UK Book division in 2025 after sixteen years working at Big Five publishing houses in London and Sydney. She previously acquired and published multiple bestselling authors, including Lucy Score, Stephanie Garber and Gillian McAllister. Before becoming an agent, she held senior editorial roles at Penguin Michael Joseph, Hodder & Stoughton and Head of Zeus, and also worked at Penguin Random House Australia.

  Genres:Commercial Fiction · Crime · Narrative Non-Fiction · Psychological Suspense · Romance +2 more

  Open

  Last checked 4 days ago

• Lucy Balfour

  WME Literary Agency

  Lucy is a literary agent at WME's London office, offering UK representation to clients across the agency. She joined WME in 2023 after seven years working as a literary scout for an extensive list of international publishers, as well as film and television clients. She is building a list of her own authors.

  Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Health & Wellness · Memoir · Middle Grade +5 more

  Open

  Last checked 2 days ago

• Suzannah Ball

  WME Literary Agency

  Suzannah is a literary agent at WME, based in the London office. She has been with the agency since 2019 and was named a 2025 Bookseller Rising Star. She represents adult and crossover fiction, as well as a select list of non-fiction, and works closely with both debut and experienced authors to help them develop their material and ideas.

  Genres:Commercial Fiction · Fantasy · Horror · Literary Fiction · Other Non-Fiction +2 more

  Open

  Last checked 2 days ago