Kirsten is a literary agent at Zeno Agency Ltd, currently focused on selling the agency's translation rights.
She joined Zeno in the summer of 2024, having previously worked at another literary agency and, before that, as a bookseller at the Charing Cross branch of Foyles. She holds a BA (Hons) in English from Edinburgh Napier University and a Masters in Children's Literature from Reading University.
The agency accepts fiction submissions by email (except where noted otherwise) that fit its current requirements. What to send: the first three chapters (or an equivalent segment of around 50 double-spaced pages), a synopsis, and a covering letter. Formatting: chapters should be sent as attachments in.doc,.docx or PDF format, in a legible font no smaller than 12pt, double spaced, with pages numbered. The name, email address and a contact number should appear on the title page. The text of the submission should not be pasted into the email body; only attachments in the requested formats will be considered. Word count: adult novels of less than 75,000 words are not accepted. Children's fiction should be no less than 50,000 words. Synopsis: should be a simple explanation of the story from chapter one to the end, not proposed cover copy, and should not run over two pages. Covering letter: should include an elevator pitch and a few lines about the writer and their writing career to date. Mention should be made if another novel has previously been sent to Zeno. Submissions should not be sent again if a previous submission was declined. Submissions by post are not accepted. Subject line should read 'SUBMISSION [title of novel] by [name]'. Only one agent should be submitted to at a time. Per-agent method: John Berlyne accepts submissions by email. Stevie Finegan accepts submissions via QueryManager only.
John is the founder of Zeno Agency and a long-time champion of high-concept, plot-driven storytelling. He gravitates toward speculative fiction where characters face real problems and narrative momentum drives the story. A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, John has a sharp eye for originality and a low tolerance for derivative work or overly whimsical narratives.
Genres:Crime · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Horror · Science Fiction +1 more
Stevie is an agent at Zeno Agency, representing fantasy, science fiction, children's books, graphic novels and non-fiction. They joined Zeno in 2020 after working for Gollancz, Icon and several Waterstones bookshops in London. Their degree specialised in children's literature, including a dissertation on defining Young Adult fiction. This background shapes their interest in stories connected with LGBTQIA+, BAME, disability, mental health and other marginalised experiences.
Genres:Children's Books · Commercial Fiction · Current Affairs · Fantasy · Graphic Novels +13 more
John Ash is a literary agent at CAA Publishing, representing literary fiction, upmarket general fiction and serious nonfiction. He began his career at PEW Literary, where he spent six and a half years before joining CAA in 2023. His fiction interests range from literary fiction and epic fantasy to upmarket general fiction, while his nonfiction interests include history, memoir and reportage.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Fantasy · Historical Non-Fiction · Literary Fiction +3 more
Rachel is a literary agent at Mushens Entertainment, representing both literary and commercial fiction with a preference for darker stories. She began her publishing career at HarperCollins before working as an editor at Hachette for six years, most recently as a Commissioning Editor at Orion. She joined Mushens Entertainment in 2022 and became a Literary Agent in 2023 after covering Juliet Mushens' maternity leave.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Crime · Fantasy · Horror +7 more
Laura is an associate literary agent at the Liverpool Literary Agency. She studied Writing at Liverpool John Moores University, gaining a BA and later an MA, after an early career in teaching that included working with young adults with special needs and in further education. She moved into editing after her teaching career and also works as a freelance writer, having written for a video game and several roleplaying games.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Cosy Mystery · Crime · Fantasy +12 more
Sarah is a literary agent at CAA who builds a list of commercial to reading-group fiction and commercial non-fiction for the UK market. Sarah joined CAA in 2022, having previously worked at HarperCollins, Hachette, Pan Macmillan, The Curtis Brown Agency, and David Higham Associates. Their background is in translation rights, and they also represent US and translated authors in the UK.
Genres:Commercial Fiction · Contemporary Fiction · Fantasy · Historical Fiction · Historical Non-Fiction +11 more
Alice is a Literary Agent at Peters Fraser + Dunlop, working primarily on the children's list. After an MA in Publishing from UAL she spent five years as a scout at London Literary Scouting, specialising in children's, young adult and science fiction and fantasy across all ages and working with publishers and media companies around the world. She joined the agency in 2026 from Felicity Bryan Associates, where she was a literary agent. Alongside building her own list she sells foreign rights in the agency's children's and young adult titles across many territories.
Genres:Children's Books · Fantasy · Horror · Middle Grade · Mystery +5 more
Daisy is an agent in the books department at PFD, and works with Tim Bates as the United Kingdom sub-agent for New Directions Publishing in the United States. She joined the company in 2019 after graduating from the University of Oxford with a degree in politics, philosophy and economics.
Genres:Contemporary Fiction · Fantasy · Food & Drink · Horror · Literary Fiction +8 more
