Agents looking for literary fiction are often seeking voice, depth, originality, and emotional intelligence. Plot still matters, but prose and perspective matter more.
Women’s fiction continues to dominate the commercial fiction market in the UK.
Often centred on women’s lives, relationships, identity, family, career and transformation, women’s fiction can range from light and uplifting to emotionally layered and complex. It may include romance, but the romantic relationship is not always the sole focus.
From contemporary issue-led novels to fantasy, dystopian, romance and thriller hybrids, YA continues to evolve alongside its readership. Agents looking for YA are often seeking authentic teen voice, emotional immediacy and strong narrative momentum.
Science fiction continues to evolve. From climate fiction and dystopian futures to space opera and near-future speculative thrillers, UK agents are actively seeking bold new voices in the genre.
If you’re writing adult science fiction, these UK literary agents are currently open to submissions and looking for speculative manuscripts.
Romance fiction remains one of the most commercially powerful genres in publishing.
From contemporary romantic comedies to historical love stories and emotionally layered relationship dramas, romance readers are loyal, vocal and constantly searching for their next obsession.
Blending fantasy world-building with central romantic arcs, romantasy thrives on tension, chemistry, high stakes and emotional payoff. Think epic settings, dangerous alliances, morally grey love interests and slow-burn desire.
Navigating the UK literary agent scene can feel opaque, but it helps to know who’s out there.
This isn’t a definitive list, but these are twenty respected, active agents known for championing strong literary and commercial fiction.
The truth is, the odds are tough. Fewer than 10% of all fiction writers ever secure representation. Yes. You read that correctly. That's how hard it is to find a literary agent.