Emily Talbot

I am a literary agent representing children's illustrators and authors of picture books, middle grade, YA and non-fiction.

I started working at United Agents in 2013 in the foreign rights department, representing the overseas rights for UA's children's authors and illustrators, before moving over to primary agenting in 2015. Before this I worked in a primary school reading books with children every single day and discovering exactly what they like to read.

In fiction, I work on everything from young fiction through to young adult. On the younger end (5-8) an author/illustrator approach is the most appealing, although I am very happy to receive text only submissions. The key for this age group is an accessible, commercial approach with a strong series arc and a memorable central character. In middle grade I’m happy to look at everything from contemporary realism through to world building fantasy. In particular though I’d love a mystery or something spooky (think The Haunting of Aveline Jones), a sparky voice led diary format series that plays with the format or brings a fresh perspective, and I’m always open to graphic novel ideas. In Teen and YA, I love books that touch on the gritty realisms of life such as the writing of Louise O'Neill and Holly Bourne. I would also love to find a romance with a twist, perhaps something sport led or that has a speculative element to it. I also think there is space for illustration at the older end - I’d love to find the next Heartstopper! I don’t tend to work in the crossover space, and I am also not the right agent for Romantasy.

In any age group the thing I am most driven by is great characterisation. I want characters who immediately leap off the page and stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. I am also on the hunt for a distinctive, new and underrepresented voice in children’s literature, whatever age group that may find itself in. 

In nonfiction, I’d like hooky subjects that capture the imagination, interesting and unique narrative approaches and new spins on universal subjects. Trade nonfiction should be fun, informative and easy to digest rather than too educational, so I’m looking for a new voice in this space, as much as I would be in fiction.

Finally, I am always looking for picture book authors and illustrators. My favourite picture books are those with off the wall, irreverent humour. Not Now Bernard frames many a childhood memory for me! On the illustration side, If you’re looking for representation the most important thing you can do is find your own voice and adapt a style that is unique to you. I want to recognise your work as soon as I see it.

Submissions

Please send a covering email, a synopsis and the first three chapters as attachments. For picture books I'll need three stories and a covering email and for illustrators it’s a covering email and a selection of jpegs. If you are an author/illustrator then it’s fine to send a selection of both stories and jpegs.

Due to the number of submissions I receive, unfortunately I am not currently able to respond individually. If you have not heard back from me within 12 weeks, please consider this a decline, with my apologies and gratitude for the opportunity to consider your work.