firstwriter.com's database of literary agents includes details of 2,473 English language literary agents and agencies that don't charge reading fees. The database is continually updated: there have been 77 listings added or updated in the last month. With over a dozen different ways to narrow your search you can find the right literary agent for your book, fast.
News
Saffron Dodd’s promotion to literary agent at ASH Literary marks a significant and well‑earned step in her career, reflecting both her growing influence in children’s and YA publishing and the agency’s confidence in her editorial and client‑building instincts. The announcement, reported in The Bookseller, highlights that she has stepped up from her role as associate agent after what the agency described as “a stellar couple of years”.
A milestone in a fast‑rising career
Dodd’s trajectory at ASH Literary has been defined by a clear vision for the kinds of stories she champions. Her promotion signals not only internal recognition but also her expanding presence in the UK publishing landscape, particularly in categories where ASH Literary has built a strong reputation: inclusive, imaginative, and voice‑driven fiction for young readers.
Her work to date has focused on nurturing writers whose stories bring fresh perspectives to children’s and YA literature. The agency’s praise for her recent years suggests she has already contributed meaningfully to client development, submissions, and deal‑making – key indicators of readiness for full agent status.
A major transition has taken place at one of New York’s longstanding boutique literary agencies. After more than fifty years at the helm of the company he created in 1974, veteran agent Aaron Priest has stepped away from day‑to‑day leadership. His departure marks the end of an era, and the beginning of a new one under Mitch Hoffman, who has now assumed ownership of the Aaron Priest Literary Agency and will serve as its president.
Priest’s career has been defined by his work with a wide range of bestselling and influential writers. Over the decades, he guided the publishing paths of authors including Erma Bombeck, David Baldacci, Philip Caputo, Robert Crais, Heather Graham, Brenda Joyce, Johanna Lindsey, and Robert James Waller. Beyond his client list, Priest helped shape the agenting profession itself as a founding member of the Independent Literary Agents Association, the group that later evolved into today’s Association of American Literary Agents. His interests also extended to the stage: in 2014 he was among the producers of the Broadway adaptation of The Bridges of Madison County, drawn from Waller’s hit novel.
Literary agent Alia Habib on publishing non-fiction trade books
You have an idea for a book or you're curious about the route to publication outside of academia, but don't know where to begin. How do you go about finding an agent and what role will they play in the process? What kind of materials do you need before you query agents and what should that query include? And what will the process of publishing a trade book—from proposal writing to editing to publication--look like for an author?
The Humanities Center invites you to hear from literary agent Alia Hanna Habib and her client Anastasia Berg , UCI Assistant Professor of Philosophy, as they share insights from both sides of the publishing relationship and process.
The MeetCute Romance Book Festival and Kate Nash Literary Agency are launching a new competition for writers of romance fiction with an offer of literary representation for the winner.
"We are searching for the next big voice in romance fiction", said literary agent Kate Nash, "so we are delighted to be partnering with MeetCute for this new prize. It is different from other literary prizes in that the winner will be offered literary representation on the spot, no ifs or buts. We know from past experience we can spot the stars of the future so we will be offering representation based on one chapter. I also think it's important to say in the current climate that all the entries will be human-read by literary agents, no AI involved."
The MeetCute Festival brings together readers and writers of romance fiction in the glorious open air setting of Home Farm, Elstree in Hertfordshire. Coming into its third year in 2026, the fast-growing festival takes place on Saturday 4th of July when the competition winners will be announced.
Articles
Charles Heaton Allen recently acquired a literary agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agents. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
Charlie Carroll recently signed a deal with the esteemed Paterson Marsh literary agency, as a result of searching firstwriter.com's database of over 850 literary agents. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
In 2006, Robert W. Morgan acquired an agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agencies. Eighteen months on, he's repeated the same success by placing his latest work with another agent, again found through firstwriter.com. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
Rob Riley recently acquired an agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agencies. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
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