New Agent Listing: Andrew Allen
firstwriter.com – Tuesday March 17, 2026
Handles writers and directors. Building a list of clients across film and television. Interested in screenwriting talent at all stages. Background includes script reading and detailed coverage for emerging screenwriters. Focuses on material for film and television development, drawing on experience in script analysis and agency support.
London book fair roundup: Idris Elba’s thriller deal, the rise of romcom, and fights against censorship
theguardian.com – Tuesday March 17, 2026
The annual London book fair wrapped on Thursday, marking the end of three days that saw 33,000 people connected to the book industry – agents, publishers, authors, among others – gather at Olympia to make deals and discuss the state of the publishing world, and its future. Here’s our roundup of the biggest deals, trends and takeaways from the fair.
The starriest book deal of the week was a new thriller series co-authored by Idris Elba, featuring an MI6 field operative who gets deployed to Mauritius to investigate an attempted murder. Elsewhere, rights were scooped for Alex Ferguson’s first autobiography in 13 years, broadcaster Mishal Husain’s debut children’s book, and the story of designer Paul Smith’s life.
It was a strong week for fantasy and romcom, with acquisitions including journalist Moya Lothian-McLean’s “sharp, sexy romantic comedy”, Matchmakers, and two adult fantasy books by Shannon Chakraborty, acquired for a seven-figure sum. Topics driving nonfiction deals included GLP-1s (Federica Amati’s The Appetite Reset), sober curiosity (Hangxiety by Millie Gooch) and assisted dying (Fight to the Death by Paul Brand).
New Publisher Listing: Jantar Publishing
firstwriter.com – Monday March 16, 2026
Independent publisher based in London. Publishes European literary fiction and poetry. Focuses on compelling, imaginative and beautiful writing, both in translation and in the English language.
The 23 leading literary festivals across London and the UK to suit every bibliophile
theglossarymagazine.com – Saturday March 14, 2026
Celebrate the power of the written word at these mind-expanding literary extravaganzas
When it comes to the best literary festivals in the UK, it seems we’re spoilt for choice this year. Whether it’s an agenda-pushing event in the capital, a family-friendly festival in a field or an idyllic book-lovers dream on a grand country estate, there’s something to suit every bibliophile’s needs. And a great literary festival isn’t just for summer – they’re held throughout the year and across the country, from north London to the Scottish Highlands. Here, we’ve rounded up the best London and UK literary festivals 2026 to book tickets for now.
I challenged ChatGPT to a writing competition. Could it actually replace me?
theguardian.com – Thursday March 12, 2026
Every writer I know is in despair at the prospect being replaced by AI. Many of them say they never use it on principle; I know all of them do.
So this week, as part of my AI diary, I’m conducting the forbidden experiment in plain sight. I’m going toe to toe with ChatGPT as a creative writer. Can it truly match me, and might it replace me? Let’s settle this.
We do battle using writing prompts, selected at random from an excellent new guide called A Year of Creative Thinking by Jessica Swale. The first page I flip to has us inventing new words for existing things. It’s very fun. A cheese grater, I decide, could easily be known as a “stinkchizzle”. A very long road would be better as a “slodgepuff”. A fart becomes a “piffsnut”, and a dream an “asterfantastic”. I’m pleased with that one. But how does the machine do?
For cheesegrater it has scritchygrater, which is obviously crap. Very long road? Neverendipath. Bit literal. Trumpelsnort is pretty good, as is slumberwhim. I like nibblink for mouse. For some reason, I could only come up with “pimpsquint”.
New Literary Agent Listing: Dan Milaschewski
firstwriter.com – Thursday March 12, 2026
Represents bestselling authors across a wide range of fiction and nonfiction, including platform‑driven humor, pop culture, wellness, science, and history. Seeks page‑turning fiction with a distinctive voice and strong sense of humor. Champions bold, conversation‑provoking books across all categories.
Self-publish and be scammed: Jon’s tale of heartbreak highlights boom in fraudsters using AI to supercharge book swindles
theguardian.com – Wednesday March 11, 2026
New wave of publishing scams mimic lonely hearts hoaxes of old – swapping promises of true love for the fantasy of literary acclaim. And the wooing process is now fully automated
Eight years of dedication were poured into the pages of Angel of Aleppo, Jon Cocks’ debut historical novel. Inspired by his wife’s grandmother, a survivor of the Armenian genocide of the early 20th century, it was a labour of love, distilled from thousands of hours of research and oral testimony.
The retired South Australian high school teacher’s project carried the weight of family history and historical truth. It was precisely this emotional gravity that rendered him vulnerable.
The new wave of artificial intelligence-fuelled publishing fraud that began saturating global markets last year lifts directly from the lonely hearts playbook. Rogue publishing schemes – most operating out of south Asia, the Philippines and Nigeria – have become the new romance scams, substituting the promise of true love for the dream of literary recognition.
In six months Cocks has lost almost A$10,000.
Nick Petrie: The Joys and Challenges of Writing a Long-Running Series
crimereads.com – Wednesday March 11, 2026
The creation of every book still feels like holding a newborn kitten in my hand, a small and fragile creature that I never quite believe will grow strong enough to survive on its own. Although I’ve done it nine times now — ten times, if you include the finished manuscript now awaiting the sharp red pen of my copy editor — writing a novel from beginning to end always seems impossible until it’s actually done.
I’m thinking about this now because I’m trying to come up with the next book in my Peter Ash series. As a novelist, this is one of my favorite moments, with many distinct joys and challenges. Interestingly, the challenges, which become more significant with each new book, are the inverse of the joys.
The joy of conceiving a new book begins with the recurring characters. By now, Peter Ash, June Cassidy, and Lewis have become old friends. I know their personal histories, how they think and talk, their secret fears and fierce loves. Sometimes I dream about them. Writing in their voices has become second nature for me, like a conversation around the dinner table with folks I’ve known forever.
Lucy Luck Launches Independent Literary Agency After Nine Years at Conville & Walsh
firstwriter.com – Monday March 9, 2026
After nearly a decade shaping some of the most distinctive voices on the Conville & Walsh (C&W) list, literary agent Lucy Luck has stepped out on her own, establishing an independent agency that reflects both her editorial instincts and her commitment to author‑centred representation. The move marks a significant moment not only for Luck’s career but also for the wider UK agenting landscape, where boutique agencies continue to gain momentum.
A Natural Evolution in a Distinguished Career
Luck’s departure from C&W – where she spent nine years building a reputation for championing bold, original fiction and thought‑provoking non‑fiction – signals a new chapter defined by autonomy and creative freedom. Her time at the agency saw her develop a list known for its literary quality and its ability to break out in competitive markets.
Diversion Publishing Buys U.K. Indie Press
publishersweekly.com – Monday March 9, 2026
Scott Waxman’s Diversion Publishing Corp. has acquired the U.K. independent publisher Influx Press Ltd. The purchase involves about 75 titles in the categories of upmarket horror, literary short fiction, satirical fiction, “and others meant to provoke and unsettle the reader,” according to the announcement.
Notable Influx authors include Percival Everett, Eliza Clark, Eva Wyles, Lauren DuPlessis, Joel Lane, Eley Williams, Nour Abi-Nakhoul, Ben Tufnell, and Darran Anderson. Influx’s titles have been shortlisted and longlisted for the Booker Prize, Dylan Thomas Prize, the Edge Hill Prize, the Jhalak Prize, and the Gordon Burn Prize.
Diversion’s titles are distributed in the U.K. by Simon & Schuster, but, at least for the time being, Influx books will continue to be distributed by Turnaround.
Get the free newsletter | Submit a news item or article | Get Writers' News for your website
