We welcome submissions from new writers. We have no preconceptions about the types of authors we wish to represent, or the range of books that might interest us. Please refer to the guidelines below to see how best to submit your work to us, and also our top tips for a successful submission.

Agents

If you have a work of adult fiction or non-fiction you want to share, please browse the Agents’ page for their dream projects, favourite titles, and specific expertise to make sure your submission is directed to the agent most likely to be receptive to your work.

Please do not submit to more than one agent at the agency.

We recommend that you approach one specific agent directly. However, if you are unsure which agent to submit to, please send your submission the general submissions with the subject ‘Adult Submissions Department’. Your work will be read by one of our agents.

Adult Fiction

Most of our agents are happy to accept email submissions, though postal submissions are also accepted. Please refer to the agents’ profile pages for their submission preferences.

All adult fiction submissions should include:

• The first three chapters of your book
• A one- to two-page synopsis
• A covering letter

If you are submitting to us by post, please send your submission to our offices:

David Higham Associates, 6th Floor, Waverley House, 7–12 Noel Street, London, W1F 8GQ

We ask that physical submissions are double-spaced and with numbered pages. Please also include a stamped addressed envelope so that we may respond to you. Please note that manuscripts sent by post will not be returned, so please do not send original copies of your work.

Non-Fiction

If the book you are submitting is non-fiction, please include:

• A proposal for the book, including an overview of its themes and story and your sources
• Some sample text or chapters if you have them
• Information about your credentials for writing the book
• A covering letter

All other guidelines for submitting a non-fiction work are the same as for adult fiction.

We aim to respond to all submissions within twelve weeks, though please be advised this may not be possible at busy times of the year. During that time do please let us know if another agent has requested your complete manuscript or offered you representation. Please note that unless we feel we may be able to offer you help or representation, a form rejection letter or email will be sent. This time-saving measure was introduced to allow more time for proper reading and consideration of all submissions.

We’d love to hear from you and look forward to reading your work.

We are always actively and avidly on the lookout for new talent in the children’s book landscape: from authors to illustrators; and from picture books to young adult literature. No previous writing or publishing experience is necessary, and we focus only on brilliant writing that brings stories actively to life. We welcome writers and illustrators from all backgrounds and levels of experience, and to anyone hesitating to take that first step: we warmly invite you to submit to us. Please heed the guidelines below.

All children’s writing and artwork submissions should be sent to childrenssubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk. Please address your email to one of the following agents:

Veronique Baxter
Christabel McKinley
Caroline Walsh

Please include your name and the book title in the subject header, with your covering letter in the body of the email. In this, we would like to hear you introduce/pitch your story, see a brief summary (ideally one or two paragraphs), and hear a little bit about you (particularly about any relevant writing/illustrating history and your inspiration behind writing the story).

For young fiction and novels, please attach as a word doc or pdf the first three chapters of your book along with a synopsis. For picture book submissions, please send between one and three full texts. Download links will not be opened for security reasons.

For illustrators and paper engineers who wish to send us physical books or dummies, please email us in the first instance with a sample. If we would like you to follow up with the hard copy, we will request it.

Send us your covering letter in the body of the email. Please include the pitch for your book and tell us any relevant information about yourself.

We aim to respond within six weeks, although at busy times may need longer. If you haven’t heard from us in that time, you are welcome to contact us at the same email address to find out the status of your submission.

If you wish to be considered for representation, please make a considered approach to one specific agent directly. Contact details can be found on each agent’s page. Please do not email more than one agent at a time.

Please send the following information to your chosen agent, in electronic form only:

• A cover email explaining why you are seeking representation
• Your writing CV
• If you are referred to one of the agents here by a producer, development executive, course tutor or another DHA client, please give details of who has referred you

If an agent wishes to take your submission further, they will request samples of your work. Please note we are unable to consider synopses or incomplete scripts.

We receive a large volume of applications and must give priority to the writers we already represent. We will endeavour to get back to you but if you have not heard from us in six weeks, please assume we cannot offer you representation at this time.