If you’re an author based in Scotland who has written a manuscript that has mass appeal, and you have aspirations of getting a publishing contract with a well-known book publisher, you’ll most likely need the assistance of a literary agent.
The good news is that there are some extremely experienced literary agents who might be able to help you land a publishing deal.
Continue reading to learn about 5 top literary agents in Scotland.
1. Jenny Brown
Formerly Head of Literature at the Scottish Arts Council, and Founder of the Edinburgh International Book Festival where she now sits on the board, Jenny Brown founded Jenny Brown Associates, based in Edinburgh and which is Scotland’s premier literary agency, in 2002. The organisation celebrated its 15th anniversary in 2017. As someone who likes to form a close partnership with writers she works with, Jenny represents almost all Scotland based authors. She is currently accepting submissions for narrative nonfiction. If you’re a fiction writer, do note that Jenny will start to accept submissions for this genre in January 2018. If you want to make a submission, Jenny Brown Associates is happy to accept unsolicited submissions. However, please take a look at the authors this agency currently represents to help ensure your manuscript is well aligned with its interests. Jenny Brown Associates prefers to receive submissions via email. Take a look at this page to read the full submission guidelines.
2. Kathryn Ross
Kathryn Ross is co-founder of Fraser Associates which she started in 2002 with Lindsey Fraser. Kathryn’s previous experience includes running the Scottish Book Trust, judging on literary competitions, launching the Blue Peter Book Awards and reviewing and editing books for children and young people. If you would like to make a submission to Kathryn and to Fraser Associates, it is important that you’ve got the basics covered, such as having analysed the authors currently represented by this agency, ensuring you’re submitting a completed, well written manuscript, establishing there is a large market for your book, and following carefully the submission guidance notes you can find at this page. Do note that Fraser Associates doesn’t represent short stories, poetry, or play scripts.
3. Fiona Brownlee
Fiona Brownlee has over 23 years of experience in the publishing industry in the areas of marketing, PR and rights management in Edinburgh and London. Fiona is also highly experienced in the selling of international rights, especially in Canada, the United States and Australia. With strong commercial acumen, superior people skills and the ability to form partnerships, Fiona founded Brownlee Donald Associates at the beginning of 2014, and through this agency she offers services as an international rights agent. Take a look at this page to find out more about Fiona’s activities and experience as an international rights agent, the clients she has worked with and some of the books whose rights she has sold to markets in North America and Canada. If you’re a publisher or an agent looking for help in getting titles into global markets, you can email Fiona at fiona@brownleedonald.com. If you’re a publisher looking for other services such book publicity and/or marketing, then Fiona’s agency can also help out with these. Take a look here to find out more.
4. Duncan McAra
Based in Glasgow, Duncan McAra runs Duncan McAra Literary Agency and has been a literary agent since 1988. Duncan represents literary fiction, and the types of nonfiction he represents, includes art, architecture, biography, Scottish, archaeology, and military. If you are interested in querying Duncan, it is best to send an initial letter with a stamped address envelope in the first instance. His address is as follows: 3 Viewfield Avenue, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, G64 2AG. You can also connect with Duncan over on LinkedIn.
5. Judy Moir
Judy Moir is the founder of Judy Moir Agency and is based in Edinburgh. In order to find out about the possibility of Judy representing you, it is advised to either email or post a letter to her containing details about yourself and your book manuscript. Judy’s email address is as follows: judy_moir@blueyonder.co.uk and her postal address is: Judy Moir Agency, 5 Gayfield Square, Edinburgh, EH1 3NW. You can also link up with Judy over on Facebook or Twitter.
Are you an author who has been represented by one of the above literary agents in Scotland? Please share your experiences in the comments box below!
Are you a literary agent in Scotland? Please introduce yourself and let us know if you’re currently accepting queries from authors and in what genres.
5 Top Literary Agents in Scotland is an article from Writing Tips Oasis.
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