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Submissions

We are always on the lookout for exciting new voices. From pioneering non-fiction, to meticulously-plotted thrillers, life-changing love stories, and bold literary debuts, we are committed to storytelling in all forms. We are keen to hear from writers from under-represented backgrounds.

Submissions Enquiries

For general enquiries about the submission process please contact us at submissions@dha.co.uk

Book submissions

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.

If you are unsure which agent to submit to, please send your submission to the ‘Adult Submissions Department’. Your work will be read by one of our agents. There is no disadvantage in doing this as we will always pass work between us if we read a good book which we think is better suited to a colleague’s list.

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.

Childrens / YA submissions

We are always interested in receiving submissions from talented writers and illustrators. If you’d like to submit to us, please follow these guidelines.

Choose the children’s book agent you’d like to submit to. The following agents are currently accepting submissions:

Veronique Baxter
Christabel McKinley
Caroline Walsh

Send your submission to childrenssubmissions@davidhigham.co.uk and address your chosen agent in the first line of the email. If your submission is not right for that agent but she feels you are talented, she will pass it on to someone else in the team. Please do not submit to more than one agent. Please do not send children’s submissions to the agents directly, as these will be deleted unread.

Include your name and the book title in the subject header.

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.

For young fiction and novels, attach:

  • The first three chapters of your book
  • A synopsis (maximum two pages

For picture books, attach:

  • The full manuscript
  • A maximum of three texts

Please send your attachments as Word documents or PDFs. We will not open documents sent by a file link such as One Drive, or zip files.

If you’d like to submit your illustrated material – such as a novelty book – in dummy form as a hard copy in the post, please email us first with a sample of one or two pages (as jpegs or PDFs). If we want to see more of your work, we will request it.

We aim to respond within six weeks. If you haven’t heard from us in that time, you can contact us to find out the status of your submission.

Script submissions

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.