Submissions
We are looking for the best debut writers, as well as established authors, successfully self-published writers and the most exciting and innovative creative talent out there, in both fiction and non-fiction.
We work across a broad range of genres and categories (you can see the few things we don’t represent below) but you can find out more about what each of our agents are looking for in our individual agent descriptions.
We are passionate about great writing and we operate dynamically across all areas of publishing – film, television and other media, including speaking and live events. We are usually looking for writers and artists who would enjoy seeing their work in more than one medium. We actively look at the international potential of all authors and projects we take on, and we have a great track record in selling rights globally. We only champion human creativity, representing work shaped by authentic imagination, craft and dedication.
How to make a submission
Please submit your work to us digitally using the following email addresses:
sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com – for general submissions
sohoagencychildrenssubmissions@gmail.com – for children’s, YA and artwork submissions
Please address your submission to the agent you feel is best suited to your work and we will pass it on to them for consideration. You can find out more about what each of our agents are looking for in our individual agent descriptions. If you are not sure where your submission should be placed, you can simply address your letter to ‘The Soho Agency Submissions.’ Either way, all submissions must be sent to one of these two email addresses to be considered. Please do adhere to the guidelines above, we receive a very high volume of submissions and we want yours to have every chance of success. There is no need to telephone us as everything you need to know is detailed here and we’ll only direct you back to this page.
However, if your circumstances mean that you require additional assistance with your submission, you can get in touch with admin@thesohoagency.co.uk or call us on +44 (0)20 7471 7900. Please note we are unable to accept physical submissions.
Your submission should consist of the first three chapters or first thirty pages of your manuscript (if the work is for young children and consists of no more than 1,000 words, please send the complete text), ideally in word format, along with a synopsis (include spoilers – this is where you tell us the story, your covering letter is where you pitch it to us). Submissions should be accompanied by a covering letter. Here are some useful tips about what to include in your letter:
1. Give us your best sales pitch and sound bite – in one sentence how would you sell your book/idea to a publisher?
2. Give us your two to three sentence summary of what your book is about.
3. Tell us in two to three sentences about the intended audience and whether there are any useful comparisons you would make with other books and authors.
4. Tell us about yourself – again in two to three sentences.
5. If you have already published the work independently or through a third party online, e.g. Amazon, tell us how it has gone so far. We love (accurate) hard figures and statistics!
6. Let us know if your proposal is with other agents/agencies and/or publishers.
What we don’t represent
We don’t represent authors of poetry or textbooks.
What happens next
Given the high volume of submissions we receive, we can only respond personally to those proposals and submissions we wish to pursue. If we are enthusiastic about your work you should hear from us quickly. If we aren’t, we’re afraid that you won’t hear from us. Unfortunately we cannot offer editorial advice or feedback on individual submissions. Do let us know via the submissions email if another agent has requested your full manuscript, or you have an offer of representation.
For those authors who are not successful with us but keen to develop their writing further, there are many avenues and opportunities you can pursue. You may find some of the following to be of interest:
General Resources/Reference
Courses
- The Novelry Creative Writing Courses
- Bath Spa University MA in Creative Writing
- UEA MA in Creative Writing
- University of Winchester MA in Creative & Critical Writing
- University of Westminster English Language and Creative Writing MA
- Anglia Ruskin University Illustration and Book Arts MA
- Kingston University Creative Writing MA
- Faber Writing Academy
- Guardian Writing Courses
Online Writing Communities
Writing Advice and Editorial Services
- Jericho Writers
- Writers’ Advice Centre
- Cornerstones Literary Consultancy
- Blue Pencil Agency
- Spread the Word
- Owned Voices
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
- Gale & Co
A Few Favourite Top Tips
- Top Ten Tips for being a Best-selling Author – Sophie Kinsella
- 30 Indispensable Writing Tips from Best-selling Authors
- Ten Rules for Writing Fiction
- 22 Best Writing Tips – Melissa Donovan
- Advice to Writers
SECURITY ALERT
Our team is aware of a growing number of scams where individuals are impersonating The Soho Agency or one of our agents. Our team will only email you from our submissions emails (sohoagencysubmissions@gmail.com and sohoagencychildrenssubmissions@gmail.com) or from an @thesohoagency.co.uk email address. Be wary of any communications or links purporting to be us from another email address, and please do feel free to email admin@thesohoagency.co.uk if you have any doubts about the veracity of an approach.