Literary agents who want character-driven writing — page 2

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want character-driven, based on what they say on their public websites. “character-driven” is a tone tag; its identifier is character-driven. 256 agents currently want it. Agents whose websites say they are closed to submissions are omitted. The quoted evidence for each tag is on the agent's profile. How it works.

Narrow this list Describe your book

Save this search · All tags

Or paste your synopsis into ChatGPT or Claude with this prompt; it can read your whole manuscript.

Agents (26–50 of 256)

Hannah Sheppard
Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency · GB
Says: “flawed characters with something to learn”
I represent both adult and children’s fiction (as well as a small amount of non-fiction) and, more than anything, I want to be entertained by a great story while caring deeply about your characters. In general I love bo…
Louise Buckley
Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency · GB
I am looking for literary and book-club novels, especially novels that represent working-class people or children going through difficult circumstances (think Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart, My Name is Leon by Kit de Waa…
Joanna Swainson
Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency · London
Says: “complex, larger-than-life characters”
I read widely and aim to reflect that in the authors I represent. In fiction, I’m looking for complex, larger-than-life characters, characters I can root for and who can give me insights into worlds and situations unfami…
Sharmaine Lovegrove
International Creative Agency · GB
At ICA, Sharmaine is actively building a list of fiction and non-fiction with international ambition, seeking distinctive voices, emotional resonance, and stories that broaden how we see the world. She is looking for li…
Hayley Steed
Janklow & Nesbit · London
Says: “a big character driven love story”
Hayley is a Director and Literary Agent representing writers of commercial and bookclub fiction across all genres. I’m particularly drawn to a strong hook and one line pitch – a setting, structure, or a ‘what if’ that c…
Olivia Everitt
Janklow & Nesbit · London
Says: “complexities of dynamics between characters”
She is a lover of literary fiction, narrative non-fiction and food writing; Olivia is building her list as Associate Agent, alongside assisting literary agent and Director Claire Paterson Conrad. In fiction, I’m drawn t…
Anna Dawson
Johnson & Alcock · London
In fiction, Anna is looking for literary fiction and book club novels, as well as romance, historical, crime/thriller, romantasy, horror, mystery and fantasy that skews towards the nostalgic. She is drawn to fiction wit…
Kate Barker
Kate Barker Literary Agency · London
Says: “narrative and character-driven fiction”
I have broad taste in novels but generally like narrative and character-driven fiction, interesting settings and high concept novels. I’m looking for work by historically under-represented authors. I’d be delighted to fi…
Amanda Preston
LBA · GB
Says: “character and plot driven”
I represent a wide range of best-selling and award-winning authors across fiction and non-fiction. I love working with authors and their publishing teams to build them into brand names and award winning and bestselling a…
Hannah Schofield
LBA · GB
Says: “a strong character or cast to anchor the plot”
Across all the below genres, I particularly welcome submissions from writers from communities that have been underrepresented in mainstream publishing, including LGBTQ+ authors, disabled and neurodivergent authors, and a…
Kat Aitken
Lexington Literary · GB
Says: “astute in its characterisation and world view”
In fiction, I am looking for anything extraordinary and precise, in the vein of Anita Brookner, Jenny Offill and Gwendoline Riley. Work that pulls apart the strands of the everyday and weaves them into powerful, elegant…
Jane Finigan
Lutyens & Rubinstein · GB
Says: “brilliantly realised character”
I am open to submissions. I don't take on a huge number of new clients but I am always keen to hear from writers with a strong story to tell. The below is quite a convoluted outline of what I'm looking for but, in short:…
Anna Boyce
Lutyens & Rubinstein · GB
In fiction, the most important things for me are a strong sense of place, convincing characters and confident, immersive writing. I am looking for contemporary fiction that explores the complexities of modern relationsh…
Madeleine Milburn
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Madeleine reads across all areas of fiction but is immediately drawn to powerful, voice-led book club fiction with irresistible protagonists and themes that spark up conversations. She loves a literary voice that lingers…
Olivia Maidment
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Says: “character-driven novels that are emotionally precise and attentive to the complexities of modern life and the ways people and places change over time”
Liv is a Director & Literary Agent representing literary, upmarket and book club fiction. Liv is a Director & Literary Agent specialising in literary, upmarket and book club fiction. She is always excited to discover bo…
Maddy Belton
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Maddy is a Literary Agent specialising in SFF and romance Maddy joined Madeleine Milburn Agency in 2022 to build a list specialising in SFF and romance. She represents adult and YA fantasy, science fiction, horror and…
Chloe Seager
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Says: “characters that you keep thinking about long after you've stopped reading about them”
Chloe is a Director & Literary Agent, shortlisted for Agent of the Year at the British Book Awards in 2024 and 2026, who specialises in SFF, Horror, Young Adult and Middle-Grade fiction. Crossover; romantasy; romance; d…
Callen Martin
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
Says: “clear, emotional heart”
Callen Martin is a Literary Agent specialising in accessible Middle Grade (7+), YA and SFF fiction with an action and adventure focus. Middle Grade (7+), YA, New Adult, SFF fiction in all genres and formats (bar verse,…
Imogen Pelham
Marjacq Scripts · GB
Says: “an unforgettable cast of characters”
Imogen represents non-fiction which looks at serious subjects in innovative ways, and literary and upmarket fiction. In non-fiction, her list covers history, science, memoir, cookery, cultural criticism, social issues,…
Amanda Harris
Maven Literary Management · GB
I am actively looking to grow my list with new voices across fiction and non-fiction. My reading has never been led or limited by genre, and this is reflected in the eclectic list of clients I work with. There is a gold…
Margaret Halton
PEW Literary · London
Says: “characters you feel you get to know personally”
In recent years she has started to develop her own list of authors, focusing mainly on fiction. She loves novels that pack an emotional punch with characters you feel you get to know personally.
Catherine Cho
Paper Literary · London
My list is mostly fiction; I am looking for reading group fiction, high concept novels, page-turners, and fantasy. I am particularly looking to work with debut writers. For me, it’s not about genre, it’s about the story,…
Katie Greenstreet
Paper Literary · London
Says: “focuses on character and relationships”
I’m building a list of quality commercial and upmarket/book club fiction, with a select number of memoirs and non-fiction projects also in the mix. Psychological suspense is my first love as both an agent and a reader,…
Kiya Evans
Paper Literary · London
Says: “characters you see grow, change, and come back together”
Kiya joined Paper Literary in 2025 with a focus on building a list of new and exciting voices in fiction (and selective non-fiction). She has sold multiple six-figure deals in both the UK and US, and is keenly seeking b…
Kate Evans
Peters Fraser & Dunlop · London
Says: “strong characters I'll think about long after I've left them on the page”
I am actively looking for exciting new voices across both fiction and non-fiction. I’m interested in non-fiction that says something about the way we live- from beautiful narrative non-fiction with a strong voice to pas…

Literary agents who want character-driven writing — page 2

Agents (26–50 of 256)

More literary agent lists