Literary agents who want fast-paced writing

Phrasemill lists literary agents who want fast-paced, based on what they say on their public websites. “fast-paced” is a tone tag; its identifier is fast-paced. 53 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.

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Agents (1–25 of 53)

Gyamfia Osei
Andrew Nurnberg Associates · GB
Says: “well-plotted, fast-paced narratives with unforgettable characters”
At ANA, Gyamfia is focusing on expanding the agency’s list of children’s authors, particularly in genre fiction and Crossover, while also representing a select list of adult commercial fiction and narrative non-fiction.…
Julie Gourinchas
Bell Lomax Moreton · GB
Says: “tense, quick, and sparse”
Julie Gourinchas (she/they) is a French-American literary agent championing an award-winning, selective list focused on upmarket adult fiction with commercial drive and appeal, across a wide variety of genres. In fictio…
Camilla Bolton
Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency · London
Says: “lots of exciting, thrilling, surprising stories ahead”
My focus is to find authors and books that will become future bestsellers and brands. I specialise in mysteries, suspense, thrillers, crime and book club fiction, but I’m also a huge fan of anything that embodies the nat…
Clare Wallace
Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency · London
Says: “fresh and fast-paced”
Clare is building both the Darley Anderson Children’s Agency and the Darley Anderson Illustration Agency lists and also represents a boutique list of commercial adult fiction in both the UK and US. Clare’s very busy wit…
Molly Ker Hawn
David Higham Associates · GB
My primary focus is books for children and young adults. I also represent select fiction for adults, generally but not exclusively speculative. I have a thriving list, but I always have room for an irresistible new pro…
Imogen Morrell
Greene & Heaton · GB
I represent a list of literary and upmarket fiction and non-fiction. This autumn, I’m really looking to read literary and genre crossover: stylish, clever writing with horror, sci-fi, thriller, gothic, mystery, or dysto…
Hayley Steed
Janklow & Nesbit · London
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…
Hannah Schofield
LBA · GB
Says: “a fast-paced read”
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
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…
Callen Martin
Madeleine Milburn Literary Agency · GB
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,…
Sonny Marr
Marjacq Scripts · GB
Sonny represents commercial fiction and non-fiction. Fiercely protective over her stable of high-profile talent, she is actively looking to grow her list, and is always looking to work with artists who have a vision for…
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,…
Sarah Hornsley
Peters Fraser & Dunlop · London
Says: “strong, emotive writing matched with a gripping fast-paced plot”
Sarah is a Literary Agent, actively building a list of adult fiction and non-fiction. I’m currently looking for adult commercial and book club fiction across all genres. I’m always on the look-out for a strong hook – a…
Isabel Lineberry
Pérez Literary & Entertainment · London
Says: “focus on the pacing and how it can grab the reader”
I represent YA and New Adult and am particularly interested in Contemporary Romance, Romantasy and Fantasy. I am always attracted to the character and voice first, so give me romantic tension that has me giggling, a vil…
Thérèse Coen
Susanna Lea Associates
Says: “polished and pacey writing”
I am happy to consider genres across the board and love nothing more than looking after a list with an exciting and wide-ranging mix of styles and readerships. I would like to see an original concept or hook, polished a…
Claire Draper
Au Literary Management · US
Says: “a fast pace”
Claire represents adult romance, graphic novels, young adult, nonfiction, memoir, and select picture books. They prefer to work with books that are funny, lighthearted, romantic, and hopeful, with a fast pace, high stake…
Dustin Grinnell
Ever After Literary Agency · US
He’s drawn to near-future sci-fi, technology-driven thrillers, and high-stakes medical dramas. While he loves conceptually rich, idea-driven sci-fi, he’s equally interested in stories that explore love in all its forms,…
Caryn Karmatz Rudy
DeFiore & Company · US
Says: “a great page-turner”
I gravitate towards fiction with memorable characters, captivating voices, and original plotting, and I relish a great page-turner as much as a literary masterpiece. I am intrigued by a wide range of nonfiction, from na…
Sally Kim
Andrea Brown Literary Agency · US
Rebecca Love
Booker Albert Literary Agency · US
Regardless of genre, Rebecca is looking for stories that have good pacing, grounded worlds, and believable characters. She is interested in fantasy of all kinds and anything that has a good hook. She would love to see…
Rhian MacGillivray
Birch Literary · US
I’m looking for adult fiction that falls under the following genres (no YA or children’s, please): Book club fiction I’m looking for books with emotional depth and human connections, or ones that will open up a new wor…
Leah Pierre
Ladderbird Literary Agency · US
I am exclusively looking for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and Pacific Islander voices who are or are not LGBTIQA+—basically anyone underrepresented and/or marginalized. I love diverse and unique work that is fast-p…
Aoife MacIntyre
Curtis Brown Group · GB
Says: “fast & clever”
Safae El-Ouahabi
Rogers, Coleridge & White · GB
She has a wide-ranging taste and is interested in dynamic, voice-driven narratives that carry a sense of urgency—stories that are emotionally impactful and have a strong hook without being overwritten. She enjoys both d…
Molly Jamieson
United Agents · London
Says: “something visceral and fast-paced”
Molly is currently looking to expand the sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and romance areas of her list, from MG through YA, crossover and up to adult books. On the adult side of her list, she represents debut and established w…

Literary agents who want fast-paced writing

Agents (1–25 of 53)

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