SOLD OUT! 25 March Emily Talbot #Agent121. Looking for: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA

Description

LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA

Emily Talbot is a literary agent representing children's illustrators and authors of picture books, middle grade, YA and non-fiction. She started working at United Agents in 2013 in the foreign rights department, representing the overseas rights for UA's children's authors and illustrators, before moving over to primary agenting in 2015. Before this she worked in a primary school reading books with children every single day and discovering exactly what they like to read.

In fiction, Emily works on everything from young fiction through to young adult. On the younger end (5-8) an author/illustrator approach is the most appealing, although she is very happy to receive text only submissions. The key for this age group is an accessible, commercial approach with a strong series arc and a memorable central character.

In middle grade, she is happy to look at everything from contemporary realism through to world building fantasy. In particular though, she’d love a mystery or something spooky (think The Haunting of Aveline Jones), a sparky voice led diary format series that plays with the format or brings a fresh perspective, and she is always open to graphic novel ideas.

In Teen and YA, Emily loves books that touch on the gritty realisms of life such as the writing of Louise O'Neill and Holly Bourne. She would also love to find a romance with a twist – perhaps something sport led, or that has a speculative element to it. Emily believes there is space for illustration at the older end – she would love to find the next Heartstopper! She doesn’t tend to work in the crossover space, and is also not the right agent for Romantasy.

In any age group the thing Emily is most driven by is great characterisation. She wants characters who immediately leap off the page and stay with you long after you’ve finished the book. She is also on the hunt for a distinctive, new and underrepresented voice in children’s literature, whatever age group that may find itself in.

In nonfiction, Emily likes hooky subjects that capture the imagination, interesting and unique narrative approaches and new spins on universal subjects. Trade nonfiction should be fun, informative and easy to digest rather than too educational, so she is looking for a new voice in this space, as much as she is in fiction.

Finally, Emily is always looking for picture book authors and illustrators. Her favourite picture books are those with off the wall, irreverent humour. Not Now Bernard frames many a childhood memory for her! On the illustration side, if you’re looking for representation the most important thing you can do is find your own voice and adapt a style that is unique to you. She wants to recognise your work as soon as she sees it.

Emily would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first three chapters (5,000 words max) of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please send a covering letter, and text for up to 3 stories.

Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission.

(In addition to the paid sessions, Emily is kindly offering one free session for low income/under-represented writers. Please email agent121@iaminprint.co.uk to apply, outlining your case for this option which is offered at the discretion of I Am In Print). 

By booking you understand you need to conduct an internet connection test with I Am In Print prior to the event. You also agree to email your material in one document to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice received during your agent meeting.

The submission deadline is: Wednesday 18 March 2026