Submissions

The Lindsay Literary Agency is currently open to submissions and is actively on the look out for exciting children’s scripts from both debut authors and published writers. We are particularly keen to see scripts from authors with a diverse or underrepresented background, but we will always welcome a good story no matter how it arrives at our door.

We are currently full when it come to picture book scripts, but are actively looking for YA in any genre as well as middle grade with a strong concept or hook.

When considering scripts, the story and writing are crucial, but it’s the covering letter we see first and so for tips on this and more on what we’re currently looking for and how to submit please see below.

There are occasions when we make detailed editorial suggestions and comments but we only do so when we see real promise in the work. We do not charge a reading fee.

We will do our best to turn around scripts as quickly as possible and usually do so within two to three months. We do reply to all submissions, but if it’s taking longer than usual it may be because we’re getting more people to read and advise on your script. Please be patient while we work through our list. If you are submitting to other agents at the same time please do make this clear in your submission letter.

If you have any questions please do get in touch via our Contact Page or via our X handle @LindsayLit

How To Submit

By email: info@lindsayliteraryagency.co.uk

Please send the first three chapters of your story together with a single page synopsis (both double-spaced). Unlike the pitch the synopsis is slightly longer (up to a full page/500 words) and can give away spoilers – tell us where your story is headed. Please attach these to your email in two separate Word documents.

We would also like to see a covering letter in the body of your email that should say a little about yourself and include a brief pitch (2-3 sentences) on your story. A pitch might mention the main characters, the setting and the key ingredient that drives your narrative forward – similar to what you might find on the back of a book. It is also very useful to include examples of comparison titles using books or films in an X meets Y format. The biography part should include anything in your career or life experience that might be relevant to your story, but again this only needs to be a paragraph or a couple of sentences.

If you are sending a picture book submission, please send a covering letter as per above as well as the complete story saved in a Word document. You do not need to have any illustrations to submit a picture book text nor do you need to submit a synopsis. If you are an illustrator please send pdf examples in as small a file as possible together with a link to any work you have online. As a rough guide we would expect a picture book text to be between 300-750 words and you may attach up to three texts in separate documents.

What We’re Looking For

We would love to see an epic middle-grade fantasy along the lines of A.F. Steadman’s Skandar or Phillip Pullman’s Northern Lights trilogy. However, we are also on the look out for younger stories for 5-7 year olds which might be around 5,000 words in length. For example something like the Isadora Moon series or our own Wigglesbottom Series by Pamela Butchart. Successful stories in this area are driven by strong characters and a unique voice – the more original the concept the better.

In YA we are always keen to see voice-led fiction and/or high-concept ideas. We would love a contemporary love story or romantasy, but are open to being surprised by whatever you’re working on.

By post: We are no longer accepting postal submissions – please contact us via email if you have a question.

Rejection

Rejection by us simply means that we don’t think we are the right agency for your work so please try other agents and publishers.

If you are struggling to find representation it’s important to keep in mind that this is normal for most people. There are many large agencies and small independent agents in the UK alone, try all of them keeping a record of who you’ve sent out to and when, ticking them off when you hear back. At the same time, start your next writing project, try a different genre or a different voice. Join a writing group or society – SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) is very active and supportive for children’s writers both published and unpublished. Don’t be put off by other writers’ early success, every writer’s journey to publication is unique. Good Luck!