LOOKING FOR: YA, NA, ADULT FICTION Helen Lane has been an established agent for several years, formerly with the Booker Albert Agency before joining the Ki Agency. She has a BSc in Environmental Science from the University of East Anglia and a postgrad qualification in Acoustics. She lives in London with her family and the world’s naughtiest cocker spaniel. Helen represents (Adult) Fantasy, Sci Fi, Horror, Romance, Action & Adventure, and Thrillers. She also represents select YA Fantasy, Horror, and Sci Fi. Her tastes do run towards the dark and she is slightly obsessed with monster stories in general (especially if they have giant sharks or squids). And stories set in extreme environments such as the arctic, jungle, caves, ocean, and mountains. But she DOES NOT want to read about affairs or abuse in any genre. (Her husband likes her to add here that this is nothing to do with him, she just doesn’t like sad stories). Her favourite authors are Mira Grant, Greig Beck, James Rollins, Matthew Reilly, Darcy Coates, Andy Weir, Clive Cussler, R F Kuang, Patricia Briggs, and Kelley Armstrong. Her comfort movies are: Jaws, Outbreak, The Cave, Sanctum, Scream, Buffy, Grey's Anatomy, Charmed, Vampire Diaries. You can find her on: Bluesky: @helenlane.bsky.social Instagram: hflane_agenting Helen would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and first three chapters (Max 5,000 words) of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Helen 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 3rd September 2025
LOOKING FOR: MG, YA, GRAPHIC NOVELS Katie Blagden is a Literary Agent at The Ampersand Agency, representing authors and author-illustrators across various genres and age ranges. She previously worked with Arabella Stein at the Bright Agency, where she helped launch their Literary list. Her notable projects include the Arcana duology by Sam Prentice-Jones (Macmillan US / Hot Key Books) and The River Thief by Hannah Peck (Piccadilly Press). In all areas Katie seeks commercial, plot-driven ideas with a great hook. In adult fiction, Katie specialises in, and is drawn to, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Magical Realism and Horror. She is particularly looking for works that cross genre lines or subvert reader expectations. She loves Babel by R. F. Kuang; Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell; Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik; Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah; Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovich; The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers; The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin; Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree; The Rage of Dragons by Evan Winters; Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrel by Susanna Clarke; The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey; One Last Stop by Casey Mcquiston; Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao; The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch; The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern; The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo; Kindred by Octavia E. Butler; Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin; all and anything by Terry Pratchett! Graphic Novels favoured by Katie are across all ages and include the likes of Homebody by Theo Parish; Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe; Lumber Janes by N. D. Stevens et al; On A Sunbeam by Tillie Walden; Through The Woods by Emma Carrol; The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen; Heartstopper by Alice Oseman; El Deafo by Cece Bell; Roller Girls by Victoria Jamieson; Skyward by Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett; Faith by Jody Houser. For Graphic Novels, Katie is currently only considering Author-Illustrators (or Author/Illustrator pairings). In children’s, Katie specialises in Middle Grade, YA and Crossover Fiction, She is looking for fast, funny and action-packed Middle Grade. In YA, she is drawn to grounded or contemporary SFF, queer stories and fairytale or folktale inspired works. Examples of books in this area Katie loves are All That's Left in the World by Erik J Brown; The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness; Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas; Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi; The Deathless Girls by Kiran Millwood Hargrave; Holes by Louis Sachar; Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo; Gone by Michael Grant; His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman; Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell; The Dark Lady by Akala; Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan; The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper; Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer. Katie is an advocate for centring traditionally underrepresented voices, and actively works to discover and develop authors and author-illustrators from diverse backgrounds. Katie’s previous experience includes marketing, bookselling and advertising. She also appeared as a contributor on the Graham Norton Book Club for Audible for all six seasons. When she’s not reading, you can find Katie playing Dungeons & Dragons, trying a new crafty hobby (before abandoning it for something new), or spoiling her dog Poe. Katie would like you to submit a covering letter, one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5000 words) of your completed manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Katie 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 3rd September 2025
This very practical workshop is designed to enable participants to improve the impact, clarity and accuracy of their business documents - both internal and external.: This workshop will help participants: Identify the purpose of writing their documents - to themselves and to their readers Recognise and meet the needs of their readers Plan documents systematically and improve the layout, flow and structure Express the content more clearly, concisely and correctly Adapt the tone and style of writing to the circumstances Proof-read and edit work effectively, using formal marks and techniques Improve visual layout, format and appearance 1 Course objectives Welcome and Introductions The problems now - group discussion 2 Writing better business documents What points to highlight / exclude Starting off Introductions Conclusions Executive summaries 3 Rules and standards George Orwell's famous maxim Why write? - clarifying your aims and objectives A seven-step method for better preparation The three-stage process for writing well Grouping information for your reader 4 Proof-reading and editing The difference between proof-reading and editing Proof-reading methods and strategies Proof-reading marks and techniques Training your eye for detail Knowing what to look for 5 Effective editing Grammar and English standards Words - usage and spelling Sentences - units of thought Paragraphs - themes Punctuation - spotting and correcting common errors Say what you mean - active v passive language 6 How's your English? Grammar quizzes and punctuation test Spotting spelling errors Rephrasing jargons and clicheÌs Common error's and mistakes 7 Document layout House style Use of white space Fonts and effects 8 One-to-one workshops These are practical sessions with one-to-one consultation with colleagues and the trainer They are held at key points to consolidate the learning from different sessions 9 Course summary Summary of key points Action plans
This course is intended for Beginner-Moderate exposure is recommended for this course. The topics covered are cumulative in nature, and they require minimal understanding of email applications and composition. Overview The objective of the course is to give students the information needed to create emails that are written in a succinct, effective, and user-friendly manner. Students will learn how to set up an email subject, salutation, and will then work on how to write a credible email. In this course, students will learn about e-mail policies and learn how to write professional e-mail memos that convey appropriate messages. 1 - E-mail basics E-mail characteristics Writing online versus on paper Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of e-mail Understanding the cultural significance of e-mail E-mail programs Using an e-mail program to send e-mail When to use e-mail Communicating by e-mail Understanding when to avoid using e-mail Writing an e-mail message Using the MAIL acronym 2 - E-mail policies Company policies Avoiding improper e-mail messages Ensuring employee compliance to e-mail policies Copyright laws, viruses, and liability Avoiding copyright infringement Avoiding viruses Identifying e-mail liability 3 - E-mail features and security Features of an e-mail program Using attachments Using priority labels and signature files Features of an e-mail program Using attachments Using priority labels and signature files Discussing e-mail program options Securing e-mail Using encryption and digital signatures Using passwords 4 - E-mail messages Message headers Using headers E-mail message body Including proper greeting Structuring an e-mail message Closing an e-mail message 5 - E-mail effectiveness E-mail recipients Considering the factors that determine e-mail writing Anticipating recipient reaction Message management Managing your e-mail effectively 6 - Netiquette guidelines Netiquette style Using proper tone Following formatting guidelines Emoticons and abbreviations Using emoticons and electronic abbreviations 7 - Composing online correspondence Online communication Achieving the objective of the message Language and punctuation Improving online writing style Using punctuation correctly Efficient writing habits Constructing sentences Constructing paragraphs Editing e-mail messages
Chapter Novels and Creative Writing English Bootcamp: Charlotte's Web
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, YA THRILLER Saskia Leach is a Junior Literary Agent at Kate Nash Literary Agency, where she has been working since 2021. She loves stories that features complex and dynamic characters and is fascinated by books containing document inserts or written from multiple perspectives. Saskia represents fiction for adults and young adults in the genres of crime, thriller, romance, historical/saga, horror, speculative and bookclub. She does not represent literary fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, non-fiction, action/adventure thrillers, non-fiction, picture books or chapter books for children younger than middle grade. Saskia is particularly looking for LGBTQIA+ romance, high concept psychological thriller with a unique hook or set in an unusual location, and bookclub fiction revolving around a moral dilemma - but she is open to reading submissions in all genres she represents. She is keen to hear from writers from underrepresented voices and perspectives. Saskia would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. (In addition to the paid sessions, Saskia 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 to reach I Am In Print by the stated submission deadline and note that I Am In Print take no responsibility for the advice given in your Agent121. The submission deadline is: Friday 5th September 2025 at 12 noon UK BST
LOOKING FOR: PICTURE BOOKS, MG, YA, ADULT FICTION Clare Wallace joined the Darley Anderson Agency in January 2011 and is building both the Darley Anderson Children’s Agency and the Darley Anderson Illustration Agency lists as well as taking on adult fiction for debut authors. Clare is particularly looking for funny chapter books for younger readers at the moment, as well as contemporary MG, YA fantasy, romance, and rom coms, especially with underrepresented protagonists. For picture books she has the widest taste, from daft to lyrical, rhyming to prose. As well as being busy with the children’s and illustration agencies, Clare is open to debut adult fiction submissions that could be described as book club, rom-com, romance, saga, reading group, fantasy or historical fiction. She often doesn’t know what she’s looking for until she finds it (although she is not the person for steampunk or space opera). She represents picture books, middle-grade, teenage and YA and debut adult fiction. The clients Clare represents include Perdita & Honor Cargill, Caroline Crowe, Tom Ellen, Martyn Ford, Stewart Foster, Olivia Hope, A M Howell, Polly Ho-Yen, Rachel Ip, Beth Reekles, J.P. Rose, Lindsay Galvin, Dave Rudden, Deirdre Sullivan and Efua Traoré. Whatever the age range, Clare loves a big hook, a lot of heart, and a standout voice. She loves to discover memorable new characters, bold and unique voices, strong concepts and gripping storytelling. This list gives a good indication of Clare's taste but if your submission doesn’t fit a description here, it doesn’t mean Clare doesn’t want to receive it. Clare would like you to send a covering letter, a one page synopsis and the first three chapters (Max 5000 words) of your manuscript in a single word document. For picture books, please submit a covering letter and up to three completed texts. Please send EITHER picture books OR another genre, not both in one submission. (In addition to the paid sessions, Clare is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented 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: Friday 5th September 2025 by 12 noon UK BST
Classic Novels & Critical Writing: To Kill a Mockingbird
LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION, NON-FICTION Hannah joined Watson, Little in 2024 after four years as an agent at Northbank Talent Management and a year at Penguin Random House UK. She’s building a varied list of commercial and upmarket fiction and non-fiction, and authors she’s represented have been listed for prizes including the Women’s Prize, the British Book Awards, the Jhalak Prize, the Comedy Women in Print Prize and the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction. She’s always looking for excellent writing which marries a strong voice with a catchy concept and a compelling plot, but more specifically, in fiction, she loves to represent: Crime and thriller novels with a confident voice, a clear hook and a fresh approach – especially if it says something about the world we live in today. She recently enjoyed the structure of Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister, the fun voice and family dynamics of My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite and the holiday setting of Murder on Lake Garda by Tom Hindle. Love stories, whether that’s a smart romcom like Book Lovers by Emily Henry or Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, an intimate coming-of-age love story like Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson or a big, weepy epic. General contemporary fiction about complicated people, families and lives, often when there’s a mystery at its heart. Some of her recent favourites include Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey, I’m Sorry You Feel That Way by Rebecca Wait, and All My Mothers by Joanna Cannon. She also takes on a small amount of historical fiction, generally set in the 19th and 20th centuries – so she’s not the best fit for books set much further back in time or myth retellings. She’s also looking for non-fiction with a strong voice and new insight into an experience or place, and am particularly interested in self-help, lifestyle and wellbeing, science, psychology, nature writing, memoir, and new ways into genres such as true crime, history or the environment. Over the years, she has loved The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, The Five by Hallie Rubenhold and Manifest by Roxie Nafousi. She’s not the right agent for sci-fi, fantasy or action thrillers, and is currently not accepting children’s and YA novels, scripts or poetry. Hannah would like you to submit your fiction as a covering letter, 1-2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your manuscript in a single word document. For non-fiction, she would like to see: 1-page synopsis – to give an overview of what the book will offer the reader and how it's different from other books out there on this topic A detailed proposed contents list, including proposed sub-section headings as well as chapter headings – to give a sense of the overall reader journey (this is not included in the word count) (In addition to the paid sessions, Hannah is kindly offering one free session for low income/underrepresented 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: Thursday 25th September 2025
Duration 1 Days 6 CPD hours This course is intended for This course is intended for working professionals in various job roles, both native and non-native English speakers, who use formal and informal written communications in the course of business, and who seek to improve their grammar usage. Overview Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to: ?Examine nouns, pronouns, and verbs. ?Identify adjectives and adverbs. ?Identify prepositions, conjunctions, and interjections. ?Identify some important rules of grammar and some commonly made grammatical errors. ?Identify grammar rules regarding correct punctuation. ?Identify problematic sentence fragments, run-ons, and comma splices, as well as effective methods of rewriting sentences so that they are clear and complete. ?Identify methods for improving word choices. ?Identify methods for building effective sentences. ?Identify methods for editing text effectively. You learned the rules of grammar in school, but now you'd like to refresh and refine your grammar usage for your professional life. You need to state your ideas clearly and concisely in written communications and present yourself in a professional manner. In this course, you will review the rules of grammar, identify common grammar errors, and refine your business writing style. Improving your grammar will help you deliver polished and professional written communications. Correct grammar and a refined, concise writing style can help you clearly express your ideas to others, streamline the directions and instructions that you deliver, and create impressive presentations and reports. 1 - Identifying Nouns, Pronouns, and Verbs Identify Parts of Speech Identify Nouns Identify Pronouns Identify Verbs 2 - Identifying Adjectives and Adverbs Use Adjectives Use Adverbs 3 - Identifying Prepositions, Conjunctions, and Interjections Use Prepositions Use Conjunctions Use Interjections 4 - Identifying Rules Monitor Sentence Structure Monitor Modifiers Avoid Common Errors 5 - Identifying Correct Punctuation Use Parentheses Correctly Use Commas, Semicolons, Colons, Em Dashes, and Quotation Marks Correctly Use Numbers, Symbols, and Capitalization Correctly 6 - Identifying Sentence Fragments, Run-ons, and Comma Splices Identify and Resolve Sentence Fragments Identify Run-ons, Comma Splices, and Solutions 7 - Improving Word Choices Identify Commonly Misused Words Identify Synonyms, Antonyms, and Homonyms 8 - Building Effective Sentences Write with Purpose Consider the Audience Consider the Context 9 - Editing Effectively Use Correct Spelling Check Your Work