22 June Helena Maybery #Agent121. Looking for: ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION

Description

LOOKING FOR: ADULT FICTION / NON-FICTION

Helena originally trained and worked as an actor, but when she began working in the world of publishing at a book subscription company in 2021, she soon learnt that working with stories is what she loves. She assisted the MD of a boutique literary agency for two years before joining Curtis Brown to assist Sheila Crowley in April 2024. Helena and Sheila work closely together and she reads Sheila's submissions daily, constantly on the lookout for new talent. A clear, one-line pitch will always catch Helena's attention when reading submission emails (as well as a killer hook or unforgettable characters).

She is very keen to find some zesty debut female authors within the crime and thriller space and is looking for writing that is intentional, vivid and compelling. She loves domestic suspense and complex characters - think The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell and Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty. She is also a huge fan of authors who blend genres in a tactful way to create something a little different - think Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater, Yellowface by R.F Kuang, and How To Kill Your Family by Bella Mackie.

Helena loves reading female focused and upmarket book club fiction. Books that start conversations and draw out a reaction from me (laughter, tears, tearing hair out), or have a distinctive and unpretentious voice will speak to her. Narratives with high stakes, that take you on a surprising journey through relationships we all relate to - friendships, families, first loves, power dynamics. Novels she can't get out of her head include The Rachel Incident by Caroline O'Donoghue, My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell, Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth, Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, and Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood. On the very commercial side of things, Helena would love to find a weepy and sweeping love story - think Jojo Moyes - as well as a witty rom-com - think David Nicholls and Emily Henry.

In terms of non-fiction, Helena loves memoirs that teach her about a moment in history. A favourite is Free by Lea Ypi where we learn about Communist rule in Albania through the eyes of a young girl who lived through it. She will always want to read about food - Laurie Colwin (and her fiction too), Jay Rayner, Nigel Slater, and Michael Booth being some of her favourites.

Helena would like you to submit a covering letter, 1 -2 page synopsis and the first 5,000 words of your completed manuscript in a single word document.

(In addition to the paid sessions, Helena 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: Monday 15 June 2026 by 12 noon UK BST