Emily Barrett

I’m looking for non-fiction which is aimed at big, mainstream audiences, written by authors who are experts in their fields or who have established platforms.

Before becoming an agent I spent a decade working at HarperCollins, Orion and Little, Brown, where I was latterly the Publisher of Sphere Non-Fiction. Books I edited and published during that time included Sunday Times bestsellers, were nominated for and won awards, translated into multiple languages, exported around the world and sold TV options. As such, I have extensive insider experience across the spectrum of non-fiction with which to help and support aspiring authors.

I would love for you to submit your idea to me if you can answer the following four criteria – please ensure to include them in your email:

1) there is an eye-catching hook or appealing promise in your book idea;

2) you have evidence that there’s an existing adult audience for the idea (this might be examples of successful books or television series on a similar subject, or perhaps a successful product that’s linked to the idea behind your book, or the fact you have an established social or traditional media platform);

3: you have strong reasons why you’re the right author for the project (for example, you have advanced qualifications in the subject matter, you have unique lived experience of it, or you’ve already proven an audience is listening to you on the topic); 

4) it’s written with flair or includes beautiful illustrations.

I’d especially love to see history (broad brushstrokes or specific stories from the past that read as compellingly as fiction); true crime; accessible pop science; stories with animals at their heart; useful cookery that does something new; and puzzle and humour books. I’m also keen to see books that are seeking to bring readers joy, could improve their health, wellbeing, career or lives in general, and will help readers understand the world today (e.g. books on politics, climate, nature etc). 

I’m not looking for fiction at this time.

In terms of my taste, here’s a selection of books I’ve particularly enjoyed:

Chris Van Tulleken’s Ultra-Processed People; Caroline Criado Perez’s Invisible Women; Rory Stewart’s Politics on the Edge; Greg Jenner’s Ask a Historian; Carlo Rovelli’s Seven Brief Lessons on Physics; Rukmini Iyer’s The Roasting Tin; Charlie Mackesy’s The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse; Anne Glenconner’s Lady in Waiting; Guy Scrubsole’s The Lost Rainforests of Britain.

You can submit to me at: [email protected]