In lieu of our usual DHH News Roundup, we thought it would be a great opportunity to tell you a little bit about us and reveal what it is we're looking for in 2023. Getting ready to submit a manuscript to us? Read on...
David H. Headley, Managing Director
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I was approached by an author to help him find a publisher, and I decided to represent him. I set up my own agency because I was well-connected with publishers through my years of bookselling. The agency and my list grew from there.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
No two days are the same. The only thing constant in being an agent is that there is always something to read, and my clients have a pact with each other to send their manuscripts simultaneously ;)
The rest of the day is spent reviewing contracts, following-up on submissions to publishers, preparing a proposal, answering clients' emails, meeting editors, resolving issues, dealing with terrible proposed book covers, finalising deals, and, if there is any time spare, reading my submissions!
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I would love to receive a brilliant dystopian thriller that will span half a dozen books. Character-driven debuts and epic, sweeping stories with big universal themes. Issue-driven crime and thrillers, high concepts and fear-inducing suspense. Thought-provoking stories, original narrative voices, uplifting fiction and emotional journeys - "stories that I don't want to end".
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Do not send a blanket email copying in other agents.
2) Do not send a submission that doesn't meet my guidelines.
3) Send an email with only 'please see attached'!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
Receiving an outstanding and professional submission from a writer and then being able to represent their book. Going on the journey of the book from manuscript all the way to publication and then to the bestseller list. For me, that is the most exciting and rewarding part of my job.
I was approached by an author to help him find a publisher, and I decided to represent him. I set up my own agency because I was well-connected with publishers through my years of bookselling. The agency and my list grew from there.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
No two days are the same. The only thing constant in being an agent is that there is always something to read, and my clients have a pact with each other to send their manuscripts simultaneously ;)
The rest of the day is spent reviewing contracts, following-up on submissions to publishers, preparing a proposal, answering clients' emails, meeting editors, resolving issues, dealing with terrible proposed book covers, finalising deals, and, if there is any time spare, reading my submissions!
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I would love to receive a brilliant dystopian thriller that will span half a dozen books. Character-driven debuts and epic, sweeping stories with big universal themes. Issue-driven crime and thrillers, high concepts and fear-inducing suspense. Thought-provoking stories, original narrative voices, uplifting fiction and emotional journeys - "stories that I don't want to end".
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Do not send a blanket email copying in other agents.
2) Do not send a submission that doesn't meet my guidelines.
3) Send an email with only 'please see attached'!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
Receiving an outstanding and professional submission from a writer and then being able to represent their book. Going on the journey of the book from manuscript all the way to publication and then to the bestseller list. For me, that is the most exciting and rewarding part of my job.
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Broo Doherty, Director
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I used to work in publishing as an editor, but decided that being an agent was more creative, as I can decide exactly who to represent in whatever genre, and if I want to take a risk I can. Working in publishing is incredibly rewarding, but there is something quite special about reading someone’s work at the very outset and deciding whether or not to shape it into a book that could be published. I’ve got a butterfly brain, so love the fact that I can be captivated by any subject possible and if I feel it has commercial potential, I can take it on, and hopefully see it being published.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
Every day is varied - I can spend a day editing, or I can spend a day reading submissions, and given that every submission is unique, that is always exciting. I can also spend a day visiting publishers, to discover what they are looking for, or spending the day with an author and an editor shaping their book into something special. And recently I have spent days abroad with an author visiting their foreign publisher, so that takes the days into a completely different realm. It’s the variety and the lack of routine that I find fulfilling.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I’d love to discover a new historical novelist as there seems to be a market for them at the moment - The Dressmaker of Paris has been incredibly successful both here and abroad; or a new crime series, such a M. W. Craven, or a big sweeping novel along the lines of Lucinda Riley or Taylor Jenkins Reid; and I am always delighted to receive a rom com along the lines of Cassie Connor. I have recently read Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These which will live with me for some time. Basically I just want to represent authors that are writing at the top of their game in whatever genre they themselves have chosen.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
Please don’t send me any science fiction or fantasy - my mind turns to spaghetti when I read those; please don’t tell me your mother thinks this is the best thing she has ever read; and lastly, please don’t try and be funny - jokes first thing on a Monday morning always fall flat!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
My favourite thing is that as I am the first person to read a submission, I am the first person to recognise that your book might have potential, it might fly. And I love working with my authors - it is a collaborative process - and knowing that I have the chance of changing someone’s life and enabling them to realise the dream of a lifetime is an incredibly privileged position to be in.
I used to work in publishing as an editor, but decided that being an agent was more creative, as I can decide exactly who to represent in whatever genre, and if I want to take a risk I can. Working in publishing is incredibly rewarding, but there is something quite special about reading someone’s work at the very outset and deciding whether or not to shape it into a book that could be published. I’ve got a butterfly brain, so love the fact that I can be captivated by any subject possible and if I feel it has commercial potential, I can take it on, and hopefully see it being published.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
Every day is varied - I can spend a day editing, or I can spend a day reading submissions, and given that every submission is unique, that is always exciting. I can also spend a day visiting publishers, to discover what they are looking for, or spending the day with an author and an editor shaping their book into something special. And recently I have spent days abroad with an author visiting their foreign publisher, so that takes the days into a completely different realm. It’s the variety and the lack of routine that I find fulfilling.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I’d love to discover a new historical novelist as there seems to be a market for them at the moment - The Dressmaker of Paris has been incredibly successful both here and abroad; or a new crime series, such a M. W. Craven, or a big sweeping novel along the lines of Lucinda Riley or Taylor Jenkins Reid; and I am always delighted to receive a rom com along the lines of Cassie Connor. I have recently read Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These which will live with me for some time. Basically I just want to represent authors that are writing at the top of their game in whatever genre they themselves have chosen.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
Please don’t send me any science fiction or fantasy - my mind turns to spaghetti when I read those; please don’t tell me your mother thinks this is the best thing she has ever read; and lastly, please don’t try and be funny - jokes first thing on a Monday morning always fall flat!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
My favourite thing is that as I am the first person to read a submission, I am the first person to recognise that your book might have potential, it might fly. And I love working with my authors - it is a collaborative process - and knowing that I have the chance of changing someone’s life and enabling them to realise the dream of a lifetime is an incredibly privileged position to be in.
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Hannah Sheppard, Director
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I started out in the editorial department at Macmillan Children’s Books and worked my way up to Senior Commissioning Editor for Headline Publsihing’s YA list. As I thought about what my next steps might be I realised that to go more senior in house would take me away from the parts of my job that I really loved – brainstorming with authors and working collaboratively with them to develop their ideas – and more into management which I was less interested in. I realised becoming an agent would allow me to continue to focus on the best bits of an editorial role and it’s worked out well so far.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
There is no typical. I am trying to be more disciplined this year so I only look at email 3 times a day to try to give myself stretches of time to focus on edits. But there are also lots of calls with authors, editors and scouts, and days in London for meetings. And I’ve learnt it’s best to always be prepared for the unexpected because something needing urgent attention can come up at any moment.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
This is such a hard question … there are so many things that I’d love to see but often, what grabs me takes me completely by surprise because of a genius hook or incredible voice. I think we’ve all had a tough few years though so I’m really keen on joy and laughter and stories that make my heart swell with kindness and love … that applies across children’s and adult fiction.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
This may sound silly but don’t forget to pitch your book! It’s really hard to judge how successfully someone has done something if you don’t know what they’re aiming to do.
Of course, I want to know a little about you in your submission (including your name, not just initials or pseudonym – I’m always surprised by how many times that gets left off too) but the most important thing is the book. Make me care about your character and what they’re going to go through in your story – and then tell me what genre you’re writing, who you think the audience is and what else that audience might currently be reading.
And then I’d say, don’t ignore the agent’s submission guidelines. And don’t send your submission to someone who doesn’t actively represent books in that area – it’s unlikely they’re going to start just for your book (this is about their reading habits and industry contacts as much as anything).
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
My authors! I feel very lucky to get to work with such talented people.
I started out in the editorial department at Macmillan Children’s Books and worked my way up to Senior Commissioning Editor for Headline Publsihing’s YA list. As I thought about what my next steps might be I realised that to go more senior in house would take me away from the parts of my job that I really loved – brainstorming with authors and working collaboratively with them to develop their ideas – and more into management which I was less interested in. I realised becoming an agent would allow me to continue to focus on the best bits of an editorial role and it’s worked out well so far.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
There is no typical. I am trying to be more disciplined this year so I only look at email 3 times a day to try to give myself stretches of time to focus on edits. But there are also lots of calls with authors, editors and scouts, and days in London for meetings. And I’ve learnt it’s best to always be prepared for the unexpected because something needing urgent attention can come up at any moment.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
This is such a hard question … there are so many things that I’d love to see but often, what grabs me takes me completely by surprise because of a genius hook or incredible voice. I think we’ve all had a tough few years though so I’m really keen on joy and laughter and stories that make my heart swell with kindness and love … that applies across children’s and adult fiction.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
This may sound silly but don’t forget to pitch your book! It’s really hard to judge how successfully someone has done something if you don’t know what they’re aiming to do.
Of course, I want to know a little about you in your submission (including your name, not just initials or pseudonym – I’m always surprised by how many times that gets left off too) but the most important thing is the book. Make me care about your character and what they’re going to go through in your story – and then tell me what genre you’re writing, who you think the audience is and what else that audience might currently be reading.
And then I’d say, don’t ignore the agent’s submission guidelines. And don’t send your submission to someone who doesn’t actively represent books in that area – it’s unlikely they’re going to start just for your book (this is about their reading habits and industry contacts as much as anything).
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
My authors! I feel very lucky to get to work with such talented people.
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Harry Illingworth, Director
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I did the usual English degree and then to be honest didn’t know what I wanted to do next until I realised that books had been staring at me all along. When I moved to London I did some internships at publishers before getting a job as David’s assistant at DHH, but also working as a bookseller at Goldsboro Books. This was where I developed and learnt all about the industry, getting a really great understanding of how the wheels turn, before eventually getting to the point where I couldn’t manage the two any longer. At this point I turned solely to focus on the agency and my clients, and here we are!
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
The good thing about an agent’s day is that it can look very different on any given day. Some days can be meeting and call heavy; whether that’s on Zoom or in person. Other days are spent looking over contracts and negotiating royalty rates. And then of course there’s the reading. At the moment I’ve got a huge amount of scripts that my current clients have written that need reading and notes making on, so lots of my day is being spent in front of those. However there’s always the towering pile of submissions that need attacking too!
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
Don’t address your submission to the wrong agent! I get so many of these you wouldn’t believe it, and it shows a lack of care. I’d also say don’t just compare your book to the biggest and most famous books in the genre, take the time to know your market and get your comps right.
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
There is no better feeling in the world than working with a writer on their debut novel (but equally, any novel!), sometimes for months, sometimes for years over multiple novels, and being able to call them up and tell them that a publisher has made an offer for it. That absolute joy for the writer especially, but also for the agent, of knowing they’re going to be published is wonderful.
I did the usual English degree and then to be honest didn’t know what I wanted to do next until I realised that books had been staring at me all along. When I moved to London I did some internships at publishers before getting a job as David’s assistant at DHH, but also working as a bookseller at Goldsboro Books. This was where I developed and learnt all about the industry, getting a really great understanding of how the wheels turn, before eventually getting to the point where I couldn’t manage the two any longer. At this point I turned solely to focus on the agency and my clients, and here we are!
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
The good thing about an agent’s day is that it can look very different on any given day. Some days can be meeting and call heavy; whether that’s on Zoom or in person. Other days are spent looking over contracts and negotiating royalty rates. And then of course there’s the reading. At the moment I’ve got a huge amount of scripts that my current clients have written that need reading and notes making on, so lots of my day is being spent in front of those. However there’s always the towering pile of submissions that need attacking too!
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
- A sweeping crime epic like Age of Vice. I just read that book and it blew me away
- Dark academia
- Epic Fantasy
- A really original mystery
- Something set in the North
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
Don’t address your submission to the wrong agent! I get so many of these you wouldn’t believe it, and it shows a lack of care. I’d also say don’t just compare your book to the biggest and most famous books in the genre, take the time to know your market and get your comps right.
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
There is no better feeling in the world than working with a writer on their debut novel (but equally, any novel!), sometimes for months, sometimes for years over multiple novels, and being able to call them up and tell them that a publisher has made an offer for it. That absolute joy for the writer especially, but also for the agent, of knowing they’re going to be published is wonderful.
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Emily Glenister, Director
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I trained to be an actress at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, but it was while I was sitting at my dressing table backstage at the National Theatre, that I looked in the mirror and thought "I can't to do this anymore". So I swiftly gave up acting, and tried my hand at agenting for actors (a terrible idea); before too long, I spied an opportunity to work with David at both Goldsboro Books and DHH Literary Agency, and then in 2020, I was made an agent and started to build a list of my own.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
I tend to to spend the first part of my day getting through the admin side of things (emails that have come in overnight, invoicing for clients' work, going through contracts, speaking with editors or scouts, drawing up pitches and so on); and then in the afternoon, I will read and / or edit clients' manuscripts, as well as read submissions from potential authors. I tend to do this until dinner, eat, and then carry on until bedtime, when I try and squeeze in a few chapters of a "non-work" book.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
A psychological thriller that feels fresh and new; book club fiction in the vein of Abi Daré and Jessie Burton; and historical fiction - all of it with women at its very core.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Please refrain from heading your letter 'Dear Sir / Madam' - need I say more?
2) If you receive a pass from an agent, I would encourage you to not reply saying we've "missed out" or that I'll "regret it". It just reinforces the fact that I haven't, and I won't.
3) Try and not make the letter too long; we can have a good old natter about your personal life and your pets when we start working together; but until then, please keep it focused on your work. The same goes for the synopsis - one page is preferable and it's good practice for pitching your book!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
Making that phone call to tell a client they're going to be a published author; there is no feeling like it and it's a huge privilege to be able to do so.
Also, reading a submission that gives you those little tummy butterflies you get when you know you've got something special on your hands.
I trained to be an actress at the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, but it was while I was sitting at my dressing table backstage at the National Theatre, that I looked in the mirror and thought "I can't to do this anymore". So I swiftly gave up acting, and tried my hand at agenting for actors (a terrible idea); before too long, I spied an opportunity to work with David at both Goldsboro Books and DHH Literary Agency, and then in 2020, I was made an agent and started to build a list of my own.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
I tend to to spend the first part of my day getting through the admin side of things (emails that have come in overnight, invoicing for clients' work, going through contracts, speaking with editors or scouts, drawing up pitches and so on); and then in the afternoon, I will read and / or edit clients' manuscripts, as well as read submissions from potential authors. I tend to do this until dinner, eat, and then carry on until bedtime, when I try and squeeze in a few chapters of a "non-work" book.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
A psychological thriller that feels fresh and new; book club fiction in the vein of Abi Daré and Jessie Burton; and historical fiction - all of it with women at its very core.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Please refrain from heading your letter 'Dear Sir / Madam' - need I say more?
2) If you receive a pass from an agent, I would encourage you to not reply saying we've "missed out" or that I'll "regret it". It just reinforces the fact that I haven't, and I won't.
3) Try and not make the letter too long; we can have a good old natter about your personal life and your pets when we start working together; but until then, please keep it focused on your work. The same goes for the synopsis - one page is preferable and it's good practice for pitching your book!
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
Making that phone call to tell a client they're going to be a published author; there is no feeling like it and it's a huge privilege to be able to do so.
Also, reading a submission that gives you those little tummy butterflies you get when you know you've got something special on your hands.
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Tom Drake-Lee, Associate Agent
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1. Tell us a little bit about your journey to being an agent.
I worked in publishing for many years and was the sales director at Vintage for over a decade. When I decided to look for new opportunities I reached out to David Headley who I had known for quite some time and, wonderful man that he is, David offered to take me on as an associate agent. I jumped at the chance.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
I'll go through my schedule double-checking where my authors are, both with publishers and any work I may be doing with them, and check in with them where useful to move those conversations along. After that is done, it is down to the business of reading submissions and looking for new clients.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I'd love to find the next award winning British crime writer. Someone who writes as well as UK author Ray Celestin or US writer S. A. Cosby but with a UK setting.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Don't write a synopsis that goes on for pages and pages. Be concise and grab my attention.
2) Especially for debut authors, don't submit before you have refined and refined your manuscript.
3) Don't compare your book with the bestselling books of recent years. Be as accurate as possible with your comparisons so I understand who you think are the potential readers for your book.
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
It's great helping writers realise their dreams of being published.
I worked in publishing for many years and was the sales director at Vintage for over a decade. When I decided to look for new opportunities I reached out to David Headley who I had known for quite some time and, wonderful man that he is, David offered to take me on as an associate agent. I jumped at the chance.
2. What does a typical day, as an agent, look like for you?
I'll go through my schedule double-checking where my authors are, both with publishers and any work I may be doing with them, and check in with them where useful to move those conversations along. After that is done, it is down to the business of reading submissions and looking for new clients.
3. What is at the very top of your wishlist right now?
I'd love to find the next award winning British crime writer. Someone who writes as well as UK author Ray Celestin or US writer S. A. Cosby but with a UK setting.
4. What are three major 'don't's for an author regarding submissions?
1) Don't write a synopsis that goes on for pages and pages. Be concise and grab my attention.
2) Especially for debut authors, don't submit before you have refined and refined your manuscript.
3) Don't compare your book with the bestselling books of recent years. Be as accurate as possible with your comparisons so I understand who you think are the potential readers for your book.
5. And finally, what is your favourite thing about being an agent?
It's great helping writers realise their dreams of being published.
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