Meet our agents
Our agents are always actively looking for promising new writers and established talent to represent.
But why choose us?
You can be sure that every agent at The Blair Partnership is dynamic, entrepreneurial and well connected. We all have the relationships, expertise and experience you’ll need to successfully navigate the world of publishing.
Whoever represents you will work with the utmost integrity and will be as warm and personable as they are commercially astute.
Working with your agent
We believe the Agent/Client relationship is more than just a business partnership.
Your agent is your champion, sounding board and guide. They will help shape your story editorially, so it’s as creatively impactful as possible, and will always focus on what’s in your best long-term interest.
If you’d like to submit work to one of our agents, please read our submissions page and the relevant agent’s page first.
Rory is currently closed to submissions.
I represent clients across commercial fiction, children’s fiction and non-fiction, as well as screenwriters and brands.
With valuable previous experience working as a senior publisher, I have a deep and pragmatic understanding of what discerning editors want to see from our clients’ manuscripts.
Before joining The Blair Partnership, I spent four years at Furniss Lawton/ James Grant. I’ve also headed up the Sport list at HarperCollins and been a publisher at Simon & Schuster.
My submissions are currently closed. Please instead direct your submission to either Hattie, Rachel, Emily, Ed or Rhian.
Agent
I represent commercial and upmarket fiction, including women’s fiction, crime and thriller, historical and book club fiction. I also represent some non-fiction in the areas of lifestyle and personal development.
Before joining The Blair Partnership, I spent six years at Blake Friedmann Agency. In 2020, I was a Bookseller Rising Star and the Romantic Novelists’ Association Agent of the Year.
I represent children’s fiction and non-fiction up to YA and crossover. Please note, I am not currently accepting picturebook submissions.
Before joining The Blair Partnership I was editorial director at Macmillan Children’s Books, working with authors such as Frances Hardinge, Chris Riddell and Tomi Adeyem
Agent
I’m looking for commercial or upmarket non-fiction which is written with a clear reader in mind, whether that’s to inform or entertain them, or improve their life in some way.
I was previously the Publisher of Sphere Non-Fiction at Little, Brown and have worked across the whole gamut of non-fiction, helping authors including experts and influencers turn their books into bestsellers, award-winners and major rights-sellers.
After twelve years publishing some of the biggest and best commercial fiction authors, I’m thrilled to take on clients in crime, thriller, mystery and book club fiction – and to be their creative and commercial champion.
For me, a great submission will pair a really punchy concept with an irresistible voice. I’m exclusively interested in adult commercial fiction that is full of twists, turns, gasps and chills. And perhaps the odd tear (happy or sad) too.
Although not exclusively, I’m primarily interested in romance of all kinds – from contemporary romcoms to romantasy, and I particularly enjoy books that fall into the new adult space. If it’s the kind of book BookTok would fall in love with, I’ll probably fall for it too!
I also provide support across other TBP agents, and handle audio, film & TV rights for our clients.
Adam Reed
I help clients build their brands by collaborating with partners in TV, Film, brand partnerships and live engagements. I have previously worked at Disney, Penguin, Save the Children and Nickelodeon.
Lauren Simmonds
I support Adam with brand development for our clients, including speaking engagements. I also support the wider team with reading, admin, and keeping things running smoothly.
Michelle Gayle
I played Fiona Wilson in Grange Hill. I then went on to play Hattie Tavernier in Eastenders for four years, before signing a record deal with BMG, achieving six top 20 hits and selling a million records, “Sweetness” being the biggest hit. Both of my albums resulted in nominations for a Brit award in the Best British Female category. I have written for Wolfblood (BBC) and A Discovery of Witches (Sky) and have a number of projects in development for TV. I am passionate about telling stories that depict the struggles of women, minorities and the working class.
David Patrikarakos
I am an author, journalist and war correspondent. I write for a variety of publications in the UK and US and my most recent book is War in 140 Characters: How Social Media is Reshaping Conflict in 21st Century.
In 2022, The Wall Street Journal chose War in 140 Characters as one of “7 books to read to understand why Russia wants Ukraine.” The book was also shortlisted for British Army Book of the Year and optioned for a TV series by triple Oscar winning producer Angus Wall.
My first book “Nuclear Iran: The Birth of an Atomic State” was the first history of Iran’s nuclear program from its beginnings in the 1950s until the present day. It was selected as a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a Sunday Times ‘Must Read’ and shortlisted for International Affairs Book of the Year at the Political Book awards.
I have lectured and spoken at universities and think tanks in both the US and UK, including Harvard, Yale, Oxford and Cambridge. I appear regularly on TV and radio to discuss international affairs.
James Drake
Publishing Advisor
I am Founder and Chairman of Future Science Group (FSG), a publishing house focusing on breakthrough medical and biotechnological research.
I am Chairman of The Drake Foundation, which seeks to understand and improve long-term brain health for professional athletes and wider society. The Foundation has invested over £2 million in research and resources.
I co-founded The Drake Calleja Trust, a charity which supports young classical musicians and the Drake YolanDa Award for non-classical musicians.