Byte The Book Virtual Agent Tables (May 2024)

It's notoriously hard for authors to meet agents so for the past few years we've been running Agent Tables. Lots of authors have found agents and some have secured publishing deals, others have got useful advice that they have used to refine their submissions.

This event is sponsored by HW Fisher. Each author will meet two agents privately on the day to discuss their work. The agents will have read your work beforehand.

We ask that you submit your work to us by 30th April to give us time to send work to the agents.

Tickets are £100* for Byte The Book members and £150* for non-members.

If you're not already a member you can join Byte The Book here.

**Ticket price excludes booking fee and VAT.

Submission Guidelines (once you have purchased your tickets)

Please submit to info@bytethebook.com and include all below in a single document. Also please save the document as your name then title: e.g. JoeBloggsAgentTablesMay2024MyNovelTitle. Also please note in your covering email to us which agents you have already submitted to, if any, or if there are any agents who want us to avoid for any other reason.

We require for all submissions:

Submit to info@bytethebook.com with subject line Agent Tables submission YOUR NAME

Note in the body of your email if there are any agents you have already submitted to, either directly or through a previous Byte The Book event.

Let us know if there are any agents you would like us to to avoid submitting your work to – you do not have to state why.

Attach a single document to your email, saved as your name, then the event, for example JoeBloggsAgentTablesMay2024MyNovelTitle.

Within the submission document include the following three elements:

F or Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction

1. COVERING LETTER

* Address your letter Dear Agent – we don't give out names of agents prior to the event so covering letters are generic and do not need to include any references as to why you have chosen to submit to a particular agent.

* This is your chance to pitch! It should be concise and punchy, ideally three or four paragraphs on a single page and approximately 80% about your book and 20% personal biography.

* Include previously published works, writing experience, competitions won, relevant life experience and anything else about you that might be relevant or interesting.

* Introduce your book by genre and include a comparison to other similar authors or titles to show market awareness and where your book might sit within it. If you struggle for specific comparisons, mention authors you enjoy or admire.

* State what stage your project is at (concept, first draft, finished, etc.)

* For narrative non-fiction (e.g. biography/memoir): include why you are the best person to tell this story and how you might help to promote it, e.g. through online presence, blog, social media platform etc; also why the focus of the biography/memoir is interesting and/or relevant and why this is a story that needs to be told.

* For ideas led/serious non-fiction (e.g. science, smart-thinking, health/wellbeing, history): include why you are qualified to write on this subject and how you might help to promote it, e.g. through online presence, blog, social media platform, etc

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

* Adult fiction Up to 600 words outlining the plot of your novel

* Adult narrative non-fiction Outline of around 600 words

* Ideas led/serious non-fiction Overview and outline, up to 800 words (including brief chapter breakdown)

3. SAMPLE FROM MANUSCRIPT

* First two or three chapters, or equivalent, amounting to 8,000-10,000 words

For Children's Literature

1. COVERING LETTER

* Address your letter Dear Agent – we don't give out names of agents prior to the event so covering letters are generic and do not need to include any references as to why you have chosen to submit to a particular agent.

* This is your chance to pitch! It should be concise and punchy, ideally three or four paragraphs on a single page and approximately 80% about your book and 20% personal biography.

* Include previously published works, writing experience, competitions won, relevant life experience and anything else about you that might be relevant or interesting.

* Introduce your book by genre and target audience – early reader (5-9), chapter book (7-10), middle-grade (8-12), YA (12+)

* Include a comparison to other similar authors or titles to show awareness of what your target age range are currently reading and where your book might sit within the children’s market.

* State what stage your project is at (concept, finished, first draft etc.)

* For children’s non-fiction: Include why you are qualified to write on this subject and how you might help to promote it, e.g. through online presence, blog, social media platform, etc. Show an awareness and comparison of market competition, and, where relevant, suggest how the book might complement National Curriculum learning goals.

2. BRIEF SYNOPSIS

* Children’s fiction: Up to 400 words outlining the plot of your story

* Children’s non-fiction: An overview and outline (including brief chapter or spread breakdown) up to 800 words

3. SAMPLE FROM MANUSCRIPT

* Picture Book: Full manuscript

* Early Reader: 500-1000 words

* Chapter book: 1,000-2,000 words

* Middle grade: 2,000-3,000 words

* Young Adult: 3,000-4,000 words

Include brief illustration notes where required but do not suggest illustrators or supply illustrations unless you are an author/illustrator.