Hannah Sheppard
Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency
My Manuscript Wish List®
HS-LA is a boutique agency run by Hannah Sheppard. Hannah puts authors at the heart of everything she does; from helping you to develop your ideas for commercial success with expert, collaborative editorial work, to being your number one fan and shouting about your stories as loudly as she can – she is here to build careers that flourish.
Hannah wants publishing to embrace the change that’s needed to open the doors to a wider range of voices and aims for the Hannah Sheppard Literary Agency to be part of driving that change.
Fun facts about me:
In 2021 I ran a half-marathon every month (it was a stupid thought I had at the beginning of the year, partly as a result of pandemic cabin fever I think, to see if I could do it and linked to the realisation that a half marathon is 21k which matched the year).
I love to swim and paddle board – I can’t wait for the warmer weather to get back out on the boards.
In winter you’re more likely to find me doing some knitting or crochet – but I am horribly slow at both.
I live on the south coast of England with my husband, and our cat who came free with the house we moved into. We’re both smitten.
Submission Guidelines
Please visit my submissions page and use the submission form.
Vital Info
Favorite sub-genres:
Contemporary Romance, Contemporary YA, Crime & Thriller, Diversity, Feminism, Gothic Horror, Psychological Thrillers, Rom-com, Women's Fiction, love stories
I’d like the next…
There is nothing more exciting to me than finding a new author to join the agency. Please use the form below to send me your submission.
I represent both adult and children’s fiction (as well as a small amount of non-fiction) and, more than anything, I want to be entertained by a great story while caring deeply about your characters.
In general, I love bold, distinctive voices, intriguing stories with a strong hook and flawed characters with something to learn. I want characters who are truly diverse – let’s be inclusive, body positive and joyful in our representation. I also like big, mind-bending ideas and combinations of genres that feel fresh and create something new…
And more specifically, I’m on the lookout for:
Children’s Fiction Wishlist
- An author/illustrator working in graphic novels or highly integrated illustrated middle grade or YA fiction
- Funny fiction with a unique hook (ideally not school based, but still real world)
- A romance with a gorgeous meet-cute
- Stunning magical middle grade where the world building is as rich and unique as the adventure
- A heart-string pulling animal/child friendship
Children’s and YA books I have loved recently: When Women were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill, No Big Deal by Bethany Rutter, Unraveller by Frances Hardinge, Twin Crowns by Catherine Doyle and Katherine Webber
Adult Fiction Wishlist
- High concept, pacy, twisty, hooky thrillers
- Epic love stories with a speculative twist
- A crime thriller that focuses on cold cases – I love the psychology of the criminal who has lived for years thinking they’ve got away with something only for it to be exposed and the police are slowly circling in…I’m fascinated by the grey areas where bad things happen but the reasons are completely understandable
- Big family/friendship group stories that will make me cry
- A book with a big, possibly speculative, idea at its heart
Adult fiction I have loved recently: The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd, Babel by R. F. Kuang, Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus, A Lady’s Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin, Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney, The Unsinkable Greta James by Jennifer E. Smith
