In fiction, I am looking for anything extraordinary and precise, in the vein of Anita Brookner, Jenny Offill and Gwendoline Riley. Work that pulls apart the strands of the everyday and weaves them into powerful, elegant prose like Claire Keegan’s So Late In the Day and the short stories of Tessa Hadley.
I also cannot resist literary fiction which plays with genre; political and erotic thrillers such as Eleanor Catton’s Birnam Wood and In the Cut by Susannah Moore. Writing that is always astute in its characterisation and world view, as well as propulsive and perfectly paced. Shades of the surreal and grotesque often appeal; work that isn’t afraid to expose our worst instincts, as masterfully displayed in Fernanda Melchor’s Hurricane Season and Dinah Brooke’s Lord Jim at Home. I’m always drawn to narratives of obsession and infatuation, I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel, Vladimir by Julia May Jonas and the work of Annie Ernaux resonate deeply, as well work on longing and belonging in the style of Brandon Taylor’s Real Life.
In prose, I am fiercely attracted to anything playful, lively and innovative. Novels which assess humanity at an angle, with a sharp gaze. I’m desperate to find novels which make me laugh. Having grown up on a partial diet of Helen Fielding and Marian Keyes, I would love to find a novel which appraises the world with shrewdness, clarity and humour. Something that pokes fun at the banalities of society like Barbara Trapido and Laurie Colwyn. A Lorrie Moore eye for the absurdities of life. Writing that is as witty and biting as Elif Batuman’s is always welcome.
In non-fiction I am looking for looking for stylish writing, fresh perspectives and (to borrow a phrase from Haley Nahman) anything that makes you think about the impossible task of being alive - from Philippa Snow to Gillian Rose. I love to receive proposals on all aspects of history, science and politics and conversation starting cultural commentary will always appeal. I’m hunting for work as clarifying and intelligent as White Girls by Hilton Als. Any thought-provoking work from experts in their field always welcome, as well as academics, journalists and critics looking to write for a trade audience.
I am also interested in finding work which is experimental and genre-defying, of which Christina Sharpe’s Ordinary Notes is a particular favourite, as well as work which is surprising and investigative in the spirit of Patrick Radden Keefe, Janet Malcolm and Helen Garner.
For whatever reason, I find myself constantly lured by writing on psychoanalysis and therapy, Nuar Alsadir’s Animal Joy being one of my favourite books of recent years.
It is impossible to cover everything that I’m looking for and this long list is only a partial overview. I’m always delighted to read anything beautifully written and convincingly rendered.
To submit your work to me, please send a brief cover letter along with a biographical note and either the first three chapters of your work (if fiction) or a proposal (if non-fiction).
