Unpublished writer? This is your moment.
As part of @Brightonfringe , YOU get the chance to pitch your book directly to top literary agents at Beyond the Book Festival, Saturday 16 May 2026.
We’ve partnered again with Goldsboro Writing Academy to give 16 writers the opportunity to pitch face to face with leading agents:
• Elise Dillsworth, founder of the Elise Dillsworth Agency and British Book Awards Literary Agent of the Year 2025 finalist
• Diana Beaumont, DHH Literary Agency, bestselling and prize winning client list, Literary Agent of the Year 2022 finalist
• Emily Glenister, DHH Literary Agency, representing Sunday Times and Kindle bestselling authors
• Elena Berry, DHH Literary Agency, building an exciting new list
What you get:
• Your pitch pre read by professionals
• Five minutes with EACH agent
• Direct industry feedback
• A prize for Best Pitch of the Festival
Last year, one pitching writer secured representation and now has a novel on submission. You could be next.
Key dates:
• Submission deadline: Monday 27 April
• Successful writers notified: Monday 4 May
• Pitching fee: £35 (payable by 11 May if selected)
Slots are limited. Competition will be strong. Send your pitch today!
How to apply:
• Submit a pitch of up to 300 words
• Email Phil Viner at [email protected]@p.d.viner@eberrybooks
Welcome to @sarahmayhayes , who joins @agent_dianab 's list.
Sarah is based in South East London and trained as a journalist for the Press Association. She enjoys writing about messy women and the complexities of love and family relationships and is currently working on her debut novel.
Huge congratulations to @frances.ryan85 who has been shortlisted for The Unwin Award! 🌟🎉
The award recognises non-fiction writers in the early stages of their careers as authors, whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world.
I was, like so many others today, devastated by the sad news about Maddy Wickham. I first remember her in the Transworld offices when we were both 20somethings - she was always funny, charming, clever and beautiful. I remember when The Secret Dreamworld of A Shopaholic was submitted under a pseudonym- thus Sophie Kinsella was born, and it was a global phenomenon.
I remember those Warchild anthology parties (so FUN but also for an important cause).
I only saw her occasionally over the intervening years. This photo was with my client and friend Author Lucy Vine who interviewed her. I admired her jacket and asked her where it was from and promptly got one on EBay. I will wear it in her honour tomorrow.
I’ll remember her generosity, style and grace - in the way that she lived her life as well as how she faced her diagnosis. She was deeply beloved and touched the life of so many - her family, friends, colleagues and, of course, her millions of readers. RIP.
