So, you’ve poured your blood, sweat and spreadsheets into a brilliant business book. Now comes the part nobody warns you about: finding someone who actually wants to help you publish it. Cue the quest to find the top literary agents for business books, and yes, they do exist. You just need to know how to look, where to search, and what to say when you finally get their attention.
This isn’t a post full of wishful thinking. This is your step-by-step field guide, right here in the UK, written for writers like you who want real results, not recycled clichés.
Step 1: Know What a Literary Agent for Business Books Actually Does
Let’s clear the fog: literary agents are not just gatekeepers. They’re your career advocates. They’ll pitch your proposal to the right publishers, negotiate contracts, and ideally guide your book from idea to international success. For non-fiction books, especially ones packed with business insights, market strategy, or thought leadership, a strong agent isn’t just helpful; they’re essential.
Agents who specialise in business books often come with deep industry ties. They know which editors are buying, what topics are overdone, and how to frame your big idea in a way that’ll make it impossible to ignore.
Step 2: Where to Start Searching (Hint: Not Just Google)
Sure, typing “top literary agents for business books” into Google will get you somewhere, but let’s aim higher. Go niche.
- Start with curated databases like Reedsy, AgentQuery, or Publishers Marketplace.
- Use genre-specific platforms like com, which has a whole section dedicated to literary agent non-fiction UK listings.
- Check author acknowledgements in successful business books; chances are their agents are open to submissions, too.
Make a spreadsheet. Yes, it’s an actual spreadsheet. Track names, submission preferences, links, and anything that feels like a dealbreaker (e.g. “only represents memoir” = nope).
Step 3: Matchmaking—Find the Agents That Want Your Book
Here’s where the magic starts. Not every literary agent in the UK will be right for your book. Look specifically for:
- Agents representing authors in your niche (e.g. marketing, fintech, leadership, sustainability).
- Those who’ve worked with debut writers.
- Any recent deals in your space (check #MSWL or “manuscript wish lists” on social media).
And make sure they aren’t solely focused on fiction. You want someone who gets the business world, who knows the difference between CAC and KPI without blinking.
If you’re after wider representation later (say for Fantasy Literary Agents UK or Literary Fiction Agent UK), you can find those, too, but for now, stay laser-focused.
Step 4: Crafting the Perfect Query Package
Once you’ve narrowed your list, it’s time to write what may be the most important email of your writing career.
Your submission will usually include:
- A compelling cover letter
- A detailed book proposal (especially for non-fiction)
- Sample chapters
If you’re asking yourself how to write a cover letter for a literary agent, think of it like a pitch deck that meets an elevator intro. Start with your hook, what your book is, who it’s for, and why it matters now. Then, add a personal note on why you’re pitching them specifically. Keep it short, sharp, and jargon-free.
Pro tip: Don’t open with “Dear Agent” unless you enjoy rejection.
Step 5: Master the Art of the Pitch
You only get one shot to make a first impression. If you’re wondering how to pitch a book to a literary agent, here’s your golden rule: make it about them and the market, not just you.
Show that you understand:
- Your target reader
- Competing titles and why yours fills a gap
- Your credentials (yes, LinkedIn can be helpful here)
- Your platform (newsletters, podcasts, speaking gigs, anything that builds your audience)
And if you’ve got data to prove demand, that’s even better. 500k TikTok views on your #FinanceTips? Include it.
Step 6: Know the Submission of Windows
The UK literary world has seasons, and May is one of them. Agents are refreshed post-London Book Fair, inboxes are being cleared, and many are actively looking for new voices.
That’s your cue to move. Don’t dawdle.
And yes, if you’re wondering how to approach a literary agent in the UK, the short answer is with precision, professionalism, and personality. Respect their time. Personalise the query. And never, ever mass-email 30 agents with the same text.
Step 7: Follow Up (But Don’t Be That Person)
So you’ve sent your pitch and are now staring at your inbox like it owes you rent. Give it time.
Most agents take anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks to respond. If you haven’t heard back after 8, a gentle nudge is fine. One follow-up. Not three.
Meanwhile, keep writing. Keep refining. Keep submitting. Agents appreciate persistence, but they love professionalism even more.
Literary Agents Looking for Submissions in May 2025
Want to cut through the noise? These literary agents looking for new authors right now are actively seeking business and non-fiction titles:
1. Caroline Wood – Felicity Bryan Associates
Specialises in intelligent non-fiction and business titles with a broad appeal.
2. Matthew Marland – Rogers, Coleridge & White
Interested in leadership, psychology, and business innovation, particularly post-pandemic insights.
3. Sam Copeland – RCW Literary Agency
Open to platformed voices in business and personal development.
4. Kate Nash – Kate Nash Literary Agency
Accepting submissions in May; particularly drawn to practical business guides with mass market appeal.
5. Harry Bingham – The Writers’ Workshop
Not a traditional agent, but offers agent-matching services and editorial support, ideal for first-timers.
These professionals aren’t just names on a list. They’re doorways to the shelves you want your book on.
A Quick Word on Children’s and Picture Books
We know the focus here is business, but if you’re also dabbling in other genres (multitasking author, we see you), there’s a vibrant scene for literary agents for children’s books and picture book literary agents, too. Just remember: every genre has its gatekeepers. Find them accordingly.
Why This Matters (And Where We Come In)
You’re not just hunting for an agent. You’re looking for someone who believes in your story, your insights, and your unique way of seeing the business world.
That’s where having the right support, like what we quietly offer at Lincoln Writes UK, makes all the difference. We’re not here to hijack your vision, just help refine and position it so it lands where it deserves to: in the hands of the right agent, and eventually, your readers.
We know how to navigate this world because we’ve been in it. We understand the UK market. We track the shifts. And when you’re ready, we’re here.
Final Word
If you’re serious about getting your business book published, then finding the top literary agents for business books is not just a checkbox. It’s a strategy. And like any strategy worth its salt, it takes time, precision, and the right tools.
But the good news? You’re not doing it alone. You’ve got this guide. You’ve got the steps. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve also got us.
Let’s turn that manuscript into a movement.