Cate Hart

Cate Hart has been a literary agent for over a decade, getting her start with a small boutique agency then joining Harvey Klinger in 2019. She has represented award-winning and distinguished authors in romance, historical women’s fiction and YA. While she specialises in Historical, she’s also looking for fresh takes on fantasy and romantasy, cozy mysteries, thrillers, and all things Gothic.

In Historical, she loves stories that reflect the defiance and resilience of characters, mother-daughter relationships, and voices rarely heard. She prefers the late 19th and early 20th century time periods and loves a good mash-up of multiple genres. Born and residing in the South, she is drawn to stories about Appalachia, dark twisty Southern Gothic, and a good old New Orleans vampire now and then.

Harvey Klinger Agency

Kate Nash

As a former author, publisher, publicist and marketer, Kate has seen every side of publishing and set up her own literary agency so she could do “the best job in publishing”. Kate’s reading tastes – from crime fiction to rom coms – are highly commercial.

Kate has a degree in History (BA Hons.) from the University of York and later garnered two undergraduate modules in Creative Writing and Literature from the Open University (both with Distinction!). She also holds a postgraduate certificate from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Kate Nash is listed in the Top 20 in UK Fiction by Publishers Marketplace, based on number of deals made. Kate was named a Bookseller Rising Star in 2018 and was awarded Agent of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2019. She was also shortlisted for both Literary Agent of the Year by the British Book Awards and Literary Agent of the Year by the Romantic Novelists’ Association in 2022. Kate enjoys travel, wine, the theatre and fine art.

Kate's Substack 'Slushpile Mountaineering' is her main presence on social media.

Kate Nash Literary Agency

Justin Nash

Justin is the Managing Director of the Kate Nash Literary Agency. He is looking for thrillers and crime fiction of all types; book club and historical fiction that moves him and makes him think (including novels featuring fantasy/mythology) and SF. In non-fiction, books which open up the conversation and take him on a journey.

He has a BA in History and an MA in Medieval Studies from Birkbeck, University of London. Justin worked for a number of years as a teacher of History and Politics. He enjoyed teaching any period from the Middle Ages to the present day. Justin has edited and helped research new editions of two books on the Far East Prisoner of War experience in World War Two. Another book which he helped edit is a memoir about the life of a British family trapped in occupied France during the same period, written from the viewpoint of the youngest member of the family.

Justin particularly enjoys military, ancient and medieval history, as well as travel – he dreams about visiting the Himalayas. He is working on a new non-fiction book. He is also learning to play the classical guitar (a lifetime ambition).

Karen Sullivan

Karen Sullivan is owner and publisher of Orenda Books, an independent publisher based in London, publishing literary fiction and upmarket genre fiction, with a heavy emphasis on crime/thrillers and high-spec historical fiction, with half the list in translation.

Karen was a Bookseller Rising Star, and Orenda Books has been shortlisted for the IPG Best Newcomer Award (twice) and Small Press of the Year in the British Book Awards. They were crowned CWA Crime & Mystery Publisher of the Year in 2020 AND 2025.

Authors include Essie Fox, AJ West, Ragnar Jonasson, Eva Bjorg Aegisdottir, Lilja Sigurdardottir, Thomas Enger, Ørjan Karlsson, Johana Gustawsson, Doug Johnstone, Agnes Ravatn, Will Carver, Simone Buchholz and Antti Tuomainen.

Karen lives in London.

Orenda Books

Stairwell Books

Alan Gillott

Alan Gillott is a poet, writer, broadcaster, composer, and singer who performs in the UK and USA and is well known throughout the North East. His most recent book is Except we Teach (Fighting Cock Press); he has a following as a music and art critic. He is known for his lyrical style based on internal structures. His observational poetry often highlights injustice and institutional irresponsibility. His poems have been described as “erudite and mellifluous, written with a musical ear for sound and rhythm, and far-ranging in their cultural references.”

His collaborative projects include a Keats retrospective in Rome, TEDx, broadcaster host at Chapel FM, guest at UoY, Two Rivers Radio; and The Poetry Show podcasts. Alan’s poems have been set by composers a number of classical composers and performed regularly in concert including York’s long running Late Music Series.

Alan is a partner in Stairwell Books, an independent press with a broad literary spectrum with a strong and growing Historical fiction list. He is responsible for general operations and acts as editor for a number of genres.

Stairwell Books is the publisher of the international literary arts magazine, 'Dream Catcher', which turns 25 this summer.

Vine Leaves Press

Jessica Bell

Amie McCracken

Jessica Bell is the Publisher and co-founder of Vine Leaves Press. As Publisher, she champions character-driven literary fiction, historical fiction, memoir, and narrative nonfiction, with a particular passion for bold, voice-rich storytelling that challenges convention while remaining deeply human.

Under her leadership, Vine Leaves Press has earned an international reputation for producing award-winning, beautifully crafted books that foreground emotional truth and literary quality. Jessica works closely with authors from acquisition through publication, bringing editorial vision, strategic positioning, and a strong understanding of the global publishing landscape to each project. Her commitment to long-term author career development has helped position Vine Leaves Press as a respected independent press in both the US and international markets.

In addition to her publishing work, Jessica is the author of numerous novels and poetry collections, giving her unique insight into the creative and practical realities authors face. She is a frequent speaker at literary conferences and industry events, where she advocates for independent publishing excellence, author empowerment, and high editorial standards.

Amie McCracken is the Publishing Director and co-founder of Vine Leaves Press, where she oversees strategic growth, acquisitions, and business development.

Amie brings a sharp editorial eye and market awareness to the press’s list, guiding projects from concept to launch with an emphasis on quality production, thoughtful positioning, and international reach. Her work has helped Vine Leaves Press cultivate a dynamic and diverse catalogue of award-winning titles, including historical novels that explore untold stories, layered identities, and transformative moments in history.

Beyond publishing, Amie is an accomplished novelist and an active presence in the literary community. She regularly speaks at writing and publishing conferences, sharing insights on the evolving independent publishing landscape, building sustainable author careers, and navigating the path from manuscript to market.

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