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trend & talent scouting

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Reading a Book

Keeping on top of the latest trends and knowing who the best storytellers, experts and trailblazers are is the cornerstone of an editor's or agent's job.

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It's a part of the job I've always loved doing.

 

But it's time-consuming, and editors and agents are more stretched than ever. 

 

Added to which, consumer habits are shifting so rapidly in our post-lockdown world, it's hard to stay on top of what readers will want next. 

 

I scout for outstanding author talent.

 

I also curate consumer trends that will translate into commercially successful non-fiction book propositions for literary and talent agencies and publishers.


I look for talent:

 

- with a compelling story and a clear USP

- with an organically growing and highly engaged follower base that they speak to direct 

- who are highly regarded within their area of expertise and rated by key online and IRL communities

- who have a platform (e.g. a column, a senior position within a large or well-connected company or educational establishment, an email newsletter with a high CTR) 

- with a clear and consistent brand 

- who have attracted relevant brand partnerships and press coverage

- who are adept writers

- with credibility, authenticity and charisma 

 

Not everyone can or should be all these things, and often, the best person does just the one really well, but I try and find talent who have a few strings to their bow.

I help agents and publishers get an early heads up on talent who are on the rise (with data to back that up), many of whom will not yet have been approached.

some of the talent featured on my reports 

  • Eloise Head a.k.a. Fitwaffle, scouted in Nov 2020 for Eve White: went to Ebury following 7-publisher auction. Now at two Sunday Times bestsellers, third cookbook coming March 2024, over 100,000 TCM to date

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  • Natalia Rudin a.k.a. Nats Nourishments, scouted in May 2023 for Eve White: went to Penguin Life following 9-publisher auction. Cooking Fast and Slow publishing May 2025

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  • Len Pennie, scouted in Jan 2021 for Eve White. Signed with Canongate. poyums publishing Feb 2024 

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  • Clare Bourne, scouted in Dec 2021 for Eve White. Signed with HarperCollins. Strong Foundations published Sept 2023. Unanimous 5* reviews

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  • Poppy O’Toole a.k.a Poppy Cooks, scouted in Nov 2020. Signed with Bloomsbury. 1st cookbook published Sept 2021. Over 11K TCM sold. 2nd cookbook, The Actual Delicious Airfryer Cookbook published Aug 2023. Sunday Times bestseller. 52K TCM

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  • Serena Terry a.k.a. Mammy Banter, scouted in August 2021. Signed with HarperCollins. The Secret Life of an Uncool Mum published March 2022, 49K TCM sold. Book 2 The Shite Before Christmas published Nov 2022, 20K TCM sold

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  • Peter Attia scouted Jan 2022. Signed with Vermilion. Outlive published March 2023. Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Over 26K sold to date

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  • Charlotte Greedy scouted in Feb 2021. Signed with Transworld. You Do You published Jan 2023. Over 21K sold to date

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  • Gemma Bird a.k.a. Moneymum scouted in March 2021. Signed with Hamlyn, part of Hachette. Save Yourself Happy published in Jan 2022. Sunday Times bestseller. Over 21K sold

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  • Jade Bowler a.k.a. Unjaded Jade, scouted in Jan 2021. Signed with Blink, part of Bonnier. The Only Study Guide You’ll Ever Need published in August 2021. Over 20K TCM to date

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  • Alex Light, scouted in October 2020. Signed with HQ, an imprint of HarperCollins. You Are Not A Before Picture published in June 2022. Sunday Times bestseller. Over 15K sold

 

  • Hercule Van Wolfwinkle, scouted in Oct 2020. Signed with HarperCollins. Rubbish Pet Portraits published in May 2021. Sunday Times bestseller. Over 13K sold

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  • Heidi Mavir, scouted in Feb 2023. Signed with Bluebird. Self-published Your Child is Not Broken taken over by Bluebird in May 2023. Sunday Times bestseller

 

  • Dr Joshua Wolrich, scouted in Oct 2020. Signed with Vermilion. Food Isn't Medicine published in April 2021. Sunday Times bestseller​​​​

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  • Emily English, scouted in Jan 2023. Signed with Seven Dials. So Good publishing May 2024

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  • Scott Harrison, scouted in Feb 2023. Signed with DK. Eat Your Way to a Six Pack publishing Dec 2023 

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  • Africa Brooke, scouted in May 2021. Signed with Hodder. The Third Perspective publishing May 2024 

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  • Wendy Pratt scouted Feb 2022. Signed with Borough Press. The Ghost Lake publishing May 2024

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  • Joshua Fletcher scouted Dec 2021. Signed with Orion Spring. And How Does That Make You Feel? publishing March 2024

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  • Kwajo Tweneboa, scouted in March 2022. Signed with Trapeze following a 7-way auction. Our Country in Crisis publishing July 2024 

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  • Ash Sarkar, scouted in April 2021. Debut bought by Bloomsbury in a major pre-empt. Minority Rule publishing Sept 2024

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  • Ali Abdaal, scouted Dec 2020. Signed with Penguin. Feel Good Productivity publishing Dec 2023

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  • Emily Norris scouted in Feb 2021. Signed with Vermilion. Things I Wish I'd Known publishing March 2024

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  • Penny Mordaunt, Leader of the House of Commons, scouted in Dec 2020. Signed with Biteback. Greater: Britain After the Storm published May 2021. Over 5K sold

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  • Oloni, scouted in October 2020. Signed with HarperCollins. The Big O published Sept 2022. Over 5K sold

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  • Rafael Behr, scouted in Jan 2021. Signed with Atlantic. Politics: A Survivor's Guide published May 2023. Named Waterstones Best Politics book of 2023

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  • Vee Kativhu, scouted in Dec 2020. Signed with Square Peg, Penguin. Empowered published Dec 2021

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  • Cat Sims a.k.a. Not So Smug Now, scouted in October 2020. Signed with HarperCollins. The First Time You Smiled  (or was it just wind?) published June 2022

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  • Kyle Thomas, scouted April 2021. Signed with Penguin. Guardian of the Realm published July 2022​

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  • Dr. Sara Kuburic, scouted in October 2020. Signed with Quercus. It's On Me published Sept 2023 ​​​​

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  • Dr. Kirren Schnack scouted July 2022. Signed with Bluebird. Ten Times Calmer published May 2023

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  • Cara McGoogan scouted July 2021. Signed with Viking. The Poison Line published Sept 2023

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  • Micha Frazer-Carroll scouted in Jan 2021. Signed with Pluto Press. Mad World published July 2023​​​

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  • Sam Way scouted April 2021. Signed with Seven Dials. Sam's Eats published Sept 2023​​

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  • Tasha Bailey scouted March 2021. Signed with Radar. Real Talk published Sept 2023

my scouting services

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subscription to exclusive monthly non-fiction trend and talent report

 

Bespoke reports that cater to the needs and tastes of (a) particular agent(s) or editor(s). Whether you're looking for an astrophysicist, the next 5 Minute Mum, up-and-coming personal-development gurus or parenting experts, I can source the best people to approach, make that approach on your behalf, and work up the proposal too. 

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These reports are exclusive to your agency or imprint. That is, your talent won't appear in reports for competitor agents or publishers.

 

I receive a 2.5% - 5% commission (advance and royalties) for authors flagged in a report who go on to get a book deal with a report recipient, depending on whether I've been instrumental in drawing up the proposal. 

 

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bespoke reports

 

One-off reports curated to your specifications, as and when they're needed, as broad or as in-depth as required.

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interested? drop me a line 
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