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trend & talent scouting

Resume
Reading a Book

I scout for outstanding fresh author talent who (I suspect!) have at least one commercially successful non-fiction book idea in them. 

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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, the public mood, cultural discourse and consumer habits are shifting so rapidly, it's hard to stay on top of what readers will want next.

 

That's where I come in.

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Several of the authors I've scouted for literary agents and publishers have gone on to become Sunday Times bestsellers, repeat brands, prize-winners and attract a bevy of international rights deals. 

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Total advances offered to authors identified for just one of the agencies I scout for are now well in excess of £1M. 


I look for talent:

 

- with a compelling story and a clear USP

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

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- who are highly regarded within their area of expertise and rated by key online and IRL communities (e.g. are they mentioned in relevant Reddit threads?)

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- who have a platform (e.g. a column, a senior position within a large or well-connected company or educational establishment, a Substack, a 5 or 6-figure Instagram or TikTok following, a podcast, a radio show etc.) 

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- with a clear and consistent brand that they invest time in developing thoughtfully

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- with an original perspective on a zeitgeisty issue that has mass-market and/or evergreen (long-term) potential​

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- have a proven ability to inspire people to show up, act, or contribute time and/or money - conversion to action that goes beyond views and likes e.g. in-person events, ticket sales, Ko-fi donations, charity appeals, crowdfunders, subscriptions etc.

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- who are adept writers (ideally with a body of work to point to) and eloquent, engaging speakers

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- with credibility, warmth, 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 

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

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  • Nutritionist Caroline Hanna, scouted in May 2024 for Bergstrom Studios. Hungry published July 2026

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  • Oxford professor, scouted in Jan 2025 for S&S. Book on tech and kids acquired direct with author. TBA

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  • Animal sanctuary owner with 6-figure following, scouted in Sept 2025 for Eve White. Pre-empted in Spring 2026 for 6 figures. TBA

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  • Antiquarian bookseller, scouted in Feb 2023 for Eve White. Strong 6-figure pre-empt in 2024. TBA

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  • Historian with strong 6-figure TikTok following scouted in Dec 2023 for Eve White. Sold. TBA​​

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  • Children's psychotherapist with a 7-figure following scouted for S&S in Feb 2025. Acquired. TBA

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  • Adventurer Eva zu Beck scouted in Jan 2025. Signed with Penguin. The Wilder Way published May 2026. Sunday Times bestseller

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  • Poet Lucas Jones scouted in June 2024. Signed with Ebury. I Still Believe in Miracles published Jan 2026. Instant Sunday Times bestseller

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  • Food content creator Emma Petersen scouted in April 2024. Signed with Pavilion. Healthyish published May 2025. Sunday Times Bestseller. 2nd cookbook coming July 2026

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  • Vegan food content creator scouted in Jan 2024. Signed with S&S in significant deal. Debut cookbook publishing Spring  2027. TBA

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  • Poppy O’Toole a.k.a Poppy Cooks, scouted 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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  • 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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  • Body positivity campaigner 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

 

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

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  • Political columnist 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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  • Comedian and self-proclaimed amateur historian Fin Taylor, scouted in Feb 2025. Signed with Bantam. The History of Mankind in its Entirety (Abridged) publishing Sept 2026.  

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  • Historian Mina Moriarty scouted in Jan 2025. Signed with Duckworth. What Ails Her? A History of Women's Health publishing Spring 2027

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my scouting services

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exclusive bespoke monthly non-fiction talent report

 

Bespoke reports that cater to the needs and tastes of (a) particular agent(s) or editor(s). Whether you're looking for the next Emily English, 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 book and title ideas 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 charge £150 per name, and a 2.5% commission (advance and royalties) for authors flagged in a report who go on to get a book deal.​

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interested? drop me a line 
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