Lucy Irvine is an Agent, working primarily on PFD’s children’s list. After graduating from University College London with an MA in Issues in Modern Culture in 2017, she interned at Agora Books, PFD’s publishing arm, before becoming assistant to CEO Caroline Michel. She began building her own list in 2019 and was promoted to Agent in June 2021.
Alongside building her own list of clients, Lucy sells foreign rights in children’s and YA titles in Eastern Europe, Russia, Portugal, Indonesia, and Brazil, and handles audio narration rights for the agency.
What I'm looking for...
My taste is generally very broad; I represent anything that falls under the Childrens umbrella, from picture books to YA, as well as Science Fiction and Fantasy in the Adult market.
I’m being very selective with the picture books I take on at the moment, but am particularly looking here for funny stories with returnable potential and unexpected twists on popular themes.
My taste in middle-grade books veers towards the commercial; I’m drawn to quick-paced, adventurous narratives with series potential. I love stories set in worlds that pull you in and stay with you long after you’ve finished reading, and am particularly keen to see original worldbuilding and hooky, plot driven narratives. I would love to find something in the vein of Maria Kuznair’s The Ship of Shadows or B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers. I’m also very drawn to reimagined folktales, myths, and legends, especially from voices traditionally less represented within publishing. Some middle-grade books I grew up on and adored include The Roman Mysteries, the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, and the Percy Jackson series.
On the YA side, I love all kinds of genre fiction, from fantasy to historical to romance to thriller. I’m drawn to romances with a twist, and am particularly looking here for diverse voices and protagonists. SFF wise I’m keen to see original world-building, and love anything that genre bends or offers a fresh take on traditional themes. A few YA books I’ve recently loved include Hani and Ishu’s Guide to Fake Dating, The Upper World, and (belatedly!) Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe. I am a perpetual fan of enemies/rivals to lovers, fake-dating, found-family, unexpected friendships, and platonic love stories.
Adult wise, I accept submissions in anything that falls under the SFF umbrella, from urban to epic fantasy, from space opera to steampunk, but am not the right person for anything too grimdark, or anything with graphic sexual violence. I would love to find something with the ambition and wit of Gideon the Ninth, or the scope and narrative-weaving of The Priory of the Orange Tree.
I am always looking for diverse writers and protagonists across race, sexuality, gender, and disability.
Across the board, I’d love to find stories with casts of characters that make me feel as much as the Stranger Things characters make me feel (which is, to say, a lot).
I try to respond to queries within eight weeks of submission, however, if you’ve had no response by then please assume it’s a rejection.
