Chris Wellbelove An agent with Aitken Alexander Associates (see other agents at this agency). About I represent writers of fiction and nonfiction from across the literary spectrum, as well as a handful of poets. Recent bestselling and/or prize-winning authors I represent include Gary Stevenson, whose first book The Trading Game was a Sunday Times number one bestseller in both hardback and paperback, spending 27 weeks in the top 10 in 2025; Kaliane Bradley, Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Ministry of Time, which was also a Barack Obama pick; and Sophie Elmhirst, author of A Marriage at Sea (UK title: Maurice and Maralyn), a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, winner of the Nero Gold Prize, Barack Obama pick and one of the New York Times’s 10 Best Books of 2025. Other writers on my list include the Secret Barrister, Daisy Johnson, Evie Wyld, Luke Kemp, Lewis Dartnell, Wayne McGregor, Jessica Andrews, Kevin Jared Hosein and Grace Blakeley, as well as the poets Liz Berry, Kayo Chingonyi, Andrew McMillan and Kim Moore. Limited Demographic: Submissions are restricted to writers in the UK. This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting 90 days, assume your submission will not be accepted. Country of Publication United Kingdom Professional Associations Member of AAA AI Policy Unknown AI policy Collapse section Fiction Open Almost all the fiction I represent is literary, ranging from the realist to the speculative. I am looking for literary novels that prioritise plot, that find fun and surprising ways to explore ideas or a moment in time. I want to be entertained and to be made to think – and if along the way I am also moved then all the better. I’m also keen to find work that plays with (and elevates) genre. Though I don’t represent much genre I have recently enjoyed working on the Secret Barrister’s first legal thriller.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: General Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: NovelStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Submissions:Method: Email. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Collapse section Nonfiction Open In nonfiction I like to think that I can be interested in books on any subject, provided the idea feels original and the telling unique, and I work with a wide range of writers, from journalists and memoirists to thought leaders, academics and cultural figures. As in fiction, I like nonfiction that provokes thought and prioritises narrative – this might mean a bold and original take on a big subject but could just as well apply to the story of a couple stuck on a life raft in the middle of the ocean.Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Lengths: BookStyles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary, Mainstream, Personal.Topics: Open to all/most Topics including... Anthropology: General, See guidelines. Business/Finance. History. Memoir. Nature/Environment. Psychology. Science.Submissions:Method: Email. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Collapse section Poetry Temp Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: General Open to all/most SubgenresLengths: Poetry CollectionPoetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Submissions:Method: Email. Simultaneous submissions: Simultaneous submissions are allowed. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to agent's webpage Report: Submission/Query Correction/Update New Cover ArtSocial:Instagram @aitkenalexander For the Agent: Request Interview Duosuma Submission Manager Link to Duotrope Agent Impersonation Scams are becoming commonplace.A legitimate agent will not contact you and request money to represent you. Never pay an agent an up-front fee. That is not how literary agent representation works. Agents earn a commission only after they've landed a publishing deal for you. Also, agents scarcely ever contact writers. If an agent that you haven't queried contacts you about representation, be suspicious. Look up the agent and check if the email address is correct for that agent/agency. Chris Wellbelove Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the agency or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. Filter: Category: All Categories Fiction Nonfiction Poetry Group by submission Include outliers Include other agents at the same agency Accuracy We have received 2 reports from 2 different members within the past 12 months, not including pending responses (see below). The more responses reported, the more accurate the information. Pending 1 response is pending (144 days waiting). This only includes pending reports from people who have been active on Duotrope within the past 30 days Other Information The agent will try to make a decision within 90 days. (100.0 % of the responses reported to us for this listing have taken longer than 90 days.) This agent may not respond to all queries. After waiting the time indicated above, assume your submission will not be accepted. Most recent response reported was received on 07 May 2026. Responses have been received for submissions sent as recently as 06 Jan 2026. Date compiled: 07 Sep 2026 18:14 UTC (1 hour, 6 minutes ago). Work submitted to this agent was also submitted to...This section is available to subscribers only. Sign up and start your free trial today!Members accepted by this agent also had work accepted by...This section is available to subscribers only. Become a member and start your free trial today! Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Other Agents at this AgencyClare AlexanderLisa BakerMonica MacSwanHarriet MooreEmma PatersonAmy St Johnston DNQ Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the agent or agency being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the agent/agency meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the agency/agent.Unless the agency's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.For agency submissions, it is standard to submit a query letter and sample instead of the full manuscript. Do this unless otherwise instructed.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 16 Aug 2026We check their guidelines for changes every four weeks, and we audit the listing twice a year. Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only