Nicola Barr is a literary agent with The Bent Agency. She says: ÒI arrived at this brilliant agency via a long stint as an agent at Greene & Heaton, having spent my formative publishing years at the much-missed literary imprint of HarperCollins, Flamingo. During that time I worked as a reviewer for the Guardian, the Observer, the Scotsman, and others.

I have over the years represented many bestselling commercial fiction authors, Richard & Judy bestsellers, and award-winning crime fiction and commercial womenÕs fiction. I am still very much on the lookout for upmarket commercial well-written fiction in these areas, particularly if they speak to a social issue, shine a light on a true-life injustice, have an atypical hero or heroine. I adore literary fiction, whether experimental or traditional, and will certainly not turn away a novel for seeming lack ofÉ anything happening.

But, whether you are writing commercial fiction or literary fiction, I am endlessly fascinated by dysfunctional or unusual families, oddballs, women struggling and women achieving, the disenfranchised, outsiders. I embrace fiction that explores the darker side of life, but do respond well to points of view that donÕt take the world too seriously.

In YA, IÕm most passionate about grounded contemporary. IÕm lucky enough to look after Rainbow Rowell in the UK, so think ELEANOR AND PARK and FANGIRLÉ

IÕm a committed Londoner, but was born and raised in Northern Ireland, then studied at the University of Glasgow. I am actively looking to build on the brilliant Irish, Northern Irish and Scottish writers I already have. I do have a natural tendency to be drawn to working-class voices and regional stories. I also love nothing more than getting stuck in editorially on a story if I see brilliance there.

Like many in these odd times, I find myself increasingly drawn to non-fiction that allows for a collective vent. In the past year or so I have represented books by Owen Hatherley, John Grindrod, Lauren Duca, Danielle Henderson, Alix OÕNeill Ð on housing, Europe, feminism, millennials, sexual harassment. I love illustrators, cartoonists. I love sport and comedy and I might even show an interest in your food blog. As long as it doesnÕt mention cupcakes.

IÕm open and approachable and desperate to get good writing out in the world. Send me something.”