Nelle Andrew is a London-based literary agent at Rachel Mills Literary whose list spans internationally bestselling and award-winning fiction and non-fiction, with a particular track record in commercial women's fiction, literary fiction, and narrative non-fiction.
In brief
One of the UK's most decorated active agents — crowned Literary Agent of the Year at the Nibbies (The Bookseller Awards) in 2021 and inducted as an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 2023, signalling serious institutional standing.
Her client roster is heavily weighted toward commercial and literary fiction by women, with six Richard and Judy Book Club picks among her clients — a reliable indicator of her commercial instincts and publisher relationships in that space.
She brings eleven years of pre-RML agenting at Peters Fraser and Dunlop plus earlier editorial experience at Macmillan, meaning she approaches manuscripts from both a commercial and a craft angle.
As a published novelist in her own right (under the name Nelle Davy), she understands the creative process from the inside — a meaningful differentiator when pitching literary or debut fiction.
Her public reading life signals genuine enthusiasm for books that surprise her, suggesting she is open to projects outside her usual comfort zone if the execution is strong.
Lately
She shared that she had completely fallen for a book she never expected to connect with, and invited her followers to send her further reading recommendations — a public signal that she values being genuinely surprised by fiction and is actively engaged with new reading.
What Nelle is looking for
Her sales record is heavily concentrated here, particularly fiction aimed at a broad women's readership. Multiple Richard and Judy Book Club picks — including work by Heidi Perks and Candice Carty-Williams — demonstrate strong relationships with mainstream UK publishers and a reliable instinct for what breaks out commercially.
She represents award-winning literary novelists, including a Costa Debut winner and authors longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction and the Walter Scott Prize. She is drawn to distinctive voices and ambitious narrative work that can also find a commercial audience.
Her list includes non-fiction alongside fiction, with clients such as Bryony Gordon indicating an appetite for personal, voice-driven non-fiction with broad public appeal. The non-fiction side of her list appears selective rather than a primary focus.
She represents at least one HWA award-winning historical novelist, signalling genuine engagement with the genre rather than token interest. However, given the overall commercial-fiction lean of her list, historical pitches likely need strong narrative propulsion alongside literary credibility.
Not the right fit
On Nelle's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Nelle
Her submission form was confirmed open in early December 2024 — check the live form at Rachel Mills Literary's website to verify current status before sending anything.
Her list skews toward fiction with genuine literary ambition that also has clear commercial appeal; lead with the tension between those two qualities in your pitch.
Six of her clients have had Richard and Judy Book Club picks — if your book has accessible, emotionally engaging storytelling, make that the centre of your query letter.
She is a published novelist herself (as Nelle Davy), so she responds to authentic craft; don't undersell the writing quality or the distinctiveness of your voice.
Her recent public note about being surprised by a book she didn't expect to love suggests she's open to projects that defy easy categorisation — lead with the hook and trust the read, rather than over-explaining the genre box.
Her award pedigree — Costa, Women's Prize longlist, HWA, Walter Scott — means literary credibility matters even in commercial submissions. Mention any prizes, longlists, or fellowships in your covering letter.
She joined RML from Peters Fraser and Dunlop, where she spent eleven years; she has deep publisher relationships across the UK mainstream. A pitch that signals broad readership potential will resonate.
Follow submission guidelines on the agency website precisely — RML is a small, selective agency and correct formatting signals professionalism.