Thérèse Coen is a London-based agent at Susanna Lea Associates who casts a wide net across children's and adult fiction and non-fiction, with a particular passion for distinctive voices, bold concepts, and stories that are impossible to put down.
In brief
Thérèse Coen runs the London office of Susanna Lea Associates, a three-office international agency (London, Paris, New York) — meaning strong foreign-rights infrastructure is built into every deal.
Their wishlist spans middle grade through adult, fiction and non-fiction, making them one of the more genre-agnostic agents actively building a list in London — but their named touchstones reveal a clear pull toward voice-driven, emotionally resonant work over high-concept plot machines.
The MG favorites skew classic and quirky (Wonder, Rooftoppers) while the YA list mixes contemporary heartbreak with fantasy and crossover literary appeal — signaling they can place a book that defies easy categorization.
The non-fiction taste tags (narrative journalism, popular science, memoir, sports) are unusually specific and suggest genuine enthusiasm rather than a perfunctory category listing — The Racer by cyclist David Millar is a niche but telling pick for someone who cycles competitively.
Query status was unverified as of April 2026 — always confirm the current state at the agency's live submission page before sending.
Lately
Coen describes their core brief as seeking books across all genres — fiction and non-fiction, children's and adult — united by a strong hook, original concept, a vivid world, and a protagonist with real presence. The emphasis on 'kick-ass protagonists' across categories is a consistent through-line.
What Thérèse is looking for
Thérèse Coen is drawn to MG with a timeless, classic quality — stories that feel both fresh and enduring, with genuine humor, a quirky sensibility, and an unmistakable authorial voice. Think character-led adventures that could sit alongside beloved shelf-stayers rather than chasing trends.
A broad YA brief that runs from epic fantasy to intimate contemporary, with a shared requirement for a compelling protagonist and strong emotional stakes. Historical, dystopian, science fiction, mystery, and literary crossover are all welcome. The named favorites suggest a taste for books that balance plot momentum with genuine emotional weight.
For adult fiction, Coen gravitates toward literary and upmarket work — prose that earns its ambition, whether through style, structure, or depth of character. Historical fiction and speculative literary fiction both fit. The touchstones skew toward prestige titles that crossed over into wide readership.
Genre fiction for adults is welcomed within the broader adult brief, particularly fantasy and science fiction — but the named literary touchstones suggest Coen responds best to genre work with strong characterization and literary sensibility rather than purely plot-driven fare.
A genuine and specific non-fiction appetite: popular science, narrative history, memoir, biography, journalism, and sports. The named favorites are all rigorously written, idea-driven books aimed at a broad intelligent readership. Cookbooks, humor, and psychology round out the list, but the narrative non-fiction strand feels most fully articulated.
Not the right fit
On Thérèse's list
Taste fingerprint
How to query Thérèse
Submit to london@susannalea.com — this is the dedicated London office address, not a general agency inbox.
Format your subject line as: YOUR NAME + TITLE OF MANUSCRIPT (e.g. 'Jane Smith THE SILVER ROAD') — this is explicitly required, not optional.
Send exactly two attachments: a one-to-two page synopsis in Word format AND the full manuscript in Word format, both at 1.5 or double spacing. Do not send partial manuscripts or additional files.
Lead your email with a compelling pitch — think back-cover blurb energy. Coen explicitly asks you to sell the story in the email body, not in the synopsis. The synopsis should narrate the full story, not market it.
Do not send a preliminary enquiry asking if you may submit. Coen reviews everything that arrives and explicitly asks writers not to send pre-submission emails.
Include a brief professional bio covering anything relevant to your work (expertise, background, platform), but always lead with the pitch.
If another agent has requested your full manuscript or you have an offer of representation, flag this clearly in your submission email.
The non-fiction taste list is unusually specific — if you are querying narrative non-fiction, think about why your book belongs alongside the named favorites: strong ideas, rigorous writing, a broad intelligent audience.
Coen's favorites span British and American publishing, and the agency has Paris and New York offices alongside London — international settings or cross-market appeal are genuine assets in a pitch.
The sports narrative interest (cycling in particular) appears genuine rather than performative — sports memoir or narrative sports non-fiction with literary ambition is likely to land with real enthusiasm.
Always verify the current submission status directly via the agency's website before sending — status was unconfirmed as of April 2026.