Your agent is your key advocate in the publishing world, offering invaluable support when challenges arise and providing expert advice. Beyond securing a suitable publisher and negotiating the best deals, top agents enhance the value and appeal of your work through their editorial expertise, industry insights, and extensive connections.

During my time as Editorial Director at two of London’s foremost non-fiction imprints – Viking/Penguin and The Bodley Head – I often advised authors without agents that the choice was ultimately theirs. While I worked with both authors who had agents and those who did not, I made it clear that I would not consider publishing my own work without a literary agent.

From prominence in your field to success as an author

I specialise in guiding individuals who are already distinguished in their fields as they transition into becoming successful authors. I recognise that for many of my clients, writing is not their primary focus (yet); they have other passions and commitments that led them to me. Having worked with numerous high-profile and time-constrained individuals, I understand the importance of making this process both efficient and enjoyable. With competing demands on your time, it’s essential that your writing journey aligns with your goals in the publishing world and your broader sphere of influence. My role is to support you in achieving those goals throughout the book-writing process.

My approach centres on identifying your strengths, shaping your ideas, and helping you articulate your message in the most engaging way – all while preserving your distinctive voice and authority. As noted by The Bookseller, “A part of Connor Brown’s success has been ideas generation and working with authors to find new audiences.” Whether you’re an academic, scientist, historian, politician, journalist, broadcaster, or thought leader, I can help you transform your unique insights and experiences into compelling narratives that resonate with both publishers and readers, for this book and throughout your career.

Unlocking your global potential

What sets my approach apart is my strong international focus. As a publisher, I proactively commissioned books, generating ideas for half the titles I published – an approach described as “somewhat unusual in the ‘smart’ non-fiction space” by The Bookseller. I then worked closely with the Penguin Random House Rights team to ensure our titles reached a global audience, often in over thirty languages. This proactive global strategy led to my recognition as a Bookseller Rising Star in 2023.

A prime example of my work is my collaboration with Vaclav Smil, a respected Czech-Canadian scientist and a favourite of Bill Gates. When we first connected in 2020, he had authored over fifty academic books but had never written for a trade audience. Since then, I have successfully published four of his books, with three more in the pipeline at Viking/Penguin. Vaclav is now published in over thirty languages and has achieved his first New York Times bestseller.

Recognising that a proactive and global approach is essential for non-fiction authors seeking success in today’s marketplace, I transitioned to literary agenting in 2025. This shift enables me to focus entirely on empowering authors like you – whether from the UK, the US, or anywhere else – to articulate your message and connect with a worldwide audience.

Strong industry relationships and insider understanding

Having served as Editorial Director at Viking/Penguin and The Bodley Head, I have cultivated strong personal relationships with key editors in both London and New York. My direct experience in acquisitions meetings on both sides of the Atlantic enables me to understand precisely what editors are looking for and how to effectively position your work.

I know what truly contributes to a book’s success because I have recent, hands-on experience as a publisher. During my eight years at Penguin Random House, the Viking imprint was shortlisted three times and won Imprint of the Year at the British Book Awards. Additionally, Penguin General, the parent publishing house of Viking, was shortlisted five times and won Publisher of the Year. I bring this same commitment to excellence to all my authors and advocate for their success in a way that only someone with my insider experience can.

Selective and thoughtful representation for your career

Since transitioning to the literary agency side of publishing in 2025, my goal has been to build a carefully curated roster of clients in a thoughtful and strategic manner. I prioritise quality over quantity, ensuring that my authors complement each other in their respective areas of non-fiction publishing. By collaborating closely with a select group of marquee clients, I can provide you with direct support and attention, making you a valued client rather than just another name on a list.

When selecting an agent, personal chemistry and a shared vision are crucial – you will ideally be working with this person throughout your long career. However, it’s also important to consider what the agency itself can offer.

Founded in 1977, Andrew Nurnberg Associates (ANA) boasts a distinguished roster of authors, from Samuel Johnson Prize-winning historian Antony Beevor to the Estate of Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Harper Lee. While we encompass a diverse range of genres, my focus as a literary agent lies exclusively in high-quality non-fiction.

What truly sets ANA apart is our unparalleled global presence. In addition to our new office in the heart of Bloomsbury, London – overlooking the British Museum – we have a network of twelve international offices in cities such as Bangkok, Beijing, Budapest, Hanoi, Istanbul, Kyiv, Milan, Moscow, Prague, Sofia, Taipei, and Warsaw. This extensive network is unmatched in the publishing world, where a meeting of the ANA Rights team resembles a gathering at the UN.

Unlike smaller agencies that may have one or two professionals handling global sales, each territory at ANA is managed by a dedicated expert. These professionals are often fluent in the local language, and all are intimately familiar with their markets, regularly visiting publishers in their regions.

Our scale is exceptional; we close 1,000 deals per month – an achievement no other literary agency can match. This remarkable volume allows us to leverage our international connections and secure optimal deals for our clients, often resulting in advances from foreign-language editions that exceed those offered by publishers in their home territories.

My specialty lies in helping authors achieve international success and launch global writing careers. I actively advocate for my authors’ books in both London and New York, where my established relationships with editors can make a significant difference. Partnering with ANA positions you within an agency uniquely equipped to extend your reach around the world and help you realise your global potential.

We are a member of the Association of Authors’ Agents, which means we abide by its Code of Practice.

1.     Familiarise yourself with my work. Explore the information on this website, especially the ‘About me’ and ‘Why choose Connor Brown as my literary agent?’ sections. This will help you determine if your proposed book and your goals align with my interests and expertise. (Please note that I do not represent fiction or poetry.)

2.     Submit your proposal. If you feel we’re a good fit, please write to me at submissions@nurnberg.co.uk.

-         Ensure your email is addressed specifically to me and make that clear in your subject line.

-         In the body of the email, share a brief introduction about yourself (max 250 words) and a summary of your book idea (max 400 words).

-         Attach a proposal for your book in Microsoft Word format. A template and guidance for writing a proposal are available for download here. I don’t expect your proposal to be perfect at first, but please put in the effort to make it as strong as possible before sending it my way.

-         Due to the high volume of unsolicited submissions I receive, if you haven’t followed the guidelines or haven’t heard back from me after six weeks, please assume your submission was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, I can’t provide individual feedback as I need to focus most of my time on existing clients.

-         If I reached out to you about representation, the process may differ slightly, and our previous conversation will take priority over these guidelines. For client referrals, please also note that the submission process may vary, so feel free to reach out to me directly.