Sian Ellis-Martin

Email: sian@blakefriedmann.co.uk
Twitter: @sianellismartin

I’m represent authors in a range of fiction genres and I’m also looking to expand the non-fiction side of my list. I’m keen to hear from authors who feel their voice is underrepresented in publishing and it’s important to me to work with authors and books from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Story is key to the books I enjoy; I’m always looking for an element of plot to drive me through a novel, wherever it sits on the commercial to accessible literary spectrum. I want to find stories that explore big emotions in touching, memorable or simple ways (think Tom Lake by Ann Patchett which does all three!). In non-fiction I like books that read almost like a story at the same time as educating and informing.

I’m drawn to contemporary novels although I do like to dabble in historical too, especially if the narrative revolves around a real character or event from the past.

I love a love story, whether it’s a big ‘made-for-each-other’ romance like One Day, or a quieter depiction of a relationship. Platonic relationships are just as fascinating to me, and I’d really like to represent a sweeping friendship or family saga (think Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Pachinko). 

In the crime and thriller space, I want to read truly unputdownable books with twists that you really don’t see coming or mysteries that get the cogs of your brain turning, like True Crime Story or Penance. I’m not really looking for police procedural books right now.

Themes I love reading about are coming-of-age, relationships, sexuality, family, race, class, love, sex and the general drama and complexities of life! Most of all, I always want to be completely absorbed by the world of the novel, to jump into a character’s life and be swept into the narrative as if I’ve been there all along.

I’m also searching for narrative non-fiction on a variety of topics including, love, relationships, popular culture, politics and history. My favourite non-fiction books are ones that make complicated ideas more accessible or pull you into a world that you hadn’t thought you’d be interested in. I’d also like to find books on food and cookery.

In case it’s helpful to know what I don’t represent, I’m not currently taking on YA, children’s, poetry, fantasy or science fiction, diet or business projects.

Clients: Shani Akilah, Ros Anderson, Alex Clark, Jenny Glanfield, Letitia Jarrett, Leeanne O’Donnell, Cristina Wolf