Liza DeBlock

Literary Agent
Liza DeBlock

Liza started in publishing as an assistant at Eccles Fisher Associates in 2018. Working for literary scouts provided a foundation in understanding the international book market and she learned exactly what readers across the world are looking for. She then moved into the world of literary agenting and learned from the brilliant Robert Caskie and Silé Edwards amongst others while working at a boutique agency. Whilst there, she honed her skills selling international rights for major Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling authors such as Richard Osman, Claire Douglas, Abigail Dean, Saara El-Arifi, Hannah Kaner, and many more writers.

She began building a curated list of authors across the spectrum of fiction and non-fiction, selling their rights in the UK, US, and beyond. Her authors include Fortnum & Mason Debut Food Writing winner Sally Abé, cookbook writer Dominic Franks, HWA Debut nominated Stacey Thomas, thriller writers Natalie Chandler and Carys Green, and speculative writer Pim Wangtechawat amongst others. She was a Bookseller Rising Star in 2022, and works with Black Girl Writers.

What I'm Looking For

I am proud to represent a great list of both fiction and non-fiction authors. What all my authors have in common is great, exciting writing, that has brought me on adventures, and taught me something new. This is a huge part of what I am looking for - a book that I must pick up off the shelf to read. Whether it’s the writing, hook, concept, or subject matter, I need to want to devour the book.

When it comes to fiction, I am on the hunt for books that fall into commercial, book club, and edging on literary novels. I love a good thriller set in an unusual location, or with a speculative edge, or even with characters whose jobs are unique and distinct.  When it comes to historical fiction, I would love to see a book based on real historical figures that we need to rethink, reevaluate, or reimagine. I also love it when another genre slips into historical fiction - make it gothic, magical, fantastical, or even better - haunted. Having worked in archives and studied in Scotland, I would love to find something set within this space.

I would love to find an elegant love story with a speculative edge. Whether that’s time travel, magic, grounded fantasy, a unique setting - sweep me off my feet in a way I’ve never read before. I also enjoy romcoms with smart writing, lots of steam, and am a sucker for enemies-to-lovers and slow-burn tropes. When it comes to fantasy, send me something with a unique magic system, a new world, romantic threads, unusual creatures, and anything inspired by folklore from across the world.

My recent favourite fiction reads include Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, The Ministry of Time, There are Rivers In the Sky, Butter, Notes on an Execution, The Lamplighters, How to Kill Your Family, Lady Macbethad, Babel, Fourth Wing, A Discovery of Witches, Ink Blood Sister Scribe, The Familiar, Hungerstone, and The Lamb.

For non-fiction, I am looking for experts in their fields, or creator’s with exciting content to share. I love food writing - whether that’s food memoir or cookbooks. I would love to find something relating to women’s health, particularly around maternal, sports, or mental health. I welcome any submission that rethinks a popular or accepted train of thought.

Some of my recent favourite non-fiction reads are The Five, Femina, Messalina, Matresence, Women Are Angry, A History of Art Without Men, Cook This Book, Dessert Person, Bake It Better, Between Two Waters.

Please do not send me novellas or unfinished manuscripts, sci-fi, erotica, graphic novels, children’s books, middle grade, or poetry.

My Favourite Genres
  • Book Club
  • Crime
  • Fantasy
  • Cookery
  • Food Writing
  • Memoir
  • Non-fiction
Contact Me
Submissions