Jodie Hodges

Representing children's illustrators and authors of picture books, fiction and non-fiction.

I started working with Rosemary Canter in 2006, assisting her on her list. I was made an agent in 2010 and always have an open list for submissions.

I’m too much of a magpie for a wish-list, but my areas of interest and where I feel I can really add value to the career of an author or illustrator have stayed pretty consistent over the years.

I love picture books and young fiction. I enjoy the rules and the boundaries the formats tend to impose. Seeing creators conjure up stories that generate laughter, conversation or love of a character so deep that the World Book Day costume is a given; that demand repeat readings without the adult reader feeling it a chore while working within these boundaries is pure magic.

I’ll always be keen to see classic storytelling for 8-12s be it an adventure, a fantasy, historical, domestic, a comedy. Anything and everything to appeal to the both the voracious child reader I was and those children for whom books aren’t an everyday part of life.

I’m not the right agent for YA, but if you are writing this then I enthusiastically point you to my esteemed colleagues Emily Talbot and Molly Jamieson.

Additionally, I'm always searching for children's book illustrators or writer/illustrators who know their own style and are attuned to the children’s book market. I also represent creators of comics and graphic novels for children and very happy to see more.

My favourite books are 'Skellig' by David Almond and 'Junk' by Melvin Burgess; and my favourite piece of illustration is the night-time spread in 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea' by Judith Kerr, in case you were curious.

Submissions

Children’s and Young Adult Books

Jodie is happy to receive submissions and we will endeavour to respond within 12-15 weeks. We do not accept submissions by post. Please send a covering email, a synopsis and the first three chapters as attachments to AGarvey@unitedagents.co.uk.

Picture Books

Please send a covering email and at least three stories (not in a series) as attachments to AGarvey@unitedagents.co.uk. 

Illustrators 

Please send a covering email with a selection of jpegs to jhodges@unitedagents.co.uk. If you also write stories then please send a selection of those too.