Spread the Word is pleased to be partnering with the Colwill & Peddle Literary Agency for our latest 1-2-1 feedback opportunity. From Monday 3 November 2025, we will be accepting submissions for:
- Mystery
- Romance
- Horror
Charlotte Colwill and Donna Greaves, literary agents at Colwill & Peddle Literary Agency, are offering a maximum of 8 short feedback sessions for submissions by writers from underrepresented backgrounds based in the UK.
Each agent will be offering up to four 20-minute sessions by phone or video.
What the agents looking for:
Charlotte is looking for romance (YA, adult, crossover and LGBT) including romantasy, crime and thriller including cosy, procedural, and domestic thrillers, and horror of any kinds. I love new twists on old themes, clever concepts, twisty plots, unusual perspectives, and writing that is commercial and full of personality. Above all, a story and characters that really make me feel something.
You can visit Charlotte’s agent page here.
Donna is looking for adult commercial, book club and accessible literary fiction with a mystery at its heart. She is particularly drawn to voice-led narratives, unconventional settings, humour and rich storytelling that interweaves cultural, political or historical context. She will consider crime that fits the bill and possibly fantasy and sci-fi if it has commercial, crossover potential – in other words, books that can be enjoyed by a wide audience.
You can visit Donna’s agent page here.
We define writers from backgrounds under-represented in publishing as those who:
- From a lower socio-economic background as defined by the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion guidance
- Have experienced a lack of academic and/or vocational training opportunities – i.e. have not been able to study/train to their full potential due to low income, ill health, being a carer etc.
- Are or have been a carer
- Have experienced homelessness
- Are a single parent
- Have a disability
- Are Black, Asian, or Global Majority
- Are a member of the LGBTQIA+ community
How to apply
Please note this opportunity is only open to unpublished and un-agented writers based in the UK. Apply via Submittable. Only one entry per applicant will be accepted.
The link to apply is here. We will be open for submissions at midday on Monday 3 November 2025.
To apply, you will need to upload 3 documents:
- A covering letter of 1-2 pages that includes: A little information about yourself and your motivations for your project, how you meet the criteria for this opportunity and a summary of your writing endeavours to date (e.g. Have you taken part in writing development opportunities? Have you mainly been writing on your own at home?)
- A one-page synopsis
- An extract from your project (3,000 words maximum)
If you are a disabled writer, there is the option to submit visual or audio submissions. Please get in touch with [email protected] if you need any support with this.
Charlotte and Donna will be giving feedback on the documents that you submit.
Timeline
- Submissions will open at midday on Monday 3 November 2025
- The deadline for submissions is 5pm on Tuesday 2 December 2025
- Applicants will know the outcome of their submission by Tuesday 3 February 2026 and successful applicants will receive their feedback by the end of April 2026.
If you have any queries about your application or this opportunity, please get in touch with [email protected]
About the Agents
About Charlotte Colwill
Charlotte began her career as a bookseller at shops including Waterstones, Daunt Books and Foyles, before beginning her agenting career at Tibor Jones and Jo Unwin Literary Agency, before launching Colwill & Peddle with Kay Peddle in 2022. She represented a broad range of authors, writing children’s books, genre fiction, and non-fiction, and is always on the lookout for more.
About Donna Greaves
Donna is a literary agent from South East London. She joined Colwill and Peddle in September 2025, prior to this she worked as editorial manager at Jo Unwin Literary Agency. She represents Sunday Times bestselling author Lucy Easthope and is building a list in commercial, book club and accessible literary fiction and narrative non-fiction.
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