Submissions
"Reading is the key that opens doors to many good things in life. Reading shaped my dreams. And more reading helped me make my dreams come true."
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
At the Marianne Gunn O Connor Literary, Film & TV Agency, we are always looking for fresh new talent and brilliant writing from anywhere in the world. Every submission matters to us. Marianne has eclectic tastes and will look at all genres of fiction and non-fiction, with that crucial ‘wow’ factor. She especially loves voice-driven stories written from an emotional place, stories that inspire, entertain or uplift, stories that make us laugh, cry, or give readers that heart-in-your-mouth moment. She's also inspired by stories that open our eyes to contemporary global issues and new worlds… big ideas that have the potential to change the way we think and live. If you think that your work fulfils any of these criteria, take a look at our guidelines below. We provide editorial services for all authors we represent. We look forward to hearing from you.
Here is a snapshot of some books that Marianne loves..
Fiction
Overstory by Richard Powers
The Friend by Sigrid Nunez
Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Secret History by Donna Tart
The Guest Cat by Takashi Hiraide
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Normal People by Sally Rooney.
Non-Fiction
Dreams From My Father by Barrack Obama
How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
10 Billion by Stephen Emmott
The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben
Silence In The Age Of Noise by Erling Kagge
Becoming by Michelle Obama
When Art Worked by Roger G Kennedy
Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
Quiet by Susan Cain.
Children’s and Young Adult books
‘When I was a child, books were my best friends - so I’m looking for books that children will carry in their hearts always, that will fuel their imagination, make them laugh and that they’ll talk about forever.... books they won’t ever want to put down because they’re such good fun and so full of excitement and adventure!
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'When I think of teens and young adults, the words that come to mind are I want to be understood. So, at MGOC we’re looking for stories that speak to teenagers, that reflect their world and help to make sense of it. When I was a teenager, books were a solace and a therapy to me… and I’ll treasure them always in my heart. We want YA books that speak of endless possibilities and that will help young people to dream big. Of course, we’d also love to find an unforgettable love story...' – Marianne
Submission Guidelines
1. If you are submitting fiction, send us an e-mail telling us a little bit about yourself, along with three chapters of your work, or fifty pages if the chapters are short, along with a synopsis and a one-line summary to submissions@mariannegunnoconnor.com
Please note that we do not accept hard copy or postal submissions.
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2. If you’re submitting non-fiction, please send us a proposal (a full outline of your work) and a sample chapter. Please put your name and the title of your book in the subject line.
We don’t currently accept film scripts, plays, poetry or academic work.
3. ​As we get a large number of submissions, the process can sometimes take time, but we will try to read and respond within 6-8 weeks - but please be aware that this may not always be possible. Feel free to e-mail the agency if you haven’t received a reply, but please do not call the agency number. If we’d like to see more material, we will be in touch. Sadly, we are unable to provide feedback on individual work.
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4. It’s really helpful to let us know if you are submitting to more than one agent. Also, please do update us if you have received interest from other agencies, or requests to review the full manuscript.
5. If we say no to your submission, don’t lose heart. Perhaps your work isn’t for us, but it may very well be for someone else, so keep writing and don’t give up.