John Jarrold

Chilling for a week. Back at the desk on Monday February 9th.

And now, an early night. One more day at the desk...LOTS to do...before I turn the computer and email off and a week's holiday begins.

What John said. I've known Greg Ketter for many years...a great and good man.

The Libraro Prize 2026 - Libraro Are you a writer who is ready to become a published author? We've teamed up with Hachette UK to find the next fiction or crossover YA bestseller. The Libraro

Have you written adult and crossover YA fiction and you are ready to become a published author?
You could win a £50,000 publishing package from Libraro and a book deal with Hachette Book Group if you enter the Libraro Prize 2026 by 15 February 2026.

Now the news is out! I can't wait for you all to discover Captain Artemis-- it's Captain Scarlet with lesbians, it's Quatermass and the Pit for the Brexit era, and so much more!

Cover of Three Twins at the Crater School by Chaz Brenchley. Art by Ben Baldwin. Three young girls in green school uniforms cower back at the edge of a lake. From the waters emerges a giant Martian creature: part-insect, part-lobster. The Crater School buildings can be seen in the background.

Are you a fan yet? Chaz Brenchley's Crater School books are a perfect recreation of the classic girls' boarding school tales such as the Chalet School series. There's just one twist: the school is on Mars! The first book in the series is Three Twins at the Crater School.
wizardstowerpress.co...

Many congratulations to @drfionamoore.bsky.social :

www.johnjarrold.co.uk/news/1878/fl...

Romantasy does not particularly interest me as an agent. If I receive a wonderful submission that just happens to be in that area, that's fine. But I'm not thinking "Gosh, I am definitely looking for romantasy!" I've never had a specific 'want' list. I'll know it when I see it.

It's possibly the busiest start to a year the agency has ever seen...

Thanks, Gav!

I'm looking forward to a week of winter sun in three weeks' time, when I will raise a glass or two and think back on wonderful books, authors and colleagues! And much laughter...and the odd tear.

I've just celebrated my 38th anniversary of starting to work in publishing. Blimey...

A couple of VERY positive reactions to recent agency submissions, which makes for a lovely way to start the new year. En avant!

As Tom Jones sang, It's Not Unusual. Woke at 4 this morning with head full of Agency Stuff. That happens one or two days in early January every year. So an early night coming up later...

Lucy Lyons' brilliant fantasy novel THE BLACK BANE has been accepted as one of 300 entries in this year's SPFBO. It's a good 'un:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0G937GKZB

Looking forward to turning the email off and deleting it from my phone and computer over Christmas, Real Soon Now. At which point I'll pour myself a big glass of wine.

Sorting out 2025's final contract queries. We'll hear back and sign in the New Year...

I receive MANY submissions that have exactly the same style of wording on the covering email...

I've had two today who specifically said they had done so...

If you use AI in any form in your writing...Copilot, ChatGPT or anything else...for any purpose, do not send me your submission. It will be deleted unread.

The 33 best books, films, games and TV to entertain you this Christmas Our writers and contributors have chosen their favourite ever science-y books, films, TV shows, music, video games, board games and more to see you through the festive period

Congratulations to Chris Beckett, whose Arthur C Clarke Award-winning novel DARK EDEN is in the New Scientist's list of 'The 33 best books, films, games and TV to entertain you this Christmas'!

www.newscientist.com/article/2506...

Chemical Reaction in Space: Fiona Erskine Fires Up the John Jarrold Agency’s Engines Guest post from Colonel Frog at sfcrowsnest

I have news! Thanks to Colonel Frog at SF Crows nest for the guest post.
@sffmagazines.bsky.social @johnj.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/fionaers...

Hoorah!!!

A photo of my fireplace, with my Christmas stocking hanging there. And tinsel!

The Christmas stocking is up by the fireplace...

Too right!!! X

New client news! Welcome to @chemicaldetective.bsky.social !!!

My annual peruse of publishers' forthcoming titles for next year this weekend. Always interesting to see similarities and differences. What do you mean, romantasy and cosy fantasy!? X

I have lots of favourite DVDs and CDs. But once upon a time I had 13 bookcases...now I have two...

It had me gripped from the first page. I read the original UK paperback in the early 1980s. I guess I've re-read it ten times since...