words that matter
What we do
HHB Agency was founded in 2005 by ex-publisher Heather Holden-Brown with the aim of being approachable, imaginative, tenacious and successful. After 18 years at the helm, Heather stepped down from the agency in January 2024.
We believe that our role is to help our authors with every aspect of their careers and to respond to each client’s particular needs, offering services that range from experienced editorial advice, effective book representation and contract negotiation, to creative brand-building.
We have strong relationships with sub-agents for US, translation and other sub-rights, discovering all possible avenues for our authors, from film and television to Personal Appearances and links with national newspapers and magazines.
HHB Agency is a full member of the Association of Authors’ Agents. http://www.agentsassoc.co.uk/
Who we represent
Our family of fantastic writers includes established bestsellers and talented, fresh voices.
In the years since our foundation, we have taken delight in the success of authors ranging from journalists to historians, cooks to comedians, critics to crafters, vets, doctors, adventurers, entertainers, and those who simply have an extraordinary story to tell.
In fiction, we specialise in thoughtful but commercial women’s writing, intelligent crime and thrillers, and exceptional historical novels.
Who we are
Heather Holden-Brown
FOUNDER & AGENT
© Anna McCarthy
HHB Agency was founded in 2005 by Heather Holden-Brown, a publishing editor for 20 years with Waterstone’s, Harrap, BBC Books and Headline. The following year the agency became a member of the Association of Authors’ Agents and over the years Heather has given talks to writers at the University of Winchester, Kingston University, London and The Literary Consultancy. Heather has a degree in History & Politics from Queen Mary College, London University. She is a member of The Biographers’ Club, The Guild of Food Writers and the Romantic Novelists’ Association.
In 2004 Heather assessed the food and cookery books for the André Simon Memorial Fund’s annual awards.
Heather is a Trustee of Sparrow Schools Foundation which contributes to three schools in Johannesburg, helping over 1,200 disadvantaged pupils to gain an education and confidence, and the necessary skills to find employment in modern-day South Africa.
Elly James
AGENT
Elly James has a degree in English Literature from Edinburgh University. She first joined HHB Agency in 2007 having previously worked in television and film development finding programme ideas, fresh talent and promising scripts. Moving to the book world meant she continued to enjoy the challenge of seeking clever communicators, great storytellers and people with passions who have interesting perspectives and original voices.
For non-fiction, Elly likes books that give an insight into worlds we don’t know much about – that educate, illuminate and transport. She is particularly looking for writers of: memoir, history, nature, science, self-development, original thinking, lifestyle, food and entertainment. She is also keen to find book group fiction, be it commercial women’s stories with engaging characters and uplifting plots, or gripping thrillers to get readers talking.