Clare Wallace

Managing Director & Literary Agent

Clare has been working with Darley Anderson since 2011. Her clients have been Sunday Times and New York Times bestsellers, Irish Book Award winners, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, been picked as Waterstone’s Children’s Book of the Month, shortlisted for the Branford Boase, nominated, longlisted and shortlisted for the Carnegie, to name a few, with many titles adapted for or in development for the screen. In 2024, she was shortlisted for Agent of the Year by the British Book Awards.

Before joining Darley Anderson, Clare proof-listened to audio books, got an MA in Creative Writing, coached international students, worked as a research assistant, assisted at a specialist non-fiction agency, waitressed and bartended for years, cherry-picked for months in Gumeracha, and worked for one night in a casino emptying ashtrays.

It took her a while to find her career forever-home, but now she has, Clare can’t imagine ever doing anything else.

Working closely with her clients, Clare is in it for the long term, guiding and championing her authors through the whole publishing process and the ever-changing world of children’s books. Editorially, she loves creative discussions and developing ideas as well as the satisfying polish of a last line edit before a manuscript goes out on submission.

Representing everything from picture books right through to YA and a boutique list of adult fiction, Clare has wide and varied taste but is always led by and looking for standout voices and characters.

Clare is passionate about inclusivity and is always keen to read submissions from under-represented writers.

As of August 2026, Clare is closed to text-only picture book submissions, but still open to author-illustrated picture books.

My Wishlist

What do you want to say with your work, why is this the book that only you can write? What is the hook? Can you make me see or experience the world differently? Are the stakes high enough? These are some of the questions I’m asking when I’m reading submissions. I want to discover unforgettable characters, I love a strong hook, or a high concept, and books that are ambitious in scope, but most of all I’m a reader first. Like a browsing bookshop customer, ultimately, I’m looking for an amazing reading experience that will make me feel!

Favourite Genres

Action/Adventure
Contemporary
Fantasy
Funny
Horror
Illustrated Fiction
NA
Non Fiction
New Adult
Romance
Middle Grade
YA

I love close narration and real immediacy when reading. I’m utterly voice driven. By voice, which is a hard thing to define, I mean an authorial voice that is authentic, distinctive, and truly unique to that author. Just like when you hear a voice on the radio and you immediately know which artist is singing. So, on my list, if you’re looking for an example of what I mean, have a look at anything Nathanael Lessore, Dave Rudden, Olivia Levez or Ayaan Mohamud have written. Also, incidentally, all of these authors, through humour or heartbreak, have something important to say with their writing. Something else that I’m drawn to.

My heartland is YA, all genres. I am always keen to find love. Be that YA/NA rom-com, high-concept romance or romantasy. I also absolutely adore a terrifying horror or twisty thriller. I’m also interested in mashups, especially if it’s horromance.

I’m always looking for new younger illustrated fiction and graphic novels.

I am also always, always looking for funny, across all ages.

For middle-grade, I love new worlds, big adventures, and unique magic systems, as well as accessible contemporary narratives, especially those looking at friendships and families, or those that explore a child-centred issue.

You’ll have me at ‘inspired by real events’ across MG and YA/NA – especially if it has a particular relevance to today or explores an experience or event we haven’t heard much about before.

I also like unusual or historical non-fiction with a vibrant and accessible tone.

Like my colleagues, I’m passionate about inclusivity and am particularly keen to see submissions from under-represented authors and illustrators.

As of August 2026, Clare is closed to text-only picture book submissions, but still open to author-illustrated picture books.