Tanera Simons
Tanera studied at Exeter University where she gained a BA in English Literature before she went on to join the Lovereading team. Here, she spent much of her time doing what she loves most: reading books and discussing them with like-minded people. She then went on to work within the production team of a well-known publishing house, which gave her a good grounding in the world of publishing.
Across genres, Tanera always looks for novels with very clear hooks: a pitch that you can summarise in one or two lines and which leaves people wanting more. She also wants to see stand-out, memorable characters whose journey readers can’t help but invest in.
A strong sense of place, to the extent that it almost takes on the role of character within a novel, is something that Tanera has really enjoyed in novels such as WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING, THE DRY, and VIRGIN RIVER, and something that she would love to find in a new novel.
Tanera is always looking to find new authors of rom-com (whether this be contemporary such as EMILY HENRY or historical such as BRIDGERTON); epic, complicated love stories (the Lucinda Riley SEVEN SISTERS series); witchy, subversive fiction (WEYWARD or THE FAMILIARS); book club fiction (such as THE PAPER PALACE or anything by JODI PICOULT); and darker, psychological fiction (such as SANDIE JONES or GILLIAN FLYNN).
Authors Tanera has recently enjoyed reading include Taylor Jenkins-Reid, Casey McQuiston, Anna North, and Lauren Ho. Her full wishlist is available on the Darley Anderson Blog (www.darleyandersonblog.com/2023/02/02/tanera-simons-agent-wishlist/).
How to submit: Please submit to Tanera directly via email (tanera@darleyanderson.com).
Submissions should include: cover letter (within the body of the email; outlining relevant writing experience; the blurb of the book; comparative titles); synopsis (we ask for no longer than one page, please, and this should include spoilers); and the first three chapters or 10,000 words (please do send the first three chapters/10,000 words!). Full submission guidelines can be found on the Darley Anderson Agency website (www.darleyanderson.com/submissions).
| ......... | Availability: | FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY | .......... |
| In Person | Yes | Yes | Yes |
What is the minimum word-count your agency takes, or your publishing house requires?
Single title only (80k and upwards)
What sub-genres or genres are you not looking for?
Crime/thriller; police procedural; high fantasy; YA/MG/children's; non-fiction; literary.
Is there a genre or sub-genre you’re particularly keen to see?
I am always on the look-out for more rom-coms and love stories! I would really love to find a really compelling and plot/character-driven historical novel with an unusual setting. Anything with an evocative or escapist setting, too!
What genre is your personal favourite?
Rom-com or book club/conversation-starting novels.
What is your major turn-off in a book?
If I’m not drawn in within the opening chapters, I’m unlikely to fall in love with the rest of it: therefore a slow opening – with too much scene-setting and not enough action/dialogue - always puts me off.
What is likely to really knock your socks off besides an engaging voice and well-written book?
A good sense of humour and a fresh take on a well-loved trope/premise: if I can laugh out loud then that’s a great start.
Any advice to your potential pitchers?
Know your genre so that you can be confident there is a market for your work while being able to pinpoint what will make yours stand-out. Easier said than done!