Harriet Moore: The Influential Literary Agent Shaping Today’s Modern Literature

Harriet Moore is one of the most distinguished literary agents working in the United Kingdom today. Known for her sharp editorial eye, deep understanding of contemporary storytelling, and commitment to championing bold, ambitious voices, she has become a defining figure in modern publishing. Her name has become strongly associated with innovative literary fiction, groundbreaking narrative non-fiction, and powerful contemporary poetry. For writers seeking representation by a skilled, visionary industry professional, Harriet Moore the agent stands as a leading authority.

Harriet Moore’s Career Journey

From David Higham to Aitken Alexander

Before joining Aitken Alexander Associates in 2024, Harriet Moore spent over a decade at David Higham Associates, one of the most respected literary agencies in the UK. Her years at David Higham allowed her to build a rich editorial background and a roster of exceptional writers who trusted her judgement, insight, and dedication.

In 2024, her transition to Aitken Alexander marked a pivotal moment in her career. The move placed her among some of the most established names in British publishing and gave her the space to build an even more powerful list of authors. Her shift from Harriet Moore David Higham to a leading figure within Aitken Alexander has further solidified her reputation as an agent who shapes literary culture.

Harriet Moore Agent Profile

What Harriet Moore Represents

As a literary agent, Harriet Moore focuses on three main areas:

• Literary fiction

• Narrative non-fiction

• Poetry

Her taste is distinct, refined, and deeply artistic. She gravitates towards writing that shows clarity of thought, emotional intensity, and a strong sense of craft. Her preferences include novels with dynamic sentences, unusual textures, ambitious structural choices, and an attentive focus on the intimate details of daily life — from household objects to clothing, weather, and food. She is also known for appreciating fiction infused with mystery, psychological volatility, and a unique idiolect.

Authors Represented by Harriet Moore

Harriet represents some of the most acclaimed writers of the decade, including:

• Sarah Bernstein – Booker Prize-shortlisted

• Sophie Mackintosh – Booker Prize and Women’s Prize for Fiction-longlisted

• Jennifer Atkins – Acclaimed debut novelist

• Kathryn Scanlan – Windham-Campbell Prize and Gordon Burn Prize winner

• Kei Miller – Award-winning poet, novelist, and essayist

• Harriet Baker – Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year 2024

• Naoise Dolan – Sunday Times bestselling author

• Lottie Hazell – B&N Discover Prize finalist

• Jo Hamya – Nero Book Awards 2024 shortlisted

• Jason Allen-Paisant – 2023 T. S. Eliot Prize and Forward Prize winner

• Marlowe Granados – Critically acclaimed novelist described as “effervescent”

Her list reflects her eye for originality, linguistic boldness, and artistic risk-taking. Representing authors published in major international literary journals and magazines, Harriet Moore has become a gatekeeper of contemporary excellence.

Harriet Moore Literary Agent: What She Looks For

Her Fiction Interests

Harriet Moore is particularly drawn to:

• Third-person narratives that feel expansive and imaginative

• Novels that push the boundaries of form and structure

• Books filled with vibrant, idiosyncratic sentences

• Domestic, intimate, and sensory storytelling

• Themes involving family dynamics, relationships, and emotional complexity

• Fiction that mixes genres such as historical, speculative, romantic, or domestic drama

Her love for books that feel “strange, spooked, and full of their own mysteries” sets her apart from more conventional literary agents.

Her Favourite Influences

She often references works such as:

• Maud Martha by Gwendolyn Brooks

• The Children’s Bach by Helen Garner

These reflect her admiration for writing that blends simplicity with psychological richness.

Harriet Moore’s Non-Fiction Vision

In narrative non-fiction, Harriet seeks:

• Literary biography

• Cultural and social history

• Oral history

• Hybrid scholarship blending personal reflection with theoretical thinking

• Works grounded in archival research and lived experience

She champions authors who challenge traditional frameworks, bringing revisionist, thoughtful perspectives on society, culture, and personal identity.

Her authors in this field include:

• Nuar Alsadir

• Rebecca May Johnson

• Erin Maglaque

• Emily LaBarge

• Alice Hattrick

• Lucy Mercer

• Felix Bazalgette

Their works explore themes such as emotion, the body, illness, memory, maternal subjectivity, art, psychology, and the politics of daily life.

Harriet Moore and Her Poets

Alongside prose writers, Harriet represents a refined list of contemporary poets including:

• Rachael Allen

• Sophie Collins

• Eve Esfandiari-Denney

• Oli Hazzard

• Sandeep Parmar

• Jack Underwood

She prefers poets who write long-form narrative collections and often work across genres, particularly those who also engage with prose and experimental writing.

What Makes Harriet Moore Stand Out

Harriet Moore is widely admired for her ability to identify fresh, bold literary talent. She values intellect, emotional resonance, political awareness, and artistic originality. Her interest in the “ordinary and everyday” reveals her sensitivity to the subtle, intimate parts of human life — turning them into rich literary moments.

Her holistic approach, spanning fiction, non-fiction, and poetry, makes her one of the most versatile agents working today.

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