Anna Dixon

Anna Dixon – Editor

A passionate editor and agent - I love urgent, useful, beautiful non-fiction, and escapist, twisty, fantastical fiction with heart.

Overview

A 2024 Bookseller Rising Star.


I have worked in publishing for over ten years, with a core background on the agency side of the industry. I’ve provided editorial work for new authors bringing their work up to submission standard, established names who need an editorial hand on a future work, and I've often been an extra set of editorial eyes on behalf of my colleagues at agencies, rather than just working for my own clients. Alongside working closely in an editorial capacity with fiction clients (often developmentally), I have a lot of experience in building non-fiction proposals. My work has been very broad, and I've worked on almost every kind of book in my time, from fiction, to non-fiction (both black & white and colour), to children's. So far, I've secured offers on 88% of the projects I've worked on during my time at YMU, and I've been known to restructure projects that failed to sell beforehand, and then proceed to get a deal.


My favourite things to work on include; dark women’s fiction with bite (anything dark and twisty at all for that matter - clearly never let go of my emo phase), fantasy and sci-fi, magical realism (a la Ruth Ozeki), book club fiction, crime and thriller, horror (a good example of my taste in that area beyond the obvious Stephen King is Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chbosky - masterful), narrative non-fiction (memoir, polemics, activism, anything useful), cookery and food, talent led crossover non-fiction projects, middle-grade and YA.


I can be a bit of a magpie with fiction, anything with a strong emotional hook and nuanced characters, and you're likely to pique my interest! The only thing that may not be my speed is extremely sophisticated or experimental literary fiction - I admire it greatly, but wouldn't trust myself to know how to help shape it, as it's not an area I've worked in a lot.


I think the foundation for a great editorial relationship isn't dissimilar to the foundation of any great personal relationship - it's based on trust, clicking with that person, and being able to enjoy your time with them. To that end, I'm an open book - ask me anything about my process, nothing is off limits, and if we ultimately don't feel that creative connection and shared vision, then I'm more than happy to be your cheerleader instead and give any advice I can so that you can find the right fit. At the end of the day, editorial is about YOU and getting your project to where you need it to go.


Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
Fiction
Epic Fantasy Mystery & Crime Women's Fiction
Languages
English (UK)

Work experience

YMU

Nov, 2021 — Present

At YMU I work with clients across all of the divisions, and with authors who are signed to the literary list. This can be creating non-fiction proposals and editing those with clients, or editing novels and children's projects.

WME

May, 2017 — Sep, 2021 (over 4 years)

At WME, I began as an assistant to a partner in the literary department. After he left the agency, I started to build my own list and co-agent a number of US clients. My day-to-day responsibilities included signing and working with my own clients in the UK, co-agenting US clients, selling UK audio rights, building proposals for crossover clients from other areas of the business, editorial work (for department clients such as Lev Grossman, Kim Edwards, Aimee Phan and Ann Leary, as well as my own clients), and selling serial rights. I like to represent clients across all genres, and at WME I gained experience in selling an extremely broad range of projects in fiction, non-fiction and children’s. I also became something of an in house editor for the agency, with one head of department describing me as 'the best we have' in editorial.

Abner Stein

Jan, 2016 — May, 2017 (over 1 year)

At Abner Stein I began as an assistant to two agents, and by the time I left I assisted three. When one of my bosses went on maternity leave I was able to take on more responsibility for several months, covering ongoing projects and managing the inbox. At Abner Stein my main responsibilities included writing pitch letters and submission lists, drawing up deal memos / pre-contract acceptance letters, tracking payments, and drawing up invoice. I also worked as the reversions and permissions manager and worked closely with the agent handling all audio rights.

Portfolio

The Foundling: A Novel

Leary, Ann

S&S/ Marysue Rucci Books

Walk Yourself Happy

Julia Bradbury

Little, Brown Book Group

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER'It's hard not to be persuaded by Bradbury's enthusiasm and positivity' THE TIMESJoin Julia Bradbury as she leads you through the walk of our lifetimes. There's a lot of talk about how we all must connect more with nature. But what d... read more
Everyone's Invited

Soma Sara

Gallery UK

‘Impressive’ - Bernardine Evaristo 'Read this and learn – this is what a force for good looks like' - Jess Phillips MP'One of the best books I read this year [...] It’s truly essential reading for those who want to push forward for a more equal world' - Stylis... read more
Proper Healthy

Calum Harris

Carnival

Easy, healthy dishes that just so happen to be plant-based. Each of the recipes in this book come with up to four health 'boosts' to meet your dietary needs: ENERGYGUT HEALTHPROTEIN-PACKEDSHAPE-UPEating healthy means missing out on the food you love, right? Wr... read more
The 20-Minute Vegan

Calum Harris

Pan Macmillan

'Calum's vegan recipes are super easy and tasty' – Joe Wicks80 fast, fresh and flavour-packed recipes! The 20-Minute Vegan is perfect for flexitarians, students, home cooks on a budget and anyone wanting to cook more meals that just happen to be plant-based.Ea... read more
A Midnight Dark and Golden

Holly Race

Bonnier Books UK

The gripping final instalment of the acclaimed fantasy trilogy ...In a darkening city of dreams, can the light return?For Londoner Fern King, Annwn is her second home - the dream mirror of London, the city she loves. An astonishing world, a world where Dreamer... read more
Extinction

Bradley Somer

HarperCollins Publishers

In a lonely valley, deep in the mountains, a ranger watches over the last surviving grizzly bear. With the natural world exhausted and in tatters, Ben has dedicated himself to protecting this single fragment of the wild. One night, he hears voices in the valle... read more
The Suspect

Rob Rinder

Random House

**THE GRIPPING SECOND NOVEL FROM ROB RINDER AND FOLLOW-UP TO NO. 1 BESTSELLER THE TRIAL**When the UK's favourite breakfast TV presenter dies live on air in front of millions of viewers, the nation is left devastated. More devastated still when it becomes clear... read more
The Trial

Rob Rinder

Cornerstone

'Hugely enjoyable' Steve Cavanagh'Ridiculously entertaining' Tom Hindle'I didn't want it to end' Heidi Perks______________________*NUMBER ONE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER**RICHARD & JUDY BOOK CLUB PICK*ONE MURDER. ONE IMPOSSIBLE CASE. WHO IS GUILTY?When hero police... read more
Our Country in Crisis

Kwajo Tweneboa

Orion

'Kwajo's voice is leading the call for change on behalf of a generation who have been seriously failed by Westminster.' Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester'A brilliant thinker and doer. Kwajo for Mayor of London!' Kelechi Okafor'Vital and urgent' Vicky S... read more
The Witchstone

Henry H. Neff

In a city that sleeps, the darkness is gathering ...For Londoner Fern King, Annwn is her second home - the dream mirror of London, the city she loves. An astonishing world, a world where Dreamers walk in their slumber, their dreams playing out all around them.... read more
Dreams come true, but so do your nightmares ...'A highly imaginative urban fantasy that offers a twist on the Arthurian legend as it whisks you away to a dream world full of wonder, mystery and nightmarish danger.' Bex Hogan, author of ISLES OF STORM AND SORRO... read more
'CAPTIVATING EPIC FANTASY FROM A MAJOR NEW TALENT' Anthony Ryan on The Rage of DragonsDesperate to delay an impending attack by the indigenous people of Xidda, Tau and his queen craft a dangerous plan. If Tau succeeds, the queen will have the time she needs to... read more
'A captivating epic fantasy from a major new talent' Anthony Ryan, author of Blood Song***ONE OF TIME MAGAZINE'S 100 BEST FANTASY BOOKS OF ALL TIME*** IN A WORLD CONSUMED BY ENDLESS WAR ONE YOUNG MAN WILL BECOME HIS PEOPLE'S ONLY HOPE FOR SURVIVAL.The Omehi pe... read more
The tinsel is up in the bakery, the lights are twinkling and the mince pies are sold out.It's CHRISTMAS EVE! Greg the Sausage Roll is so excited he could burst.And when he's scooped up as a last-minute treat for Santa, he's catapulted into a magical festive ca... read more
An unmissable guide for teenage girls and women everywhere who are ready to take over the world.This book is a call to arms. Because though you may be going through the hardest and most confusing years of your life, it's time to channel your extraordinary powe... read more
RedHanded

Suruthi Bala

2021 Listeners' Choice British Podcast Awards WinnerWhat is it about killers, cult leaders, cannibals, cults, and criminals that capture our imaginations even as they terrify and disturb us?How do we responsibly consume these kinds of stories as entertainment,... read more

Anna has 1 review

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Matthew G.

Matthew G.

Nov, 2021

Pinned
Anna is the human version of the Platonic ideal of "Editor." There is nothing she can't do, and well: line edits, story edits, notes on characters, notes on development. Her real-world professional experience elevates her notes beyond hunches and guesswork. She knows what publishers wants, and she knows how to carry you to those heights. You won't find a more responsive, punctual, and intellige...
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