Alice Caprio

I joined FBA in 2023 from London Literary Scouting, where I specialised in children’s, YA, and SFF and worked closely with publishers and media companies around the world. I am actively building a list that spans middle grade and YA fiction across all genres, commercial adult fiction, and romance and fantasy for all ages. I am on the hunt for stories that are smart, commercial and bold, with a clear international appeal.

I am passionate about showcasing diverse and underrepresented voices and I value books that do not shy away from representing the complexities of growing up. I am looking for books with fresh and exciting concepts, whose voices can cross borders and speak out about important topics in an accessible and authentic manner. More generally, I’m looking for captivating storytelling, engrossing world building and atmospheric real-world settings­; writing that feels escapist in some way but remains grounded in real-life concerns.

When reading romance, I am drawn to lively secondary characters, unusual set-ups, engaging dialogue and irresistible chemistry between the leads. Humour is a plus and I enjoy a good trope, if explored creatively. Authors within the genre I rate highly include Jenny Ireland, Wibke Brueggemann, Ali Hazelwood, Jenna Evans Welch, Leah Johnson and Margot Wood.

I am always on the look-out for romantasy, high concept YA, dystopian YA, and retellings that feel distinctive. I am open to working with authors within these genres who have previously self-published, particularly if they have a TikTok or online presence. I tend to favour well-plotted, immersive fantasy novels with nuanced female leads, imaginative magic systems, high-stake adventures and courtly intrigue. I am not the agent for hard sci-fi but would be open to grounded sci-fi, particularly in the YA space. Novels I’ve recently enjoyed include The Wicked in Me by Suzanne Wright, The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent, Her Dark Wings by Melinda Salisbury and The Legendborn Cycle by Tracy Deonn.

At the other end of the spectrum, I am interested in cosy, low-stakes fantasy with heart, in the vein of TJ Klune, Travis Baldree, Allison Saft and Gareth Brown. When it comes to historical YA, I enjoy immersive settings and stories with a speculative element. My latest coup de cœur was Dana Schwartz’s Anatomy: A Love Story.

In middle grade, I am drawn to sweeping adventures, stories with a speculative and magical twist or a spooky feel. I appreciate middle grade novels that do not talk down to the reader but remain fast-paced and fun. I am also on the search for contemporary stories with a timeless universal quality. Some of my favourite authors in the middle grade space include Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Michelle Harrison, Angharad Walker, Elle McNicoll, Nicola Penfold, Jordan Lees and Jack Meggitt-Phillips.

I am not open to picture books and illustrated fiction.