Nina Leon has joined the London-based literary agency Hardman & Swainson as an agent to spearhead the firm’s expansion into the romantasy genre. According to a company announcement, Leon will represent authors across young adult (YA), upmarket fiction, and contemporary romance, marking a strategic shift for the agency founded in 2012 by Caroline Hardman and Joanna Swainson.
Why is the agency expanding into romantasy?
Hardman & Swainson is targeting the rapidly growing romantasy market to diversify its fiction portfolio. Caroline Hardman stated that the agency is “excited to expand into areas of the fiction market we haven’t previously served,” citing Leon’s “talent-spotting instinct” as the primary driver for this growth. The decision reflects broader industry trends, where hybrid genres—blending high-fantasy world-building with traditional romance tropes—have dominated bestseller lists, according to data from the Bookseller.
Romantasy has become one of the most commercially viable sub-genres in publishing, often driving significant cross-platform engagement on social media sites like TikTok, commonly referred to as “BookTok.”
How does this hire change the agency’s competitive position?
The appointment of Leon allows Hardman & Swainson to compete more directly for authors in the high-growth romance and YA sectors. By bringing in a specialist, the agency aims to leverage expertise in a genre that requires specific knowledge of reader expectations, such as series pacing and tropes. This follows recent internal shifts at the firm, including the promotion of Lucy Malone to assistant agent and the ongoing work of rights director Hana Murrell, who manages translation rights for the agency’s internationally bestselling roster.
What are the current trends in literary agency recruitment?
Literary agencies are increasingly hiring niche-focused agents to capture specific, high-intent reader demographics. While traditional agencies once favored generalists, the rise of genre-specific communities has made specialized acquisition more profitable. According to industry reports, agencies are prioritizing agents who demonstrate a strong understanding of digital-first reader behaviors, a strategy Hardman & Swainson is adopting by tasking Leon with bringing “standout titles to the genre’s passionate and loyal readers.”
For aspiring authors, identifying agents who specialize in your specific sub-genre—like romantasy—can significantly increase the likelihood of securing representation, as these agents already have established pipelines to relevant editors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What genres will Nina Leon represent at Hardman & Swainson?
Leon represents authors across romantasy, YA, upmarket fiction, and contemporary romance.
Who founded Hardman & Swainson?
The agency was established in 2012 by Caroline Hardman and Joanna Swainson.
Does the agency represent international authors?
Yes, the agency represents internationally bestselling authors of both fiction and non-fiction, with rights director Hana Murrell handling translation rights.
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