Ask The Agent — John Baker

Simon Whaley chats to John Baker of the Bell Lomax Moreton agency about the weird world of speculative fiction.

This article first appeared in print in the April 2025 issue of Writing Magazine.

John Baker is an agent passionate about science fiction, fantasy, and horror, which is why he’s also interested in the genre-blurring speculative fiction. In October 2024, he secured a world English-language rights deal with publishers Angry Robot for Stewart Hotson’s new novel Project Hanuman, which blends Indian mythology with space opera.

As an agent at Bell Lomax Moreton, he also leads the agency’s film and TV work, and he’s currently the secretary of the Association of Authors’ Agents. His list of authors includes Gavin Smith, Kenechi Udogo, AM Shine, SA MacLean, as well as Stewart Hotson.

He’s particularly keen to hear from underrepresented writers, neurodiverse authors, and anyone writing for adult, new adult, and young adult readers with an exciting story to tell.

What is it about being a literary agent that you enjoy most?

This is going to sound cheesy because it is, but there is nothing like calling up one of your authors and telling them their publishing dreams are coming true.