Rachel Richardson launches the Rich Lit literary rights agency
thebookseller.com – Saturday September 14, 2024
Rachel Richardson, previously of Watson, Little, has launched the Rich Lit literary rights agency, specialising in children’s books, commercial and upmarket fiction for adults and select non-fiction. The agency will also specialise in international titles, representing global rights on behalf of literary agencies and independent publishers.
Rich Lit will handle foreign rights on behalf of Storm Publishing and Richardson will continue to represent rights for ASH Literary, Holiday House and Little Door Books.
Richardson began her career at Rights People, a rights agency focused on children’s books and has more than 15 years of experience in the industry.
Bridport Prize Memoir Award 2024 competition nears deadline
bridportnews.co.uk – Thursday September 12, 2024
Writers are getting their pens and keyboards at the ready as the deadline is fast-approaching for a prestigious town writing competition.
The Bridport Prize is an international creative writing competition which began more than 50 years ago.
It has a £20K prize fund across different literary forms including novel, short story, poetry and flash fiction. In 2023 the Bridport Prize added memoir to the competition's genres.
The deadline for this year's memoir writing contest is fast approaching on Monday, September 30.
The contest asks what stories we have to tell about ourselves, the good, bad, and how we ended up where we are. The award celebrates life stories, a look back into what was and is.
Entries must be between 5,000 to 8,000 words, including a 300 word overview.
The top prize will be £1500 plus a mentoring package from The Literary Consultancy. The winner is also invited to attend an industry day with London literary agents and publishers and take part in a discussion with the University of Exeter’s Creative Writing Department.
This Online Writing Platform Wants Budding Authors to Plot an Elaborate Murder
lbbonline.com – Wednesday September 11, 2024
The Novelry, the world’s top-rated online writing school, is inviting should-be authors to plot murders and start covens in its first major advertising campaign, by St Luke’s, the London-based, independent creative agency.
'You’re a writer. Make it official' showcases how The Novelry’s courses enable students to make significant progress on their novels in just an hour a day simply by transforming everyday moments during daily tasks or downtime - into thrilling creative adventures.
St Luke’s does this with a series of animations that begin with intriguing propositions. In one, the line “Plot an elaborate murder…” appears alongside a bottle of poison and skull. Another reads “Start a witch coven…” paired with a pointy hat silhouetted against the moonlight.
Authors report 'worst ever delays' with advances and royalties as some forced to survive on loans — survey
thebookseller.com – Monday September 9, 2024
More than half of respondents to The Bookseller’s survey on advances and royalties revealed problems, with some describing decade-long delays due to "financial terrorism", and some reporting a reliance on loans, hardship grants, and foodbanks.
One author, with 15 years’ experience, revealed the "delays now are the worst I’ve ever known" while another described chasing £30,000. Overall many expressed frustration with the lack of transparency and accountability from publishers and literary agencies.
Across 262 respondents, 52% (137 people) reported issues with receiving advances or royalties with the average delay of over a year though many reported several years delay or even stretching back decades.
Of those who had experienced issues with payment, around 18% (48 people) experienced problems with both advances and royalties, 17% (45) only with advances with around the same number (44) experiencing problems only with royalties. 48% reported no problems at all and there were some notable examples of good practice.
Unwin Awards submissions open in inaugural year
thebookseller.com – Thursday September 5, 2024
The Unwin Award has today announced that submissions are now open for the inaugural year of this new literary award recognising non-fiction authors in the earlier stages of their careers whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world.
The award, administered by the Publishers Association, aims to "champion and showcase the value of the UK publishing industry to the world". The Unwin Award has been made possible following a donation from the Unwin Charitable Trust.
Worth £10,000, the winner of The Unwin Award will be awarded to the author for their overall body of work (comprising no more than three non-fiction books), rather than being associated with a specific title.
The award will be judged by an independent panel of judges, which will be announced shortly, with a shortlist revealed in February 2025 and the winner at a ceremony in April 2025.
UK publishers are now invited to submit up to three authors per imprint that fulfil the submission criteria: full information on The Unwin Award eligibility and submission guidelines can be found here.
Black Crow Books: new horror publisher aims to open up 'booming' genre to everyone
thebookseller.com – Tuesday September 3, 2024
Black Crow Books, the new horror-dedicated publisher launching next year, is reportedly off to a strong start as its co-directors say they have already received an "insane" number of submissions, despite announcing the new press only last month.
Jamie-Lee Nardone, publisher and co-director, will helm the new independent alongside Matt Holland, founder of special-edition publisher and online bookshop The Broken Binding. “I don’t think we could do it without each other,” Nardone told The Bookseller.
Last year, the horror genre recorded its biggest year since accurate records began, with a 54% year-on-year increase in value reported by Nielsen BookScan. Submissions in the genre have also been on the rise. Black Crow Books is a response to the “booming” genre and Nardone’s desire to “open” the genre “up to everyone”. She continued: “I think there is a need [in the industry] for people who really understand the genre, to know what they’re looking at.”
Nardone, who has "always been a massive horror fan", is looking to publish titles “that might get overlooked or explore something that isn’t trendy”. She added: "We’re not going to be ticking boxes." Unlike some larger publishers, she said, the smaller independent will have the agility, “the freedom and the expertise to work on passion projects that might get overlooked by bigger publishers”.
Sebes & Bisseling hires four new agents as part of major expansion
thebookseller.com – Monday September 2, 2024
Sebes & Bisseling Literary Agency has hired four new agents across its English and Scandanavian offices. Sam Birmingham, William Crona, Elizabeth DeNoma, and Pär Sjölinder join Haico Kaashoek, who was appointed to the London office in 2023.
Birmingham and DeNoma work from New York and Seattle, respectively, while Crona, a Swede who has lived in the UK for most of his life, works from Stockholm, as does Pär Sjölinder. The four new agents report to Paul Sebes and Rik Kleuver.
Birmingham and DeNoma represent Anglophone authors from North America, Australia, and the UK, as well as writers from various European languages. Crona represents Scandinavian authors writing in their native language or in English, as well as UK-based authors. Pär Sjölinder focuses solely on Scandinavian authors.
Birmingham specialises in a diverse array of non-fiction and select fiction, and his clientele includes cultural critics, academics, journalists, and influencers.
Agatha Christie’s holiday home set to host new writing workshops
bude-today.co.uk – Saturday August 31, 2024
THE National Trust are hosting a range of writing workshops at Greenway House, near Galmpton in Devon, this September to encourage the next generation of budding writers.
The taster workshops include a crime fiction workshop with Cate Quinn, bestselling thriller writer and journalist, and a series of workshops from Jenny Kane, award-winning contemporary women’s author including young adult and short stories.
Lauren Hutchinson, senior marketing and communications officer, said: “The house and garden at Greenway inspired Agatha Christie in a number of her novels, and it continues to inspire people today.
“We’re passionate about building on the literary legacy here at Greenway, and with the recent rise in romantasy and young adult fiction, it’s wonderful to host this series of workshops that caters to all genres and tastes.”
A M Heath reveals plans for 'significant growth' with key promotions
thebookseller.com – Thursday August 29, 2024
A M Heath has revealed "significant" plans for growth at the literary agency, with a series of promotions and career moves.
Bill Hamilton will take on the newly created role of chairman from 1st September.
Hamilton oversaw the evolution of the agency into a significant presence in London publishing, representing prize-winning novelists, historians, journalists and estates, including that of George Orwell. Hamilton will oversee the next phase of A M Heath’s expansion.
Meanwhile, Victoria Hobbs has been promoted to managing director. She joined A M Heath in 1999, and has established a large list of clients including Women’s Prize for Fiction winners Maggie O’Farrell and Kamila Shamsie; Conn Iggulden and Tim Shipman.
Hamilton said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to see Victoria stepping up to managing director. She has been essential to the agency’s growth and success, bringing wonderful clients and inspiring us all with her passionate advocacy for them.”
Jade Kavanagh and Rebeka Finch step up at Darley Anderson
thebookseller.com – Tuesday August 27, 2024
Jade Kavanagh and Rebeka Finch have been promoted at Darley Anderson Agency & Associates, expanding the agency’s space for romance, fantasy, crime and horror.
Both are stepping up from associate to literary agent. Kavanagh joined the agency in early 2020 from Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency as assistant to Camilla Bolton before quickly taking the step up to agenting. She signed on her first author, Holly Craig, who became an e-book bestselling writer. Kavanagh is building her list of crime, horror and suspense authors.
Finch joined DA in 2019 as assistant to Darley Anderson, supporting him across his list of brand authors. Now Finch is leading the agency’s growth in the romance and adult fantasy space, with a roster of new authors publishing in the coming months.
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