Posts Tagged ‘literary agent’
TLC is delighted to announce that Jude Cook’s novel Byron Easy has recently been picked up by Heinemann, Random House. Literary agent Anna Webber at United Agents, who first saw Cook’s work in TLC’s March showcase, sold his novel to Heinemann earlier this month.
Cook first came through TLC when he won the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook Competition in 2007. He lives in London and studied English Literature at UCL, where he graduated with a first. Originally a musician and songwriter, his band Flamingoes released two albums 12 years apart: Plastic Jewels (1995) and Street Noise Invades the House (2007). In addition to the TLC showcase, his essays and short fiction have also appeared in Staple magazine.
Click here to read Jude Cook’s showcased short story and his marvellous essay about the contemporary writing experience or click here to read our October Showcase, featuring an extract from Kate Belcher’s young adult novel.
TLC looks forward to the publication and wishes Jude all the best of luck with his next writing projects.
Agent Ben Illis at A.M.Heath recently accepted Jack Dash and the Magic Feather, a children’s story written by TLC client Sophie Plowden. Plowden writes, “My heartfelt thanks to your reader, Antonia Parkin, whose meticulous and insightful criticism coaxed my story into life, and also to Becky Swift, for her subsequent generosity and help in finding me an agent.” TLC recognised the book’s potential after her manuscript assessment and originally sent the manuscript to A.M.Heath.
TLC is delighted for Plowden and wishes her all the best in finding a publisher.
TLC hosted a fabulous event last night on 22nd September, in which Fiona Mountain, historical novelist and author of Rebel Heiress, (previously published under the title Lady of the Butterflies) and Chair Paul Blezard, writer and presenter of One Word digital radio station, discussed her route to publication, and how two TLC reports helped her as part of a long journey into print. Paul Blezard teased out her story, from struggling writer to one who has just made it onto the bookshelves of Sainsbury’s.
During the second half of the event, Fiona and Paul were joined by literary agent Broo Doherty, creative writing tutor Greg Mosse, Professor Brenda Cooper and TLC’s Director Rebecca Swift. The panel discussed how to attract the attention of literary agents and the inner workings of the publishing industry. The Q & As went on into the night, focusing on very real questions such as whether writers can write what they really want to write anymore. After the interval, we had an energetic rapid-fire round of practice pitches of novels from members of the audience and the panel responded. It was inspiring, albeit rather terrifying, no doubt.
The Freelance is the bulletin of London Freelance Branch of the National Union of Journalists.
Rebecca Swift of The Literary Consultancy gave advice for an article titled “Get that book published” alongside Matthew Hamilton of literary agent Aitken Alexander.
Here is a quote from the article:
“Both our experts noted book publishing is a much tougher world than even five years ago, and your book proposal has to show you’re passionate enough – and have enough stamina – to pull it off. You need to convince an agent that you have the enthusiasm to carry out a labour of love, and only then look at the pragmatic, market-oriented aspects of the project.”
Follow this link to The Freelance website to read the full article.
