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News
Agent Elena Giovinazzo and author Jason Reynolds are launching Heirloom Literary & Media, a new agency focused on diverse writers and innovative publishing approaches.
In a groundbreaking move for the literary world, agent Elena Giovinazzo and acclaimed author Jason Reynolds are launching Heirloom Literary & Media. This new literary agency aims to redefine the publishing experience for writers across various genres and age groups.
As they embark on this exciting venture, what fresh ideas will they bring to aspiring authors?
Elena Giovinazzo and Jason Reynolds Launch Heirloom Literary & Media Agency
What does it mean for the publishing industry when an agent and author join forces? Elena Giovinazzo, a former VP at Pippin Properties, and Jason Reynolds, a bestselling author, are set to shake things up with their new agency. Heirloom Literary & Media aims to foster creativity and support writers at all stages of their careers.
The sizzling trend across the British Isles for this autumn/winter? No, it’s not wide shoulders or the return of boho—though we are absolutely here for both of those—it is agents from established larger firms going out on their own.
The exhaustive list of new companies springing up includes (but is not limited to) United Agents duo Seren Adams and Kat Aitken starting up Lexington Literary (see their Frankfurt profile); ex-Darley Anderson colleagues Tanera Simons and Laura Heathfield opening Greenstone Literary; The Marsh Agency joint m.d. Jemma McDonagh kickstarting Jemma McDonagh Associates; Kemi Ogunsanwo launching Seventh Agency after leaving The Good Literary Agency; three-time British Book Awards Literary Agent of the Year shortlistee Amanda Harris announcing she would depart YMU at the beginning of 2025 to start an as-yet-unnamed new company; and Marilia Savvides stepping out from the 42 M&P umbrella to found The Plot Agency.
The trend is so red-hot, other publishing professionals have jumped on board: former HarperCollins Ireland boss Conor Nagle set up The Nagle Agency at the beginning of the year, while just two weeks ago ex-David Fickling and Usborne publicist Carolyn May McGlone launched her Oxfordshire-based May Literary Agency.
Watson, Little has appointed Gabrielle Demblon as foreign rights manager and literary agent effective 1st October. Demblon succeeds Rachel Richardson, who departed the agency in September to embark on her own venture.
In her new role, Demblon will lead the sale of translation rights for Watson, Little’s roster of authors, while also curating her own list. Demblon joins from Mira Trenchard Literary Scouts (MTLS), where she has worked for the past six years on behalf of a list of international publishers and media clients. Her expertise spans all adult book genres, as well as graphic novels and podcasts, with particular interest in literary fiction, speculative and high-concept narratives, and LGBTQ+ voices. Demblon will work with the assistance of Annie Ku, Rights Assistant, who joined Watson, Little in 2023.
Gemma Cooper, director and literary agent at The Bent Agency UK (TBA), is launching her own agency, Gemma Cooper Literary.
She takes her full list of authors, including Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Younger Readers winners Robin Stevens and Jessica Townsend, as well as B B Alston and Sibéal Pounder, Carnegie Medal shortlisted author Sophie Anderson, and Waterstones Crime Thriller of the Month author Katy Watson.
Cooper will continue to represent authors from across the world, and sell their work directly into the UK, US and Australia. She will be working with Rich Lit Rights for foreign rights.
Articles
Rae Phillips recently acquired an agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agencies. We asked her about her writing, and how she found success.
J. B. Bergstad recently acquired an agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agencies. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
Rob Riley recently acquired an agent using firstwriter.com's database of literary agencies. We asked him about his writing, and how he found success.
firstwriter.com
In last month's article, Avoiding literary agency scams (fwn 44), we identified the warning signs to watch out for in order to avoid bad agents. In this article I'll be reversing the question and providing tips on how to find good agents.
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