Why Writers Need an Agent

Who represents Marian Keyes? Who is Cathy Kelly’s agent? Who helped Melissa Hill climb to the top?

This is a Who’s Who of Popular Fiction Agents (with contact details!) by Sarah Webb, author of the Ask Amy Green series for young readers and nine bestselling novels.

You’ve written your novel and you’d like to get it publish, so what’s next?

If you are interested in reaching the widest readership possible, you’ll need to find a good agent. If you live in Ireland and would like to get published, it is worth trying the agents listed below as they all have a proven track record with Irish authors.

Why do you need an agent? Can’t you just go it alone?

1/ An agent can advise you on your manuscript and on how to make it more attractive to a publisher. Some of them will act as unofficial ‘editors’ to their clients or at the very least can suggest changes or improvements.

2/ An agent can find the right editor or publisher for your work – like a book matchmaker. And they can sell your UK, US, digital and foreign rights. They can also look after any film or television rights.

3/ Agents deal with the difficult and technical area of contracts. This is particularly important at the moment, with ebooks coming to the fore. They will argue your case to get you the best deal, keeping your relationship with your publisher and editor harmonious!

4/ Financial back up - they can chase up your royalties and talk to your publishers about outstanding monies owed to you.

I secured my first agent (who was with Curtis Brown at the time) via a recommendation by Cathy Kelly. This agent and I have since amicably parted ways and I’m currently represented by Peta Nightingale in Lucas Alexander Whitley on the adult side and Philippa Milnes Smith on the children’s side. I’m Peta’s only Irish popular fiction client, but many of the other agents on the list below have several ‘Irish girls’ in their stable, such as Sheila Crowley in Curtis Brown.

Peta has been a wonderful asset in many different ways. She worked as an editor for many years and has a brilliant eye for plot and character. She’s very honest and she pushes me, makes me want to be a better writer, which is vital at this stage of my career. When it came to writing my new book, The Shoestring Club (due early 2012), her help was invaluable.

These days having potential isn’t enough, your manuscript must be as perfect as you can make it before it goes anywhere near an editor – this especially goes for popular fiction. A good agent can play a vital role in this process.

Good luck with your own search. A good agent is worth her or his weight in gold!

I write a blog 'Yours in Writing' blog, covering all aspects of a writer’s life here: www.sarahwebb.ie, drop by to say hello!

Sarah’s latest book is Ask Amy Green: Love and Other Drama-Ramas, Walker Books

Who Represents Who?

Irish Popular Fiction Writers and Their Agents (with Contact Details)

Remember to check each agent’s website before you send anything out for submission guidelines.

Maeve Binchy is represented by Christine Green
Contact: 0044 (0) 20 7401 8844         
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Christine Green Authors' Agent
6 Whitehorse Mews
Westminster Bridge Road
London SE1 7QD 

Marian Keyes, Cathy Kelly and Monica McInerney are all represented by Jonathan Lloyd (also CEO of Curtis Brown)
Contact: 0044 (0)20 7393 4418
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
www.curtisbrown.co.uk

Sheila O’Flanagan is represented by Carole Blake
Contact: Blake Friedmann Literary, Film & TV Agency
122 Arlington Roa
London NW1 7HP
Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7284 0408
Fax: 00 44 (0) 20 7284 0442
email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Cecelia Ahern is represented by Marianne Gunn O’Connor
Marianne represents Claudia Carroll, Anita Notaro and Sinead Moriarty
Contact: Marianne Gunn O'Connor Literary Agency
Morrison Chambers, Suite 17
32 Nassau Street, Dublin 2
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Melissa Hill is represented by Sheila Crowley
Sheila also represents Colette Caddle, Emma Hannigan, Zoe Miller, Sarah Harte, Maria Duffy and writing.ie's Vanessa O'Loughlin as well as Declan Hughes and Bill Cullen.
Contact: 00 44 (0)20 7393 4492
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 Sarah Webb is represented by Peta Nightingale at LA 
(LAW also represent Sophie Kinsella – Irish name, but not actually Irish!)
Contact: All submissions should be sent, in hard copy, by post to:
LAW, 14 Vernon Street, London, W14 0RJ
www.lawagency.co.uk

 Clare Dowling is represented by Darley Anderson

Contact: Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency
Estelle House
11 Eustace Road
London SW6 1JB
Tel: 00 44 (0)20 7385 6652
Fax:00 44 (0)20 7386 5571
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Marita Conlon McKenna is represented by Caroline Sheldon 
Contact via:
www.carolinesheldon.co.uk
71 Hillgate Place, London W8 7SS

Patricia Scanlan is represented by Lutyens &  Rubenstein Literary Agency
Contact via: www.lutyensrubinstein.co.uk
21 Kensington Park Road, London W11 2EU

 Other Recommended Popular Fiction Agents:

Madeleine Buston at Darley Anderson
Contact: Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency
Estelle House
11 Eustace Road
London SW6 1JB
Tel: 0 44 (0)20 7385 6652
Fax: 0 44 (0)20 7386 5571
Email:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lizzie Kremer at David Higham
Contact: David Higham Associates
5–8 Lower John Street
Golden Square
London W1F 9HA
Switchboard: 00 44 (0)20 7434 5900
Fax: 044 (0)20 7437 1072
E-mail:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

(c) Sarah Webb, September 2011 

 For more from Sarah Webb, we recommend Who Is Amy Green?

For more on Getting Published, see our extensive articles on Submission Tips our list of Irish Agents, Irish Publishers and consider More Publishing Options and Digital Publishing