Service: How to Hook an Agent

Tickets are now SOLD OUT for this event.  Please email us at writersandartists@bloomsbury.com to be placed on the waiting list for the next How to Hook an Agent event.

Join us for an intimate lunch in the beautiful Georgian surroundings of Bloomsbury, London.

Saturday 13th April 2013

9.30am-2.30pm

Are you writing a book for publication but unsure of how to find an agent? This intimate half-day event with four literary agents will give you insider knowledge on how to submit your manuscript to an agent, what they’re looking for and how to grab their attention. With a networking lunch and a chance to go 'speed-dating' with agents, you’ll receive one-to-one feedback on how best to hook your agent. 

Held in the historic literary surroundings of Bloomsbury at Bloomsbury Publishing, home to authors including Margaret Atwood and J.K. Rowling, this is your chance to get noticed.

9.30-10.00 Morning refreshments and a chance to meet fellow members of the group you will be attending the morning sessions with.

10.00-10.40 A how-to session on knowing when your novel is ready, finding the right agent and what to include in a submission package.

10.45-11.25 Advice on how to pitch your novel (a short exercise where you can talk about your own work is included in this section).

11.30-12.30 Agents discuss what appeals to them in a submission, with real examples and case studies from both successful and unsuccessful submissions.

12.30-1.00 Both groups will come together for an open networking session with drinks and lunch

1.00-2.30 In this hour, you will have a 10 minute one-to-one ‘speed-dating’ session with one of the agents and an opportunity to try out the pitch for your book, ask questions and receive feedback.

Lucy Luck - Lucy Luck Associates

I set up Lucy Luck Associates in 2006 after 8 years at Rogers, Coleridge & White Ltd, and in 2008 I joined with Aitken Alexander Associates as an associate agency.  My agency focuses on writers of quality fiction and non-fiction, and I see my role as encompassing all aspects of a writer's career, as well as offering focused representation in all markets throughout the world.  My authors tend to the literary end of the market, and include Catherine O'Flynn (whose novel What Was Lost won the Costa First Novel Award 2007 and Galaxy Newcomer of the Year), Adam Thorpe, Kevin Barry (winner of the Sunday Times EFG Short Story Prize 2012), Amanda Smyth, Jess Richards, Richard Beard, Owen Martell, Ray Robinson, Greg Baxter, Jon Hotten and John Hooper. 

Caroline Hardman - Hardman & Swainson Literary Agency

Before founding Hardman & Swainson, I was an agent at the Christopher Little Literary Agency and The Marsh Agency. I’ve sold rights on behalf of bestselling and prize-winning authors such as Kate Atkinson, Iain Banks, Bill Bryson, Linwood Barclay, Meg Cabot, Vikram Seth, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Jonathan Lethem.

Nothing excites me more than discovering new talent. I'm interested in accessible literary fiction, from dark, moving and emotional novels to warm and cozy – great writing in all its guises, but nothing too rarefied. I'm also interested in quality commercial fiction, particularly the elusive book group novel, upmarket women's fiction and I'm on the lookout for crime and thrillers – I'd love to find the next Sophie Hannah. Whether it's literary or genre fiction, I look for strong writing, great characterization and originality. I like to be challenged, surprised, moved to tears or on the edge of my seat by the novels I read. I enjoy YA and crossover fiction and would like to add more authors in that area to my list.

In non-fiction, I enjoy memoirs (particularly confessional memoirs by women), and well-written, subject-driven, narrative non-fiction in general. I'm always looking for popular science, philosophy and psychology, particularly when written by experts in their field. As a health and yoga fanatic, I'm also interested in any books with an emphasis on food, health, the mind and the body.

Madeleine Milburn - Madeleine Milburn Literary, TV and Film Agency

Literary Agent, Madeleine Milburn, was born in London.  Since graduating from the University of St Andrews with a degree in English Literature and Language in 2004, Madeleine has worked for the independent publishing company Trojan Books in Berlin and the oldest literary agency in the UK, A P Watt Ltd, where she specialised in foreign rights.  Prior to having her own Agency, Madeleine was the Head of Rights and a Literary Agent at the Darley Anderson Literary, TV & Film Agency where she built a strong list of authors over five years.  She was also Deputy MD of the Children’s Literary Agency.

Madeleine is interested in all types of popular, literary and genre fiction including women’s, psychological suspense, crime and thrillers, comedy, general, narrative non-fiction, children’s books, teen, young adult and cross-over.

Jenny Savill - Andrew Nurnberg Associates Ltd

Jenny Savill is a literary agent at Andrew Nurnberg Associates Ltd where she represents authors of fiction and non-fiction writing for both children and adults. Her background in working creatively with young people, coupled with a life-long love of children’s books, has led Jenny to build a growing roster of children’s and YA authors at ANA Ltd.  Her authors include Keren David, Katie Dale, Sara Grant, Ellen Renner, Pat Walsh, Andy Robb and, on the non-fiction side, Mark Logue and Peter Conradi.

Jenny likes to work editorially with authors and is on the look-out for authentic voices, strong plots and magnificent storytelling. She loves the idea of extraordinary things happening in ordinary settings and is particularly fond of stories that are offbeat yet accessible.  Jenny is also interested in finding new voices in women’s fiction, historical fiction, memoir and narrative non-fiction.

The price for this event is £149 (SOLD OUT), including lunch and a free copy of the 2013 edition of Writers' & Artists' Yearbook.

Bookings can be made by either clicking on the 'Apply now' buttons at the top and bottom of this page, or by calling 0207 631 5985.

Tickets are now SOLD OUT for this event.  Please email us at writersandartists@bloomsbury.com to be placed on the waiting list for the next How to Hook an Agent event.