Richard and Judy relaunch writing competition
eveningexpress.co.uk – Monday July 13, 2020
Richard Madeley and Judy Finnigan have relaunched their competition for unpublished writers.
The winner of the competition, which has been run in previous years, will see their manuscript published.
Madeley said: “Across a wide range of genres, including crime, historical, romance or contemporary, we want to hear your stories and give one talented writer the joy of seeing their novel in print.
“We know how testing the last few months have been for everyone, so if you’ve been motivated to write – or just want to dust off that manuscript in your bottom drawer – send us your submissions.”
Will The Lockdown Produce More Writing Talent?
businessnewswales.com – Monday July 13, 2020
A new survey of writers has yielded powerful evidence that writers have been more resilient to the impact of lockdown.
Whether or not we see the next big literary success story, we are on track to see a flurry of new books, unlike new film and TV content where productions have stalled.
With book downloads and Kindle sales currently going through the roof, more content and talent discovery is fantastic for avid readers. And many more people have taken up reading since pandemic restrictions locked them into their homes.
New Publisher Listing: Favorite World Press
firstwriter.com – Monday July 13, 2020
An independent publisher based in New York City. We believe that one of the best ways to help change the world is to start small. Our primary mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire young readers with books that focus on nature, wildlife, green living, and compassionate action. Our titles are specifically chosen to encourage creativity, critical thinking, and the confidence to show caring. By fostering an appreciation for the wild and the wondrous and an understanding of the importance of being kind towards both people and the planet, we aim to help shape the next generation of brave, big-hearted, planetary stewards. We help shape them - they help shape the world!
We also focus on young adult and adult fiction and nonfiction books for a general audience that illuminate and celebrate the splendor of nature, demystify the functioning of the environment, and promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable living.
We globally distribute high-quality hardcover, paperback, and electronic books through all major outlets, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, WHSmith, and Booktopia.
For a complete list of genres and submission guidelines please see our website.
New Literary Agent Listing: Allan Guthrie
firstwriter.com – Friday July 10, 2020
Has worked in the book trade since 1996 and has been a literary agent since 2005. He is also an award-winning novelist, freelance editor and former publisher. His main area of interest is crime fiction.
New Literary Agent Listing: Mark "Stan" Stanton
firstwriter.com – Wednesday July 8, 2020
Actively searching for new novelists and nonfiction projects, particularly in the areas of sport, culture and politics.
Dead Ink and Influx launch collaborative imprint
thebookseller.com – Tuesday July 7, 2020
Independent publishers Dead Ink and Influx are launching an imprint, called New Ruins, focused on books that "defy the conventions" of literary and genre fiction.
The imprint will make commissions and invite submissions from literary agents, with its books available to the trade alongside Dead Ink titles, represented by Impress Books.
Nathan Connolly, publishing director at Dead Ink, said: “New Ruins will bring an exciting and dynamic range of new fiction to readers, so it is important that it is produced in an exciting and dynamic way. Collaborating with Influx Press to break a few boundaries and bring something new to the industry is exactly the way it should be done.”
Four Former Paradigm Agents Join A3 Artists To Launch Literary Department Led By Andy Patman & Adam Kanter
deadline.com – Tuesday July 7, 2020
A3 Artists Agency has brought in four former Paradigm agents to reestablish a literary division. Veterans Andy Patman and Adam Kanter have come on board as A3 partners and Co-Head of Television Content and Motion Pictures, respectively. They are being joined by fellow former Paradigm agents Katt Riley and Martin To on the lit team, with plans to hire more agents, coordinators and assistants while many talent agencies have been contracting in the face of the coronavirus-related Hollywood production shutdown.
That includes Paradigm, which in late March instituted temporary layoffs for 250 employees. The list included Kanter, Riley and To, sources said, while Patman left Paradigm last week, I hear.
Character Backstory?
By G. Miki Hayden
Instructor at Writer's Digest University online and private writing coach
firstwriter.com – Saturday July 4, 2020
One question that often arises for an author is what comes first, the protagonist’s backstory or an introduction to the character in action.
Well, the reader might not care about the protag’s history immediately, but a quarter of the way through the novel, once we readers have seen her in action—her heroism, her vulnerability, the sacrifices she makes for others—we might wonder how she came to be this way. Well, let the author finally tell us…
New Literary Agent Listing: Julie Fergusson
firstwriter.com – Thursday July 2, 2020
Looking for fiction across a range of genres, particularly psychological thrillers, domestic suspense, sci-fi, near-future speculative, romcoms, reading group and literary fiction. She is interested in nonfiction that explores big ideas in the areas of popular science and social justice.
How the literary agent will be affected as post-pandemic publishing tightens its belts
scroll.in – Tuesday June 30, 2020
I run a solo agency practice, Lotus Lane Literary, which I established in 2013. I work from my home-office in New Jersey and employ a part-time intern throughout the year. I do business mostly in the US, the UK, India, and sometimes in other Asian and European countries via book scouts. My roster ranges from debut to well-established writers from all over the world. Lately, I have also started selling film/TV options to production houses in India, UK and the US.
In all these years, my life has been enriched in ways I could not have imagined. The camaraderie with authors and editors is special. It is gratifying to wake up each morning and look forward to reading a new manuscript, or working with an author on an edit, or brainstorming characters and their motivations. My authors often joke that they have graveyards full of characters I have suggested eliminating from their manuscripts. I love being immersed in narrative in any form, as books not only open us up to discovery, wonder and excitement, but also help us make sense of our volatile world.
While the joys of being a literary agent are deeply enmeshed with creativity, it is ultimately a business. In an industry that works at the dichotomous intersection of art and commerce, running a profitable business is always a challenge, especially in times of global pandemics and recessions.
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