New SFF imprint Bloomsbury Archer 'out to make some real publishing magic'
thebookseller.com – Tuesday March 11, 2025
Bloomsbury is launching a new science fiction and fantasy imprint, Bloomsbury Archer, which it says will cross "the constellation of speculative fiction", helmed by publishing director Vicky Leech Mateos. The ‘Archer’ derives from the existing Bloomsbury emblem of Diana, Roman goddess of the hunt, and references the new imprint’s "pursuit of the very best storytelling and new stars".
Leech Mateos will build a list that covers fantasy, science fiction, crossover stories, speculative romance, horror and mythological retellings. The US branch will be led by publishing director Noa Wheeler (editor of Bloomsbury’s current biggest brand, Sarah J Maas) and senior director of marketing and publicity Erica Barmash.
The list kicks off with Samantha Shannon’s Among the Burning Flowers, a prequel to the Roots of Chaos series, which will be released in September 2025. Shannon’s full backlist will also move under the new imprint.
Romance Writing Festival
bournemouthecho.co.uk – Tuesday March 11, 2025
One-day festival celebrating romance writing, offering a mix of panel discussions, agent 1-2-1s, workshops, activities and networking opportunities.
Sunday Times bestselling authors Milly Johnson and Paige Toon will headline the inaugural Romance Writing Festival, taking place in Bournemouth on 18th October 2025. They join fellow Sunday Times bestseller Katie Fforde on an impressive programme featuring award-winning authors, editors, literary agents, and publishers.
The one-day event is dedicated to romance writing, offering a mix of panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. Attendees can also book one-to-one sessions with agents and editors or take part in free activities designed to inspire writers at all stages of their journey.
Held at the seafront Grade-11-listed Royal Bath Hotel, the festival will host a marketplace where delegates can meet and mingle with authors, agents, and publishers. Additional activities include Proof Parties, book launches, beach walks, romance-themed literary walks of Bournemouth’s famous authors, and yoga on the beach. Writers will also have the exclusive opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea with editors.
Maven voyage: Amanda Harris unveils her new agency at London Book Fair
thebookseller.com – Tuesday March 11, 2025
Former YMU books division managing director Amanda Harris is launching her new “fresh take” on representation, Maven Literary Management, at today’s London Book Fair.
Harris had previously announced her departure from YMU, which she joined in 2019, in July last of year.
Harris will bring over a host of existing and new clients to Maven. In non-fiction that includes Professor Noel “the Supervet” Fitzpatrick, pop singer and MILF author Paloma Faith, food writer Kathryn Bruton, cookery book star/influencer Christina Kynigos and King’s College London nutritional science professor Sarah Berry.
The fiction list features romantasy author Megan Scott, journalist turned 2025 debut historical novelist Emma Cowing, and Blindboy Boatclub, AKA David Chambers, the Limerick-born satirist, podcaster and presenter whose critically-lauded debut collection of short stories, Topographia Hibernica, hit the bestseller lists on both sides of the Irish Sea.
New Publisher Listing: Perspectives Books
firstwriter.com – Tuesday March 11, 2025
Predominately seeking autobiographical works but will consider fiction also. Novels should be more than 70,000 words and less than 140,000. Also accepts short stories up to 8,000 words. Open minded with regard to the subject of short stories and will consider submissions across all genres.
Former Igloo Books CEO Paul Gregory co-launches new children’s publisher with Vemag-Medien
thebookseller.com – Monday March 10, 2025
Paul Gregory, the former chief executive of Igloo Books, and German publisher Vemag-Medien have launched a new children’s publishing company called Three Wishes as a joint-venture.
Gregory, who stepped down from his role at Igloo Books after six years at the start of 2024, will act as managing director of Three Wishes, which will focus on format innovation, original ideas and stylish design with the aim of bringing “never-seen-before concepts to the global market”.
He told The Bookseller that with Vemag-Medien’s sales “confined to Europe and [with] limited access to English-language markets, Vemag and I saw an opportunity to expand their sales network” with the creation of Three Wishes, which will target the global English-language and co-edition markets and expand the reach of Vemag beyond continental Europe.
Kiya Evans joins Paper Literary as associate agent
thebookseller.com – Monday March 10, 2025
Kiya Evans has joined Paper Literary as an associate agent after five years at Mushens Entertainment, where she started as an intern in 2020 before becoming Juliet Mushens’ assistant in 2021 and being promoted to associate agent in 2023.
Evans has worked on books with authors including Richard Osman, Jessie Burton, Abigail Dean and Saara El-Arifi. She has also begun building her own list of clients, including Annie Summerlee, whose debut romantasy The Book of Blood and Roses sold in major pre-empts in both the UK and US, as well as in multiple international territories, and will be published in January 2026.
Evans will be supporting agents Catherine Cho and Katie Greenstreet on the Paper Literary list and continue to build her own roster of clients. Her first day at Paper Literary will be 24th March.
7 Writing Retreats Around the World For Emerging and Established Writers
electricliterature.com – Sunday March 9, 2025
Writing retreats offer the opportunity for writers to fully immerse themselves in their craft, free from the distractions of daily life. These getaways combine inspiring locations, structured time, and a like-minded community to reignite creativity and boost productivity. Whether you’re seeking solitude to finish a manuscript or a collaborative environment to workshop ideas, a retreat can serve as the perfect catalyst.
I run a writer’s retreat called Studio Luce, steps away from the black sand beach of El Paredón, on the Pacific coast of Guatemala. The retreat is hosted in a 3-bed villa, featuring a newly built writing studio, alongside a tropical garden and pool. We offer week-long author-led retreats throughout the year, bringing together small groups of writers to focus on their craft.
While some retreats are well-known—particularly in the U.S.—there are many hidden gems scattered around the world that offer equally transformative experiences. Here are 7 unique international writing retreats for when you need to get away and focus on your writing:
The Trials and Tribulations of Writing Submissions: A Chat with Professor Emma Törzs and Professor Ben Voigt
macalester.edu – Saturday March 8, 2025
It is March 7th, and if you’ve been regularly scanning the English department emails, you’ll know that today is your final day to submit to the department’s three esteemed writing contests. Today, writers, the arduous two-month waiting period commences. Rather than fret over your submissions, The Words is here to offer solace in the wisdom of Professor Emma Törzs ’09 and Professor Ben Voigt ’10, two of the department’s very own contest winners and talented authors.
Professor Emma Törzs won the Harry Scherman Writing Contest in the category of Creative Prose, and Professor Ben Voigt was selected as the Macalester Finalist for the Academy of American Poets Prize.
Do you recall any part of the writing process for your submission?
B: I was working with a mentor, but I switched from fiction to poetry at the end of undergrad. I wrote this piece for an independent study, and it was inspired by and went along with an art installation. The piece was very narrative, but it had a turn near the end, a volta, and I remember thinking, “So, this is what a poem feels like.”
E: Well, my first experience of writing short stories was in college, believe it or not, in Peter Bognanni’s class. Because I started writing short fiction in creative writing classes, my experience of writing fiction was always sort of tied with the idea of deadlines and readership, which I think has actually helped me a lot. Having readers in mind, having an audience in mind, and working with deadlines is something that you continue to do long out of college if you want to keep writing.
New Literary Agent Listing: Madison Potter
firstwriter.com – Friday March 7, 2025
I’m looking for stories with romanticized worlds and literary merit. I’d love to indulge in magical realism, low fantasies, high fantasies, and romantasies with whimsical worlds and undeniable chemistry. As a hopeless romantic, I’m a sucker for byronic heroes and anti-heroes — any complex characters I can guiltily love and defend against friends and family. You can also query me with any love story that’s contemporary but feels like it’s from a different time.
Graham Maw Christie appoints Amandeep Singh as associate agent as Amy O’Shea steps into agenting
thebookseller.com – Thursday March 6, 2025
Graham Maw Christie Literary Agency has appointed Amandeep Singh as associate agent, while Amy O’Shea has stepped up into agenting.
Singh began her career as an editor at Penguin General, going on to work at HarperCollins, Ebury and the Blair Partnership, before moving into a role as agent at The Good Literary Agency. In 2024 she was a judge for the Little Brown New Voices Award.
Singh is bringing authors including Dr Rupert Whitaker, Dr Paulina Rowińska and Bethany Handley with her to Graham Maw Christie. In her new role, she will be “looking for writers who have a unique story to tell, in fiction or non-fiction”.
Jane Graham Maw said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Amandeep Singh to Graham Maw Christie. She is a deep thinker with an astute eye for talent and a passion for seeking new voices and perspectives.”
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