Writers' Newsletter
Issue #276
March 2026
|
Lucy Luck Launches Independent Literary Agency After Nine Years at Conville & Walsh
firstwriter.com – Monday March 9, 2026
After nearly a decade shaping some of the most distinctive voices on the Conville & Walsh (C&W) list, literary agent Lucy Luck has stepped out on her own, establishing an independent agency that reflects both her editorial instincts and her commitment to author‑centred representation. The move marks a significant moment not only for Luck’s career but also for the wider UK agenting landscape, where boutique agencies continue to gain momentum.
A Natural Evolution in a Distinguished Career
Luck’s departure from C&W – where she spent nine years building a reputation for championing bold, original fiction and thought‑provoking non‑fiction – signals a new chapter defined by autonomy and creative freedom. Her time at the agency saw her develop a list known for its literary quality and its ability to break out in competitive markets.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Copyright RegistrationRegister your copyright online for instant copyright protection in more than 160 different countries worldwide. |
New MeetCute Storyteller Prize will offer winner literary representation
firstwriter.com – Thursday February 26, 2026
The MeetCute Romance Book Festival and Kate Nash Literary Agency are launching a new competition for writers of romance fiction with an offer of literary representation for the winner.
"We are searching for the next big voice in romance fiction", said literary agent Kate Nash, "so we are delighted to be partnering with MeetCute for this new prize. It is different from other literary prizes in that the winner will be offered literary representation on the spot, no ifs or buts. We know from past experience we can spot the stars of the future so we will be offering representation based on one chapter. I also think it's important to say in the current climate that all the entries will be human-read by literary agents, no AI involved."
The MeetCute Festival brings together readers and writers of romance fiction in the glorious open air setting of Home Farm, Elstree in Hertfordshire. Coming into its third year in 2026, the fast-growing festival takes place on Saturday 4th of July when the competition winners will be announced.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Writers' Handbook 2027 - Out Now!
|
Saffron Dodd Steps Up as Literary Agent at ASH Literary After ‘Stellar’ Performance
firstwriter.com – Tuesday February 24, 2026
Saffron Dodd’s promotion to literary agent at ASH Literary marks a significant and well‑earned step in her career, reflecting both her growing influence in children’s and YA publishing and the agency’s confidence in her editorial and client‑building instincts. The announcement, reported in The Bookseller, highlights that she has stepped up from her role as associate agent after what the agency described as “a stellar couple of years”.
A milestone in a fast‑rising career
Dodd’s trajectory at ASH Literary has been defined by a clear vision for the kinds of stories she champions. Her promotion signals not only internal recognition but also her expanding presence in the UK publishing landscape, particularly in categories where ASH Literary has built a strong reputation: inclusive, imaginative, and voice‑driven fiction for young readers.
Her work to date has focused on nurturing writers whose stories bring fresh perspectives to children’s and YA literature. The agency’s praise for her recent years suggests she has already contributed meaningfully to client development, submissions, and deal‑making – key indicators of readiness for full agent status.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News |
Some of this month's news for writers from around the web.
Horror novel reportedly pulled from publication after suspected use of AI during writing process
independent.co.uk – Saturday March 21, 2026
One of the largest book publishers in the U.S. has pulled an upcoming horror novel on Thursday after widespread accusations that the author used artificial intelligence to write it.
Hachette Book Group was approached by apparent evidence, collated by The New York Times, that the novel “Shy Girl” by Mia Ballard appeared to be AI-generated. A day later, the company said it was removing the book from publication and from Amazon as well as Hachette’s websites.
The publisher said that Orbit Books, one of its publishing divisions, decided not to publish “Shy Girl” after reviewing the text, adding that the book will be discontinued in the UK, where it was published last fall and has sold around 1,800 print copies, according to NielsenIQ BookData.
Author, publisher not blood-sucking vampires of unpublished material
businessinsurance.com – Saturday March 21, 2026
In a decision that may unsettle no one more than the nation’s supply of fictional boyfriends, a federal judge has clarified that the brooding, alluring, faintly menacing young man — so often encountered lurking in the corridors of young-adult fantasy — belongs not to any single author, but to the culture at large.
A judge in the Southern District of New York this week issued a ruling that might be described, depending on one’s temperament, as either a victory for creative freedom or a reminder that certain literary archetypes are lurking in the public-domain the same way vampires and werewolves seem to find themselves in the pages of certain types of books, according to Publishers Weekly.
The author Tracy Wolff, whose “Crave” series has populated bestseller lists with vampires, intrigue, and hormonal peril, was found not to have plagiarized anything at all.
Layoffs, Moves at Penguin Young Readers as Dial Imprint Shuttered
publishersweekly.com – Thursday March 19, 2026
Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers established in 1961, has been closed, resulting in layoffs and moves within PYR.
A representative at Penguin Young Readers confirmed the closure, but declined to offer further comment or details regarding the names and number of staffers affected. According to industry sources, several individuals are being let go from PYR, and three Dial editors are being moved over to G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, where the Dial books will be absorbed.
| Click here for the rest of this month's news > |
Listings |
A selection of the new listings added to firstwriter.com this month.
New Literary Agent Listing: Duvall Osteen
firstwriter.com – Friday March 20, 2026
Represents debut, award‑winning, bestselling, and notable authors. Handles literary fiction, narrative nonfiction, and graphic novels. Interested in writing rooted in place, especially the global South, as well as multigenerational storytelling, crime, and literary suspense. Seeks books across genres with original, immersive voices and strong potential.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Agent Listing: Andrew Allen
firstwriter.com – Tuesday March 17, 2026
Handles writers and directors. Building a list of clients across film and television. Interested in screenwriting talent at all stages. Background includes script reading and detailed coverage for emerging screenwriters. Focuses on material for film and television development, drawing on experience in script analysis and agency support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Publisher Listing: Jantar Publishing
firstwriter.com – Monday March 16, 2026
Independent publisher based in London. Publishes European literary fiction and poetry. Focuses on compelling, imaginative and beautiful writing, both in translation and in the English language.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Click here for more of this month's new listings > |
Articles |
Some of this month's articles for writers from around the web.
How to write your first children's book - meet the experts
knutsfordguardian.co.uk – Saturday March 21, 2026
Cheshire has produced generations of award-winning children’s authors, from Lewis Carroll to contemporary luminaries such as Alan Garner. Now, in World Book Day month, we discover what it takes to pen a hit for young readers.
For me, it’s Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree. My daughters opt for Dame Lynley Dodd’s unlikely canine hero, Hairy Maclary. Friends and family suggest other titles – Shirley Hughes’ We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Lauren Child’s Charlie and Lola, Julia Donaldson’s The Gruffalo, Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid, JK Rowling’s Harry Potter. They’re all stories that endure – enthralling and inspiring young readers and making indelible marks on fresh imaginations in a way fiction rarely does as we mature.
In Warrington, international best-selling author Curtis Jobling traces his success back to childhood inspirations.
One book after another: indie publisher Joffe Books continues to rise
thebookseller.com – Friday March 20, 2026
To enter Joffe Books’ office, one must first navigate several levels of a dark and dimly lit stairwell in a Shoreditch office block – a heart-racing endeavour in more ways than one. But on reaching it, a New York loft-style haven of light and space beckons. A more informal and talkative office atmosphere than some traditional publishers, there is a palpable sense of energy – perhaps aided by the smorgasbord of luxury chocolates in the kitchen. A permanent fixture, I am told.
I am here to speak with founder and chief executive officer Jasper Joffe and editorial director Rachel Slatter, not long after the indie made yet another acquisition, the Severn House list. This takes the imprint count to five, with turnover cresting £10m, Joffe says. Much of this is generated by the digital-first company’s e-books base, but print is growing, up 16% in 2025 to £231,000 through NielsenIQ BookScan.
Genre as Delight, Not Dictator: How Learning About Genres Helps You Write Better
janefriedman.com – Tuesday March 17, 2026
Jane recently wrote about the importance of not obsessing about arbitrary genres and subgenres, whether one is just beginning to write a book or struggling to pitch it. After all, genres (and categories) are the concerns of people selling books, not the people writing them.
Yes, but. Or should I say Yes, and?
As a multi-genre author of seven novels who jumped from literary historical fiction to the more commercial thriller category a few years ago—and sold more copies in the last two years than I’d sold in the previous ten—I want to share my view that genre does matter in ways that can be inspiring and instructional rather than limiting or vexing.
First, let me explain that I came to creative writing via literary fiction and the classics. I fed my late-blooming novelist’s mind with doses of Virginia Woolf, Philip Roth, and Ian McEwan. My debut historical novel was modeled on Don Quixote.
This high-brow literary focus taught me useful things about voice, theme, and the evolution of the novel as a form, which I passed on to my students once I became an MFA instructor. What it didn’t always teach me or my students effectively was how to plot. Or even about how to develop characters, in that I gravitated toward characters who were opaque, passive, and generally inaccessible. While my friends were reading Fifty Shades of Grey, I was thoroughly enjoying Of Human Bondage. (Don’t be fooled by the title; it’s not a spicy book.)
| Click here for the rest of this month's articles > |
About |
Information about this newsletter and the firstwriter.com site.
Resources for writers
Go to firstwriter.com for the following invaluable resources for writers:
Advertise
To advertise on this newsletter for as little as $30 / £20 click here
Submit
To submit articles, news items, press releases, or any other items of interest to writers, click here
This newsletter has been compiled by firstwriter.com and is protected by copyright. It may not be copied, forwarded, or otherwise distributed in whole or in part without firstwriter.com's written consent.
While every effort is made to ensure that all information contained within this newsletter is accurate, readers are reminded that this information is provided only as a list of potential leads that the reader should follow up with his or her own investigations. Unless otherwise stated, firstwriter.com is not associated with and does not endorse, recommend, or provide any assurances relating to any of the organisations, events, persons or promotions contained within this newsletter, and cannot be held responsible for any loss incurred due to actions taken in relation to information provided. Inclusion does not constitute recommendation.
Please do not reply to this email. The address from which this has been sent is not capable of receiving emails and sending an email to it may cause your subscription to stop. If you have any queries or require any assistance please contact us by going to https://www.firstwriter.com/contactus/
© firstwriter.com 2026