SallyAnne has a BA in English and Sociology from Trinity College, Dublin, and an MPhil in American Literature from Cambridge University. She is currently building her list and looking for talented writers of literary and commercial fiction. She is also passionate about exciting and original writing for children and young adults, and is interested in memoirs, quirky gift books and food writing.
Interview
1. What is the best part of being a literary agent?
For me, it’s the thrill of finding and working with talented authors, and seeing a project through from typescript to finished book. I also love the variety of my job and how every day is different.
2. How would you summarize your personal agenting philosophy? What do you expect from an agent-author relationship?
I have been growing my client list for two and a half years now and I work very closely with all of my authors, guiding them through each stage of the publishing process. I’m very hands-on editorially, often going through several rounds of revisions with authors before submitting to publishers.
Good communication is crucial in getting the most out of the agent-author relationship; it’s important to establish early on how you would like to work together. Trust and honesty are also very important.
3. What’s something coming out now/soon that you’ve represented and are excited about?
I’m really looking forward to the massmarket publication of SIN TROPEZ by Aita Ighodaro, which is out in July and a deliciously enjoyable beach read. I’m also excited about THE STORY OF US by Felicity Everett, which was published recently and has been really well reviewed, and I’m already looking forward to Nelle Davy’s literary debut THE LEGACY OF EDEN which comes out next February.
4. What are the primary mistakes you see writers make in query process?
I think the main mistake authors make is sending their typescript out too early. Very rarely is a first draft perfect, and I’d advise not beginning to query until you can’t see how you can continue to improve your typescript. It also helps if authors have researched the agent they are submitting to; most agents have profiles on agency websites so there shouldn’t be any excuse for sending projects to agents in genres they don’t handle. Most importantly, as agents have limited time to read unsolicited submissions, you need to grab their attention and often less is more when it comes to query letters.
5. With fiction partials, what makes you stop reading and start skimming-or stop reading altogether?
From the opening page, the voice will either hook me in or leave me cold. After that, I’m put off by clunky dialogue. In young adult or children’s writing, I’d stop reading anything that talked down to the reader.
6. Your agency profile says that you’re interested in young adult, what specific subgenres do you lean toward?
I love reading young adult fiction and don’t really lean towards any particular subgenre; my tastes range from literary novels such as those by Meg Rosoff and Rebecca Stead, to the very commercial – I devoured the Twilight , The Luxe and Pretty Little Liars series. I’m also looking to find a really great young adult horror or mystery. I was a huge fan of Nancy Drew and Goosebumps when growing up.
7. You said that your interest in fantasy is very limited. Is there any subgenre of fantasy that you would consider?
I’m not drawn to epic fantasy, particularly when it comes to adult fiction, but I could certainly be convinced otherwise by brilliant writing. First and foremost, I’m looking for brilliant characters, a compelling voice, and a world I don’t want to leave, so I am open to any novel that can offer that!
8. Will you be at any upcoming writers conferences where people can meet/pitch you?
I will be at the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival in Italy this September.
9. What’s the best way to contact you?
Submission guidelines are on our website . We prefer submissions by post if possible, but authors living outside the UK are welcome to email .
10.Best piece(s) of advice we haven’t discussed?
Read as much as you can in the genre you are writing in, and keep trying!
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