RNA CONFERENCE: Meet the agents

The RNA conference 2017 will soon be upon us (14th-17th July, to be exact!) This year there are seven literary agents offering one-to-one pitching sessions. We thought it might be helpful to host the agents here on the blog, so that those people applying for a pitching session can get to know them a little better before they send off an application.
The agents attending are:

• Kate Nash (Kate Nash Agency)
• Lisa Eveleigh (Richard Becklow Agency)
• Broo Doherty (DHH Literary Agency)
• Tanera Simons (Darley Anderson Agency)
• Felicity Trew (Caroline Sheldon Agency)
• Julia Silk (MBA Literary Agency)
• and Isobel Dixon (Blake Friedmann).

Unfortunately Julia Silk was on holiday at the time of putting this article together. We have a full length interview with Laura Longrigg of MBA here on the blog which you may like to refer to. (Of course Laura and Julia will have different tastes, but Laura's interview will give readers an idea of the ethos behind the MBA Agency.) *UPDATE* Julia Silk has very kindly taken time to respond on the last day of her holiday. Her replies are listed separately at the bottom of the post.

Isobel Dixon was also unavailable at the time of going to press. We have an interview with the wonderful Carole Blake of Blake Friedmann here for reference, but please note again that Carole's tastes and Isobel's may well have been different.

A warm welcome to those agents who were able to make it today. Thanks for answering our questions at such short notice!

What is it you are most hoping to find from your pitching session at the conference? Are there any particular genres/themes that you would love to read? 

Kate Nash:You might as well ask me to predict the outcome of a dress shopping expedition! Yes, I have an idea of some styles and colours I like but until I see the dresses on the rail, I simply don't know which one I'm going to absolutely love. However, the number one thing that gets me into a story is realism: real characters dealing with real life problems in real settings. I'd like to see more stories from different regions of the UK and overseas, and stories involving characters from different backgrounds. 

Lisa Eveleigh: I always hope to find an unputdownable story, something that grabs me from the first paragraph.  I would love to find an author writing a multi-layered family story which involves romance, along the lines of Elizabeth Jane Howard.  I also like romantic comedy. Anything with a First World War and/or 1920’s setting is hugely appealing.  I’m also interested in historical romance generally, though later than Medieval.  

Broo Doherty: This may sound trite but in these uncertain times, I am looking for epic stories well told, with engaging, well developed characters and psychological depth. I’m looking either to be taken out of my comfort zone and transported to a place I have never been too, or shown a new, original perspective on a situation I know well.

Tanera Simons: I am really excited to meet with enthusiastic aspiring authors, and am crossing my fingers to meet someone whose work I love and who I could see myself working with. In terms of genres/themes, I am open to anything and everything: rom-coms, thought-provoking storylines, dark love stories, historical romances… the list goes on! I want to get completely swept up in the story, and fall in love with characters so real that I don’t want to say goodbye when I finish reading. I want fiction with strong but fallible female protagonists: the next Bridget Jones or Rebecca Bloomwood, who show us that even the best of us make mistakes!

Felicity Trew: I’d love to find a striking, powerful female voice – one that inspires women whether we’re left laughing or crying.  I’m a huge fan of a good weepy, historical, funny, psychological suspense, saga and anything truly unputdownable!

Have you noticed any particular trends in romance in the past year or so, and if so, what do you think publishers are looking for at the moment? 

Kate Nash:Digital opportunities mean that publishers are quite open to different story types but I think that romance is under some pressure from the popularity of psychological/women's thrillers on the one hand and emotional "women's mysteries" on the other. My "reading for pleasure" pile has got the following current bestsellers on it from both these genres: I See You by Clare Mackintosh, The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena, Lyrebird by Cecelia Ahern and This Must Be The Place by Maggie O'Farrell. Having said that sagas are very much holding their own with WW2 and the post war period popular, and there is still plenty of demand for escapist romantic comedies. Beaches, Cornwall and gin all trending. 

Lisa Eveleigh: Cosy romances involving cup-cakes, beach huts, and tea-shops still seem to be going strong though I wonder if this isn’t mainly a digital-first trend.  

Publishers tell me that they are looking for a strong ‘millennial’/Generation Y’ romantic novel.  This is going to be very hard to find, since younger writers with the necessary vocabulary are much more interested in fantasy and dystopia and therefore tend to aim at the Young Adult market in which romance is mostly – but not always – subsidiary to plague, and/or magic and mayhem.  I’ve also been asked for paranormal romance.    

Broo Doherty: Novels featuring diversity seem to be gaining ground at the moment which is not before time, given we live in a multicultural society, and I think that would apply to the romantic genre as well.

Tanera Simons: I always find the subject of trends a tricky one: I would always advise writers to write what they’re good at rather than attempt to follow current trends. If your writing is good enough and story compelling enough, you will always succeed! However, at the moment I definitely think that people want to read escapist, feel-good fiction, that takes them away from the stresses of politics and news of terrorism. Readers want to be transported into a fictional world of warmth and positivity. I also think that editors are on the look-out for anything a bit different, that takes the classic love story and introduces a new element: perhaps more diversity, so not just a ‘boy meets girl’ love story, but a ‘girl meets girl’, or love across different cultures etc. Of course, trends will come and go and these are just some themes that I’ve noticed.

Felicity Trew: Any of the above genres I’ve mentioned are getting on publishers’ radars but they do have to have that competitive high quality to them. However, sagas in particular are having a wonderful revival at the moment (which I’m very excited about).

What's been your favourite romance novel recently?

Kate Nash: I've actually been reading a lot of psychological thrillers but I did enjoy The Judge's Wife by Ann O'Loughlin which was shortlisted for the RoNAs. A mystery, I was completely sold on the realism of the setting and the characters.

Lisa Eveleigh: I’ve recently been on holiday so read a fair few, and it’s impossible to name one, so if I’m allowed? 

The House on Bellevue Road – Rachel Hore 

A Secret Garden -  Katie Fforde

Are My Roots Showing? – Karola Gadja 

An Unconventional Act – Jan Jones

Broo Doherty: That’s an impossible question to answer – too many to choose from!

Tanera Simons: Again, such a difficult question as there is some really exciting romance fiction around at the moment! I would have to say Paige Toon’s The Last Piece of My Heart, though. I haven’t read her for a while, and reading this latest one reminded me just how brilliant an author she is. Bridget (the protagonist) is just such a wonderfully warm character, and I completely fell in love with her story.

Felicity Trew: I was extremely lucky to receive a proof copy of Dawn O’Porter’s The Cows (HarperCollins, 2017) just before its publication, which I utterly devoured – one of those books you just don’t want to finish because it’s become like a friend to you!

Julia Silk MBA Literary Agency

1 What is it you are most hoping to find from your pitching session at the conference? Are there any particular genres/themes that you would love to read? 

I grew up on Georgette Heyer and 80s bonkbusters - I'd like to find a great Regency romance, and I still love the glitz and glamour of authors like Shirley Conran and Judith Krantz, so anything that brings to mind either of those genres would make me happy. I'm also always on the lookout for something with a touch of the gothic or ghostly - not supernatural/paranormal so much as hinting at unusual goings-on.

2. Have you noticed any particular trends in romance in the past year or so, and if so, what do you think publishers are looking for at the moment? 

Subjects that have come up a few times recently are stories with an international feel featuring interesting locations. Also, sagas sent in the 1920s/30s or earlier. Timeslip also seems to be on editors' wishlists and I suspect this genre is due a bit of a moment. I love Barbara Erskine myself, so I'd be really pleased to read something that brings her work to mind.

3. What's been your favourite romance novel recently?

I'm a big fan of Rowan Coleman and adored We Are All Made of Stars. I really enjoy novels with interconnecting stories and for me the range of age and life experience of the protagonists, combined with the clever structure, made for an unusual and satisfying read. I also love anything by JoJo Moyes and Marian Keyes - the combination of serious subjects with humour and the perfect slow burn to the romance storyline gets me every time.

* * *

Thank you all so much for answering our questions today. We appreciate you taking the time out at such short notice, and we hope you have a successful - and enjoyable! - time at the 2017 RNA Conference.

Questions compiled by Helena Fairfax

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

Ask the Industry Expert: Agent, Clare Wallace

Helena Fairfax returns with another interview in her super, ‘Ask the Industry Expert’ series.

It’s a great pleasure to welcome Clare Wallace today – an agent who inspires with her enthusiasm and 

Clare Wallace

love of all things bookish. Thanks for taking the time to visit us, Clare, and for letting us get to know you. We appreciate your giving up valuable time!

Please tell us a little about the Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency, how long you’ve been with the agency, and how you came to join.

The Darley Anderson Literary, TV and Film Agency is proud to specialise in a broad range of commercial titles, including thrillers, mysteries, crime, accessible literary, sagas, historical and commercial women’s fiction. The agency was founded in 1988 by Darley and has been going from strength to strength ever since.

I started at the Agency in January 2011, initially in the rights department, selling translation rights, and then I started to gradually build my own list of authors alongside managing the rights department. After a while my list grew so I moved over to fulltime agenting in January 2015.

Like many people trying to forge a career in publishing, I’d been working in various internships at agencies and publishers for six months. During that time I applied for a lot of jobs and got a lot of rejections. And I was close to giving up my working-in-publishing dream as my savings were gone and my confidence was definitely dented. But then, just at the right moment, I found out about the opening at Darley Anderson and someone rather lovely I’d been working with recommended me for the role. After two interviews, I was offered the position.

What do enjoy most about your job? And least?

There’s so much I enjoy. Finding a brilliant submission, meeting new people, negotiating, just being amongst books and people who love them every day. I don’t take for granted that I look forward to going to work, and I know that’s a luxury that isn’t shared by many. I suppose, in all honesty, there’s nothing quite like phoning a début author that you’ve been working with and telling them you’ve received an offer. That all their hard work and belief will be rewarded. That an editor and publishing team, who have the expertise and means to champion a novel to the public, see the same potential and talent that you can. And the worst is doing the opposite. Accepting when the manuscript you’ve sent out on submission isn’t going to find the home you were looking for. I also dislike sending rejections. There’s nothing fun or fulfilling about saying no to aspiring authors, but sadly it is a necessary part of the process. And finally, just the lack of time. I always, always, wish for more time to read.

What is it you are looking for when a manuscript lands on your desk? Are there any specific plots or themes you’d like to see?

I’m looking for voice. A strong, individual, immediately engaging, voice. Characters that you want to stay with, that you’ll sacrifice a good night’s sleep for. In terms of plots and themes, I like an unusual concept, a gripping ‘what would you do if’ kind of question or dilemma. One of the hardest things, I think, in terms of placing a début novel with a publisher, is it being different enough to what’s already out there. It needs to stand out amongst its competition. Being well written and competent isn’t enough. So, I’m looking for that punchy pitch as well, although of course it’s the talent of the author that brings the narrative to life.

Where do you find your new authors, and how?

In my inbox. In my submissions folder. And I go to events to meet authors, like the Festival of Writing in York, and I’m involved with events held by Writers’ & Artists’, for example, but mostly through reading the submissions.

What advice would you give someone submitting to you?

Make sure you’ve had a look at our website and our clients, so that you think we really would be a good match for you, and have a good look at the submission guidelines. Tell us why you’ve picked our agency. Have a clear pitch. Hook us in, think of the agent as a reader. If we were browsing in a bookshop and we picked up your book and turned it over, what would the blurb look like?  Identify what genre you’re writing in, and who your readership might be. Really polish those opening chapters, think about where you’ve started your story. Is it relevant to the narrative? Is it full of intrigue? Don’t rush, check and double check your submission is exactly as you want it to be before you press send.

Do you think aspiring romance writers have a better chance of being published if they are planning a series? Are stand-alone novels more likely to be rejected by publishers and agents?

I don’t think so. I think it’s all about the writing, ultimately. The goal is to establish an author and have a clear brand, which can be done with a series or a stand-alone. If you are writing a stand-alone novel though, it’s very helpful to have a second idea, even if it’s only in blurb form, to show that you’re serious about continuing in the genre, and that you’re committed to delivering a brilliant, and suitable, second book.

What benefits do you feel an agent can offer an author?

Ah so many. Editorial support and passion for your writing - because it can be a lonely business. The ability and confidence to negotiate and handle a contract – we can ask the difficult questions and won’t worry about querying a royalty rate or asking for a higher advance – we don’t find it awkward, in fact we like it. Insider knowledge – we might know an editor who has just yesterday told us they’re looking for a manuscript just like yours. And care. It’s your agent who might talk through early ideas with you, who might see the first draft, who you might tell if you’re having trouble meeting a deadline, who you might confide in if you’ve decided that your main character isn’t the person you thought they were. Ultimately, agents offer support in all sorts of ways – they’re part of your team and on your side. It’s a relationship of trust. And it’s not just your primary agent, at the DA agency there’s a rights department who are looking to sell your novel in translation, to the US, in audio, in film and TV, and there’s a finance department who make sure you get your royalties on time and can give you fiscal advice. It’s our job to make sure you get the best deal you can, in as many ways as you can, and that your relationship with your publishers is protected, so that you can concentrate on the writing.

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

Such a difficult question. A Little Love Song by Michelle Magorian was my first true ‘romance novel’ love. And you never forget your first true ‘romance novel’ love.

Apart from your own authors, which book have you enjoyed the most in the past twelve months, and why?

From my ‘just-because’ reading pile, I’ve just read The Complete Maus, a Pulitzer prize-winning graphic novel by Art Spiegelman. It’s a Holocaust survivor story, which was recommended to me by a friend, and isn’t something I knew about or would have thought to pick up. Maybe ‘enjoyed’ isn’t the right word, but it’s incredible, and haunting, and brutally honest. I also loved Lianne Moriarty’s dark and funny Big Little Lies.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

‘Just-because’ reading. I love seeing my friends and doing all the endless, effortless chatting. And I’m also pretty happy curled up on the sofa, with my cat, burning my way through a box set (the most recent being The Affair.)

If you could describe your working-day in just three words, what would they be?

Gloriously-bookish, demanding, fun.

Thanks for your thoughtful answers, Clare. It was a pleasure getting to know you!

Link to the Darley Anderson Literary Agency: www.darleyanderson.com

About Helena:

Helena Fairfax writes contemporary romance novels. Her latest work, Palace of Deception,

is a romantic suspense novella featuring a princess, her double, and her fit bodyguard. The sequel, The Scottish Diamond, will be released in March.

Helena interviews authors and writes about books and writing on her blog.  You can also find her on Twitter, @helenafairfax, and a list of her other books on Amazon

Thank you, Clare and Helena for a most enjoyable interview.

The RNA blog is brought to you by,

Elaine Everest & Natalie Kleinman

If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com