Ask the Industry Expert: Literary Agent Kate Nash

Literary agent Kate Nash needs no introduction to many members of the RNA. Kate has attended several RNA events, including the RNA conference 2017, where she accepted pitches from members.

It's a great pleasure to welcome Kate to the blog today. Thanks for accepting our invitation, Kate!

Please tell us a little about the Kate Nash Agency, how long it’s been established, and how you came to set it up.

I set up the Agency in 2009. As a publisher I worked with a wide variety of literary agents and

came to the conclusion that it was the best job in the business. This is because agents have the amazingly privileged position of being able to work closely with an author and drive the direction and success of the author’s overall career. Publishers are of course critical to an author’s success but there remains a potential tension between their interests as a business and the interests of the author. A literary agent’s interests are the author’s interests so we can be there champion as well as having those difficult conversations.

I set up my own business as I felt I was a little too old and opinionated to garner a job making the tea at an established literary agency and wanted to start building my client list right away.

What genres do you represent?

I represent commercial fiction across most genres, namely romantic fiction, women’s fiction, family sagas, historical fiction, crime and thrillers. I also represent some narrative non-fiction.

What services do you provide for your authors?

The Kate Nash Literary Agency is a full service literary agency, by which I mean that we offer representation to book authors across all territories and formats. As primary agent I would handle an author’s work across the World in English language for all book formats. For translation and television / film we work in partnership with specialist agencies: RightsPeople on translation and Collective Talent for dramatisation.

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 a gripping, unputdownable read from the opening sentence onwards. When I request to see a full manuscript, it’s usually the best thing I’ve started reading all week, possibly all month, occasionally all year. We get a lot of submissions and I read a lot so I always say to writers that if any agent requests to see more material this is a brilliant sign, even if things don’t move forward with that particular agent.

Do you ever find authors outside the slush pile? If so, how?

I have found a number of my authors from literary events and competitions. I actively try to attend a variety of writing conferences and literary festivals every year, including the Romantic Novelists Association annual conference. I feel that by the time that aspiring writers have the confidence to start attending conferences they are some way down the road in taking their craft seriously. It is affirming for me to engage face to face on all sorts of levels, to be encouraging and be available as an industry professional.

What advice would you give someone submitting to you?

My client list is fairly full meaning that I can only take on a couple of new clients a year but it is really important not to be put off by statistics like that. Finding the right agent is in some ways similar to finding “the one”: you only need one good one and the rest are irrelevant! Few things are as satisfying or as thrilling as a debut book deal for a writer and therefore I will always continue to work with new writers and encourage submissions. This year I’ve had debut success from two RNA members: Lucie Wheeler (The First Time Mums’ Club, HarperImpulse) and Maggie Sullivan (Christmas on Coronation Street, HarperFiction).

It is tough out there for new writers trying to find an agent. There are possibly not enough agents to meet the demand. Don’t take it personally if an agent isn’t interested or fails to get back to you. Agents have clear guidelines and because of the volume of submissions it is really important that writers stick to these to make sure that their submissions are read and lost somewhere in a parallel universe. My guidelines are on the website: www.katenashliterary.co.uk

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

Pride and Prejudice because of its many other layers of social commentary, character analysis and humour.

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

Clare Mackintosh’s I See You was terrifying and I literally stayed up late into night to finish it.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My favourite going-out treat is the theatre and now my children are a bit older I’m trying to go to more than just children’s theatre (great though that is).  A good few weekends are taken up with literary events so when I am at home I love to organise family days out but also relax in my kitchen on a Saturday morning, cooking and listening to Frank Skinner on Absolute Radio. I also donate a day or two a month as a trustee  to a publishing charity, the Catholic Truth Society, who publish resources for Catholics in the UK.

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

Coffee. Work. Repeat.

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Thanks so much for dropping in today, Kate, and for your thoughtful and encouraging answers. Wishing you much continued success with your authors, and we look forward to seeing you at the next conference!

If you've enjoyed Kate's interview, or have any questions or comments at all, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

Helena Fairfax is a freelance editor who writes feel good contemporary romances and romantic suspense. Her novel A Year of Light and Shadows tells the story of how plain Lizzie Smith is plunged into a year of mystery involving a missing princess, a false diamond, a doppelgänger and a hot bodyguard.

You can find out more about Helena's books and her editing services on her website www.helenafairfax.com

Ask the Industry Expert: Literary Agent Tracy Brennan

It's a great pleasure to welcome literary agent Tracy Brennan of the Trace Literary Agency to the RNA blog today. Tracy is here all the way from Mishawaka, Indiana, to talk to Helena Fairfax about her agency and about her role representing British and Irish authors.

Welcome to the RNA, Tracy!

The Trace Literary Agency is based in Indiana, and yet you represent many top contemporary Irish authors, as well as authors from the UK. Please could you tell us how this came about, and

how you came to set up your business.

This is a question I get all the time.  And I always say, “How much time do you have?” 14 years ago I was traveling with my husband and then 8 month old daughter to Dublin.

About 400 miles off the coast of Ireland, the airplane caught fire!  A cooling fan in the cargo hold overheated, causing a fire somewhere below the first class cabin.  The pilot had to take the plane down to 10,000 feet so he could open the cockpit windows to let the smoke out.  He then made the announcement that he would ‘try’ to make a landing in Shannon!

When the coast of Ireland appeared, the danger had not passed.  There was no way of knowing if the fire had damaged the landing gear.  Eventually the airport runway came into view, lined with firetrucks and ambulances.  When we did land, all the passengers were told we’d be taken by a fleet of buses to Dublin.  Unbeknownst to me, this is where the business of becoming a literary agent would begin.

I met a very lovely woman on the journey from Shannon to Dublin.  She held our daughter the entire time.  She gave us her business card and told us if we needed anything while in Dublin, to let her know.  Her name was Terry Prone, then director of Carr Communications; now with The Communications Clinic in Dublin.  We had no idea that she was a radio and television personality and very famous Irish author.

To make a very long story short (and I don’t think I’ve done a very good job here), Terry and I remained in contact for a couple of years after that trip exchanging emails, letters and even Christmas presents.

So how did I become a literary agent?  Plain and simple, the credit goes to Terry Prone. She was my first client. I started working on her books trying to place them with US publishers. Terry then introduced me to several other Irish authors.  Over the years Trace Literary Agency has grown and I now represent authors from Ireland, Wales, England, Scotland and the US - may of whom are award-winning authors.

Do you often visit Ireland and the UK? Or do you feel it's possible now for agents to work with authors all over the world without the need for travel?

I usually make one, sometimes two trips a year to Ireland and the UK.  I do think it's much easier with the internet and publishers requesting e-files to do a lot of work via email, Skype, FaceTime, etc.  But it is still nice to meet face to face and talk with your clients and get to know them on a personal level.  I usually meet potential clients at book launches I attend or at Literary Festivals.  I only have a couple of clients that I’ve not met personally. 

One of your authors – Nicola Cassidy – has just signed a deal with Bombshell Books, which is a new imprint of Bloodhound Books. How do you stay abreast of publishing news/developments in Ireland and the UK? 

I do a lot of networking and research.  Sometimes I am referred to a particular publisher from editors I’ve worked with.  And I always ask my clients to give me a list of the publishers they would like me to contact, as there are quite a few that I am not familiar with.

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?

My interest is quite diverse.  I enjoy women’s commercial fiction, historical fiction, YA and I am now working with a lot of crime/thriller novels.  I am dabbling a little in non-fiction as well.

Do you ever find authors outside the slush pile? If so, how?

I do.  If I am uncertain or don’t have a strong feeling one way or the other, but there is just something that catches my eye, I ask a reader/book reviewer for their input.

What advice would you give someone submitting to you?

Do your homework.  Make sure the agency represents the type of book you are writing. Write a clear, concise query letter of introduction. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself.  This is the time to brag about your accomplishments. Include a brief synopsis that tells the story without giving away the ending.  Make sure your manuscript is complete and has been edited.  There is nothing worse than reading a manuscript that an author is dying to have published, but is full of grammatical errors, spelling errors, and has poor pacing.

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

That’s such a hard question.  There are so many to choose from.  I’d probably have to say The Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks.

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

I’ve enjoyed re-reading some of the books I read as a student in Great Books Seminar:

The Catcher in the Rye, The Grapes of Wrath, The Old Man and the Sea, The Great Gatsby, To Kill a Mockingbird and there’s more on the list.  Just never enough time!

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I love traveling, boating, photography and spending time with my family.

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

Busy, exciting, challenging.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions, Tracy. That's certainly one of the most dramatic introductions to literary agency we've encountered! I'm so glad your plane journey ended happily.

If you've enjoyed Tracy's interview, or have any questions or comments at all, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

About Helena

Helena Fairfax is a romance author and editor. Her latest release is a feel good summer romance called Felicity at the Cross Hotel. You can find out more about Helena's books and her editing services on her website www.helenafairfax.com

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

Ask the Industry Expert: Literary Agent Saba Sulaiman

It's a great pleasure to welcome literary agent Saba Sulaiman to the RNA blog today. Saba works for the US agency Talcott Notch. She was born in Sri Lanka to Pakistani parents, has also lived in Pakistan, and studied Economics, Middle Eastern Studies, and Modern Persian Literature in the US before beginning her career in publishing.

Thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit us, Saba, and welcome to the RNA!

Please tell us a little about the Talcott Notch Literary Agency, how long it’s been established,

and how it was initially set up.

Absolutely! Talcott Notch Literary was founded in 2003 by my boss and mentor, Gina Panettieri – of course, I was still in high school then so I wasn’t involved in setting it up at all, but I’m incredibly honored and grateful to be a part of her team. We’re based in Milford, CT, we represent a wide range of fiction and non-fiction, and our focus is to cater to the individual needs of our clients, which is why we choose to remain a small business. We’ve sold books to every major publishing house and are always on the lookout for ideal homes for our clients’ projects.

What genres do you represent?

In children’s fiction, I’m looking primarily to build my Middle Grade and Young Adult lists. I’m particularly interested in contemporary realistic stories, although I’m open to a wider range. In adult, I represent literary, upmarket, and commercial fiction, category romance (all sub-genres except paranormal), tightly plotted, character-driven psychological thrillers, cozy mysteries à la Agatha Christie, and some memoir.

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 a fresh premise, a dynamic voice, and very strong writing. I enjoy all kinds of stories, but I’m most drawn towards character-driven narratives that familiarize me with the inner workings of characters in unique (and preferably high stakes) conditions, and stories that explore complicated relationships and morally gray situations. In terms of themes, my taste runs the gamut, but here are some that come to mind: I enjoy stories that involve, explore, or meaningfully engage with feminism and the way we think about gender; the increasing pervasiveness of technology on society; the quest for individual power and control and how it affects one’s personal relationships; how methods and styles of communication and popular culture have evolved over generations, and its effect on the widening generation gap; and the process and consequences of migration, particularly with respect to how one reinvents and renegotiates one’s identity after being displaced from a familiar environment, whether by choice or by necessity.

What advice would you give someone submitting to you?

Do your research and make sure I represent your genre, and try to ensure that those first ten pages are as accurate a representation of the true range of your writing abilities as possible. I often read hundreds of queries in a given week, so your writing really should be in its very best shape!

The publishing industry in the UK is still perceived in many quarters as white and middle-class. Is this the same in the US? What do you think can be done to encourage diversity?

Yes, I’m afraid it’s the same in the US, although it’s improving. A lot can be done, at every level: we need more diverse job candidates for entry-level publishing jobs, and for that we need to target and advertise to communities and educational institutions that cater more to a wider range of marginalized communities; we need to take into consideration the very real barriers to success and productivity that members of these communities have, compared to their white, middle class counterparts at the workplace, and be more flexible and understanding of the challenges that intersectional marginalization can pose; we need to be willing to offer members of marginalized communities the support they need to be able to succeed in environments where they are the overwhelming minority; and we need to be having these kinds of conversations more openly, so that a non-white, non-middle class person can even dare to dream to be a part of a world that can often feel quite exclusionary.

In terms of encouraging publishers to take on projects by more marginalized authors, everything helps – writing residencies, grants, fellowships, and mentorships targeted at people belonging to marginalized communities, prominently placed shelves at bookstores devoted to promoting new and exciting voices in fiction by writers from these communities from all genres, and even just individual commitments to read more diversely. All of these initiatives collectively go a long way towards encouraging more diversity in publishing.

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

Hmm, in terms of romance, I have to say that I absolutely loved The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. It’s an enemies-to-lovers contemporary that I devoured in one sitting with my baby sleeping in my arms and I will never forget how wonderful the writing and the couple’s chemistry was. It had humor, tension, witty banter, and most importantly, some really fantastic and well-rounded characters who I rooted for the entire time.

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

Unpredictable, hectic, and fulfilling. 

Thanks so much for your considered and thought-provoking answers, Saba. You've given us food for thought - and I for one have just bought a copy of The Hating Game!

If you enjoyed Saba's interview - or have any questions or comments at all - please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

Helena Fairfax is a romance author and editor. Her novels have been shortlisted for The ExeterNovel Prize,the Global Ebook Awards and the I Heart Indie Awards. You can find out more about Helena's books and editing services on her website www.helenafairfax.com

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

Ask the Industry Expert: Literary Agent, Madeleine Milburn

Literary agent Madeleine Milburn is our agent in the spotlight this month and has kindly dropped in to chat to Helena Fairfax. Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions, Madeleine!

Please tell us a little about the Madeleine Milburn Agency, how long it’s been established, and how you came to set it up.

Madeleine Milburn. Photo credit: Libi Pedder

I started MMLA at the beginning of 2012 because I wanted to run my own ship. 

What do enjoy most about your job? And least?

I love finding new talent, looking after authors and negotiating deals. My least favourite part is rejecting someone’s work.  

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 like emotional stories.  I’m really looking for the strongest love story of all time... I loved One Day, by David Nicholls, because it was basically a love story but told in a different way. 

Do you ever find authors outside the slush pile? If so, how?

99% of my authors come from the slush pile! But I do go to writing events to let writers know what I’m looking for. 

What advice would you give someone submitting to you?

 Do your research, find out what I like reading and make it clear that you have personally submitted to MMLA because you want to be represented by us!  

Do you think these days 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?

It depends what platform you are writing for. I think series work really well as ebooks because they tend to be published with short gaps between publications.  I love stand-alone novels but when I fall in love with a character it’s wonderful to know that they might make it into the next book.  

Aspiring writers are often advised to build a social media platform. How important do you think this is? As an agent, do you check out a writer’s online presence when you receive an interesting submission?

For fiction, I think this is far more important in the run up to publication when you have a publisher.  At the outset, all I’m concerned with is your voice.  We can teach everything else!  

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

One Day, by David Nicholls

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

I really liked The Versions of Us by Laura Barnett because it felt like a modern Sliding Doors, and I liked the overall message.  I really devoured some of the popular suspense titles like The Couple Next Door and The Ice Twins.  

What do you like to do in your spare time?

My only hobby is reading!  

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

Deals, deals, deals

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to us today, Madeleine. Reading is the best hobby!

If you've enjoyed Madeleine's interview, or have any questions at all, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

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Helena Fairfax's engaging contemporary romances have been shortlisted for The Exeter Novel Prize,the Global Ebook Awards and the I Heart Indie Awards. Her latest release is a romantic suspense called A Year of Light and Shadows, available on Amazon in ebook and print, and from other e-book retailers.

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Thank you, Helena and Madeleine for a most interesting interview. If you would like to write for the blog please contact us on elaineeverest@aol.com

FOCUS ON: Chelmsford Chapter

It's a great pleasure to welcome the Chelmsford Chapter to our series. Carrie Elks was kind enough to answer Jean Fullerton's questions.

Welcome to the RNA blog, Chelmsford members!

Where are you based, Carrie?

We are the Chelmsford Chapter, based in Essex. You don’t have to live in Chelmsford to join us though, you just have to get here by train, plane or automobile!

How long has your chapter been running?

Around ten years. We began as a casual group of romance writers meeting for lunch, and only later became a chapter of the RNA. Since then, the chapter has grown, but some of our founding members still remain. 

How often do you meet?

We meet on the last Thursday of each month. The dates are published in advance, but we also send out an email reminder (because we’re all busy writers!)

Where is your regular meeting place?

We’ve just moved to a new venue. We now meet in A Canteen in Chelmsford, a delightful delicatessen and café. 

How many members attend your meetings?

It varies from month to month. Sometimes there can be only six of us, and other times (especially at Christmas) we can number up to about twenty. There’s no pressure to attend monthly, just whenever you can. 

Do your meetings include a meal?

Yes, the food in A Canteen is very nice, and the atmosphere is lovely. We find chatting over lunch is a great way to share our thoughts and news. 

Is your chapter open to non-members of the RNA?

Though we’re primarily members of the RNA, we do have a few chapter members who are no longer part of the organization. We are all writers though – whether at the start of our careers, or well-established.

                How long are your meetings?

This varies, too. We meet at 12 noon, though some members arrive a bit later due to public transport restrictions. We’ve usually finished around 2:30pm (perfect if you need to pick up children from school) but nobody worries if you need to leave earlier. We’re very relaxed! 

Can you give an outline of speakers/guests you’ve had in the past year?

We’re primarily a support group, so haven’t had any speakers in 2016. However, we did help to organize the Colchester Cream Tea in April this year, which was a lovely event for all involved. 

What do you have planned for 2017?

I’m just working on that now. We’ve had a fabulous new bookshop (Foyles) open up in our city, and it would be good for us to forge some closer links with them. Apart from that we’ll be doing our usual plan of eating, talking, and having fun!

What would you say makes your chapter of the RNA so special?

Probably the same as all chapters – the people. We are a varied bunch. We range from authors on the New Writers' Scheme, to those who have been published for decades. Each of us brings something unique to the group, whether it be experience of the publishing industry, knowledge of digital marketing, or connections that might help a fellow writer. I only joined a year ago, and I immediately found the chapter to be very welcoming and generous with their support. It’s great to spend time with like-minded people. 

Does your chapter have a website, Facebook page or Twitter account?

We have a Facebook group, but haven’t yet made any other social media accounts. One to work on in 2017! 

Who is the contact for new members?

Me! (Carrie Elks) I recently took over as the organiser for our chapter, and am enjoying it immensely.

I can be contacted by email: Carrie.Elks@mail.com or by telephone 07530 859769

Thanks so much for joining us, Carrie!

About Jean:

Jean was born in East End of London and spent all her career as a district nurse in East London but is now a full-time writer. Wedding Bells for Nurse Connie, is her current release. Her next novel Pocketful of Dreams, set in the turbulent years of WW2, is due for release in June 2017 and is the first in next East London series.

Her first series with Orion Fiction was set in the Victorian period after which she jumped forward to post-war East London.

She is a proud graduate from the NWS and passionate about the local chapters, which is why she has taken on the role of Chapters Liaison. 

This blog was prepared by blog team member, Helena Fairfax

Ask the Industry Expert: Literary Agent, Amanda Preston

It's time for another of Helena Fairfax's agent interviews, and today we're absolutely delighted to welcome Amanda Preston of the LBA Literary Agency.

Thanks very much for stepping into the spotlight, Amanda, and for taking the time out from your busy job to join us.

Please tell us a little about the LBA Literary Agency and how you came to be a part of it.

I set up LBA in 2005 with Luigi Bonomi and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made!   Before that, we’d both been at another agency for just over 8 years.  While LBA is one of the smaller literary agencies, we definitely punch above our weight and have a wide variety of best-selling and prize-winning authors and journalists on our list. 

What do enjoy most about your job? And least?

That’s a tough one to answer as there are so many parts of the job that I love.  I love reading and discovering new authors; I love helping existing authors get to the next level; I love negotiating and I love brain-storming ideas with my authors.  What I don’t love is when an author doesn’t get the publishing experience that they deserve.  While we, as agents, do everything in our power to prevent that from happening, sometimes it does happen and when it does, it’s very disappointing. 

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 want to be hooked from the start and I need to be able to identify with the novel.  Whether it’s through a character, a plot line, or a setting, I need to be completely connected and immersed in the book’s world. And once I’ve finished reading the whole novel, if the characters / plot / writing still stay with me and won’t let go, then I know it’s definitely something for me. 

What advice would you give someone submitting to you? And what do you look at first when you receive a manuscript - query letter, first chapter, synopsis?

Do research who to approach: There is a comprehensive list of agencies in the Writers’ and Artists’ Yearbook, lots of information on the internet and you can also check acknowledgments page of the authors you like to see if they have mentioned their agent. 

Do write the book:  I know this might sound obvious but before approaching agents, aim to have a complete draft of your novel. (Non-fiction is slightly different: you need to have a detailed overview, chapter breakdown and sample chapters of the book).  

I look at the query letter first so do make sure it’s as polished as possible. This is your chance to pitch your book so use it wisely. 

·         The first paragraph should be on what the novel is about (including the word count). This paragraph should immediately give the agent a clear impression of your setting, your character and the conflict / plot premise - just like the blurb on the back of a book.

·         The second paragraph should be on yourself and remember to include anything that is relevant to what you’ve written and to you as an author.  For example if you have completed a well-recognised creative writing course, then say so.  If you are a professional writer in any other capacity i.e journalist, tv, radio etc then say so.  If you’ve won any writing competitions or belong to any writing groups, then say so.    If you are writing a crime novel and you have a background in policing or forensic psychology etc, then say so.  If none of the above applies to you, then focus on the authors / books you love to read. For example, if you have written a historical romance, mention other writers in this genre as this shows the agent that you know your competition / market  and that you read in this genre (there is nothing more off-putting than an aspiring author saying they’ve written a novel in a particular genre but have never actually read any books in that genre).  The publishing industry is all about selling so you need to sell your book to the agent…

·         You’ve already researched the agencies you are approaching so mention some of their authors who are similar to you i.e if you are writing a saga, mention the saga writers on their list.  Show the agent that you’ve done the research. 

·         DO say if you’ve been referred.  For an example, if an author advises you to try their own agent and says, "mention my name," then by all means do so.

·         DO NOT lie about being referred because we will know!

·         DO NOT go into detailed personal history about yourself, your pets, your relationships.  Listing every name of every pet you’ve ever had does not add anything to your submission, rather the opposite.  

·         DO NOT criticise any other authors (one of them might be represented by the agent!).

·         DO NOT be over familiar in your letter or brag about how many books you are going to sell etc! 

·         Finally, focus on only one book in your submission letter. You'll dilute the impact of your submission if you get lost in a long explanation of the eight other books you're currently writing or planning to write.

Do you think these days 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?

Not necessarily but I do think that publishers need to know what aspiring romance writers are writing next and if it is in the same genre to what they’ve just written.  For example, if an author is trying to get a historical romance published and their second book is a science fiction novel, that makes it a much tougher sell! 

Ever since The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, book titles containing the word “girl” have been immensely popular. Have you noticed any other recent publishing trends and (the million dollar question!) what do you think will be the Next Big Thing?

Words that are easily identifiable and descriptive in a title always work – so in the psychological suspense genre along  with ‘girl’ we have ‘mother’ ‘husband’ ‘wife’ ‘sister’ used again and again and the reader straightaway knows it’s a story about a girl, a mother, a husband, a wife etc.   Or if you look at this year’s Christmas romances, apart from the seasonal references there are a lot of cosy cafes or little teashops , bakeries etc - again the reader can easily identify the setting of the novel.  As to the Next Big Thing, I wish I knew (!) but I do hope there’s romance at the heart of it.

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

Ooooh, while Pride and Prejudice is definitely one of my favourites, I think my favourite childhood romance is Anne of Green Gables.  Not only is Gilbert Blythe incredibly handsome, he also has a great sense of humour and would get all of my jokes.  I don’t think Darcy would quite get my humour… 

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

I loved The Square Root of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood - I couldn’t stop thinking about it once I’d finished. 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Spending time with my family, discovering something new, reading and hanging out with my colleagues at Nashville concerts! 

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

Fulfilling, busy and creative.

Thanks for joining us, Amanda. I'm totally with you on Gilbert Blythe :) And thank you so much for your thoughtful responses, in particular on how to submit. This is exactly the sort of useful advice many of us are looking for.

If you've enjoyed Amanda's interview or have any questions or comments at all, please let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

About Helena:

Helena Fairfax's engaging contemporary romances have been shortlisted for The Exeter Novel Prize, the Global Ebook Awards and the I Heart Indie Awards. Her latest release is a boxed set of romantic suspense novellas called A Year of Light and Shadows, now available on Amazon and from other e-book retailers.

Thank you, Helena and Amanda for a most interesting 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

Ask the Industry Expert: Abby Saul

Welcome to Helena Fairfax who brings us another in her series of interviews with literary agents. This month Abby Saul of Browne & Miller Literary Associates answers Helena’s questions.

Please tell us a little about Browne & Miller Literary Associates and how you came to join.

Browne & Miller Literary Associates is Chicago's premier literary agency, specializing in full-service representation of a select clientele. Our tastes are broad and eclectic and we value exceptional writing and very fine storytelling above all else. Founded as “Multimedia Product Development, Inc.” in 1971 by the late Jane Jordan Browne, the agency became known as Browne & Miller Literary Associates after Danielle Egan-Miller joined Jane as her partner. Danielle became president and Joanna MacKenzie joined the agency in 2003. The agency currently represents more than 100 authors.

I joined Browne & Miller in 2013 after starting my career on the production and digital publishing side of the industry, first at John Wiley & Sons and then at Sourcebooks. I had interned for the agency in 2007 and stayed in touch with Danielle and Joanna as publishing took me to New York and then back to Chicago. Becoming a part of the agency was the perfect next step for me, a fantastic use of my well-honed publishing and reading skills.

Are you ever approached by British authors for representation? And do you perceive any problems representing an author who lives outside the US, or has it become irrelevant in this digital age?

Yes, we are often approached by British authors for representation—it seems to be happening more and more, which is great! There was a time where we felt there was a problem with representing someone outside the US, but no more. We’ve had an exciting start to 2016 with several new clients, including two British authors (one who lives in Scotland, one who lives in Singapore). Skype and FaceTime and email are wonderful things, and we’re making good use of them.  

Are there any specific plots or themes you’re seeking in women’s fiction/romance?

Browne & Miller is always looking for good stories told well, so we’re open to all sorts of plots and themes in women’s fiction and romance. That being said, we each have our own faves (Danielle loves hot and steamy, Joanna loves firsts—first kiss, first love). I particularly love stories where something from the past influences the present (whether that’s a past mystery, a historical happening, a found letter, etc), as well as projects where setting is practically the third protagonist in the love story. I’m a sucker for a crumbling house, a misty moor, a sun-warmed beach house…

And is there anything you’re tired of seeing in the slush pile?

I’m tired of seeing romance where the main conflict could be solved with a single forthright conversation (ugh!). Does no one speak to one another?

What do you enjoy most about your job? And least?

My job is great! I most enjoy reading fantastic manuscripts and working with amazing authors. It’s the best. There is very little I dislike about my job, but the most heartbreaking, for sure, is that rare instance where I love a project and can’t find a home for it.

Are there any websites/blogs/podcasts you regularly visit that you would recommend?

One of the book websites I regularly visit and always highly recommend is Goodreads. For those of us who are big readers, it’s a great spot to track what we’ve read and find new recommendations from other bookish people. (If you aren’t tracking what you read every year, I encourage you to do so! It’s a lovely form of journaling, and sites like Goodreads make it very easy.)

What’s your favourite romance novel of all time?

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier or I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. (You’ll see from my choices that I’m a total Anglophile—many of my all-time favorite books are by British authors!)

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

Oh my, I’ve read so many wonderful books in the past twelve months! So as to not go on and on, I’m forced to categorize and limit myself to only four: For romance reads, my favorite has probably been Splendour Falls by Susanna Kearsley. For “I was so completely charmed” reads, A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman. For big, literary, all-consuming-no-sleep reads, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara. For mysterious and stressful reads, The Last Policeman by Ben H. Winters.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Read, of course! But also hike, binge the latest Netflix or BBC show, and play games with friends and family.

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

Read, problem-solve, repeat.

Thank you Abby and Helena.

Link to Browne & Miller Literary Associates

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