Join agents from the C&W literary agency for a special in person event exploring the work a literary agency does to support a writer from pitch to publication.
C&W is a leading international literary agency representing an eclectic range of bestselling and award-winning authors. In this event four of their agents, who represent a wide range of fiction and non-fiction authors, will explore the work they do from the moment they sign a new writer to that writer’s first book being published and beyond.
In a relaxed Q&A the agents Alexander Cochran, Emma Finn, Sue Armstrong, and Richard Pike will cover key topics including:
– Working with an author on an edit
– Preparing the book for submission
– Negotiating with publishers
– The agent’s role once the book has been signed by a publisher
– Publishing rights and working internationally
– What happens after publication
The event will run from 6.30pm to 8pm with the Q&A hosted by Spread the Word’s programme manager, Bobby Nayyar. We will also be launching a submissions call out on the day of this event, and the top entries will be selected for feedback from the agents in the new year. Spaces are limited so please book in advance.
Bursary Places
We have 10 free bursary places for this event available to those who cannot afford the price of a ticket, allocated on a first come first served basis. Please email [email protected] to request a place. Bursary recipients will be notified at least 7 days before the date of the event.
About the Speakers
Susan Armstrong
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I joined C&W in 2005 as an assistant before becoming a Primary Agent and Director, and was shortlisted for Agent of the Year in 2018.
Being an agent allows me to do what I love best: discovering new and distinct voices, helping debut writers launch their careers and working with already published novelists who might want a change in direction. What I look for in the writers I represent is the ability to instantly transport me, whether that’s into a character’s mind, a new world, a fresh perspective, an engaging voice, or an unexpected situation – and then to keep me there. I would describe myself as an editorial agent as I love to work with writers on shaping their work and strategizing for career longevity.
My list is mainly fiction, with the odd non-fiction project, ranging from literary fiction to crime and thrillers, book club and up-lit to gothic, speculative and genre-busting fiction.
My writers include NYT bestsellers M.L. Stedman and Natasha Solomons, Sunday Times bestsellers Miranda Cowley Heller, Joanna Cannon, Jo Browning Wroe, Jess Kidd, Jo Callaghan and Daniel Cole, Irish bestseller Anne Griffin, Australian multi-award winner Maxine Beneba Clarke, and Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year shortlistee and newest Bond novelist commissioned by the Ian Fleming Estate, Kim Sherwood.
Alexander Cochran
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I joined C&W in 2012, initially working as Clare Conville’s assistant before transitioning to our translation rights department, selling rights in territories across Western Europe and working with co-agents in Eastern Europe and Asia. While in that role, I began to build my own list of clients, working as both a translation rights agent and a primary agent, before moving over fully to focus on my own list in early 2022.
I represent an eclectic and diverse list of prize-winning authors, with a particular focus on science
fiction and fantasy, horror, speculative and literary fiction. My taste tends towards the darker end of the market, and I love novels that push against boundaries and cross genres, but are rooted in the real world. I also have a fondness for anything that could be described as weird and creepy.
Prior to my time at C&W, I worked for several independent publishing houses, an educational publisher in the Middle East, and as a literary scout.
I'm actively building a list that crosses the spectrum from literary fiction to crime and thriller, with a particular focus on speculative fiction. I represent a diverse list of award winning authors including Tade Thompson, Nicholas Binge, Eliza Chan, Will Maclean, Hiron Ennes and Alison Rumfitt.
Emma Finn
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I started out in publishing as an intern with C&W in 2013, and joined the team to work across translation and primary agenting before building my own list. I love the breadth and scope of my job as an agent, and that I can go from knotty plot work on a fast-paced thriller to a gorgeous literary novel to being immersed in 18th Century scandals or the cutting edge of clinical science. For me the joy is always in finding a new voice or world to immerse myself in, and working collaboratively with my authors to do justice to the stories they want to tell and the career they want to build.
My list is a pretty even split of fiction and non-fiction, ranging from suspense and thrillers to book group and literary fiction, and from voice-driven narrative nonfiction by journalists or academics to memoir. The authors I represent include NYT-bestsellers Ellery Lloyd, queer romcom queen Laura Kay, literary novelist Imogen Crimp, feminist cultural historian Elinor Cleghorn and clinical psychologist Alexandra Shaker.
Richard Pike
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I joined C&W in 2017, making the short move across from the books department at Curtis Brown, after five years assisting Gordon Wise.
I represent a broad range of non-fiction, from serious history to cookery, science, nature writing, books about modern society, health writing, self-development, and quality true crime. I also look after a small list of YA writers, including the international bestseller, Connie Glynn.
Lots of my authors are bestsellers and award winners, while many have projects under option and in development for film, TV or podcast series. I’m always excited to see my authors expand their careers and thrive as storytellers in other media.
I represent authors of narrative and serious non-fiction, from investigative journalism to history, science and nature writing. I also look after health, self-development, lifestyle and YA writing. My clients include Raven Smith, Prof. Pragya Agarwal, Ben Machell, Dr Anjana Khatwa, Marisa Bate, Alex Perry, The School Night Vegan, and Dr Priya Atwal.