Brit Writers Blog - We speak with Susan from Susan Yearwood Literary Agency…

What does it take to be a successful literary agent?

It’s important to be knowledgeable about books and to understand the market. There is a small element of luck to this, but you need to add hard work and dedication to the mix too. I think that being passionate about books and wanting the best for your authors helps.

But didn’t you have a stint with a mainstream publisher?

I worked in publishing and at a community literature project in a different role before becoming an agent. It is not absolutely essential to have a background in publishing to become an agent as you learn a great deal from the authors, other agents and publishers as your career progresses. However, it helps to have good contacts.

What is the best advice you have been given?

To do what you love.

One of your biggest successes is Kerry Young who has been nominated for a raft of awards and has a two book deal with Bloomsbury. How did you get to represent her?

I first met Kerry about four years ago. I asked to look at the novel that she had told me about and as soon as I read the first line, written in Jamaican patois, I was hooked. The writing is engaging, brilliant and original. The script wasn’t the sort of thing you come across every day. I thought Kerry’s voice was striking and I am happy to say, so too did her editor at Bloomsbury. Kerry was the first writer to sign with SYLA and Pao has been short-listed for the Costa, the Commonwealth First Novel Award and the East Midlands Book Award. I felt so proud when Pao was front-of-store at Waterstone’s in April.

Any other rising stars on your books?

Prajwal Parajuly is one of many. He gave me a copy of one of his short stories, THE GURKHA’S DAUGHTER: STORIES, which details the lives of the Nepali diaspora, and I was immediately struck by his characterisations and wanted to read more. His book will be published by Quercus in January and he has already garnered lots of interest worldwide, especially in India and the US.  Everyone is very excited about him. 

Sarah Dobbs will be published by Unthank Books in November. Her novel, KILLING DANIEL, struck me as an original take on crime fiction.

Other than looking for new writers what else are you focusing on?

I am in the process of developing my relationship with US publishers. I intend to grow SYLA.

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