The Author’s Guild met with New Leaf Literary & Media to discuss the transition for their clients affected by Jordan Hamessley’s abrupt departure. Twenty-seven of Hamessley’s 45 clients were let go from the agency, while 18 were offered new agents. The AG writes in a statement, “New Leaf’s leadership has assured us that they have been addressing affected authors’ concerns and will continue to do so.” The agency has committed to a number of courses of action for active clients. Authors with books on submission can choose to have New Leaf pull the project “or to continue with the submission […]
Agency News
Hamessley Posts Statement About Departure From New Leaf
Further to Tuesday’s report about agent Jordan Hamessley’s abrupt departure from New Leaf Literary & Media, Hamessley posted a long statement online, writing that it was not amicable. Subsequent to Hamessley’s departure, 27 of her 45 clients were let go from the agency, while 18 were offered new agents. Hamessley writes: “Thank you to everyone who has reached out these past few days following my sudden and unexpected departure from New Leaf Literary & Media. It was not my choice to leave, and I am heartbroken to learn that the publishing journeys of so many of my clients have been disrupted, I […]
Disruptions Leave A Number of Children’s Book Creators Looking for New Representation
Unrelated and varied circumstances at three different literary agencies last week left a number of children’s and young adult authors and illustrators looking for new representation, and became the focus of much discussion and concern on social media. The development with the biggest impact was at New Leaf Literary Agency, coming after the agency “parted ways amicably” with agent Jordan Hamessley, according to emails sent to clients. Update: After this story ran, Hamessley, who had not responded to our DMs, posted a lengthy statement on Twitter: “It was not my choice to leave, and I am heartbroken to learn that […]
Agencies: Europa Content In “Strategic Partnership” with APA
Last week literary agency Europa Content announced a “strategic partnership” with talent agency APA. The Hollywood Reporter (which is a little confused and calls Europa a publisher; that’s Europa Editions) says, “The goal is to expand APA’s intellectual property and media rights division and to increase resources for both APA and Europa Content clients and creators across all media.” Europa founder Marc Gerald calls it, “The perfect opportunity for Europa Content to retain our boutique approach to publishing while drawing from the collective energy of a best in class agency that allows all of our clients to benefit.” THR positions […]
UTA Acquires Fletcher & Company
UTA announced that it has acquired literary agency Fletcher & Company. Founder and ceo Christy Fletcher will co-lead the UTA Publishing division along with current head Byrd Leavell, with both reporting to UTA President David Kramer. (Fletcher and Leavell had been colleagues at Carlisle and Company many years ago.) The entire team at Fletcher & Company will join UTA, in the agency’s New York office, and the Fletcher name will be retired. The acquisition builds on UTA’s purchase of Curtis Brown UK in 2022, and continues to expand the scope of their publishing division. UTA president David Kramer says in […]
Agent Vigliano Sues Former Clients Chip and Joanna Gaines
Literary agency Vigliano Associates filed suit in a New York court alleging breach of contract against authors Chip and Joanna Gaines, as well as their business enterprises and their current management, United Talent Agency. Vigliano seeks damages of at least $1 million, alleging that the Gaineses improperly avoided paying the agency its 7.5 percent share of some projects as a part of a multi-book deal. The dispute focuses on a five-book deal for $12.5 million made in 2017 with Harper Collins, and a subsequent revision to that agreement. Under the original deal, Vigiliano asserts that the agency was a third-party […]