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 […]
Agency News
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 […]
Scouting: Pan Macmillan Goes Without
Pan Macmillan in the UK announced that “it no longer requires a US-based scout” and “will part ways” with Mary Anne Thompson Associates “after a long and fruitful relationship.” They noted: “The continuously developing bonds and collaboration within the Macmillan Group of our US, UK and German editorial teams means that Pan Macmillan is alert to exciting new projects from around the globe and welcomes submissions directly.” Managing director of the adult division Jeremy Trevathan said in the announcement, “Mary Anne has been a wonderful colleague and friend to me, our publishers and the various iterations of editorial teams over […]
Wylie Reports on Rushdie’s Wounds, Tells Tales About The Trial
Spanish newspaper El Pais interviewed Andrew Wylie at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where he reported the sad news that Salman Rushdie has “lost the sight of one eye” and “one hand is incapacitated because the nerves in his arm were cut.” Wylie underscored, “it was a brutal attack” and Rushdie “has about 15 more wounds in his chest and torso.” More broadly, the full interview is classic Wylie. He provides a colorful account of what he believes he said in court during the Penguin Random House antitrust trial: “The mistake the Department of Justice made was they were talking about […]