LITERARY SCOUTING


There is no mistaking a real book when one meets it. It is like falling in love. 

Christopher Morley, Pipefuls


 

"How would you like to be our woman in London?" asked a French publishing contact on a trip over from Paris, in the darkened bar of a London hotel.

"I would like that very much," I replied.

 

That is how I became a literary scout.  I am not an agent.  I do not represent authors and illustrators - I work for publishers in different countries, for film and TV companies and for an audiobook publisher, liaising with literary agents and publishing houses all over the English speaking world to find books for my clients to translate or adapt - a sort of international literary matchmaker. I specialise in children's and young adult fiction, from early readers to young adults.

 

Born in London of Franco British parents,  I have always been caught between cultures.  I spent my first ten years in publishing selling rights, first at Orion, then for HarperCollins. Since 2001, I've been on the other side, helping acquire books rather than sell them, but the same questions always  apply.  What will fit my clients' lists, what will travel, to which territory? What is a ballet series worth in Italy, a vampire quartet in France? I love the breadth of vision the job gives me, the windows into different cultures.  It is a constant juggling act to keep up with all the books, the prizes, the trends, to make sure my clients always get the book that is absolutely right for them, and I love it.

Client List

 

Publishing:

FINLAND: WSOY

FRANCE: Hachette Livre

GERMANY: Carlsen Verlag

ISRAEL: Kinneret Zmora

ITALY: Edizione Piemme

NORWAY: Vigmostad & Bjorke

 

Film and TV:

Lime Pictures

Nexus Studios

 

Consultancy:

Jane Southern Literary scouting