Philippa Milnes-Smith
Philippa Milnes-Smith is a literary agent and children’s specialist at the agency LAW (Lucas Alexander Whitley).
What qualifies you to be a literary agent?
I worked for nearly 20 years in publishing before becoming an agent, spending the last five of them as Managing Director of Puffin Books, the children’s books division of Penguin. So, basically, it’s a broad range of general publishing experience and the day-to-day detail of working extensively with authors, illustrators, editors and everyone else in the book trade (as well as a great enjoyment of the business) that I brought into this particular role when I started as an agent. I also did quite a lot of work in the areas of film, TV, merchandising and licensing, which is an important adjunct to the standard ‘literary’ work of an agent.
What makes your heart sink when you receive a letter and/or manuscript from a prospective client?
Bad typing, bad spelling, bad grammar – bad writing at the most basic level. If a would-be writer cannot demonstrate a flair for writing in their introductory letter it’s hard to anticipate they will be doing any better in their manuscript.
Describe the perfect approach from a prospective client.
A clear, straightforward and engaging covering letter; a brief but compelling outline of their book (synopses and outlines really don’t have to be boring); and sample chapters that I just cannot put down. And I like the prospective clients who don’t forget the SAE and any other relevant enclosures.
In relation to your clients, what do you think about other than making money out of them?
I always think about their long-term future and about how they can best realise their full potential as an author. It’s always important to get the right deal for the right book, in whatever media and whatever territory, but I want my authors to be more than just a star for a day.
What has been the highlight of your role as a literary agent?
Far, far too many to enumerate. Every time I find an exciting new author and an exciting new manuscript it is nothing less than a complete thrill, even after all these years in publishing. And every time a book hits the bestseller list and/or wins an award it’s also obligatory to cheer and celebrate.
What’s your advice to an author aspiring to be published?
Be prepared to work really, really hard at every aspect of your writing and your career. Nothing less will do.
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