
The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
Emma Parry
Biography
Emma Parry is a literary agent with Janklow & Nesbit Associates. She says: “I’m looking for unforgettable storytellers and original thinkers. Strong plots and new ideas. I love writers who extend empathy, resist tyranny, make change and entertain.
I’ve worked with winners of the Shiva Naipaul Prize for Travel Writing, the National Book Critics Circle, the Man Booker, the Pulitzer and the Nobel – and I’m actively looking for more massively talented and ambitious writers to join my list.
I love memoir, reportage, history, science, and narrative – all non-fiction with the power to surprise and gratify.
I love novels with irresistible plots, distinctive voices, fresh perspectives, big characters, historical insights, heart and wit.
After Cambridge, I joined the graduate program of Ogilvy & Mather before being rescued from advertising by the legendary British literary agent Gillon Aitken. I worked with Gillon on Sebastian Faulks, Helen Fielding, Germaine Greer, Ian Hamilton, and V.S. Naipaul while building my own list of writers including Kathryn Flett and Toby Young.
At 24, I came to New York at the invitation of FSG to complete a six-week international editorial internship. Later that year I moved permanently to the States with a lovely letter of recommendation from V.S. Naipaul.
I joined Carlisle and Company, selling a fast growing list including Sacha Baron Cohen, Bernardine Evaristo, John Guy, Sarah Hall, Alan Hollinghurst, David Kennedy, Marian Keyes, Hari Kunzru, Paul McCartney, Andrew Miller, Maggie O’Farrell, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Tom Shone, and Kamila Shamsie.
In 2003, I founded a new agency with Christy Fletcher, Fletcher & Parry, and our associate Donald Lamm. Over our fun and productive years in a Carriage House off Union Square, we sold up a storm, and I helped launch the careers of new writers including Rebecca Godfrey, Stephen Grey, Jonah Lehrer, Dan Lyons, Alexander Rose, Andrew Smith and Douglas Smith. We also co-produced a first film, “The Rite”, starring Anthony Hopkins.
In 2013, having sold my half of the agency, I joined Janklow & Nesbit and have been delighted to continue my career among the company’s legendary founders and stellar team of agents. It’s a very collegial powerhouse here, with incredible support systems for our authors.
I work closely with my excellent colleagues in London and long-term associates in editing, collaborative writing and film/tv. I strive to maintain an international and independent perspective, and to continue to innovate in an industry that presents fresh challenges and opportunities every day.
I love to help writers make money, achieve the best possible iteration of their work, get the most rewarding publishing experience in every respect, and reach and captivate the maximum audience out there.”
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Ethnic Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Mystery * Multicultural Fiction * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Economics * Ethnic * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * History * Journalism * Lifestyle * Memoir * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Narrative * Politics * Science * Travel * True Crime *
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