Dear Gerard, Congratulations on your website which, I can see, is a very valuable service to writers. I'm a small agency with about a hundred authors specialising in history and biography. Almost half the list are new writers and I'm happy to receive submissions (synopsis and sample chapter) by e-mail, fax or letter. I started the agency in 1988, having been a journalist, book seller, publisher and Director of Curtis Brown, because I felt there was room for a more personal service. The fact I am also a writer and have a legal background, I hope, gives me extra expertise and sympathy in dealing with authors and, as I'm the only member of staff, it means writers only deal with me and I read every single submission. I tend to sell US and film rights myself and take a long-term view in shaping a writer's career. I'm the literary agent to British PEN and founder of The Biographers Club. Hope this helps. Best wishes, Andrew Lownie
Dear Andrew: Absolutely perfect. Would that everyone were so forthcoming, succinct and informative. If you want a review copy of my narrative nonfiction book, Ginny Good, let me know and I'll have the publisher send you one. They own the UK rights and the film rights. And of course you're more than welcome to take a look at the samples from the other manuscripts I've put on the website, nobody owns them but me. Thanks. G.
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