My Job in 5: Amy Fitzgerald

1. Describe your role.

As an agent at TBP my main role is to find talented new writers, nurture and grow their career and ensure that their work reaches the widest possible audience. This includes editorial feedback on manuscripts, preparing proposals for submission, negotiating contracts, liaising with our International Rights team and exploring opportunities in TV, film and live events. My focus is always to support my clients at every stage.

2. What do you like best about your role?

The thing I cherish most about my job is being able to work with a client through every step of the publishing process from developing their idea and finding the right editor to publication and beyond. I’m also an absolute sucker for beautiful storytelling and love to uncover new talent that I can’t wait to talk to everyone about.

3. Which new projects or titles are you working on at the moment?

I am currently building my list in crime thrillers, reading group fiction, memoir and smart narrative non-fiction with a commercial edge so I’m reading a lot and meeting with some great authors and editors. I also have a few exciting projects in the pipeline which I will be going on submission with shortly including a brilliant non-fiction title which explores one family’s experience of restorative justice in the UK.

4. What skills do you need for your role?

You need the ability to see the potential in writing that can be quite rough and may need a lot of redrafting, and the commitment to work with an author to develop their work to be the best it can possibly  be. I also think it is really important to be a creative and innovative strategist as the way in which people consume stories is continuously changing and evolving in this industry.

5. What advice would you give to those looking to work in the industry?

I know this comes up a lot, but I think it is really important to read widely and keep on top of what is going on in the market.  It is also definitely worth exploring the wide range of roles within the industry including agenting, scouting, editorial, marketing, international rights, audio production, sales etc. to see where your passions and skills would work best. I began in an editorial role but soon realised my skills were better suited as an agent.