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Literary agents in Ireland

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  • 09-01-2011 5:55pm
    #1
    Penname
    Registered Users Posts: 219 ✭✭


    I am finding it difficult to find literary agents in Ireland for women's fiction. There is a list on irelandliteraryguide.com, however, all the emails I have sent have been sent back as 'mail not sent/invalid mail address' etc. I can only assume the list is an old one.

    Would anyone have a recent comprehensive list of Irish literary agents please?


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    #2
    smcgiff
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,943 ✭✭✭smcgiff


    You tried to email them, eh? Yeah - you and hundreds of others.

    Try this website. Or do some google investigation.

    http://www.publishingireland.com/writers.shtml

    There are also books like the writers and artist year book. But, the advice I would give you is to contact them by post.

    Even if you have an email address an unsolicited email is likely to be as welcomed as an email that suggests it can increase their penis size by 5 inches.


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    #3
    Antilles
    Registered Users Posts: 1,183 ✭✭✭Antilles


    smcgiff wrote: »
    Even if you have an email address an unsolicited email is likely to be as welcomed as an email that suggests it can increase their penis size by 5 inches.

    Doubly so for women's fiction!


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    #4
    Penname
    Registered Users Posts: 219 ✭✭Penname


    A letter it is so. Thanks for the replies.


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    #5
    ColdCountyHome
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5 ✭ColdCountyHome


    I found this on a google search.

    The Lisa Richards Agency
    Founded in 1998
    46 Upper Baggot St
    Dublin 4
    Tel: (01)6603534
    Fax: (01)6603545
    fogrady@eircom.net
    Contact: Faith O’Grady
    Seeks - Writers of Fiction, Non-Fiction,Childrens and Screenplays.
    Send synopsis, 2 -3 speciman chapters, cover letter and s.a.e. (essential)
    Translation rights handled by The Marsh Agency Ltd.
    No reading fee
    Authors include June Considine, Tara Heavey, Colm Keena, Martin Malone, Pauline McLynn, Sarah O’Brien, David O’Doherty, Damien Owens, Homan Poetterton, Kevin Rafter, Annie Sparrow, Denise Deegan, Paul Howard (Ross O’Carroll-Kelly,) Roisin Ingle and Hector

    Good luck!


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    #6
    Penname
    Registered Users Posts: 219 ✭✭Penname


    Thanks for that CCH. :)


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    #7
    Writerman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1 ✭Writerman


    Hi there :)

    I work as an Irish Literary Agent and accept submissions all year round. I do not charge fees and work with the following genres:

    Self-Help, Psychology, Spiritual, Religious, Mind, Body & Spirit, Science, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Natural Medicines, Alternative & Complementary Medicines, Paganism & Shamanism, Christianity, Esoteric, New Generation, Juvenile Fiction & Non-Fiction, Buddhism, Hinduism, Eastern, Transformation, Environment, Sports & Recreation, Study, Travel, Poetry, Nature, Literary Criticism, Language, Arts & Disciplines, Humor, History, Health & Fitness, Family & Relationships, Foreign Language Study, Biography and Autobiography, Love, and Business.

    Kind regards,

    Cathal O'Briain

    irishliteraryagent@gmail.com
    www.cathalobriain.com ;)


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    #8
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    ColdCountyHome wrote: »
    I found this on a google search.

    The Lisa Richards Agency
    Founded in 1998
    46 Upper Baggot St
    Dublin 4
    Tel: (01)6603534
    Fax: (01)6603545
    fogrady@eircom.net
    Contact: Faith O’Grady
    Seeks - Writers of Fiction, Non-Fiction,Childrens and Screenplays.
    Send synopsis, 2 -3 speciman chapters, cover letter and s.a.e. (essential)
    Translation rights handled by The Marsh Agency Ltd.
    No reading fee
    Authors include June Considine, Tara Heavey, Colm Keena, Martin Malone, Pauline McLynn, Sarah O’Brien, David O’Doherty, Damien Owens, Homan Poetterton, Kevin Rafter, Annie Sparrow, Denise Deegan, Paul Howard (Ross O’Carroll-Kelly,) Roisin Ingle and Hector

    Good luck!

    She has an excellent reputation, but I met her recently and she said she was not accepting new clients unless they were a writing phenomenon.

    Which is, of course, the problem that you are facing.

    Depending on the type of women's fiction you write, you might find it more productive to approach publisher directly.


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    #9
    Penname
    Registered Users Posts: 219 ✭✭Penname


    EileenG wrote: »
    She has an excellent reputation, but I met her recently and she said she was not accepting new clients unless they were a writing phenomenon.

    Which is, of course, the problem that you are facing.

    Depending on the type of women's fiction you write, you might find it more productive to approach publisher directly.

    Hmmm, just gotta find out how to make myself a literary phenomenon so! Thanks for replying ;)

    Cathal, thanks for your reply. You don't seem to cover the genre that I write in but I appreciate you replying. :)


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    #10
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    There are a lot of e-publishers out there who publish women's fiction, and in general, e-pubs will accept direct submissions.


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    #11
    skingtile
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭skingtile


    thinking of doing some writing, if a person's name is stephen king can he use his own name


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    #12
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    skingtile wrote: »
    thinking of doing some writing, if a person's name is stephen king can he use his own name

    Yes, but you may find it harder to get published. Chances are you'll be asked to change it in some way, even if it's just to Steve King.


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    #13
    Das Kitty
    Moderators, Arts Moderators Posts: 17,231 Mod ✭✭✭✭Das Kitty


    Stiofán Rí

    :)


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    #14
    skingtile
    Registered Users Posts: 64 ✭✭skingtile


    thank you for the reply, have always wondered, as you can imagine all the quips i have received over the years


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    #15
    miec
    Registered Users Posts: 856 ✭✭✭miec


    Hi Op

    You should consider Marianne Gunn O'Connor as she does women's fiction, she represents Celia Ahern etc, you can find out more about her and the submission process at http://www.writing.ie/resources/literary-super-agent-marianne-gunn-oconnor/


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    #16
    Danpad
    Registered Users Posts: 273 ✭✭Danpad


    Hi there, OP, one thing to keep in mind is that the literary agent 'circuit' in Ireland is, let's say, quite a small, connected, entity. Do not miss out on the UK and USA scene.


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    #17
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    For what it's worth, my agent is English, and has no problem dealing with an Irish publisher. However, it does mean that money goes through two currency exchances, which is a pain.


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    #18
    Mary Lynam dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Mary Lynam dunne


    I have tried every agency I could find in Ireland but all give the same reply.
    Publish first then you get an agent
    I though it was the other way round?


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    #19
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    Not really. Nearly all Irish publishers will accept direct submissions from authors, so you don't need an agent to get a contract. An agent's real job is not finding you a publisher, it's negotiating your contract and getting you the best possible deal.

    Don't forget, an agent will take 15% of your royalties on domestic sales and 20% on foreign. Sounds fine when you don't have an income, but when you see the chunk coming out of your cheque, it hurts.

    Is your book ready to publish?


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    #20
    Mary Lynam dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Mary Lynam dunne


    Yes, my book is ready to publish.


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    #21
    Mary Lynam dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Mary Lynam dunne


    I would love to have your pain, Eileen


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    #22
    Mary Lynam dunne
    Registered Users Posts: 4 ✭Mary Lynam dunne


    Yes, my book is ready to publish. I self-published the first book and sold all 400 copies within a few weeks. There was a request for the second Book but I cannot afford to self-publish again. I am also in my 60's and found the travel and self promotion work rather difficult. As a retired Drama/Musical Director I am used to addressing audiences and don't find that daunting at all.


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    #23
    EileenG
    Registered Users Posts: 5,775 ✭✭✭EileenG


    Well, nearly all the Irish publishers will accept direct submissions.


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