How to find a literary agent with Juliet Mushens and Jessie Burton

If you’re a new writer, the process of getting your book into print might seem a bit daunting. This unique masterclass with leading literary agent Juliet Mushens will demystify the publishing process and reveal what agents look for in submissions. In the space of just three hours, you’ll learn everything from how to prepare the perfect submissions package, to how to edit your manuscript and pitch your book.

On the night, Juliet will be joined by two of her most exciting and successful authors – Jessie Burton, author of the international bestseller The Miniaturist, and Francesca Haig, whose debut novel The Fire Sermon has sold in 24 countries and been optioned to be turned into a film. Come along and find out how to give your novel the best possible chance of being accepted by an agent and transformed into a traditionally published book.

Course content

• What is a literary agent – what do they do and why do you need one?
• How to research potential agents and decide who might be the best person to represent you
• What do agents look for in submissions?
• How to write a killer cover letter
• How to prepare a synopsis
• Advice on pitching your book to agents
• Editing your manuscript
• Discussion of pitches and blurbs for famous books
• Practical session – selected attendees volunteer to read aloud a short blurb for their book, with opportunity for feedback on the evening (see below for more info)
• Q&A with Jessie Burton and Francesca Haig – including discussion of their cover letters
• Q&A with Juliet – a fantastic opportunity to get advice on the publishing process from a leading literary agent

This course is for you if…

• You’re working on a novel and want to learn how to give it the best possible chance of being traditionally published
• You’re planning on writing a novel, and want insider advice on how to make your work attractive to agents and publishers
• You’re a published author who wants a refresher course on how to communicate effectively with literary agents and publishers

Course preparation

• Attendees are invited to bring along a short blurb or ‘elevator pitch’ for their book, should they wish to do so. The blurb should be similar in style to the copy on the back cover of books in shops – and no more than one paragraph in length
• Juliet will ask between 2-5 volunteers to share their blurb with the group, with opportunity for feedback on the evening

You may also be interested in…

• How to write a bestseller with Sebastian Faulks
• How to improve your novel with Charlotte Mendelson

Tutor profile

Juliet Mushens is an agent in the UK literary division of The Agency Group. She represents a list of bestselling fiction and non-fiction writers, including Jessie Burton, author of the international bestseller The Miniaturist, and Sunday Times bestselling crime writer James Oswald. She was highly commended in the Literary Agent of the Year category at the Bookseller Industry Awards in 2015, having also been shortlisted in 2014. Alongside her role as an agent, Juliet supervises creative writing dissertations for Kingston University. Her first book, Get Started in Creative Writing for Young Adults, was published by Hodder in June. Find Juliet on Twitter here.

Guest speaker profiles

Jessie Burton worked for nine years as an actress and a PA before The Miniaturist was published. The Miniaturist is her first novel, and was an international bestseller, reaching the top of the bestseller list in the UK. Rights were sold in 36 countries around the world, and TV rights have been optioned by Company Pictures. The novel is set in Amsterdam, 1686, and tells the story of two women’s very different journeys to find a slice of freedom in a repressive, judgmental society. Find out more about Jessie on her website.

Francesca Haig is a novelist, poet and academic. The Fire Sermon, her debut novel, is the first in a post-apocalyptic trilogy. Rights for the book have sold in 26 countries around the world and it has been optioned by DreamWorks for film. Francesca’s poetry has been published in literary journals and anthologies in both Australia and England, and her first collection of poetry, Bodies of Water, was published in 2006. In 2010 she was awarded a Hawthornden Fellowship. She lives in London with her husband and son. Find Francesca on Twitter here.

Full course and returns information on the Masterclasses website