Agents' Party. Q&A with Fiz Osborne of Plum Literary

@FizOsborne
© Lucy Hunter 
Photography


Ahead of the much anticipated, exclusive, member-only SCBWI BI annual Agents’ Party 2015 on Friday 18th September, Miriam Craig interviews Fiz Osborne about the exciting launch of Plum Literary.







When is the official start of Plum Literary? 

Plum Literary officially launched on Thursday 20th August. It was an exciting day! We received so much support across the board. It was kind of wonderful to feel that level of positivity so soon. 



What range of ages and styles are you looking for? 

We’re looking for authentic voices and well-written stories. Nothing more specific than that! I’m a firm believer that people should write what they want to write in the first instance and then try to get it seen by as many people as possible. 



What do you want to get out of an event like the Agents' Party? 

So much communication happens over email or social media that putting a face to a name feels like a luxury. But I like to meet people and chat, and events like this are perfect for that. 



Do you want writers to pitch their book to you at the party, or just to chat? 

I would really prefer not to be pitched at! It’s fair to say that I won’t successfully remember an individual book idea after socialising all evening, my memory is just not that good! For me, the party is an opportunity to meet people, get to know them and be able to make that link if they choose to submit to Plum Literary. 



What are some of your favourite books? 

This is an eternally difficult question to answer, but I’ll just go for it and limit myself to a few: The Chaos Walking trilogy, Eleanor and Park, The Moomins, George’s Marvelous Medicine, I Know This Much Is True, The Catcher in the Rye, The Time Traveler’s Wife, Lolita. 



What do you like most about being an agent - or what are you most looking forward to? 

I like building positive relationships with people. It’s something I valued as an editor, and it’s something that has transferred naturally into my role as an agent. 



Thank you Fiz and congratulations on the launch of Plum Literary. 

For more information about Plum Literary, follow this link.  



So, what are you waiting for? 

Book your ticket and meet some of the UK’s top children’s literary and illustrator agents who are actively expanding their lists. 

Hear from the agents in a panel discussion about what books excite them and what they’re looking for. 

To book your place at the Agents’ Party so you can chat along with Fiz and other movers and shakers in the industry, click here. Tickets include a drink and entry into the prize draw for a one-to-one consultation with the agent of your choice. 




@FizOsborne
© Lucy Hunter 
Photography

Fiz Osborne Fiz Osborne is the co-founder of Plum Literary, a small but perfectly formed agency specialising in children’s literature. Fiz has worked in publishing for almost 10 years, most recently as Senior Editor on the Illustrated Publishing list at Bloomsbury Children’s Books. Her love of children’s literature and passion for helping writers get published compelled Fiz to join forces with Mark Mills, owner of Plum Pudding Illustration Agency, to form an approachable, honest agency with an important core message: that at Plum Literary, writers are given the support, advice and guidance they need to enjoy long careers in the publishing industry.

http://www.plumliterary.com/





@miriamhcraig
Miriam Craig is a children's writer, and freelance copywriter and editor. She loves green tea and salted caramels, is a slow reader, and can't decide whether squirrels are vermin or cute. She runs the Twitter-chat about middle grade books #ukmgchat and can be found there and on Instagram as @miriamhcraig. www.bookyshmoo.com







1 comment:

  1. Very best of luck, I'll be sending a submission along myself some time soon!

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