Amanda Harris
Literary Agent
After studying for a Masters in Comparative English Literature between the US and UK, Amanda’s first job in publishing was interning at Routledge Publishers in New York. She moved back to London, after her studies, and became a publicity assistant at Macmillan. After winning a PPC Award for her work with Inspector Morse creator, Colin Dexter, she became Publicity Director at Simon & Schuster. There, she switched to Editorial and was lucky enough to work with many literary giants, including Jackie Collins and Piers Paul Read. Amanda then joined Orion Publishing and stayed for 14 years. During that time, she was part of the British Book Awards ‘Imprint of the Year’ winning team, and launched two imprints, Orion Spring and Seven Dials. She also published countless Sunday Times bestsellers, and many of her authors later became her literary clients.
In 2019, Amanda moved to YMU where she founded their literary division and began to build her own list of fiction authors from her submissions inbox. Amanda sold close to 100 books while at the talent management company, and secured many six and seven-figure deals for her clients. She became Global MD of Literary, and was shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year three times.
Amanda recently received her fourth shortlisting for Literary Agent of the Year, and the winner will be announced at the British Book Awards in May.
With her long career in publishing and agenting, Amanda is passionate about demystifying the publishing process for authors, breaking down the ivory towers of the industry and ensuring her clients’ interests are at the heart of every publishing decision.
What I'm looking forI am actively looking to grow my list with new voices across fiction and non-fiction.
My reading has never been led or limited by genre and this is reflected in the eclectic list of clients I work with. There is a golden thread running through my roster, however. I look for writing that makes readers feel less alone, whether it’s a novel exploring ideas and challenging cultural norms, or non-fiction that sheds light on aspects of the human condition.
When considering submissions, I slow down to read ambitious and sweeping storytelling, strong characterisation, and convincing and engaging dialogue. I would like to represent more quality commercial fiction, and to find authors whose voices and ideas would work across series or multiple standalone titles. I take great personal and professional satisfaction in working with my authors over many books.
In non-fiction, I am looking for THE book in the chosen subject area, the title that will become core stock in bookshops, sell on for years, and be the benchmark against which others are measured.
I’m also eager to represent authors who take on challenging subjects and use their expertise, life experience or academic standing to become explainers or problem solvers. This type of expert or science writer excites me greatly as books constantly change lives for the better.
