An Exclusive Interview with Annette Crossland; Director, A for Authors Agency Ltd

In a career spanning more than 40 years, Annette Crossland has worked in high-profile positions in some of the UK and USA’s most successful publishing companies. Her interest in crime and thriller fiction is both a career and a hobby.  She has worked with some of the top bestselling authors in the world, touring overseas with Frances Fyfield, Elizabeth George, and Dennis Lehane, amongst others. Her legendary enthusiasm for books has meant working closely with many editors in her publishing career to acquire new and exciting talents.  She has been a literary agent since 2014, and rebranded her agency in March 2019 as A for Authors Agency Ltd. in partnership with international financier Clem Chambers.

In an exclusive interview with Nitish Raj; Editor-in-Chief, The Literary Mirror, the veteran literary agent talks about publishing, submission guidelines and her experience working with bestselling authors.

Q. With an impressive career spanning more than 40 years, we would like to know how did it all begin? What inspired you to commence your journey as a literary agent?

Ans. I have always had a total love of books from a very early age, I got my first job in book publishing straight from college, and went into international sales.  I became a literary agent because I wanted to take brilliant books and brilliant authors to the publishing world, the joy of getting a book you care about signed to a publisher is the greatest feeling in the world!

Q. What interests you more about representing writers in crime and thriller fiction?

Ans. Crime/thrillers were always one of my most favourite genres when I was in international sales, it is one of the top-selling categories in every market I can think of, and the amazing twists and turns writers in this genre come up with is so incredibly exciting to read, and coming up with an innovative pitch is such a personal triumph for me.

Q. How significant it is for the aspiring writers to follow the submission guidelines of the literary agency they are approaching?

Ans. It is incredibly important when looking for an agent to read submission guidelines, there is absolutely no point in sending say a science fiction novel to an agent who specifically says they do not represent that genre.  It is also imperative to submit a manuscript in the best possible edited state it can reach.

Q. Having worked with some of the top bestselling authors in the world, would you like to share how hands-on do you work with your authors during the entire process?

Ans. When we sign up an author, we work very hard on the manuscript with the author, so that it is in the best possible form to go out on submission.  We discuss with the author what expectations they have, what contacts they may have and how we can maximize the potential of a book.  We also work with them to build and handle their social media.  It is very important to have a visible profile – of course not all authors are comfortable with that side, and so we have a dedicated person who handle that side of things, helped by the whole team.  We also try to attend events with our authors, it is vital to support them, and I like to think it is one of the big strengths of the Agency that we are so supportive of our authors in every possible respect.

Q. What is the best part of your job, and the worst?

Ans. The most wonderful part of my job is the joy of seeing an author and a book you believe in become a huge success, particularly after an uphill struggle!  The worst part of my job is to have a book that I absolutely love and not be able to convince publishers to take it on…particularly as I come from a very successful sales background and I really do know what can sell! One of the most exciting things for me has been the growth of audio sales over the last 18 months or so, the indescribable thrill of hearing a book you love narrated by a fabulous voiceover artist is just the best experience.

Q. What role do cover letters, synopsis, and sample chapters play when writers send out queries to agents?

Ans. It is so important to read an agent’s submission guidelines first, and then to write a coherent cover letter.  Authors need to supply a good 1 page synopsis, and well-edited initial chapters – check and double-check for spelling mistakes and punctuation.

Q. Do you consider your own taste in books for the authors you choose to represent?

Ans. Obviously my own taste affects what I take on, but sometimes a book can catch my attention which is outside of my favourite genres, and if I feel we as an Agency can do it justice, then nothing will stop me trying to sign it up!

Q. Would you walk us through a typical day in the life of a literary agent? And how things have changed post-pandemic?

Ans. First job of the day is checking the huge number of emails we receive, dealing with the most important as soon as possible.  Normally I have at least one meeting (now all on Zoom as a result of the pandemic), sometimes more.  I usually have a number of manuscripts I am working on to make into a suitable book for submission purposes.  I also have to brief our social media person on things that need to be put out across all our platforms on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Some days I dedicate to submitting to publishers, it is so important to try and communicate one’s passion for a book without being too verbose, the pitch is vitally important.  Everything has changed of course due to the pandemic, in that we have had no face-to-face meetings during 2020 and the early part of 2021, so Zoom meetings and telephone calls have become the new normal.

Q. Which books are you most excited about, and do you have any books currently on your Wishlist?

Ans. I have several new clients on my list, and I am extremely excited by their books.  We have had a few major successes over the last year, Awais Khan’s fabulous novel NO HONOUR (published by Orenda Books and Isis Audio) has received international acclaim and has been picked up several awards as a result.  A.A. Chaudhuri’s superb psychological thriller SHE’S MINE (published by Hera Books has had incredible reviews and sold out of the first printing in paperback, and has just reprinted.  Both authors have new books coming in 2022.