1/Please give us a brief biog
Juliet Mushens is an Agent in the London Books Division of The Agency Group, having previously been an Agent at PFD. Before becoming a literary agent, Juliet worked in fiction marketing and editorial at HarperCollins, after reading history at Cambridge. She is always looking for new voices and supervises a dissertation on the Kingston University Creative Writing Course. Juliet represents a list of debut fiction and bestselling non-fiction and will consider anything except fiction for the very young, and diet books.
2/What are you working on at the moment?
Loads of things! I’m about to submit/have just submitted an epic fantasy debut, a horror novel, a debut YA novel, a self-help book and a literary debut. I’ve also got several inspirational memoirs coming up, and a lot more cookery.
I’m also working towards publication of a few debuts including NATURAL CAUSES by James Oswald which Penguin bought at auction in October. It’s exciting seeing everything coming together before publication date.
3/What are you looking for this year?
A bit of everything, really. More inspirational memoirs, more cooks, more literary fiction, more thrillers, more fantasy, more historical…
My taste is varied but I especially love new writers and new voices. I sold 14 debut titles last year and want to beat that this year!
4/What top tip would you give to an unpublished author?
Do your homework. You get one shot with an agent so make sure you send them what they’ve asked for, that they’re the right person for your submission, and that you’ve polished your pitch.
5/What do you look for in a submission letter?
A clever and punchy elevator pitch always gets my attention.
6/What is the biggest mistake authors make in submission letters?
Giving far too much information and coming across as very pushy are pet peeves of mine.
7/What book would you have loved to have represented?
Oh LOADS. Recently? THE BOOK OF NIGHT WOMEN by Marlon James. NOTHING TO ENVY by Barbara Demick.
8/Finally, what authors would you invite round for tea and cake?
All of mine! In fact Team Mushens – as they have dubbed themselves – regularly gather with me for cocktails and steaks to chat about writing and publishing.