A change of agent

My long-time London agent, Norman North at The Agency, has made the decision to retire. He’s handled most of my work for over 30 years, and I’ll miss him sorely. My very first agent, Jacqueline Korn at David Higham, was acquired while I was still at Cambridge, in the hope (hers) that I would prove to be a successful novelist. This did not happen. When I found myself unexpectedly in demand as a TV writer, in the mid-80s, I realised I needed an experienced screen agent, and moved to Norman at The Agency. Over the years I’ve trusted him to bring good projects to me, and keep me away from the dubious ones. I’ve even found time to return to novel writing; though for that I have a different agent. These days it’s all about specialists.

So who to turn to after Norman? This agent-writer relationship is so important to me, as it is to any writer, that I sought advice from my friends in the business, and made a short list. I’m the opposite of a hot young writer, but I know my trade, and know I can go on doing good work for - what? - ten more years? The prospect of working with a new agent excites me.

I’ve gone for Jess Sykes at Independent Talent. She’s wonderful, deeply experienced, and both enthused and amused, as you have to be in this business. I thank her for agreeing to take me on. A new chapter of my life begins…