Peter Buckman of the Ampersand Agency describes how he seeks first paragraphs that sing
Peter Buckman
After working on the editorial board of Penguin Books, Peter Buckman became a full-time writer producing books and scripts for film, television, stage and radio. Peter set up The Ampersand Agency in 2003, with assistance from uber-agent Peter Janson-Smith, who represented Ian Fleming among others. The Ampersand Agency now looks after the interests of a large variety of authors, ranging from debut novelists to literary stalwarts such as Beryl Kingston. Peter advises us on what can make the difference between a successful submission and a rejection.
What inspired you to become a literary agent?
I’d been a publisher for a bit before becoming a full-time writer, and after 35 years of spinning fluff from my navel, being an agent seemed like fun, especially as my wife and daughter ran an agency selling foreign rights.
Agenting allows me to rely on my instincts rather than my intellect while bringing into play all my experience of the various aspects of writing and selling. I can exercise my creative skills, have lunch with a lot of civilised people, encourage writers with talent, filter out the garbage, and incidentally make some money.
What makes the Ampersand Agency different to other literary agencies?
Our candour, our promptness in responding to submissions and queries, our taste, our professionalism, and our tenacity.
What kind of books do you take on?
Anything we are genuinely excited and enthusiastic about.
Which publishing houses have you worked with?
Everyone from Random House to Severn House.
What happens to a submission once it reaches your office?
It’s logged, read, and responded to within four weeks or less.
What do you look for in a submission?
A good story distinctively told.
How can a new author get past the slush pile?
They all receive the same treatment. And I call it our submission box.
Once you have accepted a manuscript for representation, what happens next?
We send the writer a letter of agreement and get talking to publishers.
What is your favourite part of the process?
Signing the cheques for our authors.
What is the most challenging part of it?
Knowing when to stop giving our authors advice. And keeping up with changes in publishing personnel.
Whose writing has excited you recently?
All our authors excite me.
What would you say the main challenges are for an aspiring author?
Realising that it’s a totally subjective business and still being capable of accepting constructive advice.
What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?
Read the guidelines on agency websites and follow them. Address the agent by name, not “Dear Sir/Madam”.
Don’t make the package or envelope a struggle to open.
Make the first paragraph sing.
For further information, please visit www.theampersandagency.co.uk
Other literary agencies interviewed for this series include Annette Green Author’s Agency and the Marsh Agency
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