TRANSLATING RIGHTS:

KEY TRENDS AND MARKET PROFILES

Helen Boyle - Literary Scout, Sylvie Zannier Literary Scouting

WHAT IS ALITERARY SCOUT?

SO WHAT DO I ACTUALLY DO?

• Scouts represent a link between UK

and foreign publishers

• Like a matchmaker (or a diplomat!)

we bring publishers together

• We help UK publishers, agents and

authors find an audience in foreign

territories

MY BUSIEST TIMES OF YEAR: March (pre Bologna) and September (pre Frankfurt)

We offer a tailored service for the publishers we

represent:

• Information gatherer

• We act as a filter, helping our clients

prioritise what to read

• Provide trusted opinions and

recommendations

• Give relevant insight into the UK market

• Provide reading reports for use in

acquisitions meetings

• Book fair briefing

SOME OF THE AUTHORS PUBLISHED BY OUR CLIENTSJohn Boyne

Kiera CassLiz KesslerMeg RosoffJanet FoxleySheridan WinnChris RiddellSally GreenLiz PichonJK RowlingLisa WilliamsonAndy StantonScott WesterfeldPhilippa GregoryJ.D. Rinehart

Kathryn LittlewoodSteve ColeJenny DownhamGayle FormanNeil GaimanMark HaddonJohn McNallyMichelle PaverRick RiordanJacqueline WilsonAxel SchefflerJulia DonaldsonErin Hunter

E. LockhartWilliam SutcliffeJasmine WargaDavid Levithan

RECENT ACQUISITIONS

The Graces by Laure Eve (Fischer FJB)Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell (Salamandra)Defender of the Realm by Mark Huckerby and Nick Ostler (Fischer KJB)The Art of Being Normal by Lisa Williamson (Fischer KJB)Goth Girl by Chris Riddell (Gummerus, Fischer Sauerlander)Stonebird by Mike Revell (Fischer Sauerlander)The Square Root of Summer (Fischer Sauerlander) The Apple Tart of Hope by Sarah Moore Fitzgerald (Fischer KJB)The 13 Storey Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton (Alfabeta)

Crown of Three by J.D. Rinehart (Fischer Sauerlander) The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne (Fischer KJB) Selection by Kiera Cass (Fischer FJB)This Book is Gay by James Dawson (Fischer KJB)Did I Mention I Love You? by Estelle Maskame (Gummerus) Foxcraft by Inbali Iserles (Fischer KJB)Infinity Drake by John McNally (Salamandra) The Borrowed Dark by Dave Rudden (Fischer KJB) The Jewel by Amy Ewing (Fischer FJB)

TRENDS? • Every market is different

• For every ‘rule’ there is an exception

• Currently seeing a bit more interest in illustrated fiction (the Goth Girls, Reeves & McIntyre types)

• Paranormal never really died

• Dystopian constantly reinvents itself

• Contemporary must have that added extra hook - Contemporary +

• Historical can be tough

• Humour travels but can be unpredictable

• Good quality storytelling and distinctive voices are always of interest

• Foreign publishers are acquiring editors and they are looking for books they love, feel connected to and want to publish passionately – just like UK editors

WORKING WITH SCOUTS

• We want to help you link with our foreign publishers. And we can make a big impact

• Early information. Our clients don’t mind if a manuscript hasn’t been proof read, or even copyedited. Share the excitement you have for your newly acquired books

• Never underestimate the power of a beautiful finished copy – particularly with illustrated younger fiction and gift-type packages

• I see agents, UK acquiring editors and publishers, rights people, booksellers and librarians. We all like to talk passionately about exciting new books. Use the network to build the buzz

WORKING WITH SCOUTS

• News, foreign deals, sales figures – tell us. It all helps and enables us to represent a title or series to our clients. I do a weekly report of highlights for our clients.

• Foreign editors are interested in what’s happening in their European neighbours. They talk to editors in France, Germany, Spain, Italy etc. So, if something is working particularly well in a foreign territory, tell us.

• Talk to us all year round, not just in the build-up to the book fair. We are talking to our clients all year round.