Six Questions with Transatlantic Agency president and literary agent Samantha Haywood

Samantha Haywood is President of the Transatlantic Agency. She specialises in international publishing and has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. Samantha represents a diverse and vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists, cookbook authors and thought leaders.

1.     What is your favourite part of dealing with a new manuscript or discovering a new author?

My favorite part of dealing with a new manuscript or discovering a new author is the sense of connecting intimately and personally to a person and/or their story. That feeling of “oh, I LOVE this, and I know what to do with this story. I know how to help this author. I can see what they are doing, and I think I have a way forward to improve it and bring it forward into the marketplace that will make the book as successful as possible.”

2. What is the most challenging part getting a manuscript all the way to a publishing deal? 

The most challenging part is often patience! I have very little patience with the marketplace. And just because a manuscript is incredibly well written or its story exciting and powerful, doesn’t guarantee that it will succeed in the way you are aiming for and hoping it will.  And that said, sometimes the frustrations are after the publishing deal. The publication process itself can been fraught. What if the retailers aren’t backing it with strong orders; what if a pandemic hits and media and promotion are hard to come by? You know, shit happens and hopefully agents are trying to help fix that *#@%!

3.  What has been the most obvious change in your work as an agent during this extraordinary year?

The most obvious change to my work as an agent this year is needing to be more compassionate and flexible than ever. Change is rapid and constant. The pandemic has meant for challenging working conditions for so many of us. Sometimes getting something accomplished now is three times the work and we must remember to be grateful that it’s happening at all, given the state of the world. I’m grateful that books are in demand and that sharing our stories is more needed than ever. And I’m feeling compassionate for all my colleagues that are working with kids from home, or caring for sick loved ones, or have front- line workers as their nearest and dearest.

4. What are the advantages or disadvantages of this change? 

The advantage in my opinion is that we realize we CAN work in a myriad of ways. We don’t have to work in just one way (for instance, from the office vs from home;  both can get the job done.) And the pandemic has brought to light systemic injustices with such glaring focus that I am hopeful for true meaningful change coming from movements such as Black Lives Matter.

5.  What new habit or perspective have you adopted this year as a hedge against being overwhelmed? 

I’ve been trying to exercise regularly and pulling it off for the most part. And recently in this second phase of lockdown, I’m making a greater effort to connect with friends and loved ones, even if over zoom. Lockdown is isolating and connecting with people we care about, even if it’s virtually, helps.

6. What part of the publishing process still surprises you?

I’m surprised every day. This career also allows me to keep learning on a business level and on an individual level. Storytellers lead you into the most uncomfortable and inspiring of places. I feel that personal growth is inevitable if you’re reading the good stuff.