What's Happening?
Susan Canavan, a literary agent at WLA Books, shared insights into her career transition from editing to agenting. After experiencing burnout at Harcourt, Canavan embraced the entrepreneurial nature of agenting, allowing her to be more agile in the market.
She has found success in selling sports books, a niche she entered after her first bestseller, 'The Perfect Mile' by Neal Bascomb. Canavan approaches sports books as compelling nonfiction, focusing on stories of individuals taking significant risks. She emphasizes the importance of authors having a fan base and treating their books as businesses to maintain relevance in nonfiction.
Why It's Important?
Canavan's approach highlights the evolving role of literary agents in the publishing industry, where adaptability and market awareness are crucial. Her success in sports books underscores the genre's potential to reach broad audiences by transcending traditional sports narratives. This approach can influence how publishers and authors strategize their book releases, focusing on personal stories and fan engagement. The emphasis on authors as active marketers of their work reflects broader industry trends where writers are increasingly responsible for their book's success.
