The BIA was established in 2012 by Ben Illis to offer specialist literary representation, focussing on writers of Children's, Young Adult and crossover fiction and select clients who also write for adults. We work directly with publishers around the world, both directly and via a network of sub-agents and scouts. More after the slideshow....
Why us?
In this world of consolidation and conglomeration, many agencies and publishers are joining forces, pooling resources and growing in size to face off the competition. As a small agency, we can offer a personal service, working more closely with our clients to build their work into as commercial a prospect as possible. We are in constant contact with editors at UK and international houses - both large and small - as well as, of course, the Film and TV world - and pride ourselves on finding the right home on the right list for the right book.
What are we looking for?
Put simply: We are looking to be transported. We look for the sorts of stories that make us want to stay up late under the covers with a torch, squeezing in just one more chapter before we fall sleep.
Help us unleash the child within!
Here's just a few of the specifics we look out for:
VOICE - The toughest thing to fix. Voice needs to be authentic and compelling from the off.
POWER - Nothing worse than a kids' story in which adults retain power. Empower your kids in an original way.
POINT OF VIEW - If your protagonist is a child, let's see their world through their eyes AND from their height.
PACE - Get the story started and keep it moving. Watch chapter length. Keep prose spare and drive the story on.
NARRATIVE ARC - Sequels are important, but give your reader some satisfaction before leaving them hanging.
Help us unleash the child within!
Here's just a few of the specifics we look out for:
VOICE - The toughest thing to fix. Voice needs to be authentic and compelling from the off.
POWER - Nothing worse than a kids' story in which adults retain power. Empower your kids in an original way.
POINT OF VIEW - If your protagonist is a child, let's see their world through their eyes AND from their height.
PACE - Get the story started and keep it moving. Watch chapter length. Keep prose spare and drive the story on.
NARRATIVE ARC - Sequels are important, but give your reader some satisfaction before leaving them hanging.
The process...
Very rarely do we encounter a story that is ready to go. The first step is to meet with potential clients and discuss ideas and possible editorial directions for their manuscript. It is crucial that both parties agree they can work together and that potential clients demonstrate their ability to listen to feedback and take it on board, as well as, of course, defend their own intentions.
Some scripts take a couple of edits - of varying magnitude - some more. The important thing is that it is not a timed process. Books go out only when they are good and ready to compete in a highly challenging market. Keeping an open mind on the writer's part is key.
Some scripts take a couple of edits - of varying magnitude - some more. The important thing is that it is not a timed process. Books go out only when they are good and ready to compete in a highly challenging market. Keeping an open mind on the writer's part is key.