Representing Adult Fiction/Nonfiction Authors
Submissions
Samantha Haywood is open to submissions. Submission guidelines can be found below.
After 20 years of literary agenting in international publishing and nearly 10 years of running the Transatlantic Agency as owner and President, Samantha specializes in managing author’s careers across the spectrum of Book and Film/TV, with a global mandate. Some of her notable clients include Khaled Hosseini, Iain Reid, Canisia Lubrin, Jesse Thistle, Emma Knight and Marissa Stapley [see further client list highlights below].
Samantha Haywood has been the President of the Transatlantic Agency since 2017. She has extensive experience selling authors in North America for publication and TV/film representation. She launched her client list with Transatlantic Agency in 2004 after working in the International Rights departments of Random House of Canada and Westwood Creative Artists. Samantha represents a vibrant client list of novelists, memoirists, investigative journalists, graphic novelists and thought leaders. Samantha represents international rights for the renowned publisher, Drawn & Quarterly. She is also a founding member and former President of PACLA, the Professional Association of Canadian Literary Agents.
Samantha Haywood’s submission mandates include:
Plurality of voices, stories and authors of all backgrounds are encouraged! Originality and variety in my client list is the objective.
Fiction Mandates: Literary fiction to upmarket commercial fiction of all types. Getting more specific, yes to: smart contemporary fiction and upmarket book club fiction. Yes to literary thrillers and upmarket mystery. Yes to upmarket escapist fiction including romance and elevated genre with cozy elements. For literary fiction crossover/hybrid style novels, I’m open to literary with speculative or horror elements and literary sci-fi hybrids. Distinctive voice is equally as important to me as well-crafted stories that surprise and illuminate.
Nonfiction Mandates: Narrative nonfiction preferred, big idea nonfiction, especially on culturally relevant topics such as feminism, environmentalism, Indigenous issues, societal inequities with forecasts for progress. Some prescriptive, inspirational and motivational nonfiction, matched with expertise and platform, and preferably personal story woven throughout. Yes also to investigative reportage; historical narratives handled in refreshing ways, true crime with societal implications and occasionally an outstanding memoir (must be truly original or well-known subjects). Essentially, I’m looking for a strong narrative drive and distinctive voice at all times.
Graphic Novels (fiction/non-fiction): Preferably full length graphic novels with author and illustrator as one creator, or already teamed up. Graphic novel memoirs, biographies, travel narratives and other nonfiction graphica also welcome.
Guidelines: Submissions queries via email only to querysamantha@transatlanticagency.com. Authors are encouraged to email a cover letter with a sample/excerpt of the book in question. Please submit a maximum of 20 pages. Embed the sample/excerpt into the email after the cover letter. Graphic novel submissions may include an attachment. Please submit an author bio/publishing history and a synopsis.
Please note if other agents are also considering the project and please do not submit to me if you have already submitted to another Transatlantic Agent. Due to the volume of submissions received, replies will be sent for only those submissions being actively considered.
Some of her clients’ recent works include:
Khaled Hosseini (AND THE MOUNTAINS ECHOED)
Iain Reid (FOE)
Canisia Lubrin (CODE NOIR)
Marissa Stapley (LUCKY, THE LIGHTNING BOTTLES),
Jesse Thistle (FROM THE ASHES)
Zoe Whittall (THE FAKE)
Catherine Hernandez (BEHIND YOU)
Emma Knight (THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS)
Kevin Chong (THE DOUBLE LIFE OF BENSON YU)
Shani Mootoo (POLAR VORTEX)
Jen Sookfong Lee (THE HUNGER WE PASSED DOWN)
Susan Swan (BIG GIRLS DON’T CRY)
Amanda Leduc (THE CENTAUR’S WIFE)
Kai Thomas (IN THE UPPER COUNTRY)
Samra Habib (WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN HERE)
Chelene Knight (JUNIE)
Megan Gail Coles (SMALL GAME HUNTING AT THE LOCAL COWARD GUN CLUB)
Martha Baillie (THERE IS NO BLUE)
Amy Stuart (A DEATH AT THE PARTY)
Eliza Reid (DEATH ON THE ISLAND, SECRETS OF THE SPRAKKAR)
Liann Zhang (JULIE CHAN IS DEAD)
Tom Ryan (THE TREASURE HUNTERS CLUB)
Elinor Florence (FINDING FLORA)
Joanna Goodman (THE HOME FOR UNWANTED GIRLS)
Elizabeth Renzetti (WHAT SHE SAID and the QUILL & PACKET MYSTERY SERIES)
Kate Hilton (CITY OF THE MUSE and the QUILL & PACKET MYSTERY SERIES)
Elisabeth de Mariaffi (THE RETREAT)
Clara Hughes (OPEN HEART, OPEN MIND)
Kevin Donovan (THE BILLIONAIRE MURDERS)
Robin Ha (ALMOST AMERICAN GIRL)
The Estate of A.S.A Harrison (THE SILENT WIFE).
Jean Teillet (THE NORTH-WEST IS OUR MOTHER
Samra Zafar (UNCONDITIONAL),
Plum Johnson (THEY LEFT US EVERYTHING)
Angela Sterritt (UNBROKEN)
Prince Shakur (WHEN THEY TELL YOU TO BE GOOD)
Rowan Jetté Knox (ONE SUNNY AFTERNOON)
Brandi Morin (OUR VOICE OF FIRE)
Rachel Giese (BOYS: What it Means to Become a Man)
Stacey May Fowles (BASEBALL LIFE ADVICE)
Emily Urquhart (BEYOND THE PALE)
Ani Castillo (PING)
Arizona O’Neill (OPIODS & ORGANS)
Scott Chantler (SQUIRE & KNIGHT)
Sarah Leavitt (SOMETHING, NOT NOTHING)
Alexander Forbes & Kris Bertin (THE HOBTOWN MYSTERY STORIES).