SPOTLIGHT FEATURE – Philippa Sitters from Philippa Sitters Associates
Good morning, everyone!
Welcome back to our Spotlight On interview series, where we uncover the day-to-day work of agents, what they’re looking for in submission packs, their thoughts on the publishing industry and much, much more. If you’re new to the series, don’t worry! All our Spotlight On interviews can be found right here on Townhouse: #JWSpotlightOnInterview.
This week, we’re speaking with Philippa Sitters, who has recently founded her own agency after ten years spent at David Godwin Associates. Her clients include Margarita Montimore (Oona Out of Order, published 2020), Ashley Hickson-Lovence (The 392, published 2020), Kate Brook (Not Exactly What I Had in Mind, published 2022) and Connor Hutchinson (Dead Lucky, coming 2025).
You can follow Philippa at @PhilippaSitters for updates on her work, or view her agency profile here. Read highlights from our interview with Philippa below and view the full interview on her AgentMatch profile…
Hi Philippa, thanks for speaking with us today!
What brought you to agenting?
Back in 2011 I moved to London to do a Publishing MA at Kingston University, where one of the most important parts of the course was to do at least one month of work experience in the industry. I happened to attend a lecture that was put on for the Creative Writing students where we heard from a literary agent. Her talk was all about finding an agent, but afterwards I gave her my business card in the hopes I could spend some time at her agency, PFD. I spent the whole month of January interning there, and they must have seen some agenting spirit in me, because I was then in and out of the office during the rest of my Masters, covering the role of assistant to the CEO, while the person in that role was building her list. If she had a meeting, I’d be in to cover. It was a busy and fun environment, and I knew I didn’t have the patience to sit and edit for hours – most people on my course were keen to edit – so agenting was an ideal option.
Why did you decide to open your own agency and how have you found that experience?
It’s very early days right now, but it’s been a great experience. The outpouring of support from within the industry has been overwhelming and I’m proud to say I’ve already sold five books. Long may that continue! I decided to set up PSA because I love having autonomy, being in charge of my own time, while being free to champion brilliant people.
What does the day in the life of an agent look like for you?
The nature of the job means no one day looks the same, and that’s part of the appeal. Each day will involve fielding emails between clients, publishers, co-agents and all sorts of other people keen to work with my clients, such as broadcasters, book festivals and journalists. Perhaps I’ll spend some time researching. I could be looking for new clients or finding out more about commissioning editors who might like to see something I’m working on. Many days I’ll try and meet editors in person, or catch up with author clients. I also spend time editing manuscripts or book proposals. Occasionally the day will be capped off at a book launch, those are always fun. You can only really plan to try your best to do something on any given day as you never know what’s waiting around the corner. A huge part of agenting is resolving issues between parties, and these can pop up from nowhere.
In your opinion, what makes a good author-agent relationship?
As with any relationship; honesty, kindness and mutual respect. That sounds a bit sappy but putting yourself out there as an author is an intensely stressful thing to do, even if you’re the most laid-back kind of person. I often see this relationship as that of professional friends. We chat about anything and know a lot about each other, because when you’re dealing with projects that are so personal it’s important to get to build mutual trust.
What’s at the top of your wishlist in fiction?
Something with an incredible hook. I don’t think it really even matters what genre, it could be literary, commercial, book club, crime or thriller, romance or historical, if the hook is there, I’m in. Among my bestselling authors is Margarita Montimore, whose debut followed a woman who lived her life quite literally in the wrong order. Once you hear that, you want to know so much more, and yet it’s a simple line. However, if we’re going to be fussier I want richly drawn family stories, tales of friendship and revenge, wide open landscapes and vivid cities bursting with life. Books that pull you in and which you don’t want to leave, where the characters are fully drawn and in turn don’t leave you.
What about non-fiction?
Fascinating and enlightening books from experts, whether that’s a book that examines a new take on history, a deep dive into a certain aspect of science or something much more personal. I love a gorgeously-written memoir or a book that could change the world for the better.
Is there anything you would prefer not to receive?
I’m not the right agent for high fantasy, sci-fi that’s at the more complicated end (other worlds for example), nor children’s books and poetry. I handle the latter two on behalf of clients who write for adult audiences but only if I already represent them.
When you’re reading a query letter, what are some things you like and dislike seeing?
It’s not essential, but I do love to hear from someone who’s clearly looked at my list or knows who I am. A submission that’s professional and friendly and provides all the information I’m after: short pitch, genre, blurb, comparative titles and biography. It’s a shame if any of this is missing. Things that really put me off are submissions that cc every agent in the industry, beg you to represent them, are sarcastic or rude (“Not that you’ll bother to read this but I’m sending you my submission.”). You wouldn’t believe how often that happens.
Some agents love synopses, others don’t. What do you think of them, and what do you like/dislike seeing in them?
I enjoy a synopsis. I read it third, after I’ve read the cover letter and sample writing. If I’ve really enjoyed what I’ve read I want to then have a rough idea of how the plot will unfold and whether I think it could work. Then I’ll request the full manuscript. So the synopsis isn’t something I need to tell a really thorough story, but gives me a good idea of how the book will be structured and whether it’s likely to pull me in.
Is there anything an author can do in the first few pages of their manuscript that will really grab your attention? Anything you don’t enjoy as much?
Naturally this is quite subjective. Every book is different and there are a million ways to start a book, so it’s probably easier to flag habits I notice. Lots of books begin with descriptions of the weather, and funnily enough, descriptions of their character’s eyes. It wouldn’t make me stop reading, but it’s something I’ve noticed over the years.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned during your time as an agent?
I think I’ve become increasingly better at handling rejection, steelier perhaps. When you start out and you’re pouring all your energy into certain projects only for them to be passed up by publishers, you feel the hurt, but as time goes on you realise there are myriad reasons an editor might pass something up, which aren’t personal at all. It’s imparting this steeliness to your authors that’s the tricky part.
Any last pieces of advice for querying authors?
I would encourage you to find a community to share your experiences with, with whom you can swap writing, share your highs and lows with. It can feel like a lonely road, and it’s a process that everyone handles differently, but authors I know who have found a writing group really appreciate the support network, and the opportunity to share their writing with likeminded people rather than asking family and friends for their honest opinion, which must be scary. Also, keep writing and keep trying if it’s what makes you happy.
Check out Philippa’s AgentMatch profile for the full interview.
If you’re struggling with your query letter and synopsis, do check out our free resources on our website. We have lots of info to help you on your way. Or, better still, if you’re a Premium Member, our lovely Writers Support team will be happy to offer you a free query letter review once per year of membership! Finally, we have plenty of fantastic agents offering Agent One-to-One Sessions in October and November – book your session now to hear their feedback on your submission pack.
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