Alex Adsett, of Alex Adsett Publishing Services, has announced that Martin Shaw, outgoing Books Division Manager at Readings in Melbourne, will be joining her literary agency in July. “This comes at a great time for our growing company”, Adsett said. “Martin’s outstanding reputation in the book industry, his renown for helping to break out new literary voices, and his sound commercial instincts, will we feel be of great benefit to both authors and publishers alike. The fact that he is going to be based in Europe means too that we can explore more fully international opportunities for our authors as their careers develop”.
Shaw commented: “I’ve long been an admirer of Alex’s knowledge of the industry, her passion for her authors, her razor-sharp instincts for a sound publishing contract, and her committment to placing authors with the best possible publisher for their work. I look forward immensely to our collaboration”.
Shaw will be specializing in literary fiction & creative non-fiction: “rather like during my time at Readings: anything that absolutely rocks my boat!”. He can be contacted on martinshaw@alexadsett.com.au.
SHAW TO REPRESENT AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT PUBLISHERS
In a related announcement, Martin Shaw has entered into arrangements with a number of Australian independent publishers to represent their titles at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair, and beyond. “Becoming a sub-agent is a response to two things really”, he said. “One is that although there are some regular successes in terms of rights sales of Oz titles into various territories around the world, it’s haphazard, & there are some good titles I suspect not getting the attention they deserve. This may be because the publisher doesn’t have the staff resources or time to devote to pursuing international sales, or simply the considerable funds required to attend the major fairs”.
“There are also some instances of publishers who typically do go to Frankfurt, but won’t be going this year, because the travel grants they depend on for this purpose have been put in abeyance for 2015, as a result of the recent grants changes at the Australia Council. So I feel this is a chance to keep their flag flying on the international stage, and for newer publishers to get their books noticed for perhaps the first time”.
Any publishers interested in representation can contact Shaw on martin@thebooksdesk.com