Meet the Agent: Hannah Sheppard and Tom Drake-Lee

Getting personal feedback from a literary agent is gold dust to writers. They receive too many submissions to respond in a meaningful way. That’s why each year we offer one-to-one sessions with brilliant agents. And who knows, you might be the next award-winning writer they’ve been waiting to meet!

TICKETS

Tickets cost £30, which can be purchased on this page. 

[ For Tom Drake-Lee on 22nd September >click here< ]

BURSARY

We are able to offer one bursary slot and would ask that if you’re interested to please email info@hastingsbookfest.org with details as to why you are applying by 10pm on Friday 19th August. We will review applicants and make a decision by 26th August.

HOW IT WORKS

• Once your place is secured, either through purchasing a ticket or via our bursary scheme, we will send you details about where to send your submission.
• This submission should be the first three chapters of your work, along with a brief (1-2 pages) synopsis and received by 5pm on 09 September.
• Please note that late submissions may not be accepted by the agent. 
• On the day you will have up to 20 minutes with the agent, where feedback on your work will be discussed, along with advice offered on how to move to the next level in your journey as a writer.
• ** By purchasing a ticket you are confirming your availability for a 20-minute slot between 1:30p - 4:10p on 17th September, 2022. Exact time slots will be emailed to you. On the registration page you'll have an opportunity to let us know your timing preferences (if any).

ABOUT THE AGENT

Hannah Sheppard is a literary agent with the DHH Literary Agency. She represents authors writing fiction for the middle grade, teen and YA markets as well as commercial adult fiction with a focus on hooky thrillers and women’s fiction/romance. Her clients include Adam Hamdy, Keris Stainton, Sarah Bonner, Dee Benson, Amy Beashel and Abi Elphinstone.

Currently she’d specifically love to find: an original spin on magical middle grade, diverse contemporary romance for the YA market, epic love stories with a clever speculative twist and a big family/friendship story that makes her feel – think COLD FEET or THIS IS US – something that will remind the reader what it is to be human, to love and to have misconceptions and flaws…and will make them sob.

And she also loves to be surprised by a manuscript she didn’t know she was looking for – as long as it sits in that commercial fiction space.

She is happy to talk to writers working in other genres, especially if they have specific plot issues they want to discuss or would like to understand a bit more about the publishing industry.

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