In the US publishing world, literary agents have long been essential players in the pursuit of a traditional publishing deal, especially if an author wants to get signed by one of the Big Five.
But in France, publishing is a bit different. Until recent years, literary agents in France were viewed with suspicion. Most publishers in France are open to unsolicited submissions, and many have traditionally thought of agents as unnecessary interlopers in the critical bond between editor and writer.
Yet, a handful of ambitious and dedicated agencies have worked to change that conception in France, working hard to help authors take their books as far as they can go.
In this post, we’ll introduce 10 excellent French literary agencies that represent French authors and French language books, and also work to sell rights to those books around the globe.
French Literary Agents
Below are 10 French literary agencies that can help French authors bring their works to the rest of the world.
1. Astier-Pécher Literary & Film Agency
Founded in 2006 by Pierre Astier and Laure Pécher, the Astier-Pécher Literary & Film Agency represents fiction and nonfiction authors, rights-holders, and publishers from all over the world.
Astier previously worked in the art world before starting his own short story magazine and publishing house. At the agency, he primarily represents authors and publishers who are French-speaking.
Pécher has experience in rights management and represents both authors and publishers.
Contact: pierreastier.com/contact-us/
2. Lora Fountain Literary Agency
Based in Paris, the Lora Fountain Literary Agency sells translation rights primarily to the French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, and Latin American markets.
Their clients include publishers from across the English-speaking world, as well as several from Spanish-speaking countries.
Contact: [email protected]
3. Anna Jarota Literary Agency
Founded in 2008, the Anna Jarota Literary Agency is based in Paris and represents American, British, Canadian, and Australian publishing houses and literary agencies in the French and European markets.
AJA also works with international agencies in Germany, China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea and India.
Founder Anna Jarota and agent Deborah Druba represent general fiction, literary fiction, thrillers, women’s fiction, and also a range of nonfiction.
Contact: annajarota.fr/envoi-de-manuscrits
4. Michelle Lapautre Literary Agency
The Michelle Lapautre Literary Agency was founded in New York City in 1968 by Georges Borchardt and Michelle Lapautre, and is now based in Paris.
It is now run by Michelle’s daughter, Catherine Lapautre, who continues her late mother’s legacy of bringing English-language writers to France.
Contact: agencelapautre.com/fr/contact/
5. Susanna Lea Associates
Susanna Lea Associates has offices in Paris, London, and New York. Their agents represent authors and experts across all genres, and work closely with their clients to maximize the potential of each project, both domestically and in translation.
The Paris office works with authors and publishers to maximize the reach of the works it represents in French, and in other languages through various media. The Paris office is also interested in both literary and commercial fiction and nonfiction.
Contact: [email protected]
6. Linwood Messina Literary Agency
Based in Paris, the Linwood Messina Literary Agency represents translation rights on behalf of French- and English- language publishing companies, as well as international agencies.
Linwood Messina also helps English agencies sell the film rights to their books into the French film and television market.
Contact: linwoodmessina.com/page-section/contact/
7. Editio Dialog Literary Agency
Founded by Dr. Michael Wenzel in 2001, Editio Dialog is based in Lille. Originally, the agency represented foreign literary agents and book publishing houses in France, Spain, Germany and Italy.
In 2010, Editio Dialog began representing authors across Germany and France.
Contact: [email protected]
8. Agence de l’Est
Agence de l’Est is a Paris-based agency that specializes in selling foreign rights. They connect quality French authors and publishers to publishers in the UK, Central Europe, and the Balkans.
Contact: [email protected]
9. Leor Literary Agency
Leor Literary Agency is a domestic and foreign rights agency based in France. The agency provides global rights coverage, professional counseling, and editorial services.
They specialize in the sale and acquisition of translation rights for fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books on behalf of independent French publishers.
Contact: [email protected]
10. The French Publishers’ Agency
The French Publishers’ Agency represents the English language rights to a diverse list of books from France, including literary fiction, nonfiction, and occasionally children’s books and graphic novels.
While they’ve represented big names in literature and nonfiction, the agency happily welcomes “contemporary novels and new, provocative thinkers.”
Contact: www.frenchrights.com/contact
Submitting Your Work to French Literary Agents
Before you submit your manuscript or proposal to any of the agencies on this list, please be sure to review their websites and carefully note any submission guidelines (this information is often included on the contact page).
You can also review our tips on how to write a great book proposal, if the agency requests one.
If you’re searching for a publisher for your book, we also have a list of French publishers currently open to submissions.
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- 30 French Publishers Currently Accepting Manuscripts
- 17 German Publishers Currently Accepting Submissions
- 18 Canadian Publishers Currently Accepting Submissions
- How to Write a Query Letter: The 6-Step Formula for Nonfiction and Novels
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
