Introducing: Juliet Mushens

Mother of Kittens, Karaoke Queen, and Agent Extraordinaire. Juliet answers some questions about her time in publishing, where ME came from, and what she’s looking for and forward to in 2020.

What's your history in the industry?

I started my publishing career in 2008, working at HarperCollins in their marketing and then editorial department. I loved the job and enjoyed being surrounded by books but realised quite early that working at an agency would suit me better - my taste is really broad and the majority of editors specialise in one area, which I wouldn't have wanted to do. I moved to PFD as an assistant and worked my way up to agent in 2011, so I am approaching 10 years in the industry now. In that time I have seen a lot of changes, from ebook rights to the audio boom, but my passion for finding new talent is unabated! I love finding new authors in my submissions and seeing them go on to become global successes: books I found include 1M copy Sunday Times and NYT bestseller THE MINIATURIST by Jessie Burton, 2019’s UK bestselling adult hardback THE FAMILIARS by Stacey Halls and NYT bestselling and 2M copy bestselling SUMMONER: THE NOVICE by Taran Matharu. I would also say that having spent a few years working in a publishing house has really helped me as an agent: I've sat in acquisitions meetings, I know how books are pitched, and I understand how they are positioned and sold.

Where did ME come from?

My assistant, Liza DeBlock was the one who came up with it. Every day I wear a 'me' ring, designed by my talented friend Zoe Sherwood, and that sparked the idea. I often say that authors don't just compete with other books, they compete with all forms of entertainment be that Netflix, the cinema, social media, or gaming. I wanted a name which reflected that and which also reflected the forms our clients’ work exists in: whether that’s Very British Problems’ 4M-follower twitter feed or Nick Clark Windo’s THE FEED airing on Amazon as a ten-part series. I also feel strongly that the representation writers can expect from me is very personal, and very tailored depending on the person - hence ME!

What projects are you excited for this year?

I have loads of brilliant books publishing this year and I'm excited for all of them, from gripping epic fantasy like THE BONE SHARD DAUGHTER by Andrea Stewart to the new thriller from Sunday Times bestseller Claire Douglas, to Amy McCulloch and Zoe Sugg’s THE MAGPIE SOCIETY. I can't wait for THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB by Richard Osman to hit the shelves in September: featuring septuagenarian sleuths, drug-dealers and many laugh out loud moments, it's just the tonic we need. 

What is your submission wish-list at the moment?

I'm always looking for brilliant writing and pageturning plots! I have a particular weakness for anything high concept or historical, but often what I sign totally surprises me. The last novels I signed were: a literary novel about the friendship between a Ghanaian immigrant and a man who runs the local charity shop, and a high concept thriller about the relationship between a young woman and her much older boyfriend. 

Apart from reading, what do you do in your spare time?

In my free time I'm passionate about 1940s and 1950s music, fashion and dance - I've been a lindyhopper for 10 years and learned balboa a few years ago. I'm also training to be a Personal Trainer - I sometimes train some of my authors! When I do have downtime I love lying on the couch watching TV or reading submissions - ably assisted by my British Shorthair cats Neville and Luna. I’m currently watching Westworld, X Files and The Last Kingdom. I’m currently reading A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik.

Any last words for potential authors?

I absolutely love the exciting moment where I find a submission which I feel passionately about - I respond quickly and I'd love to hear from you!