The Children’s Books North Agency has been launched by Emma Layfield in Manchester, aiming to invigorate the region’s literary scene.
- With a focus on discovering and nurturing talent, the agency intends to represent both established and emerging writers and illustrators.
- The agency has announced its initial roster of remarkably talented creators from across Northern England and Scotland, embracing both diversity and inclusion.
- Responses from key figures highlight the significant potential this agency represents in decentralising UK publishing from London.
- Emma Layfield and industry experts believe that this launch will serve as an important catalyst for future opportunities in the North’s creative industries.
Emma Layfield has unveiled the Children’s Books North Agency (CBNA) in Manchester, aiming to foster a vibrant literary culture outside London. As someone with 25 years of experience in children’s book publishing, Layfield’s new enterprise is dedicated to transforming the Northern literature landscape. CBNA vows to support writers and illustrators in uncovering and nurturing creative potential, thereby driving them forward in their careers.
The agency sets out with an exciting line-up of authors and illustrators, showcasing the breadth of talents spread across the region. Among these are prominent figures such as Michael Whaite, Bethan Clarke, and Lucy Farfort, whose works already resonate widely in literary circles. This impressive launch list highlights the agency’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity within UK publishing.
This strategic move aligns with the recommendations of Professor Katy Shaw’s 2020 Common People report, advocating for the decentralisation of literary agents. The report suggested moving more publishing opportunities outside the capital to dismantle the prevailing class barriers in UK publishing.
Layfield has expressed a clear mission: reaching out to writers and illustrators in the North and Scotland to integrate them into the existing dynamic literary ecosystem, which includes established events like the Manchester Literature Festival. Her comments echo an expanding sentiment within the industry that regional talent must be recognised and cultivated.
Professor Shaw emphasised the agency’s crucial role in establishing a new pipeline for talent in one of the UK’s fastest-growing economic sectors, asserting that opportunities in the North were previously limited. This initiative could indeed realign how publishing is distributed geographically, inviting more diverse voices into this traditionally London-centric industry.
The launch of Children’s Books North Agency marks a promising shift in the UK publishing industry, offering Northern and Scottish creatives a vital platform to flourish.
