Shortlisted as Literary Agent of the Year 2016

The British Book Industry Awards celebrate the British book trade and the people behind it – the best books, the best writers, the best bookshops and the best publishers.

— From industry greats to those just starting out, the nominees have been announced, with our very own Founder and MD Vicki Willden-Lebrecht shortlisted for Literary Agent of the Year:

Read the full article on the Trade Shortlist from The Bookseller here.

Leading the way for the children’s picture book industry, Vicki is the only agent listed in this category that works exclusively on children’s pictures books:

“I am delighted to be associated and shortlisted together with traditional big agents of adult publishing that represent fiction hits such as ‘The Girl on the Train’ and the commercial genius of ‘Deliciously Ella’. It’s a dazzling feeling to be the only children’s author illustrator agent in amongst such successes, and a wonderful nod to ALL those in children’s publishing that we are such a growing and exciting sector being recognised alongside adult within the publishing industry.”

“We have been working hard at Bright for many years to establish ourselves as an agency that champions the creative well being of our artists, providing them with the right relationships and environments to do outstanding work. I am lucky to work with, and to have been part of, the incredible journeys of some of the most exciting children’s authors and artists to emerge in recent years. Together with the new author-illustrator agents to join our agency–Arabella Stein, Alli Brydon and Anne Moore-Armstrong–the future certainly looks Bright.”

Proud to follow up #WomensDay2016 this week, as part of an all female shortlist:

“Being a female founder and MD within an industry that historically have men as CEO’s and directors is really something. Equally inspiring is that this shortlist is a generation of new talent.”

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“Vicki’s enthusiasm for children’s publishing is boundless - as my agent, she is a true force; her positivity and vision inspiring” — Benji Davies

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“Having worked with Vicki for 4 years now, I have seen the huge bounds she has taken with her agency. It has been incredible to watch her take Bright in a different direction to it’s peers. She never follows the herd. Her outlook on her work is that it’s not just for her; when she represents her artists, she is truly representing them, looking after their interests and continuing to develop them along varied paths. I have never heard her declare that something was not in her jurisdiction, she has always been willing to try new things and to explore all avenues. It is never a chore for her, but an adventure! I’m proud to be represented by Vicki, her approach is fearless.” — Yasmeen Ismail

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“Vicki has been my agent for almost 6 years. In that time she has grown my career from nothing but a handmade portfolio of very mixed quality work, to a multi award winning picture book author and illustrator, with over 8 published titles (and more on the way!) Vicki is unique in her ability as an agent, having trained originally in graphic design, she has a keen insight into artistic process and a natural understanding of the artists she represents. Vicki is also a savvy negotiator and extraordinary business woman, whose foresight for the growth and well being of her artists extends far beyond the next couple of contracts, to a future where the artists and their books will be recognisable to children as the characters they love. I count Vicki as not only my agent, but my mentor and friend. Her tireless enery, vision and business acumen have brought me stability and a chance to blossom in the career of my dreams.” — Nicola O’Byrne

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“Vicki Willden-Lebrecht has been so instrumental in my success so far that it’s difficult to sum up in so few words. Suffice to say that she is an agent who sees problems as springboards, innovation as her bread and butter, and her artists as her friends. Long live Vicki!” — Sue Hendra

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You can view all the other ‘great people’ categories for the award here.

We’re looking forward to the results of the British Book Industry Award’s 2016, on 9th May 2016!