february, 2024
Event Details
Cracking a Tough Market, An Agent’s Point of View
Join Hilary McMahon and Bridgette Kam as they shed light on the intricate workings of the market, offering firsthand strategies from an agent’s perspective. Embrace the opportunity to navigate the current market landscape and its challenges under their expert guidance. This event prioritizes interactive discussions, fostering shared learning and providing invaluable insights into agent-specific approaches for achieving success in the market. Delve into the complexities alongside these informed individuals, unravelling the nuances of the market in this engaging and focused session.
Hilary McMahon pursued a degree in journalism and English, initially delving into PR and magazines before realizing her passion lay in reading others’ work. Joining Westwood Creative Artists in 1995, she now holds a senior agent and shareholder role across New York, Frankfurt, and London while managing human resources. Her work ethic is marked by dedication, expecting the same commitment from her authors, fostering relationships rooted in honesty and respect. Raised by Newfoundland parents, Hilary embodies a love for laughter and tenacity. As a mother of two active boys, she embraced athleticism later in life. Within the office, she’s recognized for her whistling tunes and unyielding fondness for chocolate, with no plans for intervention in sight.
https://wcaltd.com/hilary-mcmahon/
Bridgette Kam, a Toronto native with a diverse global experience, joined WCA in 2019 after interning at McClelland & Stewart and working outside the book world. Initially in the rights department, she’s now an associate agent supporting colleagues and a roster of authors in various genres like book club fiction, literary fiction, non-fiction, and children’s books. She’s spoken at prestigious literary events and aims to discover compelling narratives with well-developed characters, clear writing, and engaging pacing, especially in book club novels and select literary fiction. In non-fiction, she’s interested in narrative works on pop culture, psychology, social science, and history, preferring submissions from experts, emerging writers, and deep thinkers. Bridgette has a keen eye for children’s books that prioritize storytelling and engagement over didacticism. Not into genres like suspense, sci-fi, fantasy, and politics, she instead values stories that resonate emotionally and personally, ensuring a near-final quality in submissions. She also serves as an administrative member of PACLA.