Unwin goes solo with 'dream' independent agency

Jo Unwin is embarking on her “dream” of owning a fully-independent literary agency after nearly three years of working in association with Rogers, Coleridge and White (RCW).

The Jo Unwin Literary Agency Ltd (JULA) will be based in new offices in London’s Somerset House and she will continue to represent her roster of debut and bestselling authors including Kit de Waal, Nina Stibbe, Cathy Rentzenbrink, Richard Ayoade and Jenny Colgan, while looking to expand her list.

Unwin made her name establishing debut authors at agency Conville and Walsh and turned to publishing at Transworld’s Doubleday in 2013. However, she returned to agenting later that year after realising it was her “true love”, and established the Jo Unwin Literary Agency in association with Rogers, Coleridge and White.

Unwin said: “It's been a long-held dream to have my own agency.  We’ve had a really successful couple of years, so I’m able to turn my fantasy into a reality.”

She added: “It’s been an honour to be based at RCW.  I have been hugely inspired by the brilliant agents there and their terrific author care, and my clients have been in the best possible company.”

Peter Straus, m.d of RCW, said the company was “happy” to be able to “offer an arrangement for Jo” and added that it was “exciting” to see her own agency grow.

“We wish her every success in her exciting new venture,” he said.

Translation rights for JULA clients will be handled by the team at literary agency Conville & Walsh.  

Clare Conville said: “I am delighted for Jo that she is setting up her own agency. She will surely go from strength to strength. I am equally thrilled that she has decided to work alongside the fantastic rights team at C & W to further fulfil the potential of her wonderful list of authors.”

From September 1st, Unwin can be contacted at: Jo Unwin Literary Agency Ltd, Somerset House, West Wing, London, WC2R  1LA. By phone on 020 7257 9599 and by email on jo@jounwin.co.uk