Emma Layfield launches Children’s Books North Agency in Manchester

Emma Layfield has launched the Children’s Books North Agency (CBNA), which is based in Manchester and represents writers and illustrators from the north of England and Scotland.

Layfield has worked in publishing for 25 years, and will run CBNA alongside the Children’s Books North network.

CBNA represents writers and illustrators of picture books, fiction and non-fiction. The launch list includes bestselling writer, illustrator and animator Michael Whaite, from Lancashire; author Bethan Clarke from Cheshire; FAB Prize winner Lucy Farfort from Newcastle; Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award winner Rachel Plummer from Edinburgh; Oscar’s Book Prize shortlistee Francis Martin from Lancashire; and debut illustrator Jess Mahy from Yorkshire.

Layfield said: “As publishing continues to expand outside of London and becomes more accessible to writers and illustrators, it is vital that agents do too, so I am delighted to launch Children’s Books North Agency in Manchester. Our tagline is ‘reaching and representing’ and we’re so excited to work with amazing talent across the north and Scotland. We already have a dynamic literary ecosystem here, with both Manchester Literature Festival and Durham Book Festival returning next month, and Children’s Books North Agency is delighted to join that community.”

Professor Katy Shaw, director of creative communities at at Northumbria University, said: “Talent is everywhere in the north, but opportunity in publishing has been scant—until now. This vital new agency will forge a new talent pipeline for UK publishing—one of our fastest growing economic sectors—and invest in diversifying who gets to write and illustrate children’s books in the north of England today. Emma’s timely and bold launch couldn’t come at a better time.”

Claire Malcolm, chief executive of New Writing North, commented: “It’s fantastic to see the building up of the infrastructure for literature and writing in the north continuing with the CBN Agency, and I’m delighted that Emma, who is such a champion of the north, has taken this step. The talented writers that the region has and is continuing to develop need agency representation. Emma will bring such a depth of knowledge to the agency and such an understanding of both the industry but also of what writers need to thrive. Such an exciting moment, and we at New Writing North look forward to collaborating.”

Ivan Wadeson, executive director of Manchester City of Literature, commented: "There is a dearth of literary agents based in the north and helping to develop northern talent. I am delighted that Emma is basing the HQ for the new Children’s Book North agency in Manchester to serve the whole of the north.”

To contact Emma Layfield directly, please email: emma@childrensbooksnorthagency.co.uk