Former Picador publisher Gwyn Jones joins Greyhound Literary as associate agent

Philip Gwyn Jones, formerly publisher at Picador, has joined Greyhound Literary as an associate agent, starting today (11th April).

Gwyn Jones, who joined the literary Pan Macmillan imprint in June 2020 from Scribe UK, departed the company by mutual agreement last year to be succeeded by Mary Mount.

During his time as publisher of Picador he led commemorative activity and new publishing around two major anniversaries – Picador’s 50th and Picador Poetry’s 25th – and the imprint saw several titles top the bestseller lists and compete for literary prizes. 

He was also in place during the controversy over Kate Clanchy’s book Some Kids I Taught and What They Taught Me, which eventually saw author and publisher part ways. Gwyn Jones has also worked for Granta and Portobello Books, and Flamingo and Fontana Press at HarperCollins.

On his appointment at Greyhound Literary Gwyn Jones said: “Only in my dreams have I ever had the attributes of a greyhound: never have I been lithe, sleek or nimble. But the vision presented to me by Charlie and Sam of their intentions and principles for their ambitious new agency makes me think it might yet be possible, in their company.

“I have loved being an editor and publisher these past 33 years, but I am really looking forward to heading to the other side of the table and above all to getting back to close-quarters work with writers and thinkers, developing their ideas, their texts, their careers, and defending their interests. As an agent, I will be looking for originality, invention, idiosyncrasy and ambition, in fiction and non-fiction alike. I was made in Wales, educated there and in Yorkshire, and now live under Cambridgeshire’s dreaming skies, and intend to draw deeply from each of their rich seams.”

Charlie Campbell, founder and agent, commented: “Philip has always been one of the publishers I have most admired, specialising in spotting the most original and talented writers and sending them into orbit. He has done this with so many, including my beloved client, Julian Gough. I couldn’t hope for a better person to join us at this exciting stage of Greyhound’s life. He will be a brilliant agent.”

Sam Edenborough, rights director, added: “Like Charlie, I’m a great fan of Philip’s work and it’s terrific to have one of UK publishing’s most celebrated editorial minds joining the Greyhound team. We’re excited to see what new talents he will discover as an agent. I am particularly keen to work with him on his clients’ translation rights, given that he has a fantastic international profile and many friends in publishing houses around the world.”