Nicole Etherington returns to Blake Friedmann as rights manager

Nicole Etherington has been appointed to the role of rights manager at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency, replacing Hana Murrell, who has been appointed rights director at Hardman & Swainson.

After a period interning with Blake Friedmann’s book department, Etherington joined Hardman & Swainson as agency assistant in 2018. In 2020 she was promoted to assistant agent and rights assistant, a role that included selling translation rights into direct markets.

Etherington said: “I’m thrilled to be returning to Blake Friedmann as rights manager. It will be a pleasure to work with the team and their talented authors again. After four fulfilling years at Hardman & Swainson, I am very excited to see what this new chapter will bring.”

Blake Friedmann’s head of translation James Pusey said Etherington “interviewed supremely well” and has the ideal combination of experience, curiosity and creativity to flourish in the role.

Managing director and head of books Isobel Dixon said: “We’re delighted that Nicole will be re-joining our Blake Friedman team and – with the insightful, energetic and creative approach we know she will bring to work on our authors’ behalf - look forward to working with her again.”