AAA adjusts entry criteria to become more inclusive

The Association of Authors' Agents (AAA) is making changes to its admission requirements to enable the organisation to become more open and inclusive.

More than 100 members attended a packed videoconference call last week in which the changes to the membership body's constitution were discussed. A previous bar to entry based on an agency's turnover has now been removed. There also used to be a stipulation that agents must have been practising for a certain length of time, which has also now been dropped. It is hoped these adjustments will enable newer agents to join sooner, many of whom may have experience in other areas of the industry, and so they can benefit from agenting best practice from within the AAA.

Isobel Dixon, the AAA's president, called the developments "hugely positive", remarking there has been "a robustly positive response" to the move, which has been under consideration, including with AAA past presidents, throughout the year.

By bringing its constitution up to date in recognition of its changing role and the climate for literary agents, the aim is to create "a more inclusive and welcoming association, one that could cater more fully to the needs of agents building their companies too", explained Dixon.

"Over the past few years, under the expert leadership of the association’s most recent presidents Sam Edenborough, Gordon Wise and Lizzy Kremer, the AAA has become increasingly involved with wider industry issues, lobbying on important questions for authors (and thus agents, as our interests are so closely allied) and the wider book trade," she said.

"With Lizzy Kremer’s presidency, when I was vice-president, we introduced best practice sessions for members on questions such as managing estates, routes for author funding, career development and inclusivity and diversity training. At these and at our general meetings throughout the year we saw many younger agents with a real hunger to learn about how to be better agents for their clients. In tandem with producing a Resource Guide for Building a More Inclusive Workplace which we shared with the membership this year, we also wanted to create a more inclusive and welcoming association, one that could cater more fully to the needs of agents building their companies too, and also those beyond the 'London bubble'. This required looking at our foundational documents with both a legal and aspirational eye, also in order to reflect the current reality of our already varied membership.

"We’re glad to have shaken off some redundant dust and vice-president Catherine Clarke, committee members and I are looking forward to welcoming new members as we head into 2021."

This year, in wake of the Covid crisis, the AAA has held a number of large online events. Within a fortnight of national lockdown this year, it set up webinars for membership on financial questions and the potential for government funding, followed by general legal advice and other sessions to help members adapt to the situation.

"Our general meetings have never been better attended," said Dixon, "and so many members have commented on how they are able to participate more in the association through what we offer online. I am thrilled to see members from all over the UK ‘at’ our meetings. We will build on this accessibility going forward as we plan our events in a varied way, both virtually and in person."