What Makes A Literary Bestseller?

‘Does literary fiction even sell any more?…’ If you’ve heard similar and are feeling uncertain because literary fiction is your truest passion, don’t be deterred. In this webinar, literary agent Claire Paterson Conrad takes us through the key ingredients of literary fiction that sells – and sells well. Join us for an inspiring but practical look at what makes a great work of literary fiction truly shine, with case studies from her list of bestselling and award-winning authors. Reignite your passion for a good story, told well, and find out what makes a literary bestseller with Being A Writer.   

About your speaker

Claire Paterson Conrad started her career in publishing at Chatto & Windus, followed by stints at Granta and Canongate Books before a move to New York where she became Publisher of the NYRB Classics series. Claire subsequently joined J&N to help establish their London office, where she is now a Literary Agent and Director. She continues to work closely with the US team, particularly Lynn Nesbit, co-agenting authors such as Monica Heisey, Jeffrey Eugenides and André Aciman, Maaza Mengiste and the Estate of Joan Didion. Claire does this work alongside her own broad but carefully curated list which spans, in fiction, from Michel Faber to Eva Rice and, in non-fiction, from Oliver Burkeman to Gillian Anderson’s WANT. Many of the books she has represented have been bestsellers and shortlisted for or won prizes, such as The Women’s Prize for Fiction, the Costa Book of the Year, the Baillie Gifford Prize, The Royal Society Science Book Price, The Guardian First Fiction Prize, the Wainwright Prize, the Dylan Thomas Prize and the British Book of the Year Award, to name a few.

This event is free for members of TLC’s Being A Writer platform. If you are a member simply head to Circle to RSVP. A very limited number of non member tickets are available for purchase.