Participants: Hellie Ogden, Suzannah Ball, Joe Sedgwick, Kemi Ogunsanwo
Chair: Yolanda Copes-Stepney
Time: 17:30 – 18:30
Join us for an enlightening session that delves into the world of literary agents, where we unravel the mysteries behind the pivotal role they play in the journey from manuscript to market. “Navigating the World of Literary Agents” brings together industry experts to share insights on how literary agents work, what they look for in potential clients, and how they can help shape an author’s career. Whether you’re an aspiring author seeking representation or simply curious about the inner workings of the publishing world, this event offers valuable knowledge and practical advice.
Meet Our Esteemed Panellists:
Hellie Ogden
Hellie joined WME’s London office as co-head of the UK Book division in 2023. She represents fiction, children’s books, and non-fiction, with a strong focus on developing and nurturing debut writers. Hellie represents a number of global bestsellers and award-winning writers across genres, including Kiran Millwood Hargrave, M.J. Arlidge, Samuel Burr, Fran Littlewood, Sharna Jackson, and Jessa Hastings. She is an editorially focused agent and often speaks at writing conferences, mentoring debut writers.
Suzannah Ball
Suzannah Ball is a literary agent at WME’s London office, where she has been working for the past five years. She collaborates with a wide range of authors on the WME roster and is actively building her own list with a focus on romance, horror, and fantasy.
Joe Sedgwick
Joe Sedgwick is a Literary Agent at Seventh Agency, where he began work in 2024. With ten years of experience supporting writers professionally, Joe is looking for non-fiction and literary fiction from global voices, particularly those under-represented in the UK publishing industry. He holds a Publishing MA from Kingston University, serves on the Board of Trustees at Spread the Word, and is the Head of Writing Services at The Literary Consultancy. Joe is passionate about expert-led writing that presents vibrant and unique perspectives of the world.
Kemi Ogunsanwo
Kemi Ogunsanwo is a seasoned literary agent and founder of Seventh Agency, which takes a curated approach to empowering writers. With a background in publishing at Simon & Schuster and Penguin Books, Kemi is dedicated to elevating underrepresented voices. She represents authors across literary fiction, non-fiction, memoir, and young adult genres, with a particular interest in stories focused on cultural identity, social justice, and complex human experiences. Seventh Agency also serves as the literary division of IAG, representing diverse talent across theatre, television, and film.
Chair: Yolanda Copes-Stepney
Yolanda Copes-Stepney is a founder, podcaster, and development producer with a background in PR, events, and content production. She is the founder of Speak&Do, an agency representing influencers, talent, and speakers, and Speak&Do Productions, which creates podcasts, online shows, and events. Her podcasts, Speak On and Dating & Mating, cover topics ranging from culture and society to love, sex, and relationships. Yolanda is also an Associate Director at Midas, a comms agency specialising in Arts, Culture, and Publishing.