Tag: Literary Agents | CatalystPress

Hi everyone, happy #ReadingAfrica Week 2022! As part of our week-long celebration, we have the privilege of posting this exclusive guest post from literary agents Raphaël Thierry and Emma Shercliff, a transcript of their recent conversation about all things African literature. The conversation is split into two parts—the first published below, and Part 2 to be published tomorrow!

Over the past several years, we’ve received many amazing manuscripts by African writers from both Raphaël and Emma, and it’s with great excitement that we officially introduce them to our Catalyst Press community today. We hope you enjoy this fascinating conversation between two very well-established professionals in the African publishing space, where they discuss everything from translations and authors rights, to exciting new projects and big trends in the industry (and one very special announcement!).

Let’s get started.

Emma Shercliff

Hello, Raphaël. Nice to see you.

Raphaël Thierry

Hello Emma. Nice to see you, too. How are you doing? Long time no see. I think last time we met was in Geneva, in Switzerland, right?

Emma Shercliff

Yes, many years ago, at the Salon du Livre, in a pre-COVID existence.

Raphaël Thierry

Absolutely. Which made our lives so challenging and at the same time so exciting, especially as agents. And I think that’s a key part of this discussion we are having together today thanks to Catalyst and this exciting reading project. And hopefully, we can give some good updates about our work and I’m very happy that we can share this moment together.

Emma Shercliff

Yes, it’s a great opportunity to have a chance to catch up. So I’m delighted to see you.

Raphaël Thierry

So maybe we can start with just simply presenting who we are? And so you are Emma Shercliff, the literary agent, but also Emma Shercliff, if I’m correct, a former researcher. And I would be very curious to hear more about your journey.