What is your favorite part about the agent client relationship?
The best part, for me, is the collaborative effort to create the best story possible. I’m a very hands-on, editorial agent. That means my clients and I establish some incredible camaraderie as we work on our common goals—putting their work in front of editors who will take their material to the next level and then allow readers that ultimate gift: discoverability.
What are you most looking forward to at the Dec 13th Cruising Writers Writing Retreat?
It’s almost impossible to narrow it down to one thing! I’m truly looking forward to being part of that creative energy that writers, at all stages of their writing career, spark. For me, being able to share in that process—and get from behind my desk—is a gift beyond measure. It doesn’t matter if the writers are just starting out, or if they’re multi-published professionals like my client, Kelli Ireland. There’s this amazing energy generated when writers come together and share their knowledge with each other. To be part of that, to help fuel the writer’s muse, will likewise energize me.
What industry trends are you most excited about?
I’m thrilled to see contemporary romance continuing to do so well. The Knight Agency has a diverse roster, but romance has been our agency’s largest selling genre since we opened our doors almost twenty years ago.
Also, the interest in strong, life-changing memoirs like Don Piper’s and Cecil Murphy’s 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN, both clients of mine, are seeing a resurgence. That book was optioned for film and will release on September 11, 2015 in 800 theaters around the nation. If you want to check out the trailer (which I am admittedly very proud of!), you can click below. It took eleven years of hard work to shepherd that film to this upcoming, thrilling release. I’m like a midwife, in some ways, so very proud of Don and Cecil, and the book’s further journey to the big screen.
Click here for the 90 MINUTES IN HEAVEN trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf69T0DUkuQ
Most importantly - are you more of a beach bum or a shore excursion / adventurer?
I’m going to say I’m a 70/30 split when the percentages are calculated on beach bum/shore excursionist. I love adventure as much as anyone. One of my favorite trips was to Positano, Italy, where I can confirm driving was a definite (harrowing?) adventure! But I’m truly happiest when I’m lounging on the beach with a shady umbrella overhead. Especially when a good book is nestled in my grasp-- and the loudest sound is that of the sea. So while adventure is great, I’ll forever claim my inner beach bum with every proud opportunity I get.
Thanks for visiting with us today, Deidre!
About Deidre Knight
Deidre Knight established The Knight Agency in 1996 after working in the entertainment industry. In the years since that time, she has built a dynamic, bestselling client list, placing nearly eight hundred titles in a broad range of categories, including romance, women’s fiction, commercial fiction, inspirational, memoir and nonfiction narrative, personal finance, business, popular culture, self-help, religion, health, and parenting. Her recent sales include books placed with Penguin Putnam, Random House, St. Martin’s, Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, HarperCollins, Harlequin, Thomas Nelson, and Avon. Deidre’s clients have appeared on every major bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, Wall Street Journal, and the Los Angeles Times Bestseller Lists. Her authors have won countless awards, including the coveted RITA, the Gold Medallion, the Walden Books Award for Best New Author, and many others. She belongs to The Association of Authors’ Representatives and Romance Writers of America. She’s a knitter, an amateur photographer, and an author who loves to spend time with her family.
About The Knight Agency
Established in 1996, The Knight Agency has gained worldwide recognition for the success of our authors in the fiercely competitive publishing marketplace. Our philosophy is simple: what you give is what you get. As a company, we are dedicated to cultivating prosperous, long-term writing careers by giving clients unparalleled service. Thus, the agency designed a multifaceted approach to success, which includes maintaining high visibility in the marketplace, fostering the all-important author-agent relationship and operating full-service subsidiary rights and marketing and publicity departments. This conscientious approach anticipates the needs of clients at all stages of the publishing process. The stellar success enjoyed by our clients illustrates the merits of our methodology.