Cathryn Summerhayes re-joined Curtis Brown in September 2016 having started her literary agency career there as an intern in 2004. Prior to her return she was at WME for 10 years where she established an eclectic list of clients. She has worked at a number of other British literary agencies and at Colman Getty PR – where she worked on a number of high-profile book events including The Booker Prize. She was named The British Book Awards’ Literary Agent of the Year in 2019 and is currently the Chair of the Book Society. Her clients include Adam Kay, Lucy Foley, Sandi Toksvig, Chris Whitaker, Anita Rani, Shappi Khorsandi, Ashley ‘Dotty’ Charles, Nicky Campbell, Mark Watson, Naomi Wood, Kirsty Logan, Susan Fletcher, Johanna Basford, Grace Dent, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Deliciously Ella, Polpo’s Russell Norman, Catherine Mayer and Konnie Huq.
Spring Retreat: Tips from a Literary Agent
Are you seeking representation for the first time, are you in need of inspiration for your writing, or are you on a tight deadline? Our fully catered retreats will provide you with the time and space to write, read and relax. Set in a peaceful location in the stunning surroundings of northwest Wales, you can take inspiration from the spectacular sea views over Cardigan Bay, share ideas over dinner or simply sit back and relax in Tŷ Newydd’s cosy library.
During this retreat, literary agent Cathryn Summerhayes from Curtis Brown will be present to offer short talks and workshops to the group on professional development, including good practice in finding an agent, how to get published, tips of the trade, and more. Cathryn will also be available for a short one-to-one tutorial with each writer to discuss your work and your aims, and you will be invited to send along an extract of your work in advance.
On our retreats, everyone will have a room of their own, and your home-cooked meals will be prepared for you by our experienced resident chef. We offer a range of rooms at a variety or prices and accessibility. Please enquire for further information about individual rooms before booking. Guests will be invited to arrive after lunch on the Monday and depart soon after breakfast on the Friday.
Tutor
Cathryn Summerhayes
Guest Reader
Carly Reagon (Digital)
Carly Reagon lives in the countryside just outside Cardiff with her husband and three young children. She started writing stories when she was seven years old. In 2017 she took a course with Curtis Brown Creative and, in 2019, was shortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize. She fits her writing around working as a senior lecturer in Cardiff University and looking after her children and accident-prone greyhound. Aside from writing, she loves wandering around historical sites, running through the Welsh countryside, and baking (and eating) vegan cakes. Her debut novel, The Toll House, a ghost story published by Little, Brown UK in 2022, was Waterstones’ Welsh book of the month in October 2023. Her second novel, Hear Him Calling, another ghost story, will be published by Little, Brown in 2024.