Cynthia Cannell Literary Agency

Award-winning author Barbara Hurd has made an art of calling our attention to the finest details of the world around us. In LISTENING TO THE SAVAGE, she focuses on our experience of sound—and how “lowering the ear” can deepen our understanding of life’s meaning and memories, its resonance and vibrancy.
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Set in an unnamed foreign country, A WORD FOR LOVE is Emily Robbins' debut novel about a young American woman who arrives in search of an “astonishing text”—said to have the power to make all its readers weep—but finds herself caught instead in the lives of her host family and a Romeo & Juliet-like romance that ultimately teaches her about love, loyalty, and herself—and changes her reading of everything.
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In the tradition of classic dog stories like J. R. Ackerley’s MY DOG TULIP, actor Vincent Price’s THE BOOK OF JOE shares the heartwarming tale of his fourteen-year love affair with his beguiling and preternaturally intelligent mutt. Courageous and intensely devoted to his owner, Joe was a special dog with a personality all his own. The tender and witty recollections of time spent with Joe bring joy to any animal lover’s heart.
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Aaron Thier's caustic and sharp novel MR. ETERNITY is narrated by five different twenty-somethings around the New World at five moments in time (1560, 1750, 2013, 2200, 2500), all of whom worry about the same problems that besiege young people. Linking them is the affable, immortal Mr. Eternity—an ancient sailor called Daniel Defoe—who entangles himself in the lives of people he meets while searching across time for his lost love.
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Cynthia is far more than a great agent—and she is certainly that (after all, she sold my book). But she is also a darn good editorial thinker, a shaper of ideas, and a wise head in an industry that is ever more challenged. She is a crackerjack advocate for her writers in negotiations, widely read and networked, and the best sounding board I could wish for.
−Keith Bellows, SVP/Editor in Chief, National Geographic Travel Media; Editor in Chief, National Geographic Traveler and author of 100 PLACES THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE
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Ten years ago I sent Cynthia a crazy idea for my first book, on a subject I knew almost nothing about. She helped me shape the proposal, sold the book to a division of Random House, garnered a slew of foreign advances; and, after that book did well, sold my second book for more money. That should tell you all you need to know about Cynthia’s agenting. Yes, she’s smart, warm and funny, patient and dogged, and blunt when it’s good for you (a rare trait in the flattery-sodden world of publishing). But Cynthia is foremost a business partner—one of the best in the business.
−Jay Heinrichs, journalist, publishing executive and author of THANK YOU FOR ARGUING
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Cynthia Cannell has been my literary agent for over a decade and, from the beginning, I’ve trusted her implicitly. She has always been frank, supportive, and professional; perhaps most essentially, I know she is interested not only in each book, but in my life as a writer. Having her as my agent allows me to fully concentrate on my writing and offers me an immense sense of stability in the volatile world of publishing.
−Jane Brox, author of BRILLIANT: THE EVOLUTION OF ARTIFICIAL LIGHT and CLEARING LAND: LEGACIES OF THE AMERICAN FARM
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I joined Cynthia Cannell’s organization because she was the agent to recognize and sign on the best and most difficult of my student writers. Cynthia is an excellent and generous reader; she responds to questions—the sensible and not so sensible ones. She solves problems and is willing to deal with some unusual material. I think of her with personal affection.
−Lore Segal, award-winning fiction writer and translator, author of the Pulitzer Prize finalist SHAKESPEARE'S KITCHEN: STORIES
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Cynthia Cannell did not find me in a gutter, but the effect was similar. She was confident and steadfast about my work when I was apprehensive and jittery. She coaxed me along patiently, sternly and always, always, kindly. She made it possible for me to write a book and now to write another, and she found a way to make that pay. For that but even more for the work and guidance I am grateful.
−Sam Sifton, Senior Editor, The New York Times and author of THANKSGIVING: HOW TO COOK IT WELL
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Our authors are united by their high level of creativity, integrity and seriousness of purpose. We take pride in the personal attention we provide, and in our depth of knowledge and experience in the publishing industry.

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Our authors are united by their high level of creativity, integrity and seriousness of purpose. We take pride in the personal attention we provide, and in our depth of knowledge and experience in the publishing industry.

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CONTACT US

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