[Agency] Curtis Brown Group Ltd. (UK) / Curtis Brown Creative

I queried the new writer's team 5 days ago and today received their newsletter, advertising creative writing courses. I'm wondering if that means "it's a rejection, go learn how to write!"

The courses look interesting but very, very dear, for me anyway.

Pisco Sour said:

I queried the new writer's team 5 days ago and today received their newsletter, advertising creative writing courses. I'm wondering if that means "it's a rejection, go learn how to write!"

The courses look interesting but very, very dear, for me anyway.

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Definitely not a rejection, just the spam we're all grumbling about. Prepare to see many more... and many more...

It looks like the 'unsubscribe' button worked for me, eventually, but it took a few days to go through. Or maybe Rufus Coppertop's e-mail made them sit up and take notice.

Oh. I haven't unsubscribed to the newsletter as I don't mind getting it - at the moment anyway. If it's an occasional e-mail, that's fine.

Curtis Brown Group, Ltd. of London (formerly Regal Literary)

They're a bit different than other agencies I've been researching because they're both a school and literary agency. They're also different in that the only way to send a query/synopsis/"sample material" is through their online form.

Now this is the first time I'm querying, so I'm no expert, but a red flag is popping up in my head and I'd like to know what others think.

I've done the research:
No complaints on P & E.
No complaints on here or QT.
Here's the website: http://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/
(You can click the blog from there. They are getting novels published.)

Is form-submission-only a thing? And, if it is, what in the world is "sample material?" If I wanted to pick a scene from the middle of the novel I can? Sounds fun, but I don't want to seem unprofessional.

Anyone work with them in this way? (I don't know it Regal Literary worked that way, so any info on them doesn't help much.)

I don't know where you get a connection to Regal Literary, but Curtis Brown are one of the top literary agencies in London. As for what to send them, the std package for UK agencies is the first 3 chapters, synopsis and cover letter.

Here's the existing thread for Curtis Brown UK.

I interviewed for an internship at their offices in London once. They were lovely. I'll forgive them for not hiring me.

waylander said:

I don't know where you get a connection to Regal Literary, but Curtis Brown are one of the top literary agencies in London. As for what to send them, the std package for UK agencies is the first 3 chapters, synopsis and cover letter.

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That's not how to send according to their site. And where did I get my info about the connection to Regal? Both on QT and AQ.

I am glad to hear they're one of the tops in London. Truthfully, I think I have a slightly better shot at finding a agent willing to take my story on in the UK than in the US.

I really did check out this site too, before asking. I didn't find anything in the search about this agency on here. But my question was added to this thread afterward, so, I'm guessing I didn't search well enough.

atwhatcost said:

I really did check out this site too, before asking. I didn't find anything in the search about this agency on here. But my question was added to this thread afterward, so, I'm guessing I didn't search well enough.

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The Index to Agents, Publishers and Others contains an alphabetical list of threads for various agencies etc. Questions about a specific agency get folded into that agency's thread for organisational purposes.

atwhatcost said:

I've done the research:
No complaints on P & E.
No complaints on here or QT.
Here's the website: http://www.curtisbrowncreative.co.uk/
(You can click the blog from there. They are getting novels published.)

Click to expand...

Curtis Brown Creative is a part of Curtis Brown, but is not the main agency. As Waylander and Parametric have said, CB is very good.

Have a gander at the main site: http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/

I would definitely send the opening of my novel, not a section from the middle.

Parametric said:

The Index to Agents, Publishers and Others contains an alphabetical list of threads for various agencies etc. Questions about a specific agency get folded into that agency's thread for organisational purposes.

Click to expand...

Ah thanks! Easier way!

Helix said:

Curtis Brown Creative is a part of Curtis Brown, but is not the main agency. As Waylander and Parametric have said, CB is very good.

Have a gander at the main site: http://www.curtisbrown.co.uk/

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Oh! Thanks! That looks more typical of an agency.

Albeit, they have a definite WOW factor. Nothing like including Nobel and Pulitzer as awards received to take notice.


I also found out the three Curtis-Brown's across the globe were the same, but have since separated. http://www.curtisbrown.com/about/

I thought I couldn't get any more impressed than Winston Churchill and C.S. Lewis as past clients, until I hit the biggest name in literary history! A.A. Milne! Whoa!

(Does it help to know my novel is about stuffed animals too? )

Dang! I think I just found my new dream agent!

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Laurasaurus said:

I would definitely send the opening of my novel, not a section from the middle.

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Yeah, and stick with their literary agency, instead of their school.

atwhatcost said:

Yeah, and stick with their literary agency, instead of their school.

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The submission form there, although it seems to be part of the school, is for their literary agency. Curtis Brown Creative is the same as Curtis Brown, with the two sites separating out the (arguable) dichotomy of the publishing process.