Amanda Harris, the Global Managing Director of YMU Literary, will be leaving the British agency next year to start her own talent business. After being with the agency since 2019 and establishing the literary division two years later, Harris has decided to move on and pursue her entrepreneurial ambitions. The departure was described as “completely amicable” by YMU, with plans for Harris to continue working on special projects with the company in her new capacity. The search for her replacement at YMU Literary has already begun, marking a significant transition for the agency.
Under Harris’s leadership, YMU Literary has achieved great success, publishing bestselling books by renowned personalities such as Paloma Faith, Claudia Winkleman, Matt Lucas, Ant and Dec, Fearne Cotton, Stacey Solomon, and Tom Daley. Notably, Harris represented Davina McCall’s “Menopausing,” which was awarded Book of the Year at the 2023 British Book Awards. The agency currently represents a diverse range of authors, including Francois Bourgeois, Jemma Solomon, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, and Sarah Hiscox, showcasing Harris’s ability to cultivate a talented roster of writers.
Prior to her tenure at YMU, Amanda Harris gained valuable experience at esteemed publishing houses such as Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette. She established two imprints at Orion Publishers, demonstrating her entrepreneurial spirit and editorial prowess. Throughout her career, Harris has worked with notable authors like Jackie Collins, King Charles III, and Paul McCartney, earning her three nominations for Literary Agent of the Year in recent years. Her departure from YMU marks a new chapter in her impressive career trajectory.
Amanda Harris’s decision to leave YMU comes in the wake of former Global Managing Director for Entertainment, Holly Bott, launching her own agency, Little Arrow. This move follows YMU’s restructuring and staff cuts due to financial challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite these challenges, YMU continues to represent high-profile clients like Simon Cowell, Graham Norton, and Davina McCall, maintaining a strong presence in the industry. The departure of key executives like Harris and Bott signals a period of change and evolution within the agency landscape.
Amanda Harris’s departure from YMU marks a significant moment in her career as she embarks on a new entrepreneurial endeavor. Her contributions to YMU Literary have been instrumental in building a successful division with a diverse and acclaimed roster of authors. As she transitions to launching her own talent business, Harris leaves behind a legacy of excellence and innovation in the literary world.
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