Eugenie Furniss
Eugenie Furniss was at WME for fifteen years, running their London book division for her final three years there. In 2012 she left to set up a literary division, Furniss Lawton, for the James Grant Group, which she ran for seven years, before joining 42 in March 2019. She has been shortlisted twice for Literary Agent of the Year at The British Book Awards.
What I'm looking for:
I love truly transporting fiction and narrative voices that seduce me from the first page. Like most contemporary readers, I like taut, compelling prose. If I find my mind wandering when reading a novel, it’s not for me. On the fiction front I’m drawn to crime in all its guises and historical fiction has always been my great love. Beyond that, anything seriously funny or uplifting appeals too, though I tend to like stories with a bit of an edge. High on my wish list of things to sign are a crime series told from an unusual perspective, and the next Rose Tremain!
On the non-fiction front I’m an avid reader of biography and popular history, and a politics junkie. A political, financial or social scandal is dream reading for me; the more complex and high stakes the scenario the better. I particularly love biography and memoir that introduces us to unfamiliar worlds be they historical or contemporary. I admire honesty and independent thought; and am always on the look out for writers whose ideas challenge prevailing wisdoms.
I am currently closed for submissions.
Twitter: @Furniss
Emily MacDonald
Emily MacDonald joined 42 in 2019, working with Eugenie Furniss across her clients. She is now an agent in the Books Department, and is building her own list.
What I'm looking for:
Bring me a story with characters that never leave you and a narrative that pulls you in, keeping you in the world well after you’ve finished reading. I read across a wide-range and have a particular interest in; book club, high-concept crime/thriller, upmarket and literary fiction (with a real soft spot for witty romcoms with an unassailable hook!) In fiction, I would love to find a crime/thriller set within a subcult; a modern retelling of British folklore (think Kamila Shamsie’s Home Fire); an unconventional love story; and a character led journey of self-discovery (especially one set within a diasporic community). In both fiction and non-fiction, I love stories woven into their surroundings, where the setting is as central a character as those who drive the narrative.
I’m also looking for narrative non-fiction which immerses the reader into an untold true story (personal or historical), exploring a new point of view, and providing a compelling social commentary, with an investigative twist. Think the obsessive vein of Kirk W. Johnson or personal/political dispatches of Aidan Hartley. I want to have my horizons expanded when I read. Please note, I am not currently accepting submissions for Children's lit/YA and SFF.
In both spheres, I’m keen to hear from Scottish and regional voices with stories to tell.
Please email all relevant submissions to - emilymacdonald@42mp.com
Twitter: @Ebh_mac
