Hello!
Chris Richman here. After many months of consideration, I’ve decided to leave the book world. This isn’t a decision I make easily—for years I wanted to work in publishing, and it was a literal dream come true when I landed a job as a literary agent. I loved finding new talent, working with my clients, and sharing in their triumphs. I enjoyed connecting with writers across the country and the world, and being a part of people’s roads to success.
I’m especially proud to have worked with so many talented people over the years, from my wonderful roster of clients, to the editors who helped shape good stories into great ones, and especially to my colleagues both at Upstart Crow and Firebrand Literary way back when. The biggest debt I owe is to Michael Stearns, who served as a wonderful mentor for me when I was just starting, and now has become a friend. His guidance, sense of humor, and occasional tough love helped me in too many ways to count.
In the end, however, I’ve decided to seek a different route, and I’m happy to announce I’ve started a job in PR and marketing in Philadelphia, and look forward to a shift in careers.
Thank you to everyone who helped along the way, including the writers who shared their work with me. I wish I could have responded to every query more quickly, or signed more clients, or met more people at conferences. But hey, it was a pretty good run that I’ll remember fondly.
Best of luck to you all out there!
Chris Richman
Thanks for reading my query and passing on it as kindly as you did. I wish you much success in your new career!
All the best,
Hilary
So sorry to hear you’re leaving the field, Chris. It was such a pleasure to meet you at the launch of FIVE FLAVORS OF DUMB way back in 2010.
Very best wishes for your new career,
Antony
Chris, you’ll be missed. Hell, you are already missed since you skipped out of town. I blame Philadelphia for your defection. (And for so much else, but why get into that here?)
On the other hand, I trust that this means we’ll soon be seeing novels by Chris Richman. And that alone makes your departure from agenting an okay thing.
Wishing you the very best of luck, Chris!
And hey – “Novels by Chris Richman??”
Yes, please.
Ruta
I’m so sad to see you leave agenting, but happy that you’ve found a path that fits for you. And I look forward to reading those future novels!
Wishing you all the best in Philly!
[…] moved from a PO box to an address on Fifth Avenue; we bid farewell to one agent (we miss you, Chris) and welcomed another (the fabulous Alexandra Penfold). Our authors have published wildly acclaimed […]