About Us
Jeanne Ryckmans - Director + Agent
“Jeanne Ryckmans is the quintessential twist that makes a literary martini perfect” - Allan Behm, Director, International & Security Affairs Program - The Australia Institute
Jeanne has worked for over two decades in book publishing. She was formerly senior publisher at Random House, HarperCollins Australia and Black Inc.
Jeanne was the Artistic Director of the Canberra Writers' Festival (2019-2022) - the latter whilst working simultaneously as a literary agent.
Jeanne has worked with authors including dual Miles Franklin award-winner Christopher Koch, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, Socceroos legend Johnny Warren, Margaret Whitlam, 2019 Stella Prize winner Vicki Laveau-Harvie and many others.
Jeanne is also an author; her most recent book,Trust: A fractured fable, was published in 2023 by Upswell Publishing.
Media:
“Jeanne is someone who is a literary powerhouse in every sense of the word. She will generously share her wisdom, knowledge and expertise of the publishing industry to help both individuals and the wider ecosystem benefit. I have learnt much from Jeanne, and I am endlessly grateful for the introductions she has made and the advice she has offered.”
— Dr Kirstin Ferguson AM, Former Deputy Chair of the ABC, author, columnist and company director
“I always said that I would never appoint an Australian Literary Agent unless they had twenty years of publishing experience, written at least three books of their own, worked in magazines and media, produced television programs and documentary films, were bilingual, and the subject of an award-winning portrait in The Archibald Prize.”
— Bradley Trevor Greive AM, New York Times bestselling author of The Blue Day Book: A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up that sold more than 30 million copies globally in 29 different languages and 115 countries.
Anjanette Fennell - Agent
A literary agent, podcaster and bookseller, Anjanette’s been helping writers find their way to the page and publication for more than a decade. With almost two decades of professional writing experience, including copywriting, technical writing, non-fiction and freelance work with magazines, websites and small businesses, she found her true passion as a beta reader, editor and, eventually, a Literary Agent, assisting both debut and experienced authors in attaining book (or multi-book) deals for their manuscripts.
She’s successfully partnered authors with publishers in Australia and overseas, including Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, Wild Dingo Press, Ben Bella Books, Allen & Unwin and Zibby Publishing.
These days, she happily reads more than she writes, but she does let the muse take over now and again, recently co-editing and contributing to an anthology, The Heart Will Find a Way, with all proceeds being donated to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Check out her writerly convos with authors at the Writers Talking podcast.
“Anjanette has been my literary agent for over a decade. She has championed me every step of the way from being unpublished through to becoming an international bestselling author. More than just an agent, Anjanette's advice and professional support has been invaluable through all the peaks and troughs. She understands what a white-knuckle ride this is for authors, and she’s right beside you for every new challenge.”
— Emma Grey, USA Today bestselling author of The Last Love Note and Pictures of You