Shows
Freelance Writing Direct with Estelle: Conversations with authors, journalists, agents, novelists, memoirists, niche writers, publishers, writing teachers, assigning editors and media experts.#157 Inside the Mind of a Literary Agent: Sam Hiyate on Selling Books, Pitching, and Breaking Into HollywoodEstelle Erasmus sits down with Sam Hiyate, President and CEO of The Rights Factory, a global literary agency that has represented hundreds of titles across genres, including multiple bestsellers like This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki, Healthy AF by Oonagh Duncan, and More by Molly Rodin Winter. In this episode: The trends shaping today's book market, including the rise of speculative elements in literary and commercial fiction [2:45] How "Hollywood memoirs" and screen-ready stories are attracting publishers [5:31] Why themes of escapism, hope, and redemption resonate with readers in turbulent times [6:05]
2025-09-1834 min
Author’s Edge: Smart visibility, marketing, and publishing strategies for experts and authorsHow to Craft a Query Letter Agents Can’t Ignore with Sam HiyateWhat makes a literary agent say “yes” to your book pitch in under 30 seconds? Allison Lane sits with Sam Hiyate, founder of The Rights Factory, to demystify how to write a compelling query letter, position your book in today’s market, and avoid the most common author mistakes. If you've been wondering how to land an agent or make your book proposal unskippable, this is your masterclass in reverse engineering your author marketing. Hit play now because the publishing game is changing, and this episode helps you change with it.What You’ll Learn:
2025-05-2052 minAuthor’s Edge: Smart visibility, marketing, and publishing strategies for experts and authorsPitch Smarter, Not Harder: Media Placement Strategies for Aspiring Authors | Ep. 39What’s the real key to turning media placements into a book deal? Spoiler alert: It’s not just about landing a big-name feature. In this episode, Allison answers a listener’s question about pitching magazines and shares expert insights from powerhouse literary agent Sam Hiyate. You’ll learn why visibility, consistency, and audience targeting matter more than ever for authors trying to get published. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or an aspiring author in the world, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to boost your author marketing game.Tune in now...
2025-01-3008 min
Agent ProvocateurAgent Provocateur S2 Ep 06: Literary Agents Respond to Your Elevator PitchesIn this episode TRF agents Jennifer Chevais, Tasneem Motala, Natalie Kimber, Kathryn Willms, and moderator Sam Hiyate respond to your audio pitches, focusing on what we like and what could be improved. The pitches we review are: GOOD GIRL GONE by Larissa Benfey, UNTITLED by S.A. Baker, OUR NEVERLAND by Zenobia Crow, Fletcher's Bird by Danielle Zell, NOM DE PLUME by Lisa Marie Potter and Amanda Nelson and OF RUST AND STARDUST by Catherine Kraus.
2022-02-2235 minAgent ProvocateurAgent Provocateur S2 Ep 05: On the Length of Manuscripts, Logline Tips, and On How Much of Author/Agent Submissions Get ReadThis week is all about the submission and review process. First, a panel on manuscript lengths with author/TRF editorial associate Amanda Sun and columnist, author and Dundurn Press editor, Russell Smith, moderated by TRF's own Kathryn Willms. Newly-minted agent Jennifer Chevais gives her tips on crafting a logline for your project, and in our final panel convo for the season, agent Stacey Kondla, author Kalena Miller, and former Wise Wolf Publisher Rachel Del Grosso discuss how far into a submission one reads, moderated by Sam Hiyate.
2022-02-1543 minAgent ProvocateurAgent Provocateur S2 Ep 04: On Pandemic Book Promo and the Inevitable Question of Author PlatformThis week is all about sales and promotion. First, a panel on pandemic book promotion with author Lee Matthew Goldberg and Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Harlequin, Lindsey Reeder, moderated by TRF's own Brand Manager, Anne Sampson. Author Michelle Kim calls in to read a letter, and in our continuing in-house panels, agents Tasneem Motala, Kathryn Willms and Sam Hiyate discuss author platforms, moderated by Anne Sampson.Subscribe to Tasneem's YouTube channel here: https://bit.ly/3B8UEcN
2022-02-0838 minAgent ProvocateurAgent Provocateur S2 Ep 03: On Jamie Lynn Spears and the Potentially Disturbing Topic of Trigger WarningsThis week we have two panels. First, Jamie Lynn Spears sparks a discussion about celebrity sibling memoirs moderated by our brand manager Anne Sampson, with agent Kathryn Willms and editorial assistant Claire Cavanagh, Second, editor Diane Terrana shares her opinion piece, "Trigger Happy," followed by a more in-depth panel on Trigger Warnings where Sam Hiyate moderates, featuring agent Natalie Kimber, and author Andrew Kaufman in discussion with Diane.
2022-02-0143 min
Unreserved Wine TalkPairing Books & Bottles, Organizing Wine TastingsWhat do great books and great wine have in common? Why does it feel like the wine changes when you taste the same vintage years later, apart from it maturing (and possibly you as well)? How can you pair books and bottles? How can you organize an informal wine tasting with friends or your book club? In this episode of the Unreserved Wine Talk podcast, I'm chatting with Sam Hiyate on his podcast, Agent Provocateur. You can find the wines we discussed at https://www.nataliemaclean.com/winepicks. Highlights Whic...
2021-11-1031 minAgent ProvocateurAgent Provocateur Ep 04: On the Rise and Rise of Graphic Novels, Risque YA, and Awesome Wine/Book PairingsThis week we discuss the rise of graphic novels in North America, Risque YA and we pair books and wines. Our panel discussion features writer, filmmaker and graphic novel creator, Ho Che Anderson and Senior News Editor of Publishers Weekly, Editor of PW Comics World, Cohost of the More to Come Podcast and editor of The Fanatic, Calvin Reid. Diane Terrana weighs in on how far is too far with YA, and Sam Hiyate and Natalie MacLean, the author of two bestselling books and the host of the podcast Unreserved Wine Talk pair CanLit classics with wines.
2021-08-2432 min
Stark Reflections on Writing and PublishingBooklover Stacey Kondla on Becoming a Literary AgentIn this episode, Mark interviews Stacey Kondla about her life as a book lover and about the recent transition into the role of literary agent. Prior to the interview, Mark announces the winners of David Wind's book The Indie Writer's Handbook via a random draw for comments on Episode 88. He also reads and reacts to comments from Episode 90 with Craig Martelle and reminds listeners they can win one of 4 copies of Craig's new book Successful Indie Author Release Strategies. Listeners can leave a comment or reflection on Episode 90 of the podcast at starkreflections.ca for...
2019-08-2334 minStark Reflections on Writing and PublishingBooklover Stacey Kondla on Becoming a Literary AgentIn this episode, Mark interviews Stacey Kondla about her life as a book lover and about the recent transition into the role of literary agent. Prior to the interview, Mark announces the winners of David Wind's book The Indie Writer's Handbook via a random draw for comments on Episode 88. He also reads and reacts to comments from Episode 90 with Craig Martelle and reminds listeners they can win one of 4 copies of Craig's new book Successful Indie Author Release Strategies. Listeners can leave a comment or reflection on Episode 90 of the podcast at starkreflections.ca for...
2019-08-2334 min