The Dual Powerhouse: Unmasking André Alexis's Literary Agents For North America And The UK
André Alexis: A Brief Biography and Career Highlights
André Alexis is one of Canada's most critically acclaimed and beloved authors, known for his philosophical depth, playful style, and genre-bending narratives.- Full Name: André Alexis
- Born: 1957
- Place of Birth: Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
- Nationality: Canadian
- Early Life: Grew up in Ottawa, Canada, after moving from Trinidad.
- Current Residence: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Education: Studied at Carleton University and the University of Ottawa.
- Debut Novel: *Childhood* (1998)
- Major Works: *Fifteen Dogs* (2015), *Days by Moonlight* (2019), *The Quincunx* series (a set of five philosophical novels), *Other Worlds* (2024).
- Key Awards: Scotiabank Giller Prize (2015, for *Fifteen Dogs*), Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize (2015, for *Fifteen Dogs*, and 2019, for *Days by Moonlight*), Windham–Campbell Literature Prize (2017).
- Latest News: His short story collection, *Other Worlds*, was longlisted for the 2025 Giller Prize.
The North American Cornerstone: Susan Schulman Literary Agency
For his North American representation, André Alexis relies on the venerable Susan Schulman Literary Agency, a firm renowned for its dedication to both literary and commercial fiction, as well as plays and musicals. The agency's founder, Susan Schulman, is listed as the primary agent for Alexis, signifying a direct and significant relationship.Susan Schulman: The Agent of Record
Susan Schulman is a highly respected figure in the publishing world, with a career built on recognizing and nurturing exceptional talent. Her agency, based in New York City, is known for its selective client list and its focus on developing long-term careers.The agency’s representation of Alexis is crucial for managing his Canadian and US publishing deals, including his long-standing relationship with McClelland & Stewart (his Canadian publisher, now an imprint of Penguin Random House Canada) and his US publishers.
The successful campaigns for his most famous works, particularly the multi-award-winning *Fifteen Dogs*, which explores philosophical themes through the perspectives of a group of canines, were spearheaded by this agency. This representation focuses not only on book deals but also on subsidiary rights such as film, television, and audio rights within the North American market.
The UK and Commonwealth Specialist: Angelique Tran Van Sang
While the Susan Schulman Literary Agency handles North America, the complex landscape of international publishing often requires a dedicated agent for the UK and Commonwealth territories. This role is filled by Angelique Tran Van Sang at Felicity Bryan Associates in the UK.Angelique Tran Van Sang: Focusing on International Reach
Angelique Tran Van Sang joined the prestigious Felicity Bryan Associates after a distinguished career as an editor at Bloomsbury Publishing. This background is invaluable, as it gives her an editor’s perspective on what makes a book successful in the UK market.Her specific focus is on building a list of authors writing high-quality literary fiction and narrative non-fiction. By representing André Alexis, she manages the deals with his UK publishers, such as Profile Books, and ensures his work is positioned effectively for the British, Australian, and other Commonwealth audiences.
This dual-agency model is a strategic advantage for a writer like Alexis, whose work has strong international appeal. It ensures that both the massive North American market and the influential UK market receive tailored, focused attention from agents who are experts in their respective regions.
The Impact of Specialized Literary Agents on a Global Career
The fact that André Alexis employs a specialized, multi-agent structure is a testament to the high value and complexity of his literary properties. The agents are not merely deal-makers; they are career strategists, brand managers, and legal experts.The topical authority of a writer is significantly boosted by the caliber of their representation. The agencies involved—Susan Schulman Literary Agency, Felicity Bryan Associates, and even the listing at Trident Media Group—are all top-tier firms. This level of representation is essential for a writer who is part of the Quincunx project—a demanding series of five philosophical novels that requires careful long-term planning and marketing.
Key entities and LSI keywords that demonstrate the scope of his literary career and the work of his agents include:
- Literary Representation: The core business of managing publishing contracts, foreign rights, and career development.
- Subsidiary Rights: Licensing for film, television, audiobooks, and translations, a major revenue stream managed by the agents.
- Canadian Literature: Alexis’s primary market and identity.
- Scotiabank Giller Prize: The most significant Canadian literary award, which dramatically increases a book's international value.
- Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prize: Another major Canadian accolade underscoring his critical success.
- Philosophical Fiction: The genre often associated with his work, particularly *Fifteen Dogs* and *Days by Moonlight*.
- Trident Media Group: Another powerful US agency that has listed Alexis as a client, possibly for co-agenting or a previous phase of his career.
- Bloomsbury Publishing: Angelique Tran Van Sang's former employer, giving her deep industry knowledge.
- Foreign Rights Sales: The selling of translation rights to publishers in countries like France, Germany, and Spain, a process often coordinated between the primary and international agents.
- Contemporary Canadian Writers: Placing Alexis within the current literary landscape alongside authors like Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje.
In conclusion, André Alexis’s sustained success is a powerful collaboration between a visionary writer and a highly strategic team of literary agents. Susan Schulman and Angelique Tran Van Sang play distinct, yet equally vital, roles in ensuring that his unique, award-winning fiction continues to resonate with a global audience, solidifying his status as a major international literary figure.
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