New Canadian agency – Marilyn Biderman Literary Management

Former McClelland & Stewart vice president of rights and contracts Marilyn Biderman has launched her own literary agency: Marilyn Biderman Literary Management.

Before starting her agency in September 2010, Marilyn worked at McClelland & Stewart Ltd for twelve years. There she represented many authors, including Leonard Cohen, Alistair MacLeod, Anne Michaels, and Madeleine Thien.


She has taught at the publishing programs at Ryerson University, Simon Fraser University, Humber College, and Centennial College. She has also mentored many publishers under the auspices of the Association of Canadian Publishers and the Canada Council. She is also a lawyer, the author of several papers on copyright law, and has been a juror for literary competitions.

Marilyn is developing a small and select list of commercial and literary fiction, narrative and expert nonfiction, memoir, and YA.

Among other authors, Marilyn represents Dimitri Nasrallah, whose first novel, Blackbodying, was published in 2004 by DC Books and who has sold Canadian English-language rights to his second novel, Niko, to Véhicule Press. Marilyn is also representing UBC Creative Writing Program grad Ben Hart, who will have a collection of short stories ready to go on offer in 2011; and Marguerite Pigeon, whose debut novel, Open Pit, is currently on submission. Her agency also represents Breakwater Books of St John’s, Newfoundland.

Marilyn says that before moving into agenting, "I really looked at what was important to me and where my allegiances lie. It's always been with the publishing process and protecting the rights of the authors.

“It’s a very interesting time in Canada for agents" she adds. "The industry is ready for a big shake up. People are getting older. There’s room for fresh talent.”

Query Marilyn at: marilyn@mblm.ca
Website under construction here: http://www.mblm.ca/

On May 7, Brian will host "From the Horse's Mouth ~ strategies for getting published" at Ryerson University, where one of the guest speakers will be Marilyn Biderman (details here).

For information about all of Brian's writing workshops and creative writing courses, see here.