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John Pearce and I have been working together for more than two decades and through eight books. John is so much more than my agent: he has been at various times my counsellor, therapist, editor and confessor. His suggestions after reviewing early drafts of manuscripts have been invaluable, and he has more than once steered me away from a bad idea and toward a good one. I look forward to working with my good friend for many years and books to come.

John IbbitsonAuthor of The Duel
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Working with John Pearce has been a critical part of building my writing career. He combines sharp editorial insight with a deep understanding of the publishing landscape, providing guidance that is strategic and supportive. John has an exceptional ability to see the potential of a project and help shape it into its strongest, most compelling form without ever losing sight of the author’s vision and voice. Most importantly, his thoughtful and honest feedback helps build an invaluable relationship of trust and friendship. He has been a true partner in my professional journey, and I would recommend him without hesitation to any author seeking both a champion and a trusted guide in publishing.

Shohini GhoseAuthor of Her Space, Her Time
I
relish working with writers and getting the best possible deals for them. My years as an editor help me interpret writers’ needs to publishers.  My years in publishing (latterly with Doubleday and Random House of Canada) help me navigate the publishing scene for them.

What I’m looking for:

Here’s my ideal mix: a distinctive voice, vivid story-telling, insightful characterization and compelling prose. If the book has the potential to cause competitive bidding, win awards or attract film deals, all the better.
My non-fiction interests overlap with my personal ones. I love working with journalists; historians; biographers; I also like memoir, popular science, environmental books, travel and Big Ideas (I’d add books about classical music if only there was any money in them). If this all sounds a bit serious, let me stress that I really enjoy wit, humour and satire. What I respond to most is the combination of the author’s passion for the subject and their ability to write about it engagingly.
The  fiction I like most is literary but narrative-driven; a novel that propels you forward but is also imaginative, empathetic, and challenging. I also like high-quality mysteries, thrillers/suspense and historical fiction. No romance, SF or fantasy. No short-story collections. No children’s books unless by existing clients.
I have a rich list of clients so am currently closed to unsolicited submissions. However, I welcome submissions by referral or enquiry and am always on the lookout for something wonderful.

Books I’m particularly proud to have edited or represented:

Indian Horse, Medicine Walk, and Starlight by Richard Wagamese; Intolerable by Kamal Al-Solaylee; Red China Blues by Jan Wong; The $12 Million Dollar Stuffed Shark by Don Thompson; The Wars and Famous Last Words by Timothy Findley; Karma by Cathy Ostlere; Marconi by Marc Raboy; The First Signs by Genevieve von Petzinger;  Empty Planet by Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson; The Duel by John Ibbitson; The Company and Dominion by Stephen Bown; Black Cherokee by Antonio Michael Downing; Endings by Neil Griffin.

Books I wish I’d edited or represented:

Yellowface by R.F.Kuang; Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie; Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie; The Scramble for Africa by Thomas Pakenham;  Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks; The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton; The Eighth Life by Nino Haratischvili; A Day in the Life of Abed Salama by Nathan Thrall.

Selected Clients