Quickfire Questions with... Julia Churchill - The Greenhouse Literary Agency

Julia Churchill joined the Greenhouse Literary Agency in January 2002, where she heads up the UK/Commonwealth side of the business. Previous to this she was an Associate Agent at the Darley Anderson Agency.

Which 3 authors, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

Alexandre Dumas because THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO is my favourite book. Roald Dahl because he's still got the best stories. And Cathy Cassidy because she's one of the nicest people I know and I love everything she writes. Also because if I'm meeting two dead heroes I'd really like a friend there to talk about it with afterwards.

When I was a child I read....

Everything that came my way.

Favourite desktop snack?

KitKats and Earl Grey tea. I dip.

When rejecting I...

Try to be quick and kind. Like a good waxer.

Independent bookshop or Amazon?

Bookshop. I like to browse.

Enid Blyton was...

A childhood favourite.

If I wasn't an agent I would be...

A chef.

Rowling or Pullman?

Rowling. I love every HP book.

Email or phone?

Email. So everyone has a record of what's what.

My biggest tip for children's writers is...

Read widely, inside and outside of your genre and age-group. And then forget everything you’ve read and write the book only you can write.

Daily Mail or The Times?

Neither. But I always get the weekend IHT.

Age-banding is....

Loaded! Personally I’m in favour. Anything that helps parents and children navigate a bookshop is a good thing. When I buy books with my nieces and nephews we judge by cover, by first page, by blurb at the back of the book. These are all signposts. And an age band is another signpost - something else to help with the decision. Having said that, it’s an emotive issue so I think it should be each author’s choice.

My pet hate in a submission package is...

Staples. If I get cut then the rejection letter will be signed in my own blood. Joke. But I really don't like staples and have been cut a few times. Also not very keen on tea bags.
The worst ever was a manuscript that looked like it had been lining a parrot's cage. And I'm not that keen on hair. At The Greenhouse we are digital so people can email their submissions. No more bird-poo and hair!

Favourite work outfit?

I always wear gold jewellery when I'm sending out a book. I have to have the gold in constant touch with my skin throughout the submission. Superstitious.

You really must read...

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher.