- Author of TUSCAN DAUGHTER Lisa Rochon‘s THE PARIS THIEF, about a female curator entrusted with saving precious artworks during WWII, decades after she was involved in the Mona Lisa’s theft, exploring morality and duplicity and how love can survive betrayal, to Jennifer Lambert at Harper Canada, in an exclusive submission, for publication in summer 2026, by Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists (Canada and translation). Rights also to Frankie Edwards at Headline Review, by Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists, on behalf of Hilary McMahon (world English ex Canada).
- Louise K. Blight’s WHERE THE EARTH MEETS THE SKY to Knesebeck (Germany), by Hannah Nuspliger-Fosh at Liepman, on behalf of Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists for Jackie Kaiser.
- Douglas & McIntyre has acquired World English rights to HUMANITARIENNE, a memoir by Dr. Kirsten Johnson. The book traces Johnson’s journey from a troubled childhood to finding purpose and belonging through global humanitarian work. Her path ultimately leads her to become a doctor and a powerful advocate for change in conflict zones. Told in vivid, high stakes stories from around the word, HUMANITARIENNE charts the author’s evolution from witness to changemaker, and is a testament to the impact of a life dedicated to service. Publication Fall 2026. The deal was arranged by Michael Levine at Westwood Creative Artists.
- Chronicle Books’s Mirabelle Korn has acquired world rights to Diane Borsato’s DESSERT CLUB: A SWEET TOOTH’S GUIDE TO THE WORLD, FROM MILLE-FEUILLES TO MOCHI DONUTS. The nonfiction book is described as a field guide to the most delicious and spectacular desserts to taste around the world, with mouthwatering illustrations by Kelsey Oseid. Publication is scheduled for Fall 2026. The deal was arranged by Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists.
- Random House Studio’s Ann Kelley has acquired world rights to the next book by Kyo Maclear and Gracey Zhang, the team behind the Caldecott Honor Award-winning NOODLES ON A BICYCLE and THE BIG BATH HOUSE. LITTLE FIREWORKS is described as a tender picture book about cousins sharing one last summer night together in Japan by lighting senko hanabi and reflecting on the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye. Publication is slated for summer 2027. Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists represented Maclear, and Hannah Mann at Writers House represented Zhang.
- Author of BUFFALO DREAMER Violet Duncan (Kehewin Cree/Taino)’s WE ARE ALL RELATED, in which a girl and her grandmother revel in the marvelous way everything in nature is connected, from plants to insects to people, illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Ojibwe), to Nancy Paulsen at Nancy Paulsen Books, for publication in fall 2027, by Jackie Kaiser at Westwood Creative Artists for the illustrator (world).
Film/TV:
- Producer Robert B. Vink at Vink International Productions has optioned the audiovisual rights to the 26th Governor General of Canada, The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson’s book EXTRAORDINARY CANADIANS: NORMAN BETHUNE, about the Ontario-born surgeon and political activist who practiced in both Spain and China in the 1930s, unifying humanitarian beliefs with his medical profession. The deal was arranged by Michael Levine at Westwood Creative Artists.
- Lauren McKeon from HarperCollins Canada has acquired World rights to Jennifer Kingsley and Teuatakiri Tua Pittman’s STAR COMPASS, from Michael Levine at Westwood Creative Artists. This book takes readers inside the comeback of traditional Polynesian navigation, one of the most incredible stories of cultural revival on earth. It follows a Canadian journalist and a Master Navigator on a powerful adventure across the Pacific Ocean as they guide large sailing canoes across vast distances—all without the use of charts or compasses—and illustrates how an ancient way of life has returned, against all odds.
- Author of SAVING AMERICAN BEACH Heidi Tyline King’s FLASH!, chronicling the firefly research of John Bonner Buck and his discoveries in bioluminescence, illustrated by Laura Ramos, to Stacey Barney at Nancy Paulsen Books, in an exclusive submission, for publication in summer 2027, by Hilary McMahon at Westwood Creative Artists for the author, and by Caryn Wiseman at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).
Westwood Creative Artists, one of Canada’s largest literary agencies representing more than 400 writers, is looking for a candidate to fill a full-time hybrid or remote 6-week internship position, beginning August 25th (with some flexibility on the starting date for the right candidate).
A considerable amount of time during this internship will be spent working with WCA’s international rights director and rights associate preparing our seasonal rights catalogue ahead of the Frankfurt Book Fair which takes place in October. There will also be some other administrative tasks.
We offer a lively and congenial team culture and an excellent opportunity to gain an overview of the publishing industry in Canada and abroad through the lens of a literary agency and the writers we represent.
The ideal candidate will be eager to learn, highly organized, energetic, and have a positive outlook. Strong proofreading and computer skills required; previous office experience and knowledge of the publishing industry an asset; passionate attention to detail and accuracy a must. Please send your cover letter, resume, and references to the attention of Caroline Vassallo at caroline@wcaltd.com at your earliest convenience, but not later than July 30th. We appreciate all applications but will only reply to candidates selected for an interview. Westwood Creative Artists is an equal opportunity employer, and values a diverse workforce.
- Douglas & McIntyre’s Anna Comfort O’Keefe has acquired Canadian rights to Rachel Phan’s THAT ASIAN GIRL IS A PROBLEM. The essay collection is described as a fearless gut-punch that confronts the racism, body policing, and misogyny Asian women are expected to swallow, flips the script on respectability, and reclaims the mess, rage, and power of refusing to play nice. Publication is expected for Fall 2026. The deal was arranged by Chris Casuccio of Westwood Creative Artists.
Foreign rights:
- Shyam Selvadurai’s FUNNY BOY to Društvo za teoretsko psihoanalizo (Slovenia), by Nada Perisic at PLIMA, and to Two Shores Press (Tamil), on behalf of Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists for Chris Casuccio.
- Shyam Selvadurai’s CINNAMON GARDENS to Two Shores Press (Tamil), by Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists for Chris Casuccio.
- Ray Jayawardhana’s STRANGE NEW WORLDS renewed to Chongqing University Press (China), by Winney Deng at Andrew Nurnberg Associates International, on behalf of Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists for John Pearce.
- Glenn Dixon’s THE INFINITE SADNESS OF SMALL APPLIANCES to Beijing Owspace Co. (China), by Jessica Wu at Andrew Nurnberg Associates International, on behalf of Meg Wheeler at Westwood Creative Artists for Hilary McMahon.