Literary Agent Interview: Kathleen Foxx, The Rights Factory
What makes her excited to work with an author, the reality of self-publishing, and her best advice for aspiring authors
Have you always had a love for books?
Oh, definitely! I was obsessed with books like E.B. White's Charlotte's Web and the Serendipity series by Stephen Cosgrove, as well as encyclopedias! (I'm such a nerd!). I would read them for hours and just learn things, loving every minute of it. When I was in my early teens, I read Phantom, the Novel of His Life by Susan Kay, and I LOVED the way it portrayed his life and that it was told in multiple POVs. I re-read that book nine times and to date it's the only published adult novel I've ever read so many times. It was the book that inspired me to write! I love novels that take me away to a different place, and sometimes a different time. Where I'm immersed in the author's world and can forget everything else in my life. Resonating lines that make me emotional, whether that's laughing out loud or crying my eyes out or genuinely shocked. I have a very vivid imagination, so I love books that show me sensory details but also let me fill some details in on my own.
How long have you been a literary agent?
I've been with The Rights Factory since early 2023, first as an editorial assistant on the agent track, and then I was officially announced as an agent on my birthday that same year (October 3!). So, in terms of agenting, I'm newer and hungry for beautiful stories! It's a very exciting change for me--I feel like this is what I was always meant to be doing and I'm grateful that I get to do this every day!
What agency are you associated with?
The Rights Factory in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. We are a very close-knit team from all kinds of different backgrounds who represent authors from all over the world. We just celebrated our 20th year last year and over 500 deals to date (and counting!).
