Jessica Hare runs the Children’s Books department at The Agency. Having worked with Hilary Delamere since early 2017, Jessica stepped up to take over from Hilary in early 2023. Shortly afterwards she was selected as one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars for 2023.
Jessica represents established and emerging children’s books authors and illustrators across every age range and genre. She specialises in handling their publishing deals and works with her colleagues at The Agency to handle clients’ screen and stage rights as well.
Hilary joined Lemon Unna & Durbridge in the early 90s to look after the Paddington Bear titles and to build her own book list. She worked for several different publishing houses including Rights Director at Penguin Children’s Books before becoming an agent. As a partner at The Agency, Hilary continued to represent Michael Bond’s Paddington Bear alongside a wide range of children’s book authors and illustrators from pre-school books to YA novels - handling their publishing deals alongside their film, TV and stage rights.
Hilary has now retired from The Agency and is working as a consultant for the Raymond Briggs Estate.
Children’s Book News & Blog
