Amanda Harris, the current YMU literary chief, has announced her departure from the British agency in order to start her own business. She has been with the agency since 2019 and later went on to establish YMU Literary, where she held the position of Global Managing Director. Harris is set to leave YMU in the spring of 2025 and is preparing to launch her own talent business, details of which are currently undisclosed. However, it has been confirmed that her departure from YMU is amicable, and she will still collaborate with the agency on special projects in the future.
During her time at YMU, Harris has overseen the publishing of several bestselling books by notable figures such as Paloma Faith, Claudia Winkleman, Matt Lucas, Ant and Dec, Fearne Cotton, Stacey Solomon, and Tom Daley. One of her notable successes includes representing Davina McCall’s “Menopausing”, which was awarded Book of the Year at the 2023 British Book Awards. Additionally, YMU Literary represents respected authors like Francois Bourgeois, Jemma Solomon, Professor Noel Fitzpatrick, and Sarah Hiscox.
Professional Background
Before joining YMU, Amanda Harris gained experience working at prestigious publishing houses including Macmillan, Simon & Schuster, and Hachette. She was responsible for founding two imprints at Orion, Orion Spring, and Seven Dials, where she worked with renowned authors such as Jackie Collins, King Charles III, and Paul McCartney. Harris has been recognized for her achievements in the industry, being shortlisted as Literary Agent of the Year multiple times in recent years.
The departure of Amanda Harris from YMU follows the footsteps of Holly Bott, the former Global Managing Director for Entertainment, who left the agency to establish her own venture, Little Arrow. YMU had faced challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading to a restructuring and staff cuts to mitigate financial losses. Subsequently, the agency entered into a $76M agreement that resulted in Permira Credit becoming its lead shareholder. YMU represents a roster of high-profile clients including Simon Cowell, Graham Norton, David Walliams, and Take That, with offices in London, Manchester, LA, and Washington.
Amanda Harris’s departure from YMU signifies a new chapter in her career as she ventures into launching her own business. Her contributions to YMU Literary have been significant, overseeing the publication of bestselling books and representing acclaimed authors. Harris’s professional background and achievements position her well for success in her upcoming venture, leveraging her experience and industry recognition for future endeavors.