Suzanne Brandreth, Proprietor & Literary Agent
Suzanne is a co-owner of CookeMcDermid and a hands-on agent who works with her clients to turn their ideas and books into conversation-shifting, enduring commercial successes in Canada and beyond. Her clients’ books have been published across the globe, in English and into over 40 languages, and have appeared on numerous award, international bestseller, and “Best of” lists.
Suzanne is particularly drawn to serious, idea-driven, big-think narrative non-fiction and expert-driven practical non-fiction from authors with established platforms that will shift conversation and have a positive impact, locally and globally. Her fiction tastes run the gamut from sublime, inventive literary fiction to plotty, character- and voice-driven upmarket / book club fiction and high emotional-stakes romance.
Suzanne is the agent for #1 New York Times bestselling poet Rupi Kaur’s global hits the sun and her flowers and home body and CS Richardson’s bestselling and Giller-shortlisted All the Colour in the World. Recently published books include instant #1 national bestseller Dr. Jane Philpott’s Health for All: A Doctor’s Prescription for a Healthier Canada, and instant bestsellers Dr. Jennifer Grenz’s Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey Toward Personal and Ecological Healing, and Tamara Green and Sarah Grossman’s Good Food Good Mood: 100 Nourishing Recipes to Support Mind & Body Wellness.
Suzanne has worked as a bookseller, an editor, and most recently ran and co-owned Cooke International, one of the few agencies worldwide focused solely on foreign / translation rights. Suzanne has a keen understanding of what succeeds in international markets and works closely with a network of editors, publishers, and scouts around the world. When she is not reading from, adding to, or re-organizing her reading piles, which roughly correspond to the categories of books she represents, Suzanne is listening to jazz, re-watching all seasons of Grey’s Anatomy, and planning solo and family trips.
Suzanne is ACTIVELY seeking
Idea-driven narrative non-fiction that grapples with what it is to be human (especially in the 21st century), particularly in the areas of economics, nature, organizational behavior, psychology, philosophy, and science
Practical non-fiction from authors with well-established platforms in all areas of personal development, including work life / finance / health / wellness / transformation
Book club / upmarket and literary novels with indelible characters, unexpected plot points, and compelling perspectives
Suzanne is Currently Not Seeking
Poetry
Children’s Books
SFF
Horror
SUZANNE IS CURRENTLY READING
The Persuaders: At the Front Lines of the Fight for Hearts, Minds, and Democracy by Anand Giridharadas
Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout by Cal Newport
Great Expectations (a novel) by Vinson Cunningham
Romantic Comedy (a novel) by Curtis Sittenfeld
SUZANNE’s REPRESENTED BOOKS AND AUTHORS INCLUDES
