To Agent or not to Agent?
Panel Emily Lim-Leh, Lauren Ho, Namita Moolani Mehra | Moderator: Priti Sharma
Is it necessary to have an agent? In this panel session, we will delve into the complexities of publishing and the decision of whether to pursue representation by an agent. Our panelists will provide insights, advice, and practical tips to help you navigate this critical question in your writing journey. From demystifying the agent-author relationship to discussing the benefits and drawbacks of securing representation, this session will help provide some guidance on the next steps to take for your creative career.
Emily Lim-Leh (Singapore)
Emily Lim-Leh is an award-winning author of over 40 children’s books. She was named Mediacorp’s Singapore Woman Award Honoree for inspiring readers and is a recipient of the Public Service Medal (Covid-19) for her informational e-picture books for the community. Little Hero, her new junior historical fiction book, came out of her curiosity and interest to learn about her grandmother’s and father’s stories.
Lauren Ho (Malaysia/Singapore)
Lauren Ho is a reformed legal counsel who now prefers to write for pleasure. Hailing from Malaysia, she is currently based in Singapore with her family. She is the author of two critically-acclaimed adult contemporary fiction novels, Last Tang Standing and Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic. Bite Me, Royce Taslim is her first young adult novel.
Namita Moolani Mehra (India/Singapore)
Namita Moolani Mehra is an agented children’s book author, freelance writer, and entrepreneur. Her latest picture books are The Light Within You and Anni Dreams of Biryani. She has been a speaker at AFCC and held workshops at Singapore Writers Festival. She founded Indian Spicebox, a social-impact platform that has funded half a million meals for underprivileged children in India.
Moderator Priti Sharma (Singapore)
Priti Sharma Devata is the Managing Editor at Epigram Books. She also edits fiction and nonfiction picture books, early readers and middle-grade novels. She has more than 21 years of experience teaching and developing language and literary courses at the tertiary level. Her areas of focus have been children’s literature and postcolonial literature.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.