Trames literary agency:

Can you trace the genesis of Trames literary agency?

Our paths first crossed in the publishing world more than twenty years ago. Since then, each of us has followed our own trajectory, working within major publishing groups as well as small independent houses. Through the various roles we were entrusted with—across press, bookselling, communications, rights management, and editorial departments—we developed both a critical eye and solid expertise in the French market.

Our desire to share a collective adventure gradually merged with our ambition to innovate, to build, and to become a key player in the publishing ecosystem. Eight years ago, this vision led us to found the literary agency Trames. From the outset, our combined expertise has been dedicated to serving stakeholders across the French-speaking market. We created this agency together, driven by momentum and inspiration, and enriched by countless stimulating exchanges with book professionals from around the world.

What is the status of literary agents in the French publishing market ?

More and more authors are now represented by agents due to changes in the French market, including the acquisition of publishing houses and shifts in ownership.

Traditionally, the French publishing market has long operated without literary agents representing authors. This specific and distinctive situation, which does not exist in other countries, can be explained by the fact that French publishers owned their authors’ rights for up to 70 years after their death and had dedicated departments to handle secondary rights (foreign, audiovisual, paperback, adaptation rights, etc.).

Another reason may be that the relationship between editor and author in France has not only been professional but also affective, and some editors were reluctant to deal with what they referred to as “intermediaries.” The literary agent profession was not well known and was often caricatured as being solely focused on making money.

Fortunately, this negative reputation, which stemmed from a lack of familiarity with the profession, has changed. Today, most French publishers maintain strong relationships with agents. Of course, a few publishers remain reluctant to work with agents, but they are becoming the minority. The new generation of editors is accustomed to working with agents on foreign fiction and feels comfortable collaborating with them. More and more authors are now represented by agents due to changes in the French market, including the acquisition of publishing houses and shifts in ownership.

What makes Trames stand out?

We are convinced that it is through exchange and dialogue that we will shape the future of books worldwide.

Founded in 2018, Trames is a literary agency bringing together four publishing professionals with complementary backgrounds. Our multidisciplinary approach and expertise are our greatest strengths.

Our mission is to support contemporary literary creation through cross-disciplinary activities with a strong international focus. We represent French authors, French publishers, several Quebec publishers, and collaborate with publishers, agents, and French cultural institutions around the world. We take an active part in major industry events, including international book fairs, professional audiovisual gatherings, international programs (fellowships, trips to discover foreign publishing markets), as well as festivals and French book fairs.

Our combined experience in publishing houses and our networks provides us with expertise valued by both publishers and authors. Our work as agents is to support authors in their careers, negotiate their contracts, and play an active role in the French and international success of their books, both forthcoming and already published.

As we regularly collaborate with the major players in the French book market across various sectors, we have become indispensable. We are convinced that it is through exchange and dialogue that we will shape the future of books worldwide. We offer a flexible, collaborative framework built with our partners.

You have been in publishing for many years. What are the lasting trends you have observed and how do you see the future of books?

The market has changed significantly since we launched the agency eight years ago. Today, more than ever, in the world around us, we believe that cultures must intersect.

New shareholders have appeared in the major French publishing groups, reshuffling the editorial landscape. There is also significant personnel movement at the moment. Our authors must navigate the changes this brings, and we are here to support them and provide stability.

In bookstores, new trends are emerging, and we have notably supported the creation of a romance-focused section within the Gibert-Joseph bookstore.

At festivals and other book-related venues, we are witnessing the rise of new forms of musical and illustrated readings designed to attract new audiences and maintain attendance. We actively support some of these innovations.

Publishing remains a vibrant reflection of our time, shaped by major societal issues. We continuously strive to offer a collective perspective on the profound transformations at work—through fiction, narrative nonfiction, essays, and emerging forms of communication.

Violaine Faucon was born in Brazil and later moved to France, where she has worked in publishing since 2006. She began her career in editorial before specializing in the development of French and foreign fiction rights at Éditions de l’Olivier. In 2018, she founded the literary agency Trames with three associates.