Seville is the fourth largest city in Spain and home to the first major publication in Spanish literature, when towards the end of his life, Isidore of Seville released his magnum opus in 600 AD, Etymologiae. Consisting of 448 chapters in a 20 volume etymological encyclopaedia, the work was still being used as the leading reference guide hundreds of years later. So it was a popular canonisation in 1598 when he was ordained a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church.
Although other leading literary works never resulted in Sainthood, their importance to the history of Spanish literature is undeniable.
When the epic poem Cantar de Mio Cid was published anonymously in the late 12th century / early 13th century it initiated a literary investigation into its authorship that continues to this day. However, despite the sheer volume of scholars and critics who have dedicated portions of their lives to uncovering the mystery of the author, the investigation remains unsolved.
No such investigation was needed in the early 17th century or today as to the author of The Ingenious Gentleman Don Quixote of La Mancha. Regarded as the first great novel of Spanish literature, it has since gone on to be heralded as the greatest novel ever released in Spanish. Although the novel brought international recognition to Miguel de Cervantes it never made him rich. However, in the years that have passed since his death in 1616, the novel has kept selling, and selling, and selling.
With over 500 million copies sold, Don Quixote is now the best-selling novel ever written.
Unfortunately, the growth in unique voices in Spanish literature throughout the subsequent centuries was brought to an abrupt censorship after The Spanish Civil War by the dictatorship of Franco. It was not until his death in 1975 that Spain began to rediscover its voice again.
Consequently, the literary agencies operating today are relatively new in comparison to the longevity seen in other countries.
A.C.E.R. Literary Agency
The agency is based in Madrid.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: contacta@acerliteraria.com
All Queries: Query letter only.
Note: Founded in 1959 they are one of the oldest literary agencies in Spain.
Bookbank, S.L.
The agency is based in Madrid.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Children’s Books | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions: Using this online form.
Note: The agency handles translation rights only and is not currently open to unsolicited manuscripts.
Brandt New Agency
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | YA | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: info@brandtnewagency.com
All Queries: Query letter and synopsis only.
Note: The agency accepts works written in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, English, Spanish or Catalan.
All Queries: Query letter, synopsis and the first 30 pages as a Word or PDF attachment. If sending by post include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Note: The agency represents Spanish and French speaking authors.
Página Tres Literary Agency
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
Postal submissions: Página Tres Agencia Literaria, S.L. C/ València nº268 Principal 2ª, 08007 Barcelona, Spain
E-mail submissions: originales@paginatres.es
All Queries: Query letter and synopsis of two pages max.
Note: The agency also offers proofreading and critique services.
Pontas Agency
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions: info@pontas-agency.com
All Queries: Query letter only, synopsis, bio, and the first 5 chapters.
Note: The agency is also a film production company.
The Ella Sher Literary Agency
The agency is based in Barcelona.
Website: Official Site
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction
E-mail submissions only: contact@ellasher.com
All Queries: Query letter, synopsis, bio, and the first 50 pages.
Julio F. Yañez Literary Agency
Website: No
Genres: Fiction | Non-Fiction | Biography | History | Sociology | Technology |
Postal submissions: Julio F. Yañez Agencia Literaria S.L, Via Augusta 139, 6˚-2a Barcelona, 08021, Spain
E-mail submissions: montse@yanezag.com
All Queries: Query letter only.