A tribute to Beverley Slopen

Writing life: 69

The lovely and wonderful Beverley Slopen has been my literary agent for sixteen years. As you’ll see from the story below, she took me on when no one else would and I will always be grateful. Not to bury the lede, but dear Beverley is retiring and winding down her agency after a long and storied (pun intended) career. I will miss our calls, our lunches, and all of our time together.

Beverley Slopen, my literary agent for nearly 17 years.

Let’s start at the beginning…

Back in 2005, I finished the manuscript for my first novel, The Best Laid Plans. I spent 2006 sending out query letters, plot synopses and sample chapters to dozens and dozens of literary agents and smaller publishing houses in Canada and even a few in the U.S. By the end of 2006 the only response I had—I received no rejection letters—was from Beverley. Ever polite and considerate, she sent me an email that said something like “I really enjoyed your novel. It’s very funny and the writing is solid. But you’ve written a satirical novel of Canadian politics. What were you thinking? I doubt I could find a publisher for this, but thank you for sending it to me. I wish you all the best.” (I’ve paraphrased her email, but I’m close!)

I filed her email away as the only semi-official response I received after a year of trying to break down the doors to the traditional publishing establishment.

I’ve written about this before in a series of posts under the My unorthodox journey to the published land heading, early on in this Substack’s life that you are of course welcome to read. But Beverley’s role in all of this is worth revisiting.

I ended up initially self-publishing that first novel and entering it myself for the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour. When it was miraculously shortlisted, I hit “Reply” on Beverley’s, by then, 18 month-old email, attached a link for the Toronto Star story about being shortlisted for the Leacock Medal and simply asked her if this changed anything. I wasn’t being snide, I genuinely did not know if being a finalist for the Leacock might cause her to reconsider adding me to the already large stable of writers she represented. She replied with congratulations, asked for a copy of the book, and then suggested we get together.

We met for drinks at the Toronto Four Seasons Hotel and though calm on the outside, I was a quivering mass of excitement inside. The turning point in our conversation came when she agreed to take me on. After a couple years of trying, I finally had a literary agent. (Below is my blog post from April 4, 2008 announcing that I had joined Beverley’s stable of writers.)

My blog post from April 2008 announcing Bev Slopen as my literary agent soon after I was shortlisted for the Leacock Medal.

At one point in our conversation, Beverley said, “Now before we get started, give me your hands and look me in the eye.” I thought this was a rather unusual request, but I was just so thrilled to be in the same building with a literary agent that I’d have given her a foot rub if she’d asked. So I gave her my hands and looked her in the eyes. “Terry, you are not going to win the Leacock Medal, but let’s see if we can find you a publisher.” 

Of course, I believed her. There was no precedent for a self-published novel winning any kind of established literary award in Canada or in most other countries. She was trying to protect me. While I was still so surprised to have been shortlisted, I was under no illusion that I might actually win.

As it turned out, I did somehow win—I will forever think of it as my Leacock Shock. And that changed my life as a writer in an instant. Beverley was thrilled and so was I.

A few of Beverley’s highlights

McClelland & Stewart

Within a week of winning the Leacock Medal, Beverley presided over an auction among three publishers, and we eventually signed with McClelland & Stewart. M&S brought out their edition of TBLP a few months later.

The original self-published edition of TBLP alongside the M&S edition.

Beverley’s expertise and experience was critical in guiding me through what was then a foreign land to me. I’ve leaned on her ever since. In addition to negotiating my very first deal with M&S, she has presided over two more one-book deals and four two-book deals, with the only publisher I’ve ever known.

The nine novels for which Beverley negotiated publishing deals with McClelland & Stewart/Penguin Random House.

A TV series

When a TV production house optioned The Best Laid Plans to adapt it as a six-part television miniseries for CBC, Beverley was there holding my hand through all of that, too. Options are not too onerous, but when the project actually got the green light from CBC—a rare and exciting development—Beverley’s knowledge and leadership helped us navigate those uncertain waters. It would not have happened without her. (More on the TV miniseries.)

Ad for the six-part, award-winning CBC-TV Miniseries.

The all important writing credit from the opening of the miniseries.

A stage musical

In 2013, a theatre company and production house from Vancouver optioned The Best Laid Plans to adapt it as a stage musical. When that project was also “approved,” once again, Beverley was there to guide me through the contracts and all that was entailed to move my debut novel from page to stage—with music no less! (More on the stage musical.)

Beverley negotiated the deal for The Best Laid Plans: A Musical.

Thank you, Beverley…

As Beverley eases her way into a well-deserved retirement, I cannot overstate my gratitude for her willingness to take me on back in 2008 when no one else would. I have gained so much from her decades of experience, her wisdom, and perhaps most of all, her friendship. If that weren’t enough, Beverley is also warm, and generous, and kind—a brilliant literary agent with whom spending time is an absolute pleasure.

I wish I had more photos of Bev and me together over the years. But I do have this grainy 2008 video that features us both. Jump to 4:03 to see Beverley talking about The Best Laid Plans and my unorthodox journey to the published land.

Thank you, Beverley. Without you, I have no idea what my writing life would have been after The Best Laid Plans. It’s possible I’d still only have one novel to my credit and not nine, with two more under contract. I feel blessed to have worked with you for so many years. I am grateful beyond measure.

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Wrapping up…

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