Rights Professional of the Year
Rights Professional of the Year Winner and Shortlist
Proudly sponsored by Sharjah Book Authority
“I’m so grateful that my rights are in such capable hands”… “Wonderfully reliable and marvellously productive”… “Routinely makes magic happen”… “Every time I think they can’t exceed my expectations, they do.” Those are just some of the testimonials from grateful authors who have benefited from the work of these seven rights professionals and teams. With trading under pressure at home, their deals also made big differences to publishers’ profitability in 2025.
Winner
Anna Shora
Pan Macmillan
In a tough domestic market, this award shows how rights teams can make all the difference between profit and loss for publishers’ books. From a strong shortlist it is Anna Shora, head of rights in Pan Macmillan’s adult division, who takes the title of Rights Professional of the Year.
She was at the heart of Pan Mac’s biggest achievements in 2025, leading her team of four to growth of a third in translation sales. She powered past targets in her direct European markets, including exponential growth in Germany, while deftly handling the tricky issue of English-language editions. Many of the biggest numbers came from Soraya Lane, after Shora spotted untapped international interest in Lane’s historical romance series.
The success reflects years of relationship-building, sales trips and tenacious deal-making. But it is also the result of superb market intelligence. Shora does not just sell Pan Mac’s list but shapes it, collaborating on the publisher’s acquisitions and helping it develop its own IP. She also makes sure everyone at the business understands the value of rights, from induction stage onwards.
Author care is another priority, which deepens the trust and long-term support of agents. “Anna’s a joy to work with… I know my authors will be in good hands,” said one. “She’s got her finger on the pulse of trends and a unique blend of fairness, strategic nous and absolute charm,” added a scout.
Shora’s numbers and testimonials impressed the judges. “Anna’s at the top of her game and has posted some remarkable results,” they said. “There’s innovation and great selling, and she’s a vital strategic partner to editors.”
The Shortlist
Barney Duly
Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury’s rights director Barney Duly achieved big deals across children’s and YA books in 2025, nearly doubling his division’s year-on-year income. He steered strategies on mega-brands like Harry Potter and Sarah J Maas, and led on the big Spanish and German translation markets. He has also been a leader in cutting the carbon footprints of globe-trotting rights professionals. “He’s dedicated, helpful and caring,” said one partner.
Group Rights Team
Hachette UK
Hachette’s mighty team has been home to four of the last nine Rights Professionals of the Year. The team struck nearly 4,000 deals in 2025, including more than 20 markets for authors as diverse as Lucy Steeds, David Attenborough, Mick Herron and Ozzy Osbourne. Spain, France and Germany were three standout markets and a new Colour team to sell illustrated and gift books alongside non-book products hit the ground running.
Rights Team
Nosy Crow
Rights are not just an add-on at Nosy Crow: they are worth more than half of all sales. Its team of seven under rights director Erin Murgatroyd are endlessly energetic, selling into 60 languages, growing coeditions by a quarter, despite tough market conditions, and going deeper into property licensing. Alongside their tenacity in negotiations, they are renowned globally for their friendly and personalised approaches.
Anna Shora
Pan Macmillan
Pan Macmillan’s head of adult rights Anna Shora led her team to sharp growth in translations in 2025. She smashed targets in her own direct markets, including Germany, France and Italy, with Soraya Lane a major source of the sales. Shora is widely respected by authors, agents, publishers and scouts around the world, and internally she is a key collaborator on Pan Mac’s acquisitions. One partner called her “a joy to work with”.
Rachel Richardson
Rich Lit
Rachel Richardson of Rich Lit is flying the flag for specialist rights agencies on the shortlist. In her first full year solo, she secured deals for nearly 100 books, and beyond the money she championed passion projects and underrepresented voices. Authors value her generous care and literary agents love her flexibility and graft. “A consummate professional, an unflappable business partner and a genuine joy to work with,” said one.
Children's Rights Team
Simon & Schuster
S&S’ adult rights team won last year’s award, and now it is the turn of the children’s division. It delivered best-ever sales in 2025, through well over 1,000 deals in nearly 50 languages. Brands like Lauren Roberts went to new heights, picture books thrived and two new imprints, Little Simon and Affirm Press, landed well. One grateful author said of the rights team: “You shouldn’t have a favourite department… but I just might.”
Joséphine Seblon
Thames & Hudson
Joséphine Seblon steered Thames & Hudson’s international rights team to a record year in 2025, despite tricky conditions in illustrated markets. Numbers in French and Spanish languages were sharply up, as were children’s deals. The new Skittledog and Gift Lab lists soared and there were powerful publishing partnerships with museums and galleries. Alongside the day job, Seblon extended her own children’s activity book series, Mini Artists.
