Laura Yorke is a veteran book editor, publisher, literary agent, and writer who has worked in the publishing industry for over 30 years. A native New Yorker, she began her career as an editor for Simon & Schuster, then moved on to G.P.  Putnam, where she founded one of the most celebrated novelists Jodi Picoult. From there, her journey led her to launch the Golden Books Adult Trade Division, publishing books for women and the family in every category- from Steven Covey to Maria Shriver, to name a few. Laura went on to co-author a book and then became a contributing editor to Reader’s Digest, where she wrote cover stories on people such as Phil McGraw and Uma Thurman.

Now, Laura is wearing a literary agent hat, representing many best-selling authors, celebrities, politicians, journalists, CEOs, scientists, and renowned leaders in business and technology. But she’s also passionate about finding new talent and helping authors hone their craft and find their niche in today’s competitive marketplace. It’s truly an honor to have Laura share her professional advice with the Books Uplift Community. Meet Laura…

Have you always wanted to work as a literary agent? No. For the first half of my career, I was an editor at Putnam, and Harper Collins. I also started an adult division at Gold Books Adult Trade and at Simon & Schuester, And I wrote a book.

What do you like best about your work? Engaging with authors. I really enjoy helping people get their messages put in the written word in the best way possible.

What advice would you give to someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry as an agent? You need to be resilient. There’s a tremendous amount of rejection, especially today. You need to be able to have the courage to try again and again. And you need to make your work stand out from its competition. You should be able to do so in three bullet points, basically. Unfair but true.

What is one (or more) fascinating insight you’ve gleaned from working in the publishing industry? The commonality of experience people have and the uniqueness of them! I love my work because I am paid to be constantly educated.

As an expert in your field, what advice would you give to published authors? Continue to build your platform to help your sales grow. That means social media, of course, but also whatever your individual platform is and the terms of your career, assuming you have one.

What advice would you give to unpublished authors? As I said above, to be resilient.

What is one (or more) cautionary “pearl” you’d like to share? Be productive. Take criticism from your agent or your editor and be collaborative as well.

What do you think is the biggest reason someone doesn’t get their book published? In this age, people read fewer books. Also, finding a Books. target audience- given the plethora of information outlets there are—has made it incredibly difficult for publishers to find a book’s niche a lot of the time. Authors need to help publishers in this regard as much as they can.

What do you like to see on an author’s platform? Big numbers. And no bullshit. I hate the fact that authors have to have a platform now if they’re going to sell books,

How do you suggest authors (published and non-published) build their platform, including social media and website? That depends on what they have to offer, honestly. Newsletters and podcasts generated.

What book uplifts you? The Younger Best Year series, which my late husband, Dr. Harry Lodge, co-authored, started a major movement in this country and sold many millions of copies. WE FELL IN LOVE EDITING THE PROPOSAL!

Learn more about Laura Yorke and her Literary Services via her website.