I finally had the pleasure of meeting Benython Oldfield from Zeitgeist Literary Agency in person. It was a long-overdue chat that felt like reconnecting with an old friend—except, of course, we’d never actually met in real life before, only via Zooms.
Zeitgeist is not just a literary agency but a powerhouse of storytelling. As the guest speaker for our upcoming creative writing retreat in Brisbane (March 6-9), Zeitgeist will bring a wealth of industry insights, especially in the genres they’re most excited about:
Literary Fiction – Stories with depth, style, and lasting impact.
Commercial Fiction – Books that captivate and sell.
Crime – Page-turners with twists and suspense.
Historical Fiction – Narratives that transport us through time.
Rom-Com & Romantasy – Romance with humour, or a touch of magic – LAUGHTER IS BIG RIGHT NOW!
Memoir & Narrative Non-Fiction – True stories that read like novels.
Benython’s enthusiasm for strong narratives and distinctive voices was fantastic. We discussed trends, industry shifts, and what makes a manuscript stand out in an ever-evolving market. I look forward to sharing all that I’ve learned!
If you're joining us in Brisbane, you’re in for a treat. This is more than just a literary event—it's a chance to connect, learn, and refine your craft with the guidance of an industry leader. Benython’s insights will be invaluable to our creative writing community.
Zeitgeist is currently closed for submissions. But if you're attending The Art of Writing workshop in Brisbane, Benython will personally look at your story summary. This is a rare opportunity.
These are the key issues for a literary agent with a big TR (To Read) pile:
Writers Not Following Submission Guidelines – Agents often receive submissions that ignore their preferred genres, word count limits, or formatting requirements, making the process frustrating and time-consuming. Actually, agents will more than likely stop reading your submission if you cannot follow their brief.
Generic or Weak Query Letters – Many queries are vague, impersonal, or fail to clearly explain what the book is about and why it’s a good fit for the agent.
Unpolished Manuscripts – Some writers submit first drafts rather than polished, well-edited work, making it hard for agents to see the book’s potential.
Don’t Follow Up Too Soon (or Too Often). The agent's response time is clearly stated.
"This Will Be a Bestseller" Pitches – Overconfidence in a query (e.g., "This is the next Harry Potter") can be off-putting, especially if the book doesn’t deliver.
Lack of Market Awareness – Some submissions don’t fit the agent’s current interests or trends, making them difficult to sell.
Writers Who Resist Feedback – If an agent requests changes and the writer refuses or argues, it’s a red flag for a potential working relationship.
Remember we work with beginners and emerging writers because we want you to move towards ‘being read’ but only if ‘being read’ by others is what you want! We write because we love words. And because we feel so fabulously satisfied after a good bit of writing.
Also remember, there are no Time to Write sessions throughout March because we are on retreat.
Triple remember these fabulous writers coming your way in April!
Time to Write sessions resume on these dates in April:
April 8th: writer and journalist Paul Daley. 7pm Sydney time.
April 22nd: Petronella McGovern. 7pm Sydney time (Easter Tuesday)
Lisa
