Michael Sissons, a veteran literary agent at Peters, Fraser & Dunlop and "godfather of the industry," died August 24. He was 83. The Bookseller reported his stellar career included "representing names such as Simon Schama, Margaret Drabble and William Hague, setting up the Association of Authors' Agents, and overseeing PFD for almost half a century before acting as a senior consultant for the agency for the last decade."
"I would say that he was the godfather of the industry," said PFD CEO Caroline Michel. "For the whole of my publishing and agenting career, he was the best teacher and mentor I could ever have hoped for. He was also one of my husband's [the late Matthew Evans'] closest friends so personally and professionally his will be a towering loss."
Arabella Pike, William Collins publishing director, described him as "a master in our industry--a supremely tough and robust negotiator and fiercely loyal to his writers. His powerful grasp of the commercial side was balanced by his intellect, love of history and an unerring nose for the right subject. His curiosity, enthusiasm and immense experience of life bubbled up in every conversation--whether about the Vietnam war, or travels in Louisiana, the joys of the British countryside or the follies of politics."
Michel noted that "right up until the last moment he was coming in two or three days a week and doing deals for his authors, he could not have been more present. He had a formidable reputation which he lived up to but he had the heart of a lion. He will be so hugely missed by everybody here. Everyone respected and adored him--he was one of the best."