Eleanor Fitzsimons Biography
Eleanor Fitzsimons is a researcher, writer, journalist and occasional broadcaster. Her work has been published in a range of newspapers and journals including the Sunday Times, the Guardian and the Irish Times and she is a regular radio and television contributor.
She has worked as the sole researcher on several primetime television programmes for the Irish national broadcaster, RTE including an examination of the historic relationship between Britain and Ireland commissioned to coincide with the landmark visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Ireland.
In 2011 she returned to University College Dublin after a twenty-three years absence and graduated twelve months later with an MA (first class honours) in Women Gender and Society. Completing the module on feminist history convinced her that this was where her true passion lay and stumbling across the unforgettable Harriet Shelley when researching an entirely different aspect of Irish history, coupled with a chance remark by acclaimed novelist John Connolly, that feature writers really just want to write books, prompted her to write this biography.
She also has a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Studies degree from UCD and spent many years working at senior management level in the market information sector in both Ireland and the UK. She lives in Dublin with her husband and two children.
How I Found the Agency
When I decided to write my first book it was hugely important to me that I chose the right agent to work with. This search became a key element of my research. I wanted an agent who specialised in non-fiction and had a track record of working closely and supportively with emerging writers. I wanted an agent whose client list includes people that have a similar profile to my own. As all my contacts are Dublin based and I believe that my book appeals to a much wider readership, I wanted to find an agent with a wealth of experience of working in the UK publishing industry. Ideally I wanted an agent with a passion for biography and historical research and my preference was for an agent who is also a writer. Andrew Lownie, former journalist, former bookseller and author in his own right with a well-deserved reputation for working closely and supportively with his clients, fits the bill perfectly. My experience of Andrew’s enthusiasm and wonderful advice to date has convinced me that I made an excellent choice.
