Kathryn Willms

Kathryn Willms specializes in nonfiction.

She is particularly interested in ambitious, unconventional, smart, and well-written book projects that contribute new perspectives, revel in the quirkiness of the world, and change the way we see it. She’s passionate about work that translates specialist knowledge to the mainstream to push cultural conversations in new and surprising directions. She enthusiastically welcomes submissions from BIPOC and LGBTQ-2S creators.

While acquiring big-idea book projects across genres, Kathryn is currently focused on building her nonfiction list in culture, social justice, psychology, history, nature/environmentalism, lifestyle, and food and beverage. She is not currently acquiring conventional memoirs (although books exploring a topic that incorporate a personal story are very welcome).

She is starting to acquire hard science fiction and speculative literary fiction in Fall 2023. She’s attracted to the same qualities in fiction and nonfiction: big ideas; ambitious and/or clever premises; a sense of humour; and engagement with the big questions of our times.

For over 10 years, Kathryn has worked with authors to edit, produce, and bring their books to market in various capacities, including as a hybrid publisher. She was vice-president and senior editor at Colborne Communications before going freelance. Since 2017, she’s run Kwill Communications, an editorial company specializing in educational editing. She joined The Rights Factory in 2021, fulfilling her dream of becoming a literary agent.

Originally from BC, she holds a MA in English from the University of Calgary and lives in Toronto.