A nearly 40-year veteran of the publishing industry, Jane Dystel launched her career at Bantam Books in 1986. She went on to stints as an editor at Grosset & Dunlap and publisher of World Almanac Publications before becoming a literary agent and then, in 1994, launching her own firm, then known as Jane Dystel Literary Management.

On the occasion of her shingle's 30th birthday, PW spoke with Dystel about how the business has changed, why she loves being an agent, and what makes her fall in love with a manuscript.

As you look back on your early career, what first drew you to the industry?

Publishing was in my family. My father was the president of Bantam Books for 30 years. So, being in the business was something I was probably destined for.

You founded Jane Dystel Literary Management in 1994, and that firm evolved and grew into Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. What made you want to start your own firm?

I had been on the publishing side for a number of years, working for others, and then was an employee and subsequently a partner in another literary agency. Founding my own firm seemed like a natural next step.

The agency is having a notable birthday this year—its 30th! Congrats. As you hit this major milestone, what would you say is the key to the firm’s longevity?

Our excellent staff and the quality and diversity of our client list. Our agents have always supported and helped each other as the agency has grown. We get along well, and most importantly, we are passionate about what we do.

How has DG&B grown and evolved over the past 30 years? And what distinguishes the agency from the other top-tier firms out there?

We believe in teaching new staff how to become successful agents and support them as they embark on their agenting careers. I am very proud of each and every one of them. We are selective about whom we take on as clients, and we strive for honesty and responsiveness as we build their careers. Our clients know we are always there to advocate for them.

The myriad titles the firm represents are incredibly broad. Are there any common characteristics you feel they share?

The only unifying theme is that we have to care about every book we take on and believe that we can do right by it. We need to be able to clearly identify the potential reader for a project before we sign it up.

So much has shifted and evolved within the publishing landscape over the last three decades. From your perspective, what has remained unchanging through it all?

What has remained unchanged in our business is readers’ love of books in whatever format they are published. It has been so exciting to watch the evolution of the marketplace.

Colleen Hoover, who you represent, was originally self-published. Have authors like Hoover changed the way agents discover and represent their clients?

I do not think so. Colleen is a wonderful writer and storyteller, and that is what we all are always looking for.

Some books gain a lot of attention from the get-go. Other books get off to a quieter start but are no less powerful for the readers whose lives they impact. Can you talk about the value of these hidden gems?

I am so excited about titles that have a slow build. Books that build an audience slowly over time often have a longer life and wider reach. They tend to be the ones that become successful through word of mouth, and that means that readers are passionate enough to recommend them over and over again.

How often do you personally revisit the titles you have represented over the years?

As often as I can in terms of learning from their publication and moving forward.

When a new manuscript crosses your proverbial desk, what tells you if it's something special?

The writing, first of all, and then I consider the story and the potential market. Like any reader, I want to be bowled over.

Landing an agent continues to be a challenge for many emerging writers. Do you have any tips, suggestions, or words of encouragement you can share?

I have found in my career that hard work and persistence pays off. Hone your craft and stay with it is what I would say to potential authors.