Literary Agency

In 1995, she founded the Barbara J. Zitwer Agency, which has grown into an internationally respected literary and film agency. Over the past three decades, she has represented a diverse range of writers from around the world, from debut authors to internationally bestselling novelists. Zitwer has been especially recognized for introducing contemporary Korean literature to readers worldwide. She discovered Han Kang and brought her works, including The Vegetarian, Human Acts, and The White Book, to English-language readers, helping introduce her to a global audience.

She is the recipient of the 2017 International Literary Agent Award and was honored in 2016 by the Korean Ministry of Culture for her contributions to bringing Korean literature to the world. Her agency is also known for championing powerful storytelling and handling international book-to-film rights.

As an Author

Zitwer is the author of The J.M. Barrie Ladies’ Swimming Society (2012), a beloved novel translated into multiple languages and warmly received by readers worldwide. Her later novel, When the Sea Belonged to Us (2017, published in Germany as Als das Meer uns Gehörte), explores themes of love, loss, resilience, and the profound connection between humans and nature through the journey of a grieving mother, her deaf son, an explorer, and a singing whale. She is also the author of the nonfiction book The Korean Book of Happiness (2023), which reflects on joy, resilience, and the unique cultural values of Korea. View Barbara’s books ↗

Film & Theatre

Before establishing her agency, Zitwer worked extensively in film and theatre. She produced the cult classic Vampire’s Kiss (1988) starring Nicolas Cage and served as associate producer on several feature films including It’s Alive III: Island of the Alive (1987) and The Ambulance (1990). She also co-wrote the play Paper Doll with Mark Hampton, based on the life of writer Jacqueline Susann, which was performed at regional theaters across the United States. In 1998, she co-executive produced the USA Network television movie Scandalous Me: The Life of Jacqueline Susann.

Today

Today, Zitwer continues to balance her dual roles as a literary agent and author. With her unique background in film, theatre, and publishing, she brings a rare breadth of experience and creativity to the authors and projects she represents.

Press & Media

• “How Korea’s ‘modern‑day mermaids’ changed this woman’s life” — National Geographic Traveller [Link]

• An Interview with Barbara J. Zitwer: The Korean Book of Happiness — Meer [Link]

• “NY-based writer, literary agent hawks Korean literature worldwide” — Korea.net (Honorary Reporters) [Link]

• “Agent Barbara J. Zitwer on Bringing Korean Literature to the World” — Publishing Perspectives [Link]

• “Short Books pre-empts literary agent and author Zitwer’s The Korean Book of Happiness” — The Bookseller [Link]

• “'Zitwer factor': Before her, few readers outside Korea heard about Korean thrillers” — The Korea Times [Link]

• “So pleased to meet you: why it’s never too late to make close friends” — The Guardian [Link]

• “Korean literature's deepness, universality resonates in Italy” — Korea.net [Link]

• “After Japan, the secrets of happiness from Korea have now been published” — Scroll.in [Link]

• “Future for Korean books globally” — The Korea Times [Link]

• “US literary agency founder says US, UK markets growing for Korean books” — The Korea Herald [Link]

• “US literary agent reflects on personal journey to discover Korea in new book” — The Korea Times [Link]

• “Korean Books Are ‘the Lovers of the Literary World’ – We Need More Quality Translations” — Kukmin Ilbo [Link]
  (“한국 책들은 ‘문학 세계의 연인’ … 좋은 번역본 더 많아져야” - 국민일보)

• “Why Korea? A Literary Agent’s Passion for Korean Literature Offers the Answer” — Hankook Ilbo [Link]
  (”한국 문학 알리는 에이전트 향한 ‘왜 하필 한국인가’에 대한 대답, 여기에 있다” - 한국일보)

• “‘A Korean Author Will Win the Nobel Prize Soon’ — Barbara Zitwer’s Prediction Comes True” — Kukmin Ilbo [Link]
  (“한국 작가 곧 노벨문학상 받을 것” 바바라 지트워 예상 맞았다 - 국민일보)