The story going around the publishing world early this week was that Jimmy Vines, who's run the Vines agency since 1989, would be retiring from the biz. An odd thing, perhaps, for a man still in his 40s, but sources have confirmed that late last week he was letting his clients know that he will not be taking on any new customers, nor will he broker any new deals for existing clients. However, he will be seeing through any contracts already in place. At the time of his writing, Vines had not answered any emails or phone calls requesting comment on his change of status.

It remains to be seen where some of his current roster will land. Vines was known for representing many talented crime fiction writers, including Julia Spencer-Fleming, Bill Fitzhugh, Jay Brandon and Joe Lansdale, as well as street lit star Shannon Holmes and women's fiction bestseller Bernice McFadden.