A renowned literary agent, who represented authors such as Antonia Kerrigan, Maria Duenas, Sergio Ramírez, Juan Gómez Jurado, and Eva García Sáez de Urturi, passed away this Thursday in Barcelona at the age of 71, according to his family and the agency he led.
The question many readers ask is who Antonia Kerrigan was. Alongside his role as an agent for the late Carlos Ruiz Zafón, author of Shadow of the Wind and a steadfast admirer of Carmen Balcells, he died after several months of illness. The agency expressed deep sorrow, thanking him for his teachings, his warmth, and the guidance he offered to countless writers in the publishing world.
Born in Paris, in the late eighties he founded the agency that bears his name in Barcelona. The firm grew into a respected home for Spanish writers worldwide, while also fostering connections with foreign agencies and publishing houses across Spain and beyond.
Today the agency represents around 150 writers from diverse genres, including fiction and non-fiction. Among them is Sergio Ramírez, a Nicaraguan author who has earned the Cervantes Prize. The agency described him as a friend who was kind and unique.
Juan Gómez Jurado remembered him as one of the greatest literary agents working in the Spanish language. Family members shared that the loss was irreparable for their own circle and for Spanish literature as a whole. Everyone who knew him felt a deep sense of heartbreak.
Kerrigan, a long-time literary agent, was once connected with Nobel Prize laureate Camilo José Cela. The remark was echoed on social media by prominent figures of culture who wished him well and hoped the world would continue to shine as a tribute to his life. The cultural community expressed condolences through various channels, acknowledging his impact on writers and readers alike.
Antonio Gómez Rufo joined the chorus of mourners, calling the day of his passing an unexpected moment of sadness. Jorge Volpi remembered him as an exemplary agent, a keen reader, and a generous friend who trusted him twenty-five years ago. In those recollections, the sense of loss felt personal and communal, a reminder of the close ties within the literary world.
The publishing house Planeta also offered its remembrance, noting that he was an important figure within the publishing sphere. The agency of Antonia Kerrigan continues to represent other writers such as Laura Freixas, Laura Restrepo, and Javier Sierra, among many others, maintaining a strong presence in both the Spanish and international literary markets. These connections illustrate a network built on trust, mentorship, and a shared love of storytelling, shaping careers and guiding voices across genres.