Bruce Westwood

Bruce Westwood, who created the eponymous literary agency Westwood Creative Artists in the 1990s after finding success in a career in venture capitalism, has died. He was 84.

Westwood died on Feb. 28 in Hockley Valley, Ontario, according to his family.

He worked as a venture capitalist until, inspired by his proximity to books through his role as chair of the Harbourfront Reading Series, he moved into the Canadian literary agency landscape. He started Sterling Lord Canada, and then grew his agency by acquiring MGA and the Vardey Agency, and merging them into Westwood Creative Artists, which was incorporated in 1995.

Over the course of his career, he represented giants of CanLit including including Timothy Findley and Rohinton Mistry, and developed close friendships with many authors and publishing professionals. He retired last year.

“There were major international successes, countless bestsellers, Giller Prize winners, Booker Prize nominees and more, but he was most proud of the careers he nurtured, whether of clients or colleagues,” the Westwood agency said in a press release. “Bruce’s foundational belief was to build from within, and he was so pleased that the new owners of the agency came up through its ranks.”

His family is planning to hold a celebration of his life this spring in Hockley Valley, Ontario.