Guide to Literary Agents - Christian Agents

Reminder: Newer agents are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.

About Kimberly: Kimberly began her employment with Harvest House Publishers as the assistant to the National Sales Manager as well as the International Sales Director. Within four years, she was hired into the editorial department steeped in the slush pile of would-be/trying-to-be/can’t-seem-to-be authors. Having been a screenwriter since 1995, a freelance article and book contributor, her ability to identify and polish the diamonds hidden within the coal mines of unsolicited submissions gives her an eye for talent and a heart for the underdog. She is a member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association, the Christian Media Association, and has 12 years of publishing experience.

Seeking: adult fiction, YA fiction, Christian living, dating/marriage, parenting, self-help, apologetics, health, inspirational, environmental, social issues, pop-culture, women’s issues, and men’s issues. No cookbooks, children’s books, science fiction or fantasy, memoirs, or poetry. No simultaneous submissions, please.

How to submit: Submit a query with short synopsis and first chapter via Word document. Agency only responds if interested. Send queries to livingwordliterary@gmail.com. Web: http://livingwordliterary.wordpress.com/. No phone calls, please.

Want more on this subject?

If Christian/inspiration writing is your thing, check out the agents I've interviewed who specialize in this category, including Greg Daniel and Joyce Hart.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | New Agency Alerts

Thursday, November 05, 2009 4:09:52 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [6]

Sunday, October 11, 2009

How I Got My Agent: Mary DeMuth
Posted by Chuck

"How I Got My Agent" is a new recurring feature on the GLA blog. I find it fascinating to see the exact road people took that landed them with a rep. Seeing the things people did right vs. what they did wrong (highs and the lows) can help other scribes who are on the same journey. Some tales are of long roads and many setbacks, while others are of good luck and quick signings.

To see the previous installments of this column, click here.

If you have a literary agent and would be interested in writing a short guest column for this GLA blog, e-mail me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we'll talk specifics.

This installment of "How I Got
My Agent" is by Mary DeMuth, who
has written three parenting books and
four novels. Her latest book is A Slow Burn.
She helps aspiring writers seeking
publication at http://www.thewritingspa.com/

TO THE CONFERENCE

I spent more than ten years writing in obscurity while my children were young. During that time, I created newsletters and short stories, always forcing deadlines on myself—and then meeting them early. When my youngest child started preschool, I dusted off my dream of writing a novel, completing it in four months. I also became a newspaper columnist and found success in writing for magazines. I attended a small, regional writers conference, then packed my bags for a major writing conference in the spring of 2003.

On the plane, my writing friend asked me what I hoped to accomplish there. I said something about finding a publisher. "Don't you want an agent?" she asked. "Are they really that important?" I asked. She shook her head in disbelief, then explained why I needed one.

We arrived in the wooded hills above San Jose, eager and ready to knock 'em dead. I sent ahead the first three chapters, a synopsis and a query letter from my novel Crushing Stone to three publishing houses. I retrieved my manuscripts with shaking hands. I tore open the envelopes and let out a breath. All three expressed interest. I hollered. And yelled. After writing in obscurity for so many years, the publisher’s approval validated me.

"I AM NOT LOOKING FOR CLIENTS"

I took the intermediate writing track taught by a big-name agent, the amazing Chip MacGregor, then with Alive Communications, now founder of MacGregor Literary. He said up front, "I am not looking for clients. I'm happy with my stable of authors." So, when I met with him, I didn't consider him as a possible agent prospect. I simply wanted to ask his advice. Chip was late for our meeting. I almost left. He came rushing in, apologizing. I told him I had some interest in my book and asked if he'd be willing to answer a few questions. He said sure. He asked for my proposal, and when I gave it to him, he said, "I've seen this before."

I wanted to die. In wanting to be efficient, I not only sent my proposal to the people at the conference, as instructed, but I also I sent it to his agency, even though I didn’t quite know the purpose of an agent. At the conference, I found out his firm did not accept unsolicited manuscripts, particularly from unpublished authors like me. In that, I violated the don't-send-your-stuff-if-you're-a-nobody rule. The reason he recognized it? My unusual stationary—not scented or colored, but it sported a curve on the right hand side. "Do you mind if I take this with me?" he asked. "Not at all," I said. We shook hands and parted ways.

THE CALL

I came home from the conference happy to know editors liked my writing, but discouraged to not have immediate interest. A few weeks later, I received an e-mail from Chip. He wrote, “You are one of the best new writers I've met and I'd like to talk about representation. Would you be interested?"

Would I?

I screamed. Hyperventilated a bit. I hollered some more. The children thought I was dying, so they raced upstairs, followed by my husband. I jumped up and down. Though they didn't know the reasons behind my pogo-ing, they joined me. Eventually I spilled out the e-mail's words. So, I received the email that supercharged my career, pulling me from obscurity onto the publication path. Within six months, I sold two books to major publishers!

Want more on this subject?

Read my interview with agent Chip MacGregor.

Read a "Successful Query" provided by Chip.

What are the BEST writers' conferences?

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | How I Got My Agent Columns

Sunday, October 11, 2009 3:06:55 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [0]

Sunday, August 23, 2009

How I Got My Agent: Billy Coffey
Posted by Chuck

This installment of "How I Got
My Agent" is by Billy Coffey,
who writes Christian nonfiction. Check out
his blog here. His blog is titled
"What I Learned Today."

Billy Coffey

TARGETING WORDSERVE

I’ve heard that signing with a literary agent is a more difficult task than signing with a publisher. I’d have to agree with that now. Then, however, things were different. That was when I had fallen for the classic illusion of a novice writer—writing a book is the hard part. Finding an agent to represent it? Simple.

That fantasy was pushed aside once reality set in. Writing a book, I found, was the easy part. Finding an agent to represent it was nearly impossible. Nearly. A year ago, I put the period after the final sentence of my manuscript, Snow Day, and submitted a query to Rachelle Gardner at WordServe Literary. I was a reader of her blog and she seemed like a perfect match for what I had written. In the meantime, I used the wait to research between 30 and 40 more agents who would possibly be interested in representing my book. That turned out to be a wise decision. Having those other potential suitors helped take the sting out of the rejection e-mail WordServe sent two weeks later.

REJECTIONLAND, THEN THE REFERRAL

I spent the next six months methodically trudging through that list of agents, querying and proposal-ing and, most of all, waiting. Quite a few asked for partials. Some wanted the entire manuscript. But all eventually passed.There really is such a thing as a good rejection, which is the equivalent of the most popular girl in school turning you down but still calling you cute. Quite a few of those no-thank-yous resembled that. But there was much less tickle than torture.

I had two things going against me. One was an economy that was persuading publishers to be very hesitant on taking a chance with an unpublished writer. The other was the fact that I didn’t have much of a platform. Many of those kind rejections offered the same piece of advice—do something. Writers can’t simply write anymore. Start a blog. Sign up for Facebook and Twitter. Put your name out there, build an audience, and submit again. So I put my manuscript in a desk drawer and forgot about finding an agent, concentrating instead on starting a blog and building an audience.

Eight months later I received an e-mail from a new reader who wanted to know if I had a book in the works and, if so, if I had an agent. I answered yes to the one and no to the other, and she suggested she could perhaps talk her agent into taking a look at my manuscript. Her agent just happened to be Rachelle Gardner.

SNOW DAY COMES FULL CIRCLE

I mentioned that Rachelle had already passed on Snow Day, but this kind new reader felt sure Rachelle would give me a personal look. I submitted to Rachelle again and held my breath. Rachelle contacted me a week later and asked for a telephone conversation. We talked about the book and the direction I wanted to take it, and she asked for the full manuscript and held my breath more.

She e-mailed again three days later. This time, she didn’t want me to call her. This time she wanted to call me. By that time I had met another friend online who had finally convinced me to sign up for Twitter. Rachelle direct messaged me there on the morning of our conversation and told me not to worry, for this was The Call.

I had never heard of The Call before, didn’t know what it meant, but I thought it sounded good. I paced the floor at work all day until my phone rang. Rachelle offered representation right away, and I could finally exhale. Breathing is important for conversation. We’ve since edited Snow Day and it is now in the hands of several interested publishers. Rachelle has been everything I could have hoped for and more in an agent. I couldn’t have asked for a better situation.

In the end I got the agent I wanted, though in a nontraditional way. But I think it’s a lesson every writer in today’s market needs to know. Authors can’t simply write anymore. They need some level of exposure and self-promotion. If I hadn’t started a blog and put time in to attract readers, I wouldn’t have an agent. Blogs and social networking can bring people to you who are willing to help you accomplish your dreams. Yes, it can seem like a risk. But one worth taking.

Want more on this subject?

See all the posted stories of writers finding agents here.

If Christian/inspiration writing is your thing, check out the agents I've interviewed who specialize in this category, including Greg Daniel and Joyce Hart.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | How I Got My Agent Columns | Platform

Sunday, August 23, 2009 11:32:27 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2]

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Successful Queries: Agent Mary Sue Seymour and 'A Widow's Hope'
Posted by Chuck

This new series is called "Successful Queries" and I'm posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.

The ninth installment in this series is with agent Mary Sue Seymour (The Seymour Agency) and her author, Mary Ellis, for her book, A Widow's Hope.

A Widow's Hope

Dear Ms. Seymour:

Although I was unable to attend this year’s ACFW conference, I studied the list of agents who had participated. I was excited to see your name among the attendees since I’d heard many wonderful things about your agency. I have taken the liberty of enclosing the synopsis and first three chapters of A Widow’s Hope with my fondest hope you will select it for representation. A Widow’s Hope is a 95,000-word Christian Inspirational set in Holmes County, Ohio, the largest Amish community in the country.

After the death of her husband, Hannah Brown is determined to make a new life with her sister’s family. But when she sells her farm in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, and moves with her sheep to Ohio, the wool unexpectedly starts to fly. Her deacon brother–in–law finds just about everything about Hannah vexing. When his widower brother shows interest in the young and beautiful widow, the deacon turns to prayer for guidance.

Hannah thought she could never love again, until she meets the strong, gentle farmer. Unfortunately, Seth Miller’s only interest is in Hannah’s sheep. He is content in his bachelor state and slow to recognize his daughter’s need for a new mother. Yet God offers Seth the perfect solution to their problems if he could only open his heart again ... and love.

My two previous manuscripts placed in the “Labor of Love” contest, sponsored by the Heart of Louisiana chapter, Baton Rouge, and the “Hot Prospects” contest sponsored by Valley of the Sun chapter, both chapters of RWA. I am a former middle school teacher, currently working in marketing and sales. I have spent many weeks and weekends in Holmes County, researching and enjoying the simpler way of life. I am currently working on the second in the series.
If you’d like to see the full manuscript, please contact me at the above address. It would be my pleasure to send A Widow’s Hope immediately. Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

Mary Ellis

Commentary From Mary Sue

Mary Ellis actually went to my site to see which conferences I attend and that caught my attention right off the bat. She did research and had a reason for querying me rather than just sending out e-mails to every agent online.

Her pitch - the two middle paragraphs - worked well. The plot intrigued me. Everything was presented - the protagonist, the challenges, the conflict. Christian inspirational is a genre I represent often, and this was a good summary in a category that I like.

She mentioned contests she'd placed in so I knew her writing had potential. The awards were mentioned briefly and humbly without much hurrah or details, which is exactly the way to do it.

Finally, she was wise enough to complete the book beforehand and say so in the letter. You'd be surprised how many first-time authors don't finish (and polish!) their work before sending it out.

Requesting the full manuscript was a no-brainer for me - and I'm glad I did.

Want more on this subject?

To see the other posted letters in this "Successful Queries" series, click here.
If Christian/inspiration writing is your thing, check out the agents I've interviewed who specialize in this category, including Greg Daniel and Joyce Hart.
Take a peek at Writing the Christian Romance, by G.G. Martin.
Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.
Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.
Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | Romance | Successful Queries

Thursday, August 20, 2009 10:08:32 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [1]

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

How I Got My Agent: Lisa Lawmaster Hess
Posted by Chuck

This installment of "How I Got
My Agent is by Lisa Lawmaster Hess,
who writes inspirational and juvenile.
See her author website here
and her blog here.

TWO NOVELS & NO LUCK

I started freelancing in 1993 and the unpredictability of writing on spec meant that I couldn’t quit my day job. When I signed up for my second course through the Institute of Children’s Literature in the fall of 2000, I decided to tackle something new, and so I began to try my hand at fiction. The short stories I developed as part of that course became the heart of my second book, Diverse Divorce, which came out in 2004.

One of the stories originally intended for that book never made it in, but the protagonist wouldn’t leave me alone. For the first time, I thought I might have enough material for a novel, which I targeted to my favorite age group, middle-grade readers. When the book was complete, agents passed on it - so I went on to write a second novel with the same characters. But alas, my characters remained homeless.

TRANSITIONING TO INSPIRATIONAL

I kept writing, and reading, and discovered Christian fiction - first as a reader, then as a writer. I was working on the first draft of my Christian chick lit novel, Casting the First Stone, in May 2008 when The Susquehanna Writers Workshop – rolled around. Familiar with the conference from my attendance the previous year, I was ready to take advantage of everything. Extra day off from work to enjoy the campus and get my bearings? Check. Friday night Red Eye critique group? Check. Appointment with an agent representing juvenile fiction? Check. Appointment with an agent repping adult fiction? Check.

I first saw her just as a critique group was about to begin when she asked to join our group. There was no photo of her in the conference brochure, so I didn’t know who she was until she introduced herself as Diana Flegal from Hartline Literary Agency.

DIANA, THE CONFERENCE, AND A PRAYER

Everyone in the group had a Christian flavor to their writing, which was not unusual at this conference. We had devotionals, skits, historical fiction, poetry and my contemporary novel to review, round-robin style. Diana declined to comment on any pieces, preferring to wait for our scheduled times the next day. So I was surprised when, on the way back to the hotel, she stopped me and expressed enthusiasm for the manuscript – my manuscript! – that we’d just critiqued. The next morning, as I was returning from breakfast, she stepped out of her room – across the hall from mine – and jokingly asked me if my ears had been burning.

Looking back, the funny thing is: She was so nice. So upbeat and down-to-earth. So friendly. So normal. Weren’t agents supposed to be stiff and formal? A bit holier than thou?

By the time I sat down with her later that morning, I was no longer nervous, at least not in the panic-stricken sense. Diana told me that she loved my work, and the validation (that I hoped and prayed and dreamed about) was just as good in reality as it had been in my dreams. Diana ended our appointment with a prayer. That blew me away. It made perfect sense, though. This Christian agent, this truly nice person whose company I enjoyed, couldn’t have closed our meeting in any more perfect way.

I signed my contract with Hartline on July 4, 2008. Diana is now shopping the novel she took on based on my conference submission as well as a nonfiction book for the educational market and a ‘tween novel. Waiting for that elusive sale is still frustrating at times, but with Diana at bat for me, it’s easier to believe that it will come.

Acting Assertively, a book for
students in grades 4-8, is one of
Lisa's previously published books.

Want more on this subject?

Do you have a good story about how you signed with an agent? If so, write to me at literaryagent@fwmedia.com and we'll start a dialogue about guest blogging.
Interested in inspirational writing? Check out our resource, Going on Faith: Writing as a Spiritual Quest.
Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.
Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.
Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | How I Got My Agent Columns | Writers' Conferences

Wednesday, August 05, 2009 10:32:03 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [5]

Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Successful Queries: Agent Chip MacGregor and 'Mind the Gap'
Posted by Chuck

This new series is called "Successful Queries" and I'm posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.

The seventh installment in this series is with agent Chip MacGregor (MacGregor Literary) and his author, Roger Martin, for the inspirational nonfiction book, Mind the Gap. (At Chip's request, he has changed the name of the author in this letter, but the letter itself remains the same.)

Dear Mr. MacGregor,

I enjoyed meeting you at the Atlanta conference last weekend. As I mentioned, I have read your blog faithfully for the past couple years, and you always seem to balance insight with humor. When I heard you were going to be at the Harriett Austin conference, I knew I had to attend. As a reminder, we chatted during the cocktail party, and explored how book on ancient spiritual practices might fit with CBA publishers’ recent interest in books tapping into Christian history. Per your request, I have enclosed a synopsis and first three sample chapters of Mind The Gap, a 50,000-word completed nonfiction book that was a finalist in the Southern California Writing Competition.

Jesus said we always live out what’s in our heart, so our actions reveal our character. Our lives are run by the deeply submerged governing ideas that are often very different from the things we claim to value or believe. In other words, there is a gap between what we want to do and what we actually do. Will power alone was never meant to carry the weight of right living—it’s too puny to defeat temptation or override the compulsions of a lifetime. By spending more time with Jesus in the Gospels, we overcome a key barrier in bridging the willing-doing gap -- we move away from the Jesus we thought we knew, and teachings we thought might be burdensome, to discover the Jesus actually portrayed in the Gospels. If we can learn to “mind the gap” – to give attention to changing our core idea systems and our related emotional dispositions, then our words and actions will eventually become more like Jesus, living more naturally from the inside out.

I am a professor at Baylor University, a busy conference speaker, and the author of four other nonfiction books in CBA. My most recent title, Seeing God with New Eyes, was a finalist for the ECPA Gold Medallion.

If you would like to see the completed manuscript, I can be reached at writer@myblog.com. Thanks very much for your time and attention. I look forward to hearing from you again soon.

All the best,

Roger Martin

Commentary From Chip

OK, let’s explore this letter for a moment…

I think this letter is great. It came as an e-mail, and had the author’s name, address, phone, and email at the top AND bottom, so it was easy to find. Right near the top, he gave me context. (Can you imagine how many authors I’ve bumped into and had conversations with at conferences? Egad – I can’t be expected to remember them all. But he contacted me right away, gave me enough to jog my memory… and it didn’t hurt that he said something nice about my blog. I was glad he didn’t fawn, but everybody likes getting a compliment.)

The author (that’s not his real name) tells me fairly quickly the title, word count, and the fact that the book is complete. His title is intriguing, since I’ve lived in England and already have a context for the phrase “mind the gap.” There is a need for deeper spiritual books, and this one sounds interesting. The description he uses is fairly sound – though I’ll admit I would have liked to have seen it jazzed up just a bit.

Another thought: Roger is a university professor, and he sounds like it in his writing. There’s a formal quality to his words, and that no doubt reflects the tone of his book. I like that, since I see too many queries that are flat – why spend two years working on your book, then two minutes banging out a query? Let your query reflect your writing and voice.

I was very glad to see his credentials – that fact that he’s been a finalist for a prestigious religion-writing award certainly catches my eye. The whole thing might be a bit long, but in this case I enjoyed getting the extra information. This is a book I was quick to look at, and ended up signing the author as a client.

Want more on this subject?

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

This is the seventh sample query in this series. See all the queries here for free!

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | Nonfiction | Platform | Successful Queries

Tuesday, August 04, 2009 11:05:01 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [3]

Friday, July 10, 2009

Successful Queries: Agent Mary Sue Seymour and 'A Gift of Grace'
Posted by Chuck

I've meant to start this new series on the blog for a while now, but am just now getting around to it. It's called "Successful Queries" and I'm posting actual query letters that succeeded in getting writers signed with agents. In addition to posting the actual query letter, we will also get to hear thoughts from the agent as to why the letter worked.

The third installment in this series is with agent Mary Sue Seymour (The Seymour Agency) and her author Amy Clipston, for her book, A Gift of Grace.

Dear Ms. Seymour,

I am seeking representation for my Amish inspirational novel, A Gift of Grace, complete at 80,000 words. It is the first in my Kauffman Amish Bakery Series. The sequel, A Promise of Hope, is nearing completion, and another freestanding book featuring the same characters is in outline form.

Rebecca Kauffman's tranquil Old Order Amish life is transformed when she suddenly has custody of her two teenage nieces after her "English" sister and brother-in-law are killed in an automobile accident. Instant motherhood, after years of unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child of her own, is both a joy and a heartache. Rebecca struggles to give the teenage girls the guidance they need as well as fulfill her duties to Daniel as an Amish wife. Rebellious Jessica is resistant to Amish ways and constantly in trouble with the community. Younger sister Lindsay is caught in the middle, and the strain between Rebecca and Daniel mounts as Jessica's rebellion escalates. Instead of the beautiful family life she dreamed of creating for her nieces, Rebecca feels as if her world is being torn apart by two different cultures, leaving her to question her place in the Amish community, her marriage, and her faith in God.

I’ve visited Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, many times and have spent extensive hours researching the spot.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), I hold a degree in communications from Virginia Wesleyan College and work full-time as a public information specialist.

Thank you for your generous time. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,
Amy G. Clipston

Commentary From Mary Sue

The project was the perfect length and I like how word count was immediately mentioned. Also, she mentioned the book was completed - many first time authors never complete their books

It was a series and I happened to be looking for series right then.

A lot of why I loved this letter was due to her pitch. Her pitch was nicely abbreviated and proved she could write. I liked the concept and the characters from the start.

She had actually visited Amish country, which is the best way to research. I was impressed. She had a college degree, too. Although one isn't really isn't necessary, it can't hurt. You can find A Gift of Grace on Amazon.

Christian Agents | Pitching | Queries and Synopses and Proposals | Successful Queries

Friday, July 10, 2009 10:51:42 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [5]

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Agent Terry Burns Interviewed on Novelists, Inc.
Posted by Chuck

I've met agent Terry Burns of Hartline Literary at a conference down in Texas. Good guy - and he's a writer, too, as well as an editor.

Novelists Inc. just posted a nice interview with Terry. I've pasted some of the Q&A below. To read the rest, see the full post over on Novelists, Inc.

NI: What makes a writer a good choice for you? What makes you a good choice for a writer?

TB: I need a writer that is flexible and committed, that understands the need to develop a good platform, promote and generate visibility. That understands the task of getting published is a team effort. The writer has the right to expect that each client will be treated the same and that the full resources of the whole team will be focused on making it happen for them.

NI: How much input do you expect to have on a client’s work?

TB: I don’t try to write for my clients, but I often will point out areas of concern that I believe need to be addressed to make a project more publishable. How it is addressed is up to the client, but I would hope that they take the need serious.

Want more on this subject?

See a profile of Christian agent Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve.

Read an interview with Christian agent Chip MacGregor.

Buy the memoir guide, Writing Life Stories.

Read an interview with Christian agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents

Sunday, June 14, 2009 12:45:03 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2]

Monday, May 18, 2009

Agent Advice: Greg Daniel of Daniel Literary Group
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Greg Daniel of Daniel Literary Group. Greg specializes in religious and inspirational works of both fiction and nonfiction. He also accepts nonfiction that has no religious angle. Send submissions to submissions@danielliterarygroup.com.

GLA: How did you become an agent?

GD: I’ve spent about 12 years in publishing, eight of which were at Thomas Nelson Publishers, where most recently I was VP and Associate Publisher. I’ve always known that one day I would open my own literary agency. I loved the notion of being with authors throughout their publishing careers, helping them navigate the publishing waters, and guiding them in such matters as branding and editorial direction. So in April 2007, I made the leap to agenting. I’ve never looked back. It’s been a real joy.

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

GD: Last week I sold inspirational fiction author Denise Hildreth’s next two novels to Tyndale. Denise is a wonderfully fun southern author who has had some nice success.

GLA: You say you’re open to any type of nonfiction submission, and a lot of fiction, but almost all of your recent sales have some angle of religion or inspirational to them. That said, are you still interested in queries that have no religious angle?

GD: Currently about 85% of the books I’ve sold have had some element of religion or inspiration, but I’ve also sold such nonfiction books as narrative history, pop culture, and business. I am open to nonfiction of almost any sort, that being my true specialty. I’d love to see more non-religious nonfiction. I’m extremely selective about the fiction I represent, and currently it consists primarily of inspirational fiction.

GLA: You seem to be right in the thick of inspirational and Christian publishing in what you do. Can you tell us how the Christian publishing world is changing?

GD: As Christian bookstores, especially the independents, struggle a bit and as general market stores keep increasing the size of their religion departments, it is opening up opportunities for a broader spectrum of Christian books to be published, not just the strictly evangelical books that Christian publishing used to be primarily confined to. There is a more ecumenical approach and spirit in Christian publishing these days.

GLA: Talk to me about a good platform for writing religious nonfiction. Besides being a preacher, what are other elements you’d like to see in proposals?

GD: Actually, being a preacher or pastor is not at all a prerequisite for writing religious nonfiction. I think I have only a couple authors who are pastors of some sort. Platform in religious nonfiction can be everything from pastoring a megachurch to having a wildly successful blog to being a notable scholar or thought leader. But it is important to have a platform and for that platform to be ever expanding.

GLA: What are the most common ways you see writers going wrong when they submit a query to you?

GD: Many nonfiction authors have almost no platform whatsoever. It is near impossible to publish nonfiction without a platform or recognized expertise in an area. Fiction authors err in sending manuscripts and queries that seem as if they’re first drafts - lacking the multiple drafts of rewriting that are necessary to truly hone and perfect their work.

GLA: Let’s say you sit down to read a Christian/inspirational fiction partial. What are some cliché openings that you see right there on page 1 or in chapter 1? What do you see way too much?

GD: I don’t think I see a whole lot of difference between the cliché openings of inspirational fiction and the cliché openings of every other kind of fiction. I must see 5-10 queries a day that begin their first chapter with a description of the sky or weather. Doesn’t matter what kind of fiction it is.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming writers’ conferences where people can meet and pitch you?

GD: The next conference I’ll be speaking at is the Southern Christian Writers’ Conference.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice we haven’t discussed?

GD: Read deeply and widely in the area you want to be a writer. It seems that so often I receive queries where not only are the authors not at a point where they should be approaching agents yet, but they also appear to not even be astute readers of the categories they’re writing in. In addition to writing, writing, and rewriting in order to be a better writer, I’m a firm believer that the more intelligently you read, the better writer you’ll become.

Want more on this subject?

See a profile of Christian agent Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve.

Read an interview with Christian agent Chip MacGregor.

Buy the memoir guide, Writing Life Stories.

Read an interview with Christian agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Nonfiction

Monday, May 18, 2009 4:21:45 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [4]

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Agent Advice: Mary Sue Seymour of The Seymour Agency
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Mary Sue Seymour, of The Seymour Agency.

She is seeking: Mary is looking for new clients who write any type of romance including historical, contemporary category, contemporary mainstream, suspense, paranormal, regency or inspirational. She wants nonfiction about real life heroes, prescriptive books, cookbooks, and basically any type of nonfiction by credentialed authors. She is looking for Christian books of any type. She does not handle magazine articles, e-published or self-published books, general novels, children's books, poetry, short stories, New Age and books contradictory to fundamental Christian beliefs. E-mail her at marysue@twcny.rr.com. See her Web site before submitting material.

Mary Sue Seymour (left) pictured with
client Vannetta Chapman.

GLA: How did you become an agent?

MSS: When I was teaching elementary school, I wrote and had three different agents. One of them wasn't very good, so I talked to a girlfriend who was a business teacher. She convinced me to start my own literary agency as a hobby back in 1992. The first book i sent out sold a four-book deal to Bantam. God had given me a gift. I could look at a book that was flawed and write a prescription to fix it, like I had to fix the book that sold the four-book deal.

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

MSS: Today, I sold Shelly Galloway's two-book untitled deal to Johanna Raisenan at Harlequin Canada for their Harlequin America line, which I know is weird because its primary offices are in Canada. Yesterday, I sold Shelley Shepherd Gray's three-book deal to Avon Inspire.

GLA: You ask for the first 50 pages of text with a fiction submission. I’m guessing you usually don’t get through all 50 before you stop. What types of things will turn you off in those crucial first chapters?

MSS: The first line and first paragraph should demonstrate great writing ability and the knowledge that the author knows how to write a hook. If it's a romance, it would be nice if the hero/heroine meet on the first page or close to it.

GLA: If you were speaking to someone who was sitting down to write a romance book but had never done so before (they wrote either literary fiction or plain nonfiction), what would you tell them about the necessities of how to write?

MSS: The word count would range from 50K to about 100K. There is a formula to write a good romance. The hero must be a man the reader would like to date and the heroine should be the type of girl that is bigger than life that the reader would like to be like. They should meet, overcome obstacles and in the end get together. There are dozens of different kind of romances - the author could join the Romance Writers of America for support and and get into critique groups. All my published authors have critique groups.

GLA: If someone pitches a romance series to you rather than just one book, does that raise a red flag in your mind?

MSS: No, it's better. Most romance publishers would rather buy a series. Americans are collectors and like series. Publishers would rather pay to publicize one author for three books than pay to publicize three separate authors.

GLA: Concerning Christian fiction, what are you looking for and not getting?

MSS: I would like to see more historical romance that has Christian elements.

GLA: You’ve said before that you are big into the general information books, such as the “Everything” series and the “Idiot’s Guide to” series. What qualifies someone to contact you with an idea for a book in the series? Can you give us an example of when someone pitched one of these books cold to you and it came to fruition?

MSS: Editors from Adams Media e-mail me lists of titles they are seeking authors for. I forward the lists on to my clients who e-mail the editor via me a bio. If the editor likes the bio, she requests a table of contents and then they take it from there.

GLA: In addition to the literary agency, you also have a film agency. Can you tell us more about that? What are you looking for? Are you a script manager?

MSS: Ellen, my film agent, recently retired due to health issues and a poor market. I am looking for a new film agent.

GLA: Will you be at any upcoming conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?

MSS: In January, I will be at Space Coast Writers Guild Annual Conference in Cocoa Beach. The beginning of February will be in San Diego, and then at the end of February Naples, Fla, with the Southwest Florida Romance Writers. In March, I'll be in Charlotte for the Carolina Romance Writers Conference.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice concerning something we haven’t discussed?

MSS: Writing is a process. People don't usually write books unless they have talent. You dont' take piano lessons if you have no talent. Join an organization for support; for example, if you write mysteries, join the MWA. Enter contests if you can afford the fees - especially ones judged by editors.

Want more on this subject?

See a profile of Christian agent Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve.

Read an interview with Christian agent Chip MacGregor.

Buy the memoir guide, Writing Life Stories.

Read an interview with Christian agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Genre Writing

Wednesday, November 26, 2008 12:45:12 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [5]

Saturday, April 05, 2008

Literary Agent Straight Talk at NCWC - Featuring Rachelle Gardner, Kristin Nelson and Jessica Regel
Posted by Chuck

Three agents were here with me at the Northern Colorado Writers' Conference:

      - Kristen Nelson of Nelson Literary
      - Jessica Regel of Jean V. Naggar Literary
      - Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve Literary

Here's some of what they had to say:

Gardner: In-your-face spiritualism doesn't have to be a part of Christian writing anymore. Today's Christian and inspirational books have subtle faith-based themes such as redemption and soul searching. The stories are still "clean," though, as they lean away from profanity, detailed sex scenes, or gruesome horror stuff.
Regel: The "hook" is crucial for a YA book. Echoing what Michelle Andelman said in March, Jessica confirmed that a book with decent writing (say a B-) can still get published if the hook is awesome enough.
Nelson: When trying to compose the pitch paragraph of a query letter, go to the bookstore beforehand and read the back paragraph on books in your genre. That is essentially what you are aiming to write.
Regel: Bio credits can push you over the hump. Let's say that your pitch is not good or bad but rather just OK. What can push you over the hump and get an agent to request more writing? Bio credits! That is the advantage to starting small and getting short stories and magazine articles published.
Nelson: Don't call your novel Second Chances. Everyone else has the same name. In fact, Google your title to see what comes up.
Regel: She said she is actively looking for both narrative nonfiction and middle grade works. However, concerning middle grade, she brought up some concerns about titles, as well. Her advice is to avoid the standard "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" template for a title. For example, stay away from titles like "Timmy Tom and the Friendly Squirrel."
Gardner: Don't explain your whole story in a pitch. Pique the agent's interest and let them request more.
Nelson: She said she is actively looking for fiction that blends literary and commercial elements, such as The 13th Tale and Snow Falling on Cedars.

Check out Kristin Nelson's
Pub Rants blog here.

Want more on this subject?

How to Write a Query Letter.

What Should You Write in the "Bio Paragraph" of a Query Letter.

Why Your Manuscript Can Get Rejected, by Hallie Ephron.

10 Hidden Gifts of Rejection Letters.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Guest Columns | Writers' Conferences

Saturday, April 05, 2008 7:24:22 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [1]

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Reminder for Nappaland Literary...
Posted by Chuck

Nappaland Literary Agency, an agency based in Colorado that primarily handles Christian and inspirational work, wanted me to remind writers and blog readers of the agency's specific submission procedures.

Because Nappaland is quite small, they only taken on clients by referral. If you just see them in the database/book and ignore this small tidbit, and send off a query real quick (what the hey, right?), it will be rejected outright.

Always read agency listings thoroughly to save yourself time, worry and postage!

Christian Agents | Random Updates

Wednesday, February 06, 2008 1:16:51 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [1]

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Steve Laube Agency Changes Address
Posted by Chuck

The mailing address for the Steve Laube Agency has changed. It is now:

The Steve Laube Agency
5025 N. Central Ave.
No. 635
Phoenix, AZ 85012
krichards@stevelaube.com

The agency handles both fiction and nonfiction, and primarily serves the Christian/inspirational markets (CBA).

Steve Laube

Christian Agents | Random Updates

Tuesday, February 05, 2008 12:16:21 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [1]

Monday, January 07, 2008

Agent Advice: Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features literary agent Joyce Hart of Hartline Literary Agency, who specializes in Christian/inspirational fiction, nonfiction and all subgenres therein.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold? (author, publisher, title, anything notable?)

JH: I have received four book contracts from Baker/Revell in the last few weeks - Jillian Dare, by Melanie Jeschke (romance); a three-book contract, Paper Roses by Amanda Cabot (historical); Journey to the Well, by Diana Taylor (Biblical fiction); and Kiss Me You Fool (nonfiction), by David E. Clarke, Ph.D. Also, I've sold a gift book recently, The Good Master by Linda Winn to Thos. Nelson Publishers.

GLA: I originally thought that Hartline leaned mostly toward inspirational and Christian titles, but the Web site makes it look like that's just one small part of the agency. What percentage of what you work on is in the religious market?

JH: We'll need to change that wording on the Web site. We primarily sell to the religious market. We do sell to the general market, but CBA is our main focus.

GLA: In a nonfiction submission, you look for a lot of information on the
market analysis, the competition, the marketing plan, etc. When you look at proposals, what are the most common things you see lacking that need to be fleshed out?

JH: The most common thing that is lacking is the author's bio. I need to know his/her life experience, education and why this author is qualified to write this book. The publishers want to know prior sales figures. Most authors do pretty well with the competition and the marketing plan. They have a little trouble with the market analysis and the sales figures.

GLA: When selling nonfiction, platform is a big deal. You look for platform also with fiction writers, as well. Why so? Will that affect your decision to sign a new client?

JH: Almost without fail, the editors/publishers are looking for authors with a platform. Also, as I mentioned, sales figures are crucial. In fiction, there are a few who are willing to take a chance on a new author, most major publishers are not. All editors tell me that if the writing is stellar, they will look at it regardless.

GLA: What are some new areas (or "sub-genres") of inspirational writing that are coming into their own?

JH: Fiction romance is a little larger than it was; romantic suspense and mystery/thrillers are popular. Science fiction and fantasy are doing a little better than previously. A few publishers are looking at cozy mysteries. For inspirational nonfiction, it's pretty much the same: Christian living, prayer, self-help.

GLA: If someone wants to query Hartline and could, in theory, query multiple agents, how is the best way to handle that?

JH: We prefer that they only query one of our agents at a time. We'd like the author to look at our Web site and the bios of our agents and choose the one that they feel best fits their writing. We often will pass a proposal to another agent if we feel it is good, but not what that particular agent is looking for at that time.

GLA: Will you be at any conferences in the future where writers can meet you?

JH: Yes, I will be at the following upcoming conferences:

Writing for the Soul, Colorado Springs, Jan. 31 - Feb 3
Southeastern Writer's Conference, Georgia, June 15-19.
Christian Writer's Conference at Seattle Pacific University, May 2-3
ACFW, Sept. 2008, in Minneapolis
We will also have representatives at the Greater Philadelphia Christian Writers' Conference, Glorietta Writers' Conference, Florida Christian Writers' Conference in Sarasota, and the Susquehanna-Valley Writers' Workshop.

GLA: Best piece(s) of advice concerning something we haven't covered?

JH: We like to see really good proposals, done according to our guidelines. Authors tell me this is the hardest part of writing a book. However, it is so very important. We only get one chance to submit to editors and we need to catch their attention with our submissions. The bio is very important, also the summary. We need to know who the author is and get a clear picture of the book.

Want more on this subject?

See a profile of Christian agent Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve.

Read an interview with Christian agent Chip MacGregor.

Buy the memoir guide, Writing Life Stories.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents

Monday, January 07, 2008 2:01:39 PM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [4]

Thursday, December 06, 2007

Rachelle Gardner Joins Wordserve Literary
Posted by Chuck

Wordserve Literary, a Colorado-based agency that specializes in representing "authors of faith", has added a cool new agent: Rachelle Gardner.

Rachelle has her own blog, which you should check out if you're planning to query her. Her blog page has links that will assist writers who want to submit to her.

Her interests: "In all genres, I'm looking for books that express a Christian worldview, whether the message is subtle or overt. Fiction:
Women's, Mystery, Suspense, Police/Crime, Family Saga, Historical, Legal, Literary, Mainstream, Supernatural, Romance, Fantasy. (In fiction, the Christian message should be subtly woven through, not in-your-face.) Kids' Fiction: Chapter books, middle grade, tweens, teens and YA. Nonfiction: Biblical, Christian living, Church, Devotionals, Home Life, Marriage, Parenting, Family, Apologetics, Pastoral, Current Affairs, Health, How-to, Humor, Memoirs, Money, Popular Culture, Psychology, Science, Self-Help, True Crime, Women's Issues. Not looking for: Children's picture books, poetry, short stories, screenplays, science fiction; or anything that contradicts a Christian worldview."

Rachelle Gardner

Want more on this topic?

5 Signs a Literary Agent is a Good Match For You.

See examples of Successful Queries that agents liked.

Check out The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters.

How to Write a Synopsis for a Novel.

Facebook, Twitter and Literary Agents.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Christian Agents | New Agency Alerts

Thursday, December 06, 2007 11:31:43 AM (Eastern Standard Time, UTC-05:00)

Comments [15]

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Agent Advice: Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Chip MacGregor, founder of MacGregor Literary in Portland, Ore. GLA had the opportunity to sit down with Chip at the Harriette Austin Writers' Conference. In addition to Chip's many years of agenting, he is also the author of several books and a veteran of the publishing industry.

He is seeking: While his clients write in a variety of genres in adult fiction and nonfiction, each writes from a Christian perspective. Though the agency does represent new, unpublished writers, Chip prefers to receive first contact with a writer through a referral or at a writers' conference. See the agency's full submissions page here.

Chip MacGregor.

GLA: What's the most recent thing you've sold?

CM: I did a series of books with Simon & Schuster called The Exorsistah, by Claudia Mair Burney, about a teenage African-American girl who realizes she has power over the supernatural world. I also just did a book with Zondervan called Devotions for Thinking Christians, by Lael Arrington and Kelly Kullberg. Rather than being about shallow little things, it's trying to examine the great thoughts of our contemporary world and Christendom and offering them in little bite-sized chunks for people.

GLA: You deal a lot with Christian fiction and nonfiction. How is the Christian market evolving today?

CM: This is the golden age of Christian publishing. For the last two years, publishing has been flat overall, but Christian fiction is not only growing—it's the fastest growing segment in all of publishing (these past two years). Five years ago, we basically had one category—Christian fiction, which started to segment between contemporary romance and historical romance. But in the last few years, we've begun to see much more realistic stories, and were seeing great divisions in terms of segmentation. We're seeing suspense, supernatural thrillers, futuristic and speculative fiction. There's a huge array in terms of different kinds of genres. Look at mysteries—we now have historical mysteries, contemporary mysteries, cozy mysteries. We're starting to see a lot of segmentation in the marketplace.
Christian nonfiction used to really be dominated by pastors of large churches who were writing on particular issues. What we see now is much more thoughtful writers coming in. We see, for example, spiritual journey and spiritual memoir. That's led to a number of people saying, "Here's my spiritual journey," and these are people who are really known for their writing. They're not pastors or Christian celebrities—though those books are still around. It's led to a lot of reflective work—and that's exciting because we're starting to see better writing.

GLA: A lot of people self-publish their books, but the quality in most self-published works is not up to snuff. Will you consider self-published works? If so, what qualifications do you look for in such books?

CM: I'm happy to look at a project that's self-published, but what I find is that a lot of self-published work is self-published for a reason. A publisher really wasn't interested in the book because it wouldn't sell well in the general market. Perhaps the idea wasn't big enough. Everyone (in publishing is looking for a writer with) a great idea, a great platform and great writing. But the fact is, the thing that's missing most often is great writing. We see a lot of good writing, a lot of OK writing, a lot of so-so writing. Great writing is the very first thing I look for in a self-published book.

GLA: What do you think is the most common mistake writers make when they give a short in-person pitch to an agent?

CM: You should be able to tell me what your book is about in a simple, nontechnical sentence. If you can't explain it in a simple, nontechnical sentence, then you probably haven't spent enough time thinking about the idea.

GLA: What's your best piece of advice?

CM: At writers' conferences, people sometimes come in looking for the secret—the secret to getting published. Writers need to know the secret to getting published is simply to become a better writer. The fact is, I don't know of a great writer that's unpublished. What I see currently are all these writers so focused on marketing—and I know we're market-driven more than ever before. "Get a platform. Where are you speaking?" I realize that's a reality of today's marketplace, but nothing excites an agent or editor or publisher more than finding someone who's a great writer.

Want more on this subject?

See a profile of Christian agent Rachelle Gardner of Wordserve.

Read an interview with Christian agent Greg Daniel.

Buy the memoir guide, Writing Life Stories.

Previous, Chip provided an installment for the "Successful Queries" feature on this blog. See the query and his thoughts here.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Self-Publishing and Agents

Tuesday, July 24, 2007 2:15:09 PM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [2]

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Agent Advice: Janet Benrey of Benrey Literary
Posted by Chuck

"Agent Advice" is a series of quick interviews with literary and script agents who talk with Guide to Literary Agents about their thoughts on writing, publishing, and just about anything else.

This installment features Janet Benrey, founder of Benrey Literary in New Bern, N.C. Janet founded Benrey Literary in 2006. Previously with Hartline Literary Agency, Janet worked several jobs that have had two common themes: marketing and publishing. A published novelist, she's co-written seven cozy mysteries with her husband.

She is seeking: For fiction, she is currently seeking contemporary women’s fiction for both markets, romance for both markets, and suspense/thriller for the secular market. She does not handle science fiction, fantasy or erotica. For nonfiction, she's looking for Christian Living books and self-help books for both markets. She's also keeping her eyes open for a unique project that captures her interest.

Janet Benrey

GLA: What’s the most recent thing you’ve sold?

JB: Just this week, my client, Brenda Minton, received an offer from Harlequin's Steeple Hill Love Inspired for her second book, Making It Right.

GLA: When writers send you a nonfiction book proposal, what are the most common things you see lacking?

JB: Nonfiction proposals should be fairly easy to write. There's a lot of information available to writers on how to write the greatest, the most compelling, the "no-fail" nonfiction proposal, so I'm often surprised when authors fail to mention their reasons and credentials for writing the work. Like publishers, I often jump to the credentials section of the proposal before getting to the meat of the proposal. I need to know why an author is qualified to write what they're writing and how their work differs from what has already been published on the topic they've chosen.

GLA: One of your specialties is "Christian Living." Can you help define this and give a few book examples?

JB: The Christian Living category of books represents a huge umbrella that covers a multitude of topics. Christian Living works can include books on issues of importance to women, men and teenagers; Christian Living books can be about parenting, marriage, family life, divorce, breast cancer, healing, health, faith journies, spiritual challenges, leadership and devotionals. (One) series that I've contracted is for three books with a theme of taking faith to the next level. These were written by a pastor of a large church and the audience will be members of churches across the country who are interested in working through a study program that deals with parenting and other topics.

GLA: You handle different genre work—mystery, romance, Christian. When an author queries you, should they say their submission is simply a "mystery" or a "romance"? Or do they need to be more specific, saying it's a "cozy" or a "Christian romance" or a "sensuous contemporary"?

JB: Please tell me in which genre you're writing. An amazing number of authors fail to do this, leaving me to scratch my head. Please be specific. For example: This is a (insert word count) cozy mystery written for the Christian market. This is a (insert word count) contemporary/historical Christian romance. This does two things. It tells me that you read in your chosen genre and that you have a grasp of the requirements of the marketplace.

GLA: Bottom line—what attracts you to a work?

JB: Voice. Ain't got voice, ain't gonna sell. Voice is craft. Voice is dialogue. Voice is creating a fictional dream. Voice is the narrator you chose for your story. Voice is doing everything well. Voice is point of view. Voice is the sound of the novel

Want more on this topic?

5 Signs a Literary Agent is a Good Match For You.

See examples of Successful Queries that agents liked.

Check out The Writer's Digest Guide to Query Letters.

How to Write a Synopsis for a Novel.

Facebook, Twitter and Literary Agents.

Confused about formatting? Check out Formatting & Submitting Your Manuscript.

Read about What Agents Hate: Chapter 1 Pet Peeves.

Want the most complete database of agents and what genres they're looking for? Buy the 2010 Guide to Literary Agents today!

Agent Advice (Agent Interviews) | Christian Agents | Genre Writing | Romance

Thursday, July 12, 2007 10:42:12 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

Comments [6]

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

New Agency Alert: Daniel Literary Group
Posted by Chuck

Reminder: Newer agencies are golden opportunities for new writers because they're likely building their client list; however, always make sure your work is as perfect as it can be before submitting, and only query agencies that are a great fit for your work. Otherwise, you're just wasting time and postage.

Daniel Literary Group

1701 Kingsbury Drive, Suite 100, Nashville TN 37215. E-mail: submissions@danielliterarygroup.com. Phone: (615)730-8207. Web site: www.danielliterarygroup.com. Contact: Greg Daniel. Seeking new and established writers. Established: 2007. Prior to becoming an agent, Mr. Daniel spent 10 years in publishing—six at the executive level at Thomas Nelson Publishers. Specializes in: "We take pride in our ability to come alongside our authors and help strategize about where they want their writing to take them in both the near and long term. Forging close relationships with our authors, we help them with such critical factors as editorial refinement, branding, audience, and marketing."

Actively seeking: Nonfiction. The agency is open to submissions in almost every popular category of nonfiction, especially if authors are recognized experts in their fields. The agency will take fiction submissions as well, but no romance, children's or science fiction. Does not want: No screenplays, poetry or short stories.

How to submit: Query with SASE. Submit publishing history, author bio, brief synopsis of the work, key selling points. Send no e-mail attachments. Send first 5 pages if querying by e-mail. Submit 1-2 sample chapters with snail mail. Accepts e-mail queries. No fax queries. Responds in 1-6 weeks to queries. Returns materials only with SASE.

Agency Profile | Christian Agents | New Agency Alerts | Nonfiction

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 10:21:16 AM (Eastern Daylight Time, UTC-04:00)

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