Agent Appointments

The opportunity to have personal appointments with Editors and Agents is a valuable highlight of the conference. These provide a great way to learn first-hand about the writing industry, to pitch your manuscript or work-in-progress, and to brainstorm ideas, get encouragement, and benefit from industry professionals.

All appointments are available on a first pay, first slotted basis. Appointments will be scheduled by the Conference Appointment Coordinator, Casey Miller. Appointments will be scheduled the week prior to conference, so if you want an appointment, please register by August 27, 2021! All times are CDT for the virtual conference. You will select multiple choices for your appointment needs when you register for the conference. You will be sent your appointment information a week prior to the virtual conference so that, if requested by the person you have an appointment with, you may submit documents to Casey, who will ensure the information is passed along to the correct person.

One of the most valuable connecting points at the ACFW conference is the opportunity for editor appointments. So many authors, so little time. In these appointments, an editor will quickly assess “Is this a storyline that interests me? Does this author demonstrate knowledge of the craft and of the Christian fiction industry? Is this worth exploring further?”

2021 Agents



Kristy Cambron

Organization: Gardner Literary
Title: Literary Agent
Web Site: http://www.gardner-literary.com

Kristy Cambron is a literary agent with Gardner Literary, representing fiction and nonfiction in the Christian market. She is a Christy Award-winning author with a diverse background in published works including historical fiction, Bible studies, Bibles, a Bible study journal, and a gift book anthology. She's also served as a Women's Ministry Leader for one of the nation's largest churches and prior to the decade of experience she has in publishing, spent fifteen years in leadership development for a Fortune 100 corporation, partnering with such companies as the Disney Institute, IBM/Kenexa, and Gallup. Kristy has a background in art and design, with an undergraduate degree in art history and research writing. She has a heart to help the aspiring author and is looking for strong writers whose stories fall at the intersection of faith, art, and history. She's a wife and a mom of boys living in the Hoosier state, and loves talking all things sports, travel, art, history, and classic books.

Currently Seeking: Currently seeking:
Contemporary women's fiction
Romance
Suspense and romantic suspense
Historical and historical romance
YA and YA fantasy (including steampunk and fairy tale retellings with a unique approach)

NOT looking at children's or middle grade, poetry, cookbooks, memoir (except WWII focus), adult fantasy, sci-fi, or literary fiction

*Also looking at nonfiction for the Christian market.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you're a debut author, your manuscript should be complete if you're seeking representation. In our meeting, I'd like to see a one-sheet with your author platform and a story summary, 5-10 pages of your completed manuscript, and marketing information that shows you've researched the market for your genre. I'd like for us to have a conversation about your story instead of hearing a prepared pitch. (You'll wow me if your one-sheet is an infographic and the first pages of your manuscript really shine!)


If you're not yet ready to seek representation, I'd still be happy to talk about where you are in your author journey.



Lynette Eason

Organization: The Steve Laube Agency
Title: Agent
Web Site: http://www.stevelaube.com/

Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books including the Extreme Measure Series. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Parable bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the Selah, the Golden Scroll and more. Her novel, Her Stolen Past, was made into a movie for the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette teaches at writing conferences all over the country and is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love. Lynette can be found online at http://www.lynetteeason.com and www.facebook.com/lynette.eason and @lynetteeason on Twitter.

Currently Seeking: I’m looking to represent authors of all types of Christian fiction including, but not limited to:

romantic suspense
thrillers
mysteries
speculative fiction
historical
women’s contemporary
YA
and writers targeting the Love Inspired suspense lines.
I’m also interested in YA nonfiction and may be interested in some adult nonfiction, depending on the topic.
I am not looking for children’s books.

Would love to see a one sheet during our meeting!

Guidelines: http://www.stevelaube.com/guidelines/



Rachelle Gardner

Organization: Gardner Literary
Title: Literary Agent and Owner
Web Site: http://www.gardner-literary.com

Rachelle Gardner is a literary agent and owner of Gardner Literary, representing fiction and nonfiction. She has worked inside two publishing houses in sales, marketing, and editorial. Rachelle has been an agent for 14 years and currently represents an impressive list of about 50 authors with many bestsellers and award-winners among them. She is seeking fresh new voices at the intersection of faith and culture. .

Currently Seeking: Currently seeking:
Contemporary women's fiction
Romance
Suspense and thriller
Historical and historical romance
YA and YA fantasy including fairy tale retellings with a unique approach

NOT looking at adult fantasy, sci-fi, or literary fiction

*Looking at both general market and Christian fiction
*Also looking at non-fiction.


APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are a debut novelist, then in order for me to consider you for representation, your manuscript should be complete. In the meeting, I’d like to see the first 5-10 pages of your manuscript and a brief proposal or 1-sheet if you have one. More importantly, be able to talk about your book in a way that helps me understand it. Start with the genre and intended audience, then give me the pitch. Be able to tell me some other books yours might compare to. I look forward to meeting you!



Linda Glaz

Organization: Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency
Title: Literary Agent/Owner
Web Site:

Linda is an author and agent with Hartline Literary Agency. Having served in the Air Force at a time when it wasn’t exactly politically correct for a woman, she blazed many firsts for women in the military. She has taught karate and self-defense for thirty years and was a National instructor and referee for the largest soccer youth group in the US for twenty-five years. She isn’t afraid to try something new. Before joining Hartline, Linda was a reviewer for online romance sites, a final proofreader for a publisher, and organized and ran two separate writers’ groups. She worked for two years as an editorial assistant to Terry Burns at Hartline. Linda is also an author, so she understands authors. She’s a member of ACFW, AWSA, and numerous other writers’ groups. She presents nationally each year at conferences, teas, churches, workshops, and various other venues. She’s also active on social media. Linda loves to laugh and make other people laugh. There is definitely healing and joy in laughter.

Currently Seeking: Romance, romantic suspense, historical fiction. Also nonfiction with a strong social media presence.

Not seeking children's or speculative fiction.




APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
A manuscript must be complete before submitting to me for consideration if you are a new author. At the meeting, all you need is a smile and well thought out pitch that will hook and pull me in. If your work isn't finished, feel free to make the appointment and maybe we can brainstorm!

If you are scheduled an appointment with Linda, please bring the first page of your novel.



Ali Herring

Organization: Spencerhill Associates
Title: Agent
Web Site: http://www.spencerhillassociates.com/

Ali Herring is an agent with Spencerhill Associates. Formerly a non-profit magazine associate editor and communications specialist, she got her start in publishing at an agency in the greater NYC metro area before joining Spencerhill in 2017. She's a graduate of Berry College with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism and was honored to serve as valedictorian of her graduating class. Ali lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, three children, two dogs and four rescue cats (most of whom were adopted during the pandemic, with no regrets!). She represents authors of fiction in both the Christian and secular markets, and, much to her delight, those authors have dubbed themselves the "Spencerhill Ali-ens." This quirky moniker was the inspiration of Sharon Mondragon, whom Ali met and signed via an ACFW conference! You can find her on Twitter at @HerringAli.

Currently Seeking: Ali represents both Christian fiction and secular fiction, but does not represent non-fiction or memoir. In the Christian market, she's currently on the lookout for contemporary romance and romantic suspense (both category romance and single-title), women's fiction, and contemporary fiction. She's also interested in seeing some adventure fiction or supernatural fiction reminiscent of Frank Peretti and would be open to the "perfect" YA inspirational title, though she doesn't know what that looks like yet! Within the Christian market, she is not looking for historical romance, picture books, kidlit or middle grade, though on the secular market side, she represents all genres of kidlit, middle grade and YA, as well as romance (everything but historical), women's fiction and SFF.




APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I will be happy to look at complete and nearly complete manuscripts at the pitch sessions. However, to be considered for representation or to receive a request, the work must be complete. Please bring a copy of your query and the first three pages of chapter 1. If you wrote a prologue, please bring that in addition. (These are for us to reference only and not for me to keep.)

Guidelines: http://spencerhillassociates.com/index.php/Submissions/



Steve Laube

Organization: The Steve Laube Agency
Title: Literary Agent and President
Web Site: http://www.stevelaube.com/

Steve Laube, president and founder of The Steve Laube Agency, is a 35 year veteran of the bookselling industry. He began his career in the bookselling arena and his store in Phoenix was named the Christian Booksellers Association (CBA) store of the year in 1989. He then spent 11 years with Bethany House Publishers rising to the position of an editorial director. In 2002 he was named the AWSA Golden Scroll Editor of the Year. The next year he became a literary agent and in 2004 formed The Steve Laube Agency. In 2009 he was named the ACFW Agent of the Year. In 2013 he was inducted into the Grand Canyon University Hall-of-Fame by their College of Theology.

Currently Seeking: All genres of fiction are welcome with the exception of most Children’s literature.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I would like to see writing sample and a proposal during an appointment. A “one sheet” is not sufficient because it doesn’t show me you can write

Guidelines: http://www.stevelaube.com/guidelines/



Tamela Hancock Murray

Organization: The Steve Laube Agency
Title: Literary Agent
Web Site: http://www.stevelaube.com/

Tamela Hancock Murray has been a literary agent since 2001. She was named Agent of the Year in 2017 by ACFW. She is a bestselling author of over thirty novels, novellas, and nonfiction books, and won an RWA Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Because of her experience, Tamela brings the perspective of a working writer to her role as a literary agent. She represents many top authors and continues to develop new talent. She earned her BA with honors in Journalism from Lynchburg College (now University) in Virginia. Today she enjoys living in Northern Virginia with her own knight in shining armor. They are the parents of two lovely, all-grown-up princesses. When not focused on her passion for being a literary agent, Tamela enjoys cooking, particularly with her mother's vintage 1970s harvest gold crockpot. She's always on the lookout for new recipes. As the aromas of dinner waft through the castle, Tamela loves reading all sorts of amazing books.

Currently Seeking: As always, Tamela is looking for all types of Christian romance. She also enjoys other types of excellent Christian fiction that is polished to a brilliant sheen. If you also write nonfiction and have a great platform, Tamela is interested in talking with you.

NOT SEEKING: Children's, YA, Fantasy, Science Fiction

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Tamela enjoys talking with writers at all levels, so feel free to meet with her regardless of where you are in your publishing career.



Guidelines: http://www.stevelaube.com/guidelines/



Cynthia Ruchti

Organization: Books & Such Literary Management
Title: Literary Agent
Web Site:

Being part of the Books & Such team of literary agents serving the Christian publishing industry fulfills another layer in a long-held passion for author and agent Cynthia Ruchti--helping other writers to develop their craft and reach their writing career goals. She is an advocate for the power of story and a champion for those who create, edit, publish, distribute, review, and sell books. As part of her contribution to other writers, she serves as an instructor or keynoter at writers conferences. In 2020, Cynthia was named the ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) Agent of the Year.

Currently Seeking: Cynthia is open to hearing pitches for historical and contemporary fiction, romance, romantic comedy, suspense, and other categories of Christian fiction, but is less interested in fantasy and YA...at the moment.