Editors, Agents, Mentors, and Media Training Participants

The opportunity to have personal, fifteen minute appointments with editors and agents, mentors or media training professionals 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.

Many appointments are available on a first pay, first slotted basis.

This year, ACFW is proud to offer media training and mentor appointments as well as editor and agent appointments. PLEASE NOTE: these appointments are meant to take the place of your editor/agent appointments and are NOT in addition to them.

Media Training appointments are designed for contracted authors. Phenix & Phenix will be conducting media training 101 soon. This course will be offered online PRIOR to Conference. It is a prerequisite to their one-on-one training at conference.

Phenix & Phenix will take the author's personal platform and help them understand how to promote it on TV and radio, film & record the author, and coach to the best platform presentation.

Angie Breidenbach will offer level 201 media training, combining basics with the author's personal needs.

Appointments will be scheduled this year by the Conference Appointment Coordinator, Wanda Dyson. You will select multiple choices for your appointment needs when you register for the conference. You will receive a form in your conference check-in packet with the confirmation and times of the appointments. Wanda will be on-hand throughout the conference for assistance.

[JUMP TO EDITORS]  [JUMP TO AGENTS]  [JUMP TO MENTORS]  [JUMP TO MEDIA TRAINING]

Participation of an individual presenter, agent, editor, or publisher in the ACFW conference does not constitute endorsement by ACFW. Members are advised to use due diligence and take personal responsibility when choosing industry professionals with whom to schedule appointments or enter into agreement.

ACFW reserves the right to refuse conference registration if deemed in the best interest of the corporation and its membership.

Beth Adams

Name: Beth Adams Title: Senior Editor Organization: Guideposts Web Site: http://www.guideposts.com Guidelines Beth is a Senior Editor at Guideposts who works primarily with fiction. She worked at Random House for four years before coming to Guideposts in 2006. She is looking for books with a fantastic hook and strong, solid writing. Bowl her over with how good your idea is, and she’ll want to see more. While she’s open to seeing work in most categories, she is not looking for YA or sci-fi/fantasy. She lives in New York City.

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Allen Arnold

Name: Allen Arnold Title: Sr. VP and Fiction Publisher Organization: Thomas Nelson Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/ Guidelines Allen Arnold is Senior Vice-President and Fiction Publisher at Thomas Nelson. He’s been at Thomas Nelson for 18 years – overseeing author marketing and branding for more than a decade before launching the Fiction division in 2004. For the calendar year 2009, Thomas Nelson was ranked the #1 Christian Fiction publisher at Christian Retail by ECPA and is recognized for a publishing model that reaches the broadest market with the best stories – always told from a Christian worldview. Prior to his time at Thomas Nelson, Allen worked at numerous acclaimed Advertising Agencies - helping develop campaigns for everything from soft drinks to traveling circuses! He’s passionate about the power of a well-told story to transform hearts and culture – to entertain and inspire. In his spare time, you’ll find him reading Superman comics and C.S. Lewis while eating the spiciest peppers known to mankind.

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Sue Brower

Name: Sue Brower Title: Executive Editor for Fiction Organization: Zondervan Web Site: http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US Guidelines Sue Brower is Executive Editor for Fiction at Zondervan. It is a pleasure to work with such bestselling authors as Karen Kingsbury, Terri Blackstock, Robin Jones Gunn, Brandilyn Collins, and many others. Prior to taking on this role, she was Sr. Director of Marketing for Fiction and Inspirational product for over thirteen years. Fiction is business as well as pleasure for Sue as she is an avid reader of both inspirational and mainstream novels. Early in her career with Zondervan, Sue’s focus was on book and Bible research and store research for Family Christian Stores. Sue is on the Advisory Board for the Christy Awards and a member of ACE (Academy of Christian Editors. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with husband, Todd, and “kidz”, Pepper, Ollie, and Shep. Zondervan publishes in all adult fiction genres except allegory and western. We have completed acquisitions for books releasing in 2010 and 2011 and have very few openings for 2012. We have a well-balanced list at this time, so are not looking for any particular genre—just exceptional writing, characterization and creativity. Zondervan does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. We will consider those proposals that come to us directly from agents or from writer's conferences when requested. In addition, we will review top-rated manuscripts placed on www.authonomy.com . Our manuscript submission guidelines are on our website www.zondervan.com.

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Andrea Doering

Name: Andrea Doering Title: Sr. Acquisitions Editor Organization: Revell Web Site: http://www.revellbooks.com/ME2/Audiences/Default.asp Guidelines Andrea is senior acquisition editor with Revell Books, an imprint of Baker Publishing Group. She is the former editor-in-chief of Crossings Book Club. Her experiences also include academic publishing, book packaging, and a stint in public affairs at Focus on the Family. She holds an M.A. in English/Creative Writing from the University of Maine, and has published several children’s books and short stories. Andrea is currently looking for works in genres of suspense, historical fiction, historical romance, and contemporary women’s fiction. She is not looking for YA, science fiction and fantasy, or contemporary women’s romance.

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Susan Downs

Name: Susan Downs Title: Senior Fiction Editor Organization: Summerside Press Web Site: http://www.summersidepress.com Guidelines Susan Downs oversees the production of two new fiction lines for Summerside Press: SWEPT AWAY™ romantic-suspense line, featuring stories set in the 20th century; and the WHEN I FALL IN LOVE™ line, which features nostalgic and fun inspirational romance stories. Prospective authors may wish to study Summerside Press’s current titles in these lines for examples of the kind of projects we are acquiring. In our SWEPT AWAY™ line, these titles include Susan May Warren’s Sons of Thunder, Tricia Goyer’s Songbird under a German Moon, Susan Page Davis’s The Crimson Cipher and Cara Putman’s Stars in the Night. The first two titles in our WHEN I FALL IN LOVE™ line, which release September 1st, 2010, include Janice (Thompson) Hanna ‘s Love Me Tender and Julie L. Cannon’s I’ll Be Home for Christmas. Agented queries or proposals should fit our guidelines and goals for these series. Interested authors should review the series’ guidelines.

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Jeff Gerke

Name: Jeff Gerke Title: Organization: Marcher Lord Press Web Site: http://www.marcherlordpress.com Guidelines Jeff Gerke has been called the de facto gatekeeper of Christian speculative fiction. After his own six novels were published (under the pen name Jefferson Scott) and his time spearheading the launch of a fiction imprint dedicated to Christian speculative fiction at a major Christian publishing company, Jeff branched out on his own to launch Marcher Lord Press (www.marcherlordpress.com), an Indie publishing house billing itself as the premier publisher of Christian speculative fiction. His fiction how-to book The Art & Craft of Writing Christian Fiction is available through Amazon or Marcher Lord Press and his new craft book from Writer’s Digest Books, Plot versus Character, releases in October 2010. Jeff lives in Colorado Springs with his wife, teenage daughter, 9-year-old son, and 2-year-old adoptive daughter from China. Acquisitions Needs: Marcher Lord Press publishes Christian speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, time travel, supernatural thrillers, paranormal romance, vampire, superhero, end times, alternate history, horror/chillers, cyberpunk, steampunk, etc.) for older teens and adults. MLP is an advance-paying, royalty-paying house interested in full-length speculative novels arising from the Christian worldview. No YA or children's fiction, poetry, or novellas.

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Rebecca Germany

Name: Rebecca Germany Title: Senior Editor of Fiction Organization: Barbour Publishing Web Site: http://www.barbourbooks.com Guidelines Rebecca Germany is the senior editor of fiction Barbour Publishing who has been with the company for 16 years. In 2004, she was honored as the Golden Scroll fiction editor of the year by ASWA. Over 100 novels and story collections go through her department yearly, but she has found time to have five of her own novellas, numerous small gift books, and a cookbook series published in the Barbour Books line. She blogs with a fellow editor at http://editcafe.blogspot.com/.

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Julie Gwinn

Name: Julie Gwinn Title: Trade Book Marketing Organization: B&H Publishing Group Web Site: http://www.bhpublishinggroup.com/fiction/ Guidelines Julie Gwinn has been a professional in the public relations, advertising industry for more than 20 years for organizations such as The American Red Cross, the YWCA and Dye, Van Mol and Lawrence public relations and advertising agencies in Nashville. She joined B&H Publishing Group in January 07, in the trade marketing and publicity department and is responsible for marketing their fiction line.

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Holly Halverson

Name: Holly Halverson Title: Senior Fiction Editor Organization: Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster Web Site: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Howard-Books/40433333 Guidelines Holly Halverson has worked as an editor and writer in Christian publishing, both magazine and books, for over twenty years. A well-published journalist, Holly joined Howard Books as a senior fiction editor in June 2010. She loves working with words and the challenge of sculpting a project until the best book comes shining through. Howard Books is currently looking to acquire Christian commercial fiction and nonfiction projects. We are interested in well-established authors with a strong record of sales. We are also interested in developing new authors with fresh voices that have the potential to impact the culture. In fiction we are looking for women’s fiction, suspense, thriller, romance, and literary fiction. In non-fiction we are looking for Christian living, biography, memoir, and current events. Presently we are not looking for projects that would be considered niche books, including children’s and young adult, gift, some marriage and parenting books, as well as science fiction and westerns.

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Natalie Hanemann

Name: Natalie Hanemann Title: Sr. Fiction Editor Organization: Thomas Nelson Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/ Guidelines Natalie Hanemann is a Senior Fiction Editor at Thomas Nelson Publishers in Nashville, Tennessee. For the past several years she has poured her passion and energy into the developmental editing of Christian novels. She specializes in Christian Romances, contemporary and historical. Would love to review any romances, both contemporary and historical. And YA for teen girls. We're not entertaining much fantasy or suspense.

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Tina James

Name: Tina James Title: Senior Editor Organization: Steeple Hill Books Web Site: http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=36&chapter=0 Guidelines Tina James has been with Harlequin Enterprises for fifteen years. She joined the company in 1995 as an editorial assistant. In her current position as Senior Editor for Steeple Hill Books, she manages the Love Inspired Historical and Love Inspired Suspense lines. She is actively acquiring for the Steeple Hill imprint and looking for stories in a variety of genres including heartwarming inspirational romance, inspirational romantic suspense and inspirational historical romance. Acquisitions List: I am looking to acquire books for Steeple Hill’s three lines: Love Inspired (contemporary romance 55,000-60,000 words), Love Inspired Suspense (contemporary romantic suspense 55,000-60,000 words) and Love Inspired Historical (historical romance 70,000-75,000 words). We are not looking for first person stories at this time. For Love Inspired, books should be set in present day in North America, and the relationship between the hero and heroine should be the focus of the book. All secondary characters and plotlines should directly support the main romance. The romance should be the focus of the story and should not be overshadowed by secondary plotlines. For Love Inspired Suspense, stories should be equal parts romance and suspense. One should not take a backseat to the other. We are looking for riveting, heart-pounding romantic suspense. We are not looking for cozy mysteries. For Love Inspired Historical, we are always looking for exceptional stories set in the West. But we are actively focusing on acquiring manuscripts with non-Western settings, too. Americana (post-Civil War), European historical eras (e.g. Tudor, Regency and Victorian England, eighteenth-century Scotland, etc.), twentieth-century (turn-of-the-century through World War II) and foreign settings are all welcome.

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David Long

Name: David Long Title: Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Fiction Organization: Bethany House Web Site: http://www.bethanyhouse.com/ME2/Audiences/Default.asp Guidelines Dave Long is the Senior Acquisitions Editor for Fiction with Bethany House Publishers. Before migrating to the editorial side of the company, he spent six years in the marketing department. He is also the author of two novels, one of which won a Christy Award. A graduate of Penn State, he lives outside Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife and three daughters. BHP is currently seeking romantic suspense, historical and historical romance, women’s contemporary / “book club” fiction, crime and suspense novels, upper-teen fantasy, and literary fiction. We are not acquiring science fiction, spiritual warfare, westerns, or children’s fiction.

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Shannon Marchese

Name: Shannon Marchese Title: Senior Editor, Fiction Organization: WaterBrook Multnomah Web Site: http://www.randomhouse.com/waterbrook/ Guidelines Shannon Marchese is Senior Editor, Fiction for the WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group, a division of Random House. She has been in publishing for twelve years, serving in publicity and marketing roles before moving into editorial. She's acquired and edited acclaimed nonfiction and award-winning, best-selling fiction since 2002. She and her husband live in Colorado Springs. Looking for: Romance that will make me laugh or cry. Women's dramatic fiction that will make me laugh or cry. Historical fiction set in a place or time that we don't already publish about can find our publishing lists on our web site. Edge-of-the-seat scary novels. Not looking for: Amish novels, vampire novels, dragon novels, bio-ethical futuristic thrillers, military-or-missionary focused fiction.

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Sarah Mason

Name: Sarah Mason Title: Fiction Editor Organization: Tyndale Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com/ Guidelines Sarah is a fiction editor and has been with Tyndale House Publishers since 2004. She has worked on a variety of genres, including historical, women’s fiction, suspense, and juvenile fiction. Some of the authors she has worked with include Susan May Warren, Chris Fabry, Maureen Lang, Jennifer Erin Valent, Tom Pawlik, Bill Myers, and Candace Calvert. A voracious reader all her life, she is passionate about the power of fiction and loves working alongside authors to make their stories all they envision. We’re not interested in: fantasy/science, Westerns, chick lit, or End Times fiction. We are looking for women’s fiction, suspense/mystery/thrillers, late 19th to early 20th century historicals and historical romance. Most importantly, we’re looking for engaging, well-written stories with a strong, marketable hook.

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Ami McConnell

Name: Ami McConnell Title: Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Fiction Organization: Thomas Nelson Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/ Guidelines AMI MCCONNELL is Senior Acquisitions Editor for Thomas Nelson’s fiction division. McConnell’s career at Thomas Nelson began in 1997. Six years ago, she helped launch the dedicated fiction line at Thomas Nelson. Her editing credits include New York Times Bestsellers, RITA finalists, and several Christy Award winners. In 2009, ACFW named McConnell Editor of the Year. She’s the proud mother of five children and lives in Nashville, Tennessee. AQUIRING NEEDS. Christian fiction with female Christian as target reader: romance (contemporary and historical); biblical fiction; commercial literary; women’s fiction

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Rachel Meisel

Name: Rachel Meisel Title: Senior Fiction Editor Organization: Summerside Press Web Site: http://www.summersidepress.com Guidelines As a senior fiction editor for Summerside Press, Rachel manages editorial processes and acquisitions for the LOVE FINDS YOU™ fiction series. Prior to joining Summerside in 2007, she worked as an editor and writer for both the Christian and general markets. She has an MA in English Literature and lives with her husband and young son in Chicago. I am acquiring both historical and contemporary titles for Summerside Press’s LOVE FINDS YOU™ inspirational romance series. Historical needs include: prairie, Regency-era, and Amish/Mennonite/Amana stories. Contemporary needs include: stories set in popular vacation destinations as well as Amish/Mennonite/Amana stories. All titles must be set in real American towns or cities. I ask that authors interested in writing for the LOVE FINDS YOU™ series review our guidelines.

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Kim Moore

Name: Kim Moore Title: Senior Editor Organization: Harvest House Web Site: http://www.harvesthousepublishers.com Guidelines Kim Moore, a senior editor at Harvest House Publishers, has been in publishing for 14 years. Though she has a passion for fiction, Kim works with both fiction and nonfiction authors, including Mindy Starns Clark, Lori Copeland, Lysa TerKeurst, and Stormie Omartian. Kim makes her home in the green and beautiful Pacific Northwest. Harvest House Publishers is currently emphasizing fiction acquisition in the following genres: historical romance, Amish, Western/prairie, and romantic mystery. Word counts of 90,000 to 100,000 words are preferred. We are currently not looking for speculative fiction, YA, chick lit, or women’s contemporary fiction. Harvest House is a conservative, family-owned publishing company, and so we would not be looking for projects that are extremely dark or edgy. Cozy mysteries and romantic suspense are welcome. First-time authors are also welcome.

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Emily Rodmell

Name: Emily Rodmell Title: Assistant Editor Organization: Steeple Hill Web Site: http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=236 Guidelines Emily Rodmell is the assistant editor for Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired, Love Inspired Suspense and Love Inspired Historical lines. She works with a wonderful group of authors on a variety of books for the three lines and also conceptualizes and coordinates all the imprints’ continuity series. Prior to her position at Steeple Hill, she worked at the publisher Scholastic and as a newspaper editor for several daily newspapers in Florida. For Love Inspired, books should be set in present day in North America, and the relationship between the hero and heroine should be the focus of the book. All secondary characters and plotlines should directly support the main romance. The romance should be the focus of the story and should not be overshadowed by secondary plotlines. For Love Inspired Suspense, stories should be equal parts romance and suspense. One should not take a backseat to the other. We are looking for riveting, heart-pounding romantic suspense. We are not looking for cozy mysteries. For Love Inspired Historical, we are always looking for exceptional stories set in the West. But we are actively focusing on acquiring manuscripts with non-Western settings, too. Americana (post-Civil War), European historical eras (e.g. Tudor, Regency and Victorian England, eighteenth-century Scotland, etc.), twentieth-century (turn-of-the-century through World War II) and foreign settings are all welcome.

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Barbara Scott

Name: Barbara Scott Title: Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Fiction Organization: Abingdon Press Web Site: http://www.abingdonpress.com/forms/home.aspx Guidelines Barbara Scott, Sr. Acquisitions Editor for Fiction at Abingdon Press. She has more than 30 years experience in newspaper, magazine, and book publishing, including adult, youth, and children’s fiction. She also has published two bestselling novels for Thomas Nelson, as well as numerous gift books. Abingdon Press, is actively acquiring new voices, as well as newly published and experienced authors, in the genres of contemporary women’s fiction, contemporary romance, historical romance (including western), historical fiction, Amish or Mennonite, mystery, action/adventure, and suspense/thrillers.

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JoAnne Simmons

Name: JoAnne Simmons Title: Fiction Acquisitions Editor Organization: Barbour Publishing Web Site: http://www.heartsongpresents.com/ Guidelines JoAnne Simmons is a fiction acquisitions editor for Barbour Publishing. JoAnne has been working with Barbour since 2003, first as a freelance copyeditor, then as an assistant managing editor, and now as manager of the Heartsong Present series. JoAnne has had a wide variety of writing and editing experience but loves Christian fiction the most. She is delighted to be in a career that she has dreamed of since childhood. She was born and raised in northeast Ohio and still makes her home there, now with her husband, Doug, and daughter, Jodilyn. Editorial Needs - Heartsong publishes sweet inspirational romance novels, both contemporary and historical, that stick to our detailed guidelines. I'll continue to look for strong geographical flavor and setting-driven stories. I'm always looking for creative elements-unique settings, occupations, little known landmarks and history-to put a new twist on the traditional romance story.

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Jan Stob

Name: Jan Stob Title: Sr. Acquisitions Editor Organization: Tyndale Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com Guidelines Jan is a Senior Acquisitions Editor. She came to Tyndale House Publishers in 2000 and has worked on the Left Behind series, as well as projects with Beth Moore, Joel Rosenberg, Brock and Bodie Thoene, and Angela Hunt. Her recent acquisitions include Jan Watson, Mel Odom, Jeanette Windle, Rene Gutteridge and Allison Pittman. She loves discovering new talent and unique concepts, and enjoys working with authors who share her passion for publishing books that bring hope to a troubled world. We’re not interested in: fantasy/science, Westerns, chick lit, or End Times fiction. We are looking for women’s fiction, suspense/mystery/thrillers, late 19th to early 20th century historicals and historical romance. Most importantly, we’re looking for engaging, well-written stories with a strong, marketable hook.

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Christine Whitaker

Name: Christine Whitaker Title: Author Liaison Organization: Whitaker House Web Site: http://whitakerhouse.com/ Guidelines Christine Whitaker is the author liaison at Whitaker House, a family owned Christian publishing company located outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The mission of Whitaker House is to advance God's kingdom by providing biblically based products that proclaim the power of the gospel and minister to the spiritual needs of people around the world. Whitaker House is currently celebrating its fortieth year in business. In 1970, Robert Whitaker Sr. began distributing books from his garage and has not looked back since. Today, Whitaker House has a strong, internal sales and marketing force, editorial department and graphics team which seek to produce quality fiction and non-fiction that will meet a wide market of readers. Whitaker House is currently seeking both fiction and non-fiction with special interest in romance fiction. We do not publish children’s or young adult books.

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[JUMP TO EDITORS]  [JUMP TO AGENTS]  [JUMP TO MENTORS]  [JUMP TO MEDIA TRAINING]

Sandra Bishop

Name: Sandra Bishop Title: Literary Agent Organization: MacGregor Literary Web Site: http://macgregorliterary.com Guidelines Sandra Bishop – Sandra is a literary agent with MacGregor Literary, an agency of two which is consistently listed among the top five dealmakers on Publisher Marketplace. MacGregor Literary is a member of the Association of Authors' Representatives (AAR). Prior to agenting, Sandra worked in the marketing department of a major CBA publishing company, and made a living as a freelance writer. Sandra and her husband Glenn have one son, and an adopted Katrina dog who lives with them in Portland, Oregon. Sandra is currently taking new clients, but only open to unpublished authors she meets at conferences and via referrals from published authors.

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Terry Burns

Name: Terry Burns Title: Literary Agent Organization: Hartline Literary Web Site: http://www.hartlineliterary.com Guidelines Terry is an agent with Hartline Literary as well as writing inspirational fiction. As a writer he has over 30 books in print including 10 novels. He has a new 4 book series from Port Yonder Press entitled The Sagebrush Collection of his collected short works and the first released March 2010 entitled On the Road Home. A Young Adult entitled Beyond the Smoke came out from BJU Press January 2009, won the Will Rogers Medallion and a new book Survive Your Way to Publication , also from Port Yonder, was developed out of the month long course he held for ACFW. He is consistently listed in the top five of agents placing debut authors on Publisher's Marketplace. A popular speaker at workshops across the country, a bookstore of his available works as well as a regular blog can be found at www.terryburns.net. He’s a member of the Association of Author’s Representatives (AAR). As an agent Terry says "I'm looking for a good book, well written in a unique voice, aimed at a market that looks promising, and where I feel I have the contacts appropriate to be able to sell the book in that market. I’m pretty open as to genre but I don’t do children’s, sci fi or fantasy.

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Rachelle Gardner

Name: Rachelle Gardner Title: Literary Agent Organization: WordServe Literary Web Site: http://www.wordserveliterary.com Guidelines Rachelle Gardner is an agent with WordServe Literary Group and has been in the publishing business for fifteen years. Previously she was Senior Editor at NavPress, where she launched their Fiction line that included three Christy Award finalists and an ECPA Award finalist in its first year. She has been a collaborative writer of eight books and edited more than seventy. Rachelle is looking to represent authors with long term publishing potential. She’s seeking all genres of adult fiction except fantasy and sci-fi; and is hoping to acquire one or two YA authors. She’s interested in novelists who want to publish in CBA as well as those writing for the general market. Rachelle’s favorite genres are romantic suspense, historical romance, and women’s fiction with a literary bent. She also likes a good supernatural or paranormal every now and then. Regardless of genre, the writing itself will be the most critical aspect of your book. Rachelle only considers novels that are COMPLETE, but also welcomes appointments with writers seeking information or feedback. She's written a couple of blog posts that can help you prepare for the ACFW conference and those all-important pitch meetings: Secrets of a Great Pitch Preparing for ACFW Preparing an Elevator Pitch If you'd like to know more about Rachelle prior to the conference: Blog: http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com Twitter: RachelleGardner

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Tamela Hancock Murray

Name: Tamela Hancock Murray Title: Literary Agent Organization: Hartline Literary Agency Web Site: http://www.hartlineliterary.com Guidelines Tamela Hancock Murray has been an agent with Hartline Literary Agency since 2001. She is privileged to represent both new and established authors. Her philosophy is to work with authors long term to develop solid careers in CBA. Tamela graduated from Lynchburg College with honors in Journalism. During that time she served as a Congressional intern and as an intern with the U.S. Department of State, where her duties included writing daily news briefs for the Secretary of State. She has written professionally for newspapers and magazines, and is the author of many Christian fiction and nonfiction books. Her fiction has earned recognition such as RWA's Inspirational Readers Choice Award. Tamela is first and foremost a literary agent, and her authors appreciate that her experience as a writer gives her an understanding of the real challenges writers face today. Tamela lives in Virginia with her husband of twenty-six years and their teen daughter. Their first daughter, Jill, graduated cum laude from Tamela’s alma mater, and is pursuing a career in publishing. Tamela enjoys church, reading, spending time with her immediate and extended family, and listening to her teenager play songs she composes on the piano. Wherever you are in your career, from being on the cusp of getting an offer from a publisher all the way to being unsure you want to be a writer, Tamela would be privileged to offer you her insights. Learn more about Tamela at: www.tamelahancockmurray.com, www.hartlineliterary.com and visit the Hartline Literary Agency blog at hartlineliteraryagency.blogspot.com. Tamela is passionate about bringing quality books to the Christian reading public. She has great relationships with editors in every CBA house. She is actively seeking contemporary romance, historical romance, and historical fiction with strong romantic elements. She is open to hearing about standalone novels with series potential and three-book series with a strong tie-in, where each story stands alone. Nonfiction authors must have an outstanding platform.

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Joyce Hart

Name: Joyce Hart Title: Literary Agent Organization: Hartline Literary Agency Web Site: http://hartlineliterary.com/ Guidelines Joyce has been a literary agent since 1992. She was formerly the vice president of marketing of an inspirational publishing company and as the president of Hartline Marketing has nearly thirty two years of successful experience marketing and promoting books. Joyce has been a pioneer in selling high quality fiction to the inspirational market and has built an excellent rapport with leading inspirational publishers. A member of ACFW, and the National Association of Professional Women, Joyce is a graduate of Open Bible College, Des Moines, IA now merged with Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Joyce is based at Hartline Literary's Pittsburgh headquarters.

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Tami Heim

Name: Tami Heim Title: Partner, Brand Development Organization: The A Group Web Site: http://www.agroup.com Guidelines Tami Heim is a partner in The A Group. She previously served as the executive vice president and chief publishing officer at Thomas Nelson Publishers and president of Borders, Inc. Her experience in retail, publishing and working with international brands allows her a 360° view of a changing industry. She consults with publishers, authors, and organizations on brand definition, strategy, and expansion planning. She lives in Gallatin with her husband and Skypes often with her daughter and son-in-law serving as missionaries in Korea. The A Group specializes in strategic brand building for Christian authors and content creators. We help our clients navigate the publishing marketplace, which has been radically transformed by new technologies. Among writers and other thought leaders, a distinct need exists for agility and cutting edge marketing strategies so they can fully benefit from the innovative ways that content is now published, marketing and distributed. We specialize in developing creative strategic plans, managing implementation, generating return on investment, and cementing brand loyalty. Our client representation is strategic, holistic, unique, and dynamic. We serve those individuals and organizations fully committed to achieving long–term growth and life-changing impact.

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Steve Laube

Name: Steve Laube Title: Literary Agent/President Organization: Steve Laube Agency Web Site: http://www.stevelaube.com/ Guidelines Steve Laube, a literary agent and president of The Steve Laube Agency, has been in the book industry for over 29 years, first as a bookstore manager and book buyer for a national chain. In 1989 he was awarded the National Store of the Year by the Christian Bookstore Association (CBA), out of 4,000 eligible stores. He spent 11 years with Bethany House Publishers rising to the position of Editorial Director/Adult Nonfiction and in 2002 was named the Editor of the Year by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Since becoming an agent he has negotiated nearly 300 contracts representing over 500 new books and was named Agent of the Year by The American Christian Fiction Writers in 2009. In addition, Steve has taught at writer’s conferences in more than 50 cities. His office is in Phoenix, Arizona.

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Amanda Luedeke

Name: Amanda Luedeke Title: Literary Agent Organization: MacGregor Literary Web Site: http://macgregorliterary.com/ Guidelines Amanda is a 2006 graduate of Taylor University’s Professional Writing program, headed by Dennis E. Hensley. Since her college graduation, Amanda has made her living as a full-time writer, freelancing for newspapers and marketing agencies as well as operating her own writing business. Her current full-time job is with a marketing group in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where she writes and assists in the marketing strategy for clients such as Vera Bradley, Peg Perego and Baekgaard. Like both Chip and Sandra, Amanda understands what it takes to make a living as a writer. Amanda will be working with childrens, YA, speculative, and post-college-aged fiction and nonfiction. Children's books (for either CBA or the general market), YA books (ditto), speculative fiction, or books aimed specifically at the twenty-something market.

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Chip MacGregor

Name: Chip MacGregor Title: Literary Agent Organization: MacGregor Literary Web Site: http://macgregorliterary.com/ Guidelines Chip MacGregor is the president of MacGregor Literary, a full-service literary agency located in Portland, Oregon. A former publisher with Time-Warner, he has worked with authors as a literary agent for more than a dozen years, and was previously a senior editor at two publishing houses. An Oregon native, Chip and his wife live in a small town on the Oregon coast, where he tries to stay dry and fend off leftist conspiracy theorists. Chip is also the author of a couple dozen books, most of which you can find in the remainder bin, and saved western civilization as we know it by penning "The Y2K Family Survival Guide." Feel free to thank him for his service to humanity. What I'm looking for: well-written historical romances and high-concept literary fiction for the Christian or general market, possibly some strong contemporary YA novels What I'm not looking for: horror, sci-fi, westerns, novels where the CIA operative keeps people from blowing things up, or authors who feel a need to say, "God TOLD me to show this to you"

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Mary Sue Seymour

Name: Mary Sue Seymour Title: Literary Agent Organization: The Seymour Agency Web Site: http://www.theseymouragency.com/ Guidelines Mary Sue Seymour is a former teacher and still holds her permanent teaching certificate in New York State. She has been agenting since 1992. She is a member of the AAR, WGA, The Author's Guild and RWA. She enjoys traveling to conferences and has three different workshops she presents: Hooks, Books and Great Beginnings, Fast Talk: Speeding the Pace of Narrative through Dialogue and Killer Queries. Mary Sue has sold multi-book deals to Thomas Nelson, Zondervan, Bethany House, Harvest House, Harper One, Guideposts, Abingdon Press, Cook Communications Ministries and others. Several of her clients are Christian best selling award winning authors.

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Karen Solem

Name: Karen Solem Title: Literary Agent/President Organization: Spencerhill Associates Ltd. Web Site: None Guidelines Karen Solem represents a broad range of commercial fiction including women’s fiction, thrillers and mysteries. A number of her clients have become New York Times bestsellers and though it’s wonderful to have that kind of recognition, she still takes a lot of pleasure in discovering and working with new talent. Karen brings an editorial background as well as a business background to assist her clients. Prior to becoming an agent Karen had 25 years of corporate publishing experience, as editor, editor-in-chief and publisher. She counts herself among the lucky people who knew early on what they wanted to do. She always wanted to own a bookstore, and loved reading, discovering new writers, and being transported by what she read; the natural choice was publishing. In 1980 she joined Simon & Schuster as editor-in-chief of Silhouette books. She had never read a romance before her interview but found that not only did she love reading them, but that the writers are so very talented. With her development of Silhouette from four books a month to a division that released more than 24 titles a month, there was an explosion in the demand for romance and women’s fiction of all kinds. Many of those Silhouette writers went on to huge successes; authors such as Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Barbara Delinsky and Debbie Macomber are just a few of many who got their start in romance. At Silhouette she began one of the first series of Christian romances called EvenSong which debuted in the mid 1980's In 1990, to broaden her publishing background she moved to Harper Paperbacks, an imprint of HarperCollins, as Editorial Director and Associate Publisher, where one of her mandates was to build a women’s fiction program: and to be the liaison with Harper's sister company Zondervan. Through that she developed a program to publishing many of the Zondervan nonfiction books in mass-market paperback to mainstream booksellers. After five years, Karen left corporate publishing to be a literary agent, where she enjoys not having to walk that line between publisher/employer and author. Being the author’s advocate exclusively is rewarding and a pleasure. She was previously associated with Writers House where she worked for nearly six years. What am I looking for: Hard to say -- I'm looking for really good books: fresh interesting voices, compelling characters well developed and a story with many layers and surprises. I can be more romantic or more suspense based, even paranormal. I don't handle a lot of young adult work and at this point am handling no non-fiction and no children's books.

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Les Stobbe

Name: Les Stobbe Title: Literary Agent Organization: Leslie H. Stobbe Agency Web Site: http://stobbeliterary.com Guidelines Les Stobbe has been a literary agent for 17 years. He has worked in a variety of capacities in Christian publishing as an editorial director at three book publishers, president of Here’s Life Publishers, consultant, and literary agent, during the past 55 years. Les has authored or co-authored 14 books and more than 700 articles. He is also director of International Christian Writers and Executive Editor of Christian Writers Guild. He lives in Tryon, North Carolina. Les Stobbe has wide interests in adult fiction and non-fiction, though he is also exploring the role of fantasy for the YA market. He does not represent children’s books and adult fantasy and Sci-Fi.

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Etta Wilson

Name: Etta Wilson Title: Literary Agent Organization: Books & Such Web Site: http://www.booksandsuch.biz Guidelines Etta Wilson, literary agent with Books & Such, has extensive experience as an adult books editor at Thomas Nelson, children’s editor at Abingdon Press and as a book packager and agent. In September 2007, she joined the Books & Such Agency where she specializes in representing authors of adult fiction and children’s books. She sells to publishers in both the Christian and the general markets. See a full bio and more information about the agency at www.booksandsuch.biz. Authors I hope to find at ACFW: Those who create historicals with engaging characters, authentic detail, and plots that have relevance for today’s readers. I’m open to first-time authors if they have strong writing skills and a base for promotion.

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Colleen Coble

Name: Colleen Coble Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.colleencoble.com/ Guidelines Best-selling author Colleen Coble's novels have won or finaled in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, ACFW Book of the Year, RWA’s RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers' Choice, and the Booksellers Best. She has over 1 million books in print and writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers and is a member of Romance Writers of America. She lives with her husband Dave in Indiana and is a proud new grandma. When she’s not spoiling her granddaughter, she is teaching at a writer’s conference or researching a new book.

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Margaret Daley

Name: Margaret Daley Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.margaretdaley.com/ Guidelines Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre and is the volunteer officer for ACFW. While she has written for a number of secular publishers, Margaret felt compelled to follow her faith and passion to the Christian romance market, and currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for Steeple Hill's Love Inspired and Love Inspired Suspense series. She has authored 64 books to date, and enjoys mentoring aspiring authors through ACFW. Until her retirement last year, Margaret taught special needs students. As an active member of the outreach committee at her church, Margaret is involved in several community projects.

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Lena Nelson Dooley

Name: Lena Nelson Dooley Title: Organization: Web Site: http://lenanelsondooley.com/ Guidelines Lena Nelson Dooley is a multi-published, award-winning author who loves to mentor other authors. With her 25th book release, she has close to 650,000 books in print. Her next release, Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico, will be on sale May 1, 2010. Look for it bookstores everywhere. Lena has spoken at conferences and writers’ meetings in four states. ACFW gave her the Mentor of the Year award in 2006. Over a dozen authors have signed their first book contract after being under her mentorship. She also speaks at women's retreats and event of all kinds. She lives in Hurst, Texas, with her husband of over 45 years. Lena’s door and heart are always open to those God places in her path. She seriously considers her ministry as a mentor, prayer warrior, even a champion of the downtrodden, her life’s work.

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Lynette Eason

Name: Lynette Eason Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.lynetteeason.com/ Guidelines Lynette Eason writes for Harlequin's Love Inspired Steeple Hill Suspense Line and for Revell. When not writing, she loves talking about writing and teaching/mentoring new and promising writers.

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Randy Ingermanson

Name: Randy Ingermanson Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.rsingermanson.com/ Guidelines Randy Ingermanson is the author of six novels, which include two Christy award winners Transgression and Oxygen. After receiving a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from the University of California, Berkeley, Randy began to write character-oriented thrillers about "life at the intersection of Faith Avenue and Science Boulevard." He is particularly interested in the history of early Christianity and has published three time-travel novels set in first-century Jerusalem. Randy has recently entered the controversy on "Jesus Family Tomb," and his probability calculations drew the attention of many scholars. He is the inventor of the "Snowflake Method" of designing a novel and publishes the Advanced Fiction Writing E-zine, the world's largest electronic magazine on how to write fiction. Randy and his wife have three daughters and live in southern Washington.

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Jim & Tracie Peterson

Name: Jim & Tracie Peterson Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.traciepeterson.com/ Guidelines Tracie and Jim Peterson have been married for 30 years and make their home in Montana. Tracie is the bestselling author of over 80 books. Jim is a historian who helps Tracie, and often other authors, with historical research.

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Deborah Raney

Name: Deborah Raney Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.deborahraney.com/ Guidelines DEBORAH RANEY is the author of twenty novels. Her books have won the RITA Award, HOLT Medallion, National Readers' Choice Award, Silver Angel, and have twice been Christy Award finalists. Her first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title. Her newest books, the Hanover Falls Novels, are from Howard/Simon & Schuster. She and her husband, Ken Raney, have four children and enjoy small-town life in Kansas.

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Angela Breidenbach

Name: Angela Breidenbach Title: Organization: Web Site: http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com Guidelines Angela Breidenbach author of Creative Cooking for Colitis, works with Hope’s Promise Orphan Ministries, the American Heart Association, and the Jadyn Fred Foundation. Angela also teaches online classes and coaches one-on-one in courageous confidence, personal growth, and powerful living. She’s certified in mentor/peer counseling as a Stephen Minister and Assisting Minister. She serves as the American Christian Fiction Writer's Publicity Officer and is a multi-award winning inspirational speaker and author. This summer Angela will be with the Life and Faith Tour (www.lifeandfaithtour.com) in Richmond, VA and Rockingham, NC.She is married, has a combined family of six grown children, one grandson. Interact online with Angie: http://www.MyGemofWisdom.com http://www.AngelaBreidenbach.com http://GodUsesBrokenVessels.blogspot.com http://ColitisCooking.blogspot.com http://twitter.com/AngBreidenbach http://www.facebook.com/AngelaBreidenbach http://WritingByFaith.blogspot.com on Wednesdays each week. http://www.linkedin.com/in/angiebreidenbach

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Rusty Shelton FILLED

Name: Rusty Shelton Title: Managing Director Organization: Phenix & Phenix Literary Publicists Web Site: http://www.phenixpublicity.com/ Guidelines As managing director of Phenix & Phenix, Rusty has been explaining why there is no ‘O’ in Phenix for more than half of the firm’s fifteen-year history (Curious? You should ask him!). Rusty has played a major role in the growth of the company from a very small publicity agency to one of the most widely-respected literary publicity firms in the country. He has done so by focusing on relationships, emerging media and helping each author he works with to find their unique voice. During his time at Phenix & Phenix, Rusty has built relationships with leading publishing houses like B&H Publishing Group, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Tor/Forge, St. Martin’s Press, Thomas Nelson and Zondervan. He has also forged industry partnerships with top literary agencies and leading industry organizations, including ACFW, the Texas Book Festival and The Writers’ League of Texas. Additionally, Rusty is a featured faculty member (now in his 5th year) at Harvard Medical School’s annual publishing conference and speaks regularly at industry events, including the Mt. Hermon Writing Conference, the San Francisco Writers Conference and numerous others. He lives in Austin with his wife and two young sons. Please note, that all of Rusty's appointment slots are filled and there is already long waiting list. You may still request an appointment with him, but your name will be placed on this list. (Updated 6/28/10)

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