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, up until conference, so if you want an appointment, please register before August 1st! You will select multiple choices for your appointment needs when you register for the conference. You will receive your appointment information in your registration packet.
Title:
Web Site: http://www.theblythedanielagency.com
Stephanie Alton is a literary agent in the Christian market and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. and represents non-fiction and select fiction works. She has been with BDA for 10 years splitting her time between the agency’s The Book Pod Interview & Review Network offering books for review, authors for interviews, and launch team management. Along with publicity campaigns, helping authors develop, and securing book deals with traditional publishers. Stephanie lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and two teens. She loves sunset cruising the bayou to the bay.
Currently Seeking: Currently Seeking:Fiction - Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Rom-Com, Romantic Suspense, or Women’s
Non-Fiction - I am looking at books written by leaders for leaders in addition to books on evangelism, discipleship, mental health, lifestyle books from a spiritual perspective, devotionals, gift books, and women’s issues. Overall I’m looking at themes and concepts that we have not heard before with a message that is faith-based.
My favorite manuscripts are the ones that make me laugh, keep me scrolling the pages, and turn my editing brain mode off. I always have room for someone like this!
Appointment Information:
I’d like to hear your pitch and about you during our appointment. I’ll accept one-sheets or business cards. Have your proposal ready to send to me if invited to.
Guidelines: https://theblythedanielagency.com/submissions/
Title: Literary Agent/Owner
Web Site:
Linda, owner of Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency, understands authors because she is one! Married with three grown children, she also brags about six grands and two greats (and there might just be twin greats on the way). Needless to say, she LOVES books. Speaking about them at various conferences, she’s always looking for that next great, best-selling novel.
Currently Seeking: She handles nonfiction and fiction in both the Christian and general markets. General market is clean reads only. She loves suspense, historicals, and romance—sometimes all rolled into one. But no spec, children’s (including YA), or memoirs!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.
Guidelines:
Title: Agent
Web Site: http://www.spencerhillassociates.com/
Ali Herring is an agent with Spencerhill Associates. She got her start in publishing at an agency in the greater NYC metro area before joining Spencerhill in 2017. A former magazine associate editor, Ali has a diverse background in communications and editorial and graduated valedictorian of her class at Berry College in 2001, where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Journalism. She lives in metro Atlanta with her husband, three children (two of whom are starting college this year), and even though she’s allergic—four cats. 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 Mondragón, whom Ali met and signed via an ACFW conference! You can find her on Twitter at @HerringAli.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Ali will be happy to look at complete and nearly complete manuscripts at the pitch sessions. 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. However, to be considered for representation or to receive a request, the work must be complete. If you’re pitching her, it’s a good idea to prepare a concise, hooky elevator pitch that makes her want to read your sample! A good pitch must include plot arc (what results because of the story problem) and stakes (what your main character will lose or gain if they don't/do solve the story problem).
Guidelines: http://spencerhillassociates.com/index.php/Submissions/
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.
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/
Title:
Web Site:
Ami McConnell founded WriterFest Nashville, a gathering for book, song, and screen writers. She also leads the team at Ami McConnell Literary Agency. For a couple of decades she sat on the other side of the desk, most recently as Editor-in-Chief & VP at Simon & Schuster and, before that, as an acquiring editor for HarperCollins. Today she works with artists of all stripes to create books for the commercial market, including many New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestsellers. For kicks and giggles she hosts The WriterFest Podcast and serves as President of the Nashville Women’s National Book Association.
Currently Seeking: WHAT I’M LOOKING FOR/NOT LOOKING FOR: no fantasy or sci-fi; yes to romance, book club fiction, and upmarket. I like commercially viable books with general market appeal. Specifically looking for distinctive voices.Guidelines:
Title: Senior Literary Agent
Web Site:
Cynthia Ruchti is a senior literary agent with Books & Such Literary Management. As a former radio writer/producer for a non-profit ministry, and an author of both fiction and non-fiction who trained primarily through ACFW and saw her novels climb from files to queries to slush piles to contest winners to contracts because of what she learned through ACFW and its instructors and mentors, Cynthia brings a variety of skillsets to the agenting process. She and her husband live in the heart of Wisconsin, not far from their three children and seven grandchildren. Her tagline is: "I can't unravel. I'm hemmed in Hope."
Guidelines: