Editor 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 by August 1st! You will select multiple choices for your appointment needs when you register for the conference. Your appointment information will be in your registration packet.
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 ten minute 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?"
Title: Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.revellbooks.com
Kelsey Bowen is an Acquisitions Editor at Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, where she’s worked for five years. She has a bachelor’s degree in creative writing and, when she’s not editing, she loves to write fiction with a good cup of Starbucks coffee close by. She is also active in her church as a worship leader. She currently lives with her husband, their cute little baby, and her adorable Hava-doodle dog, Izzo, in Allendale, MI.
I am not interested in seeing: Children’s or Middle Grade fiction, graphic novels, or novels set outside the U.S.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For first-time authors, I do require that a manuscript must be complete before consideration. For all authors, I would like to have a proposal and writing sample available to discuss at the appointment.
Guidelines:
Title: Acquisitions Director
Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com
Stephanie Broene is the Acquisitions Director of Fiction at Tyndale House Publishers. For more than fifteen years, she has loved working with authors to help them cultivate and bring their stories to the page, managing the publishing process from the idea phase to finished product. She has been an avid fan of fiction of all genres for as long as she can remember. She loves studying what makes a story work and is constantly amazed at the way good stories can entertain and communicate truth in a powerful way. Stephanie is a two-time recipient of ACFW’s Editor of the Year Award. Outside of work, she loves to be active and enjoy life with her husband and their three young kids.
Stephanie does not acquire YA or children’s fiction and is not currently looking for sci-fi, magical realism, fantasy, or thrillers.
Please request an appointment with only one representative from Tyndale. I am happy to accept one-sheets but am most interested to hear a well-crafted, intriguing pitch that catches my attention and pulls me into your story, as well as a brief author bio.
Guidelines:
Title: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: https://www.tnzfiction.com/
Kimberly Carlton is an Acquisitions Editor with HCCP, where she’s been since 2016. She loves working collaboratively with the stellar team at HCCP and helping stories become the best that they can be. She has a lifelong love of reading, grammar, and languages of all kinds. Despite being bitten by a cheetah at age eleven, she retained her love of animals and now shares her home with her five-year-old German Shepherd puppy, Percy.
Not interested in seeing: Biblical fiction; Amish fiction; Middle Grade/Children’s
Appointment information:
Complete manuscripts preferred, but not required.
Guidelines:
Title: Senior Editor
Web Site: http://www.eharlequin.com/
A native New Yorker, Melissa Endlich has worked in the publishing industry for over twenty years. She is currently the Senior Editor for Love Inspired, acquiring contemporary inspirational romances. Melissa considers herself very blessed that she gets to work with some amazingly talented authors. And after so many years in publishing, she still gets swept away by tales of knights in shining armor, rugged cowboys and sweet single dads. While not working at her dream job, Melissa watches a scary amount of television, is a huge movie buff, spends way too much time on social media, and enjoys baking for her family and coworkers.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
As there are multiple Love Inspired editors attending, please only request an appointment with one of us.
Guidelines: http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=538&chapter=0
Title: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site:
Rochelle Gloege is a senior acquisitions editor at Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. Based in Minnesota’s beautiful Twin Cities, she has had the privilege of working with many best-selling and award-winning authors during the more than twenty-five years she has been editing and acquiring for Bethany House.
Guidelines:
Title: Editor
Web Site:
Multi-published and Amazon and ECPA Best-Selling author Cynthia Hickey has sold over a million copies of her works since 2013. She has taught a Continuing Education class at the 2015 American Christian Fiction Writers conference, several small ACFW chapters and RWA chapters. She and her husband run the small press, Winged Publications, which includes some of the CBA’s best well-known authors. She lives in Arizona with her husband, one of their seven children, two dogs, one cat, and three box turtles. She has eight grandchildren who keep her busy and tell everyone they know that “Nana is a writer”.
Currently Seeking: Currently Seeking: Have a fiction story that doesn't fit into a mold? Winged Publications is a royalty paying ebook/print publisher that is actively seeking new clients who are committed to their readership and willing to be a part of a publishing family. We are looking for clean and/or inspirational romance of fiction, nonfiction, and children's books that leaves the reader with a warm, fuzzy feeling when they turn the last page.APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are scheduled an appointment with Cynthia, please bring a one sheet if you have one, but it is not required.
Guidelines:
Title: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: https://www.tyndale.com/fiction
Elizabeth Jackson is a senior acquisitions editor on the fiction team at Tyndale House Publishers where she is involved in many steps of the book development process and enjoys collaborating with novelists on their publishing journey. An avid reader who loves good fiction, Elizabeth greatly values the opportunity to meet with writers, talk with authors about their manuscripts, and have a part in bringing great stories into the world as published novels. When she’s not in the office, you might find her reading a novel from her expansive book collection (preferably in her favorite park on a sunny day!), heading out on her latest road trip, or maybe even watching a British television show.
Currently Seeking: Currently Seeking: Elizabeth is looking for full-length novels with compelling hooks and great writing in the following categories:• Contemporary women’s fiction
• Southern fiction (historical or contemporary)
• Historical fiction (including dual-timeline fiction)
• Historical romance
• Mystery and suspense
Elizabeth does not acquire YA or children’s fiction and is not currently looking for sci-fi, magical realism, fantasy, or thrillers.
We prefer that authors request an appointment with only one representative from Tyndale and that debut authors have a complete manuscript before requesting an appointment. Please come prepared to discuss the hook of your story and what makes it uniquely marketable.
Guidelines:
Title: Executive Editor
Web Site: http://www.loveinspired.com
Tina James is Executive Editor for Love Inspired Books. From the moment she learned to read she could usually be found at a bookstore or the public library searching for a good book. She has been with Harlequin for over twenty-five years and has had the opportunity to work on many series lines and special projects. She is seeking heartwarming inspirational contemporary romance and compelling inspirational contemporary romantic suspense projects.
In addition, Tina is currently looking for longer trade paperback fiction (80,000-100,000 words) in a variety of genres for Love Inspired Trade. In general, Love Inspired Trade publishes contemporary fiction, suspense/thrillers, historical fiction and historical romance. We are not currently seeking Amish fiction and would be highly selective when it comes to contemporary romance. Specifically, she would like to see the following for Love Inspired Trade: historical mystery, historical thriller, or contemporary mystery with humor (something like Only Murders in the Building). She would also love suspense/thrillers, but they would have to be distinctly different from the books Love Inspired Trade currently has on their list.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
As there are multiple Love Inspired editors attending, please only request an appointment with ONE of us.
Guidelines: https://harlequin.submittable.com/submit
Title: Managing Editor
Web Site:
Rachel Kirsch is managing editor of trade books at Kregel Publications. She loves a good story that reflects the beauty, grace, and creativity of our storytelling God. Rachel lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and four kids. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to podcasts, doing puzzles, and staying active with her family.
Guidelines:
Title: Editor
Web Site:
Jamie Lapeyrolerie is an editor for WaterBrook & Multnomah, imprints of Penguin Random House and a writer. She is actively involved in the publishing industry and a part of various DEI initiatives. Her own writings have appeared in Christianity Today, Christ + Pop Culture, and Ekstasis Magazine. You can find her on instagram @musingsofjamie. When she’s not editing or reading, she loves to travel and hang out with her family and her cat, Gamgee.
I do not acquire YA or children’s fiction.
For all authors, I would like to have a one sheet and writing sample available to discuss at the appointment. Full proposal and complete manuscripts preferred, but not required.
Guidelines:
Title: Senior Editor
Web Site:
Jessica Sharpe is an acquisitions editor at Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. She has been editing fiction for over fifteen years and has worked with several best-selling and award-winning authors. Life has taken her from the Great Plains to the Rocky Mountains to Asia to New York City, but she’s currently based in the Twin Cities.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Authors are welcome to bring a writing sample of their project.
Guidelines:
Participation of an individual presenter, agent, editor, or publisher in the ACFW conference does not constitute endorsement by ACFW. Conference attendees are advised to use due diligence and take personal responsibility when choosing industry professionals with whom to schedule appointments or enter into agreement.