Editor Appointments
The opportunity to have personal appointments with Editors, 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 September 4, 2020! 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?"
Title: Editor
Web Site:
Jessica Barnes is a fiction editor at Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group. She has been editing fiction for 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
Bethany House will only consider completed manuscripts from unpublished authors. If you are scheduled an appointment with Jessica, feel free to send a one sheet, synopsis, or proposal ahead of time. Be sure to include at least a few pages of a writing sample.
Guidelines:
Title: Publisher for Fiction
Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com
Amanda Bostic is the Publisher for Fiction at HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan). She traces her love of story back to her first reading of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe when she was in 2nd grade, and she’s still amazed by the fact that she’s been getting paid to read books for more than ten years. She loves any great story, but is particularly drawn to suspense and thrillers, contemporary, women’s fiction, and Southern fiction. She makes her home in Nashville with her husband Randy and their two children.
Currently Seeking: We are looking for fresh voices that will appeal to both the Christian market and to the broader general market. We’re passionate about finding great writers, who have great hooks, who genuinely care about and are willing to invest in their readers, and who are fun to work with. I’m most interested in romantic suspense, suspense, Southern fiction, women’s fiction, and romance.APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For unpublished authors, please only request a meeting if you have a completed manuscript.
If you are scheduled an appointment with Amanda, please send a 1-2 page pitch the week before that includes your hook, your bio, details on your social media involvement, and sales figures for any published works.
Guidelines: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/dept.asp?dept_id=1117900&category=Contact-Us#Submissions
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: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com
Stephanie Broene is a Senior Acquisitions Editor who has been a part of the Tyndale fiction team since 2006. Before coming to Tyndale, she worked in a different sector of the publishing industry as the editor of a regional home and garden magazine. She has always loved the way fiction can entertain, move, and challenge readers, and now considers it a privilege to work with many best-selling, award-winning authors across a variety of genres. A graduate of Calvin College, Stephanie lives in Grand Rapids, MI, with her husband and young son.
We are not currently seeking YA, biblical, Amish, or historical fiction set during the Victorian or WWII time periods.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
We prefer that authors request an appointment with only one representative from Tyndale, and also that debut authors have a complete manuscript before requesting an appointment. 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: Associate Acquisitions Editor
Web Site:
Kimberly Carlton is an Associate Acquisitions Editor in the HCCP family, where she’s been since 2016. She grew up in sub-Saharan Africa and moved to the States when she began her undergraduate degree at Ouachita Baptist University. From there, she moved to Chicago to pursue an MA degree in Biblical Exegesis at Wheaton College. After teaching for some years--always while editing in some capacity--she moved into editing full-time. 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 two year old German Shepherd puppy, Percy.
Not interested in seeing biblical fiction or Amish fiction.
Appointment information:
Complete manuscripts preferred, but not required.
Guidelines:
Title: Editor
Web Site: http://www.guideposts.org/
Caroline Cilento is an editor with Guideposts Continuity fiction. She works on a team that takes manuscripts from submission to publication, learning something new with each project. Caroline uses her spare time reading, drinking coffee, enjoying nature, and spending time with family and friends.
Currently Seeking: Guideposts is on the lookout for new authors to add to their direct-to-consumer continuity series. We typically work through agents and request "audition" materials, which we review to select a team of eight to ten authors for each series. Guideposts publishes up to three series consecutively that average twenty-four books in a series. Each author contributes two or three books per series. We prefer to work through agents to establish our series' authors, but we will possibly consider unagented authors. Preference to authors who have written complete manuscripts in either the cozy mystery or biblical fiction genres.For examples of Guideposts' adult-fiction series, go to: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are scheduled an appointment with Caroline, please submit a one-sheet overview of your current wip and writing history.
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
Title: Executive Editor
Web Site: http://www.revellbooks.com
Vicki Crumpton, Executive Editor for Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, has over twenty years of publishing experience. A recipient of AWSA’s Editor of the Year award and Fiction Editor of the Year, she has acquired a number of award finalists and winners, as well as several New York Times bestsellers, including 90 Minutes in Heaven. She holds an M. Div. and Ph.D. from Southwestern Seminary, is a Mensa member, and works from her home in Western Kentucky. When she’s not taking care of the menagerie, you can often find her riding a road or mountain bike, paddling a kayak, or taking photos.
NOT interested in: Fantasy, sci-fi, children’s
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
We will talk to an author who has something in writing to present. Need some chapters and a complete synopsis from previously published novelists; from new novelists,a full manuscript is required to move beyond initial meeting.
Guidelines:
Title: Associate Editor
Web Site: http://www.guideposts.org/
Susan Diaz is an associate editor with Guideposts books. While her main focus is working on the fiction team, where they publish multiple series ranging from cozy mystery to biblical fiction, she also works on licensing projects as well as one of Guideposts' newest publications, All God's Daily Planner. When Sabrina isn't working, you'll find her sitting outside with a book in her hand and a large cup of tea.
Currently Seeking: Guideposts is on the lookout for new authors to add to their direct-to-consumer continuity series. We typically work through agents and request "audition" materials, which we review to select a team of eight to ten authors for each series. Guideposts publishes up to three series consecutively that average twenty-four books in a series. Each author contributes two or three books per series. We prefer to work through agents to establish our series' authors, but we will possibly consider unagented authors. Preference to authors who have written complete manuscripts in either the cozy mystery or biblical fiction genres.For examples of Guideposts' adult-fiction series, go to: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are scheduled an appointment with Sabrina, please submit a one-sheet overview of your current wip and writing history.
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
Title: Senior Fiction Editor
Web Site: http://www.guideposts.org/
Susan Downs serves as Senior Editor/Continuities for Guideposts Publishing. She is responsible for the oversight of Guideposts direct-to-consumer continuity series. Guideposts launches a new fiction series annually and each series releases a book every four weeks with an average of 24 books in each series.
Susan’s editorial career began at age 10, when her newspaper-publisher father paid her a nickel for every error she could find while proofreading copy. As a multi-published author with experience as an acquisitions editor for another CBA publisher, she brings a well-rounded perspective to her editorial assignments.
For examples of Guideposts' adult-fiction series, go to: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are scheduled an appointment with Susan, please submit a one-sheet overview of your current wip and writing history.
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
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: Editor
Web Site: http://www.forgetmenotromances.com
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: Have a fiction story that doesn't fit into a mold? Want to enter the publishing world but don't want to do it all alone? 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 or fiction 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 submit a one-sheet prior to the appointment.
Guidelines:
Title: Fiction Acquisitions Editor
Web Site:
Elizabeth Jackson is a fiction acquisitions editor at Tyndale House Publishers where she is involved in many steps of the book development process and assists in managing a number of Tyndale Crazy4Fiction social media platforms. Elizabeth considers it a privilege to get to meet fiction authors, hear them talk about their novels, and read their stories. When she’s not in the office, you might find her reading novels from her expansive book collection, enjoying time in the great outdoors, or maybe even watching a British television show.
Currently Seeking: Elizabeth would like to see completed manuscripts with unique, compelling hooks in the following categories:Contemporary Women’s Fiction
Southern Fiction
Romantic Suspense
Historical Fiction and Historical Romance not set in World War II
Contemporary Romance
She is not interested in seeing sci-fi or fantasy novels.
Please come prepared to discuss the hook of your story and what makes it uniquely marketable. One sheets may be submitted digitally the week of your appointment. If you have a one sheet, email it to ACFW conference staff ahead of time so they can pass it along.
Guidelines:
Title: Executive Editor
Web Site: http://www.eharlequin.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 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.
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: Executive Editor, Fiction
Web Site: http://www.bethanyhouse.com/
Dave Long serves as Executive Editor, Fiction, with Bethany House Publishers where he’s been working with talented best-selling and award-winning novelists across many genres since 2004. Prior to migrating to the editorial side of the company, he spent six years in the marketing department. He and his family live in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Not seeking: YA fiction in any genre. End times fiction. Sci-fi.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Happy to meet with currently unpublished authors, but you’ll need to have completed at least a first draft of the novel you’d like to discuss.
Guidelines:
Title: Acquisitions Editor
Web Site:
Rachel McRae serves as an acquisitions editor at Revell Books. She fell in love with Christian publishing in college and went on to spend 19 years with LifeWay Christian Stores in a variety of roles, however Senior Book Buyer was her favorite. Rachel enjoys reading books that are fresh and unique and loves that her job allows her to present them to a wide variety of readers. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Revell will only consider completed manuscripts for publication from first time novelists. I'm eager to hear what makes your story unique and what special marketable avenues it will have. I also appreciate authors who understand their audience and are active in a variety of ways to engage with them. Please submit a synopsis/one sheet prior to the meeting if at all possible.
Guidelines:
Title: Vice President and Editorial Director
Web Site:
Chris Mellor is Vice President and Editorial Director of Guideposts Books. Among her many years in editorial product development, she spent ten years with Really Good Stuff, a catalog company serving teachers, seven years with Scholastic’s direct marketing division, and has been with Guideposts for almost two years. Chris lives in central Connecticut, where she seizes every opportunity to spend time with grandchildren and explores the outdoors with her four-legged canine sidekick Cody.
For examples of Guideposts' adult-fiction series, go to: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
If you are scheduled an appointment with Chris, please submit a one-sheet overview of your current wip and writing history.
Guidelines:
Title: Editor
Web Site: http://www.eharlequin.com/
Emily Rodmell is the editor for Love Inspired Suspense. She started her career working as a newspaper editor and at the publisher Scholastic but has been happy to work at Love Inspired for the last decade. She has acquired more than 45 authors in her career with Harlequin and is always on the lookout for more. She hails from sunny Florida but calls NYC home now. She’d love to see stories that keep her guessing. So send her your high-intensity romantic suspense novels and unique and interesting contemporary and historical romances.
For Love Inspired Suspense, she is seeking high-intensity romantic suspense stories. They should feature edge-of-your-seat danger and an equal helping of romance. Neither should take a back seat to the other. Think of shows like Bones, Castle, Blindspot, The Closer, Quantico and more. Looking for great characters falling in love while constantly on the run.
Will consider Amish and Western set stories for Love Inspired.
Not seeking Cozy mysteries, mysteries.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
Submission requirements if manuscript is requested: Full ms from unpublished authors, proposal from published authors.
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: Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.bethanyhouse.com
Raela Schoenherr has been a member of the Bethany House Publishers fiction acquisitions team since 2008. A graduate of Bethel University, she makes her home in Minneapolis, MN and loves to connect with writers on Twitter at @raelaschoenherr. She grew up reading Christian fiction and is privileged to work with the excellent authors publishing in Christian fiction today. She loves talking books of all kinds and gets especially excited talking audiobooks.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
BHP will only consider complete manuscripts for publication, but I am available to meet with authors who are in process with a current manuscript and have completed manuscripts in the past. Attendees may send along a one sheet, synopsis, or proposal (or any combination of) ahead of time to be reviewed prior to meeting.
Guidelines:
Title: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com/
Jan Stob is the director of fiction at Tyndale House Publishers. Since joining the fiction team in 2000, she has enjoyed working with authors from concept development through publication. 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.
Over the years, she’s had the pleasure of working on several bestselling projects including the Left Behind series, Safely Home by Randy Alcorn, and The Prayer Box by Lisa Wingate. She looks forward to new acquisitions releasing from Beth Vogt, Carla Laureano, Heidi Chiavaroli, DiAnn Mills, and Allison Pittman. Jan and her husband reside in the Chicago area, near their two married sons and their amazing first grandchild.
I’m NOT interested in seeing fantasy or science fiction.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I prefer meeting with authors who have completed their manuscripts. Please come to the appointment ready to give a brief summary of your novel. Tell me what is unique and marketable about your story. If your story has a marketable hook, I will ask you to send a proposal. Unfortunately with expensive bag fees, there’s a limit to what I can carry home, so I’m not looking to take a proposal or one-sheet with me. I’m not looking to critique your writing during this appointment. Hook me with your concept so I’ll request a proposal, and I’ll review your writing when I can give it the attention it deserves.
Guidelines:
Title: Editor
Web Site: http://www.kregel.com
Janyre Tromp has worked in the CBA industry for more than twenty years, spending time in both marketing and editorial. Currently, she is a developmental and acquisitions editor for Kregel Publications by day and a writer at night. For the record, you pronounce her name Jan-air . . . like the stove, but not like the book. She loves talking about books and interacts regularly with authors on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/JanyreTromp) including biweekly writing and editing tips.
Currently Seeking: Kregel is a family-owned publisher who loves working with a variety of talented authors who regularly earn awards and achieve a best-selling status. Right now we’re looking for romance and its various subgenres, and historical and its various subgenres, approximately 70,000 to 90,000 words. We are not looking for speculative, fantasy, sci-fi, horror, or allegory. Ultimately, Kregel is interested in fiction that is entertaining and from a distinctly biblical worldview, with exceptional storytelling and a spiritual arc; with relatable characters, believable action, and natural dialogue. Kregel does not want blatantly preachy or agenda-driven stories.APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
I will talk with prospective authors at any stage of the writing process. For serious consideration, an author not previously published in the genre being pitched must have a completed manuscript. Requests a one sheet and/or proposal submitted prior to meeting.
Guidelines: http://www.kregel.com
Title: Associate Editor
Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com
Laura Wheeler is an associate editor for Fiction at HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan). She began her publishing career at Hachette Book Group and has worked in the industry for nine years. When she’s not devouring a new novel, she enjoys baking French pastries and playing nerdy board games in her free time. She lives in Nashville with her husband, Micah, and their pup, Knightley.
Currently Seeking: We are looking for fresh voices that will appeal to both the Christian market and to the broader general market. We’re passionate about finding great writers, who have great hooks, who genuinely care about and are willing to invest in their readers, and who are fun to work with. I’m most interested in historical fiction, Southern fiction, women’s fiction, contemporary fiction, and YA.APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For unpublished authors, please only request a meeting if you have a completed manuscript.If you are scheduled an appointment with Laura, please submit a 1-2 page pitch that includes your hook, a brief synopsis, your bio, details on your social media involvement, and sales figures for any published works.
Guidelines: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/dept.asp?dept_id=1117900&category=Contact-Us#Submissions
You must be at least 18 years old to attend conference without a parent/guardian present with you at all times.
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.