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 27, 2022! 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: Senior Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.tyndale.com
Stephanie Broene is a senior acquisitions editor on the fiction team. For 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 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 holds a bachelor of arts degree in English with minors in writing and psychology from Calvin University. Outside of work, she and her husband love to be active and enjoy life with their three young kids.
Not seeking YA, sci-fi, fantasy, or biblical.
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: 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
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
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
Guidelines: http://www.guideposts.org/inspiration/fiction
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: Senior Managing Editor
Web Site: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
Jane Haertel is Senior Managing Editor for fiction at Guideposts. She is also the author of eight cozy mysteries published under several pen names. Jane lives in Connecticut with her family and two cats, a tuxie and a tortie, who secretly run the household.
For examples of Guideposts' adult-fiction series, go to: http://www.shopguideposts.org//adult-fiction.html
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: 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 an acquisitions editor at Tyndale House Publishers, where she is involved in many steps of the book development process and manages Crazy4Fiction social media platforms that provide bookish content to fiction fans. An avid reader who loves a good story, Elizabeth enjoys meeting fiction writers, talking with authors about their manuscripts, and partnering 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!), exploring the great outdoors, or maybe even watching a British television show.
Women’s fiction
Southern fiction
Historical fiction and historical romance
Contemporary romance/romantic comedy
NOT currently seeking YA, sci-fi, fantasy, or thrillers
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.
Guidelines:
Title: Publisher
Web Site:
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. He is now, also, Publisher of Enclave Publishing.
Currently Seeking: Enclave publishing is looking for fresh and unique speculative fiction projects. Please look at what we have recently published to get an idea of what works for Enclave.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:
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: Publishing Director
Web Site: http://www.sunrisepublishing.com
Susan May Warren is the USA Today bestselling, Christy, Carol and RITA award–winning author of more than sixty novels whose compelling plots and unforgettable characters have won acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. In addition to her writing, Susan is a nationally acclaimed writing teacher and runs an academy for writers, Novel.Academy. She is now the Publishing Director of Sunrise Publishing.
Currently Seeking: Willing to meet with published authors to discuss what Sunrise Publishing is looking for in a lead author for their series line ups.Guidelines:
Title: Acquisitions Editor
Web Site: http://www.thomasnelson.com
Laura Wheeler has over ten years of editorial experience in the CBA industry. She worked on titles for Hachette Book Group and Abingdon Press before becoming an acquisitions editor for HarperCollins Christian Publishing (Thomas Nelson and Zondervan). Originally from Louisville, Laura currently lives in Nashville with her husband, Micah, and their very good canine boy, (Mr.) Knightley. She is most content when her days include baking French pastries, playing nerdy board games, laughing over a meal with good friends, and (of course) getting lost in an excellent novel.
APPOINTMENT INFORMATION
For unpublished authors, only request a meeting if you have a completed manuscript. Please come prepared to pitch your hook and talk about what would make your story stand out in the market. Please submit a one-page pitch with a brief writing sample.
Guidelines: http://www.thomasnelson.com/consumer/dept.asp?dept_id=1117900&category=Contact-Us#Submissions
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.