Agents

© 2009 Susan Lohrer

Literary Agents


Many publishing houses accept manuscripts or queries only from literary agents, so in today’s market, it makes sense to work with an agent. But all agents are not equal.

A reputable agency has a proven sales record (or if it’s a new agency, its agents have years of industry experience) and doesn’t charge reading or evaluation fees. Writers’ conferences and referrals from an agent’s clients are excellent ways to connect with literary agents. For more information on finding a reputable agent, see Resources .

Remember, even the best agent cannot sell a poorly written manuscript for you—unless you’re a celebrity, that is—so your manuscript needs to be in the best shape possible before you query an agent.

Several reputable, highly respected literary agencies have graciously provided the following information:

• Benrey Literary:

Offers spirited representation for inspired writing. We are looking for romance, women's fiction, mystery fiction for both the Christian and secular markets. We also represent Christian living books. Please look at our guidelines for submission. www.benreyliterary.com
 
Accepting queries: Janet Benrey

• Hartline Literary

Terry Burns is a native Texan Living in Amarillo, Texas. For more than twenty-five years he represented businesses, making deals and doing promotion. As a writer he sold much of his work himself and helped some of his friends publish before going with Hartline. He has six novels in print, work in a dozen short story collections, four nonfiction books, and numerous articles and short stories. His down-home presentation style is a favorite at programs, conferences and workshops. A graduate of West Texas State, he did postgrad work at Southern Methodist University. Terry plans to continue writing inspirational fiction as well as working with Hartline.

Tamela Hancock Murray is an agent with Hartline Literary Agency. An award-winning author, she understands both the writer's and editor's viewpoint. She sells first books for many writers and furthers the careers of successful established authors. Tamela enjoys fiction and nonfiction and has sold both. Her emphasis is on long-term relationships, establishing meaningful and rewarding partnerships between authors and publishers. Hartline Literary Agency is well-respected in both CBA and ABA. www.hartlineliterary.com

Accepting queries: Terry Burns, Tamela Hancock Murray

• MacGregor Literary

As an agent, editor, author, and publisher, Chip MacGregor's reputation is well known. He has helped create hundreds of commercially successful books, having represented bestsellers on the New York Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal, Publishers Weekly, Los Angeles Times, Denver Post, Amazon.com, and B&N lists. Awards include the Gold Medallion, Christy, RITA, and Walden Books Award, as well as numerous other local and regional honors. With the creation of MacGregor Literary, Chip provides full-service representation to a diverse list of authors who want to touch lives through their writing in both CBA as well as the general market. www.macgregorliterary.com

Accepting queries: Chip MacGregor

• Natasha Kern Literary Agency

Natasha Kern has personally sold more than 750 books, and her agency was ranked 11th in the list of top 25 literary agencies for new writers by Writer's Digest. Natasha has a strong commitment to acquiring and developing new talent. Her list includes mainstream women's fiction; inspirational and paranormal women's fiction; romantic suspense and romantic comedies; mommy lit and lady lit; contemporary and historical romances; multicultural fiction and thrillers. Her clients include several New York Times best-selling authors; USA Today best sellers; RITA winners and Christy winners. The agency has sold books to every major publisher and to many medium-sized presses. www.natashakern.com.

Accepting queries: Natasha Kern

• WordServe Literary

WordServe Literary’s mission is to serve authors of faith in all of their creative endeavors. Rachelle Gardner has been in the publishing business for thirteen years. She originated, developed, and launched the NavPress fiction line and has been a collaborative writer of eight books and edited more than sixty, including such authors as Mary DeMuth, Lisa Samson, Jill and Stuart Briscoe, and Brandilyn Collins. For the past two years, she has been freelance editing and writing for a variety of publishers including Thomas Nelson, Waterbrook, NavPress, Zondervan, Bethany House, Harvest House, and FaithWords.
www.wordserveliterary.com

Accepting queries: Rachelle Gardner