What our 2013 industry leaders want to see from authors (or not)

Please note that as the author, it is your responsibility to do due diligence before signing a contract with any publisher or agent. If you do not have an agent, hiring a literary lawyer to review a book or magazine contract and answer your questions is a wise investment.

Beth Adams, Senior Editor, Howard Books

Howard Books is looking to acquire non-fiction that is core Christian living, as well as inspirational memoirs and books that speak with a fresh voice to the dialogue in today’s church. In our fiction program, we are looking for women’s fiction with a strong hook, thriller/suspense, and high-concept historical and contemporary romance.   

Jesse Florea, Editor, Clubhouse/Clubhouse Jr. Magazines

Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. is a 24‐page magazine designed to inspire, entertain and teach Christian values to children ages 4 to 8. Fresh, inviting, creative fiction is the foundation of our magazine. Unsolicited fiction, nonfiction and Bible stories pay $100‐$200, depending on how much editing is required (and other factors). An average payment for poetry is $50‐$100. Puzzles pay $30‐$80, and rebus stories pay $75‐$150.

http://www.clubhousejr.com/submission-guidelines

Focus on the Family Clubhouse readers are 8- to 12-year-old boys and girls who desire to know more about God and the Bible. Their parents (who typically pay for the membership) want wholesome, educational material with Scriptural or moral insight. The kids want excitement, adventure, action, humor or mystery. Your job as a writer is to please both the parent and child with each article.

http://www.clubhousemagazine.com/submission-guidelines

Kimberly Shumate, Agent, Living Word Literary Agency

Living Word represents adult fiction (Amish and Historical Romance needed), Christian living, dating/marriage, parenting, self-help, apologetics, health, inspirational, prayer/devotional, environmental, social issues, pop-culture, women’s issues, and men’s issues.

No YA fiction, artwork, cookbooks, children’s books, science fiction or fantasy, novellas, memoirs or autobiographies, poetry, or screenplays. 

http://livingwordliterary.wordpress.com/

David Van Diest, Agent, D.C. Jacobson Author Management

D.C. Jacobson Author Management is a comprehensive author management company committed to the production and promotion of life-changing messages. By providing editorial, marketing and sales support to both authors and publishers, we seek to ensure the successful transfer of passion from the author, through the publishing house, and ultimately to the heart of the reader.

Our team of talented professionals brings a combined 90+ years of diverse experience in the publishing industry. Together we offer our clients the highest quality of service in author representation.

http://www.dcjacobson.com/booktalk/index.php/about-dcjacobson/how-to-query-dcja/

W. Terry Whalin, Acquisitions Editor, Morgan James Publishing

Morgan James Publishing, The Entrepreneurial Publisher™, provides entrepreneurs with the vital information, inspiration and guidance they need to be successful. Since its inception in 2003, Morgan James has grown from publishing six books per year to publishing over 150 front list titles each year. With a backlist of over 1,500 titles, Morgan James can support and advise entrepreneurs through any challenge their businesses face.

Morgan James has had 17 listings on The New York Times bestseller list including Vision: Your Pathway to Victory by Gordon D’Angelo and The Millionaire Messenger by Brendon Burchard. The Millionaire Messenger was crashed to market in less than a month and spent six weeks on the NY Times list. About 30% of the books are Christian in a Faith line also sold inside the Christian “brick and mortar” bookstores. Also about 30% of Morgan James authors have literary agents.

Known for nonfiction books, with the 2013 Winter catalog, Morgan James launched a line of fiction through the imprint Koehler Books with over 40 titles in various genres. In addition, Morgan James is actively looking for children’s books.

Morgan James Publishing was ranked on the Publisher’s Weekly fast growing small press list for two consecutive years. “Morgan James makes an extraordinary effort to help its authors to grow their own business,” PW’s Lynn Andriani and Jim Milliot says. You can learn more at: http://terrylinks.com/mjp1s