Adria Goetz - PS Literary Agency

Adria Goetz is a senior literary agent at PSLA representing picture books, middle grade, adult fiction, graphic novels, and devotionals. She specializes in picture books by author/illustrators. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor’s degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis, as well as the Columbia Publishing Course. She worked at Martin Literary & Media Management before joining the PSLA team. In 2019, she was selected as a Publishers Weekly Star Watch Honoree. She was recently proud to represent TASTE YOUR WORDS by Bonnie Clark and Todd Bright, THE STORIES OF GOD AND KIKI by Dave Connis and Amy Domingo, KNIT, PRAY, SHARE by Lisa Hennessy, MY BREAKFAST WITH JESUS by Tina Cho, GRITTY AND GRACEFUL by Caryn Rivadeneira, RICE FROM HEAVEN by Tina Cho, SHADOW AMONG SHEAVES by Naomi Stephens, COME DOWN SOMEWHERE by Jennifer L. Wright, and dozens of others. Adria lives in an old Victorian farmhouse in Washington state with her husband and their two darling dust gray cats, Maple and Mulberry. You can find her detailed manuscript wishlist at adriagoetz.com and you can find her on Twitter at @adriamgoetz and on Instagram at @adriagoetz.

Acquisitions Interests:

Adria is currently welcoming submissions for picture books, middle grade, adult fiction, graphic novels and devotionals. She represents books for both the ABA and the CBA markets. Adria has eclectic taste but particularly enjoys projects that are tinged with magic, have so much heart you can practically hear their heartbeat, and have a compelling, commercial hook. In the Christian space specifically, she is looking for picture books by author/illustrators, adult fictions, and devotionals for any age. For picture books she is looking for funny and charming stories that feel contemporary and appealing to this current generation’s Christian children and their parents that value diversity and inclusivity. For adult fiction she is specifically looking for voiceycontemporary rom coms, historical fiction, and any general fiction with a strong hook. She is not the right fit for Amish fiction, Christian fantasy, angels/demons, spiritual warfare, or Christian MG/YA fiction. For devotionals she is looking for something fresh, unique, and distinctive.  You can read her detailed manuscript wishlist and learn more about the books Adria has represented here: www.adriagoetz.com

Athena Dean Holtz - Redemption Press

Athena Dean Holtz serves as founder and publisher at Redemption Press in Enumclaw, WA where her Romans 8:28 Books & Gifts is one of the few remaining independent Christian bookstores in Western Washington. Having pioneered the indie publishing movement in the Christian space over 3 decades ago she is past president of NCWA, was named Publisher of the Year 2022 by the Soul Café Awards and Best Female Podcast Host 2021 by the national Spark Media for her All Things Podcast. She is the author of Full Circle: Coming Home to the Faithfulness of God, and most recently co-authored Together for a Purpose: Love and Mission in Marriage and Ministry with her pastor-husband. She also founded the She Writes for Him movement, launched during the pandemic. Their virtual events continue to equip, inspire and create connection through its extensive global community.

Acquisitions Interests:

Nonfiction, devotional, devotional journal, Bible study, memoir, fiction, children’s picture book, gift/inspirational, poetry, coffee table full color, anthology/compilation

Kathleen Kerr - Alive Literary Agency

Kathleen Kerr is an agent with Alive Literary Agency, representing authors as they hone their ideas and navigate a changing publishing landscape. She’s always on the lookout for the bold voices that are shaping conversations in today’s culture.

Before joining Alive, Kathleen served as an acquisitions editor at Zondervan and Harvest House Publishers. She worked with bestselling, debut, and award-winning authors, helping to refine their messages, build their careers, and partner in their ministries. She also worked as a bookseller at an independent bookstore, where she learned that there are few greater joys than introducing kids to the books that will shape their own stories.

Kathleen graduated from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with degrees in French and English. She now lives with her husband, Noah, and their two daughters in Oregon’s Willamette valley. She can usually be found reading, camping, and creating chaos in the kitchen.

Acquisitions Interests:

Christian living, spiritual growth, lifestyle, women’s interest, and memoir. No fiction or Bible studies.

Courtney Lasater - Keys for Kids

Courtney Lasater is the editor of Keys for Kids, a daily devotional for children ages 6–12 that is published in print, audio, and online/app formats by Keys for Kids Ministries. She graduated from Calvin College and has over 15 years of experience in Christian publishing and retail. When not at her desk, she can often be found scoping out the shelves of her local bookstore or looking for new trails to hike.

Acquisitions Interests:

We are always seeking submissions for our Keys for Kids devotional, a quarterly publication that uses fictional stories with spiritual illustrations to help kids ages 6-12 understand God’s Word. Guidelines and submission form available at keysforkids.org/writersguidelines. 

We’re also seeking submissions for Unlocked, our quarterly teen devotional. This devotional offers a variety of daily readings, including fiction, essay, and poetry, that help high school–age teens learn about Jesus and deepen their faith. Find out more at unlocked.org/contribute.   

We are not seeking to publish any books at this time

Emma Saisslin - Editor - Harvest House

Emma Saisslin is an associate trade editor at Harvest House Publishers, where she has worked since graduating from the University of Oregon in 2018. An English major with a creative writing minor, Emma has always loved the written word and feels blessed to have a job helping fellow writers hone messages that celebrate Christ’s hope. In her free time, Emma enjoys running, traveling, and working on her first novel. She doesn’t have a set favorite book, but in recent years, she has especially loved Pachinko by Min Jin Lee, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and Knowing God by JI Packer.

Acquisitions Interests: 

Bible-focused adult trade nonfiction on topics like apologetics, women’s living, prayer, evangelism and relationships.

Jessica Sharpe - Bethany House

Jessica Sharpe is a fiction 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, but she’s currently based in the Twin Cities.

Acquisitions Interests:

Currently interested in contemporary fiction (women’s, romance, Southern, etc.), historical fiction with a unique hook, dual-time, and suspense. Not looking for children’s or young adult, science fiction, or fantasy. Manuscripts with light fantastical elements, such as magical realism, are okay.

Not interested in novellas or short-form novels (under 75,000 words).