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

Carolyn Mandarano - Editor - Guideposts

Carolyn Mandarano is Senior Managing Editor at Guideposts, which inspires others to believe anything is possible with faith, hope, and prayer. In her role as head of the nonfiction book division, Carolyn helps set strategy for the book program, acquires authors and edits manuscripts, and partners with authors and key sales and marketing colleagues to reach audiences through multiple sales channels. Carolyn lives in Connecticut with her husband and two children.

Guideposts Acquisition Interests (Nov. 2023) :

Nonfiction products

Guideposts magazine:

Stories ghostwritten or told from the narrator’s first-person point of view, with scenes and dialogue, that present a modern-day problem and its spiritual solution. We are especially in need of stories that show a narrator overcoming a small, everyday challenge through faith and action. Up to 1,800 words. 

Angels on Earth magazine:

True first-person stories about heavenly angels and humans/pets who have played angelic roles in daily life. Includes stories of dreams and visions, and also scenarios involving music or the wind, for example, or a chance encounter, or some turn of event that the writer interprets as being divinely orchestrated. Published stories run 750 to 1750 words. 

Joy of Christmas magazine:

True first-person holiday stories that celebrate faith, family, friends, the Christmas tree, and other traditions, including favorite recipes. Published stories run 750 to 1750 words. 

Strength & Grace devotional magazine:

Brief, inspiring, first-person stories about caregiving for those who are aging and/or dealing with a long-term illness or disability, including parents, children, siblings, or even friends. Devotions should be 250 words. 

Walking in Grace (formerly Daily Guideposts) daily devotional:

True first-person devotions, told in an informal, conversational style, that make a single spiritual point, using vivid description and dialogue to draw the reader into the spiritual insight the writer has gained from the experience described. They open with a Bible verse related to the theme of the devotion and end with a prayer. Devotions between 200 and 300 words. 

All God’s Creatures daily devotional:

True, first-person devotions about you and your takeaway from a relatively recent encounter with an animal as a celebration of one of God’s creatures and the deeper truth you learned from it. Animals/creatures include zoo animals, wild animals, insects, birds, reptiles, pets, etc. Devotions between 325 and 375 words. 

God’s Constant Presence book series:

True, present-day stories that share how God works through ordinary people in extraordinary ways. Can be written in first person or in third person in “as told to” format. Story length: 1,000-1,500 words. 

Abide Christian Meditation app:

Abide is Guideposts’ audio biblical meditation app. Ideas for 30-minute audio sleep stories (around 3000 words) centered around Scripture where peace, calm, and anxiety-relief can be found in God. No manuscripts accepted as template format must be adhered to. 

Fiction products

Potential authors for long-running book series in cozy mystery, romance, and biblical (historical) fiction genres. Titles created in-house as work-for-hire. No manuscripts accepted. 

Dr. Sharon Elliott - Agent - AuthorizeMe Literary 

“Live significantly!” That’s the inspiring message of Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott, award-winning author, popular speaker, astute Bible teacher, and founder/CEO of Life That Matters Ministries and AuthorizeMe® Literary Firm. She encourages everyone who will listen to live a life that matters. Dr. Sharon is amazed at how God’s goodness has brought her from being “Straight Outta Compton” to standing before great people and teaching audiences domestically and internationally. Dedicated to teaching and learning, she is a cum laude college graduate (Biola University, Bachelor of Arts/Liberal Studies), holder of a Doctor of Theology degree (ThD) from HSBN International School of Ministry (an affiliate of Gateway International Bible Institute), and member of several prestigious organizations (ACE, AWSA, SCBWI). Sharon is also a religious broadcaster hosting her own show, Life That Matters with Sharon Norris Elliott, on The Holy Spirit Broadcasting Network (HSBN.tv), (CWWN.tv), Roku, and other networks. The show is also available on YouTube, Facebook Live, Spotify, iHeart Radio, and several other platforms.. Through her AuthorizeMe® Literary Firm LLC, Sharon is literary agent and also edits others’ work, mentors up-and-coming writers and speakers, coaches writers as they draft their manuscripts, and conducts hands-on masterclasses (via the AuthorizeMe Academy) personally assisting attendees toward their publishing goals. To date, the agency works with over 60 clients and has contracted over 40 books in just the past 3 years.

Acquisitions Interests:  

AuthorizeMe will review children's books (from board books to teen fiction and nonfiction), adult fiction (clean but not sappy), adult nonfiction (Biblical themes, narrative nonfiction, Bible study, parenting, living life well, leadership, devotionals, purposeful memoir).