Updated Submission Guidelines for Christian Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner

Rachelle Gardner

Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner has updated her submission guidelines. She represents Christian fiction and non-fiction projects. Be sure to read her blog on what she's looking for before you submit.

Guide to Literary Agents Blog on Non-Fiction Agents and Memoirs

Check out the Diana Finch Literary Agency profiled on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog. It also has a great post on four things you should do when writing your memoir.

I'm really liking the Guide to Literary Agents Blog. They have an Agent Advice series that Q&A's agents on the publishing industry.

My Grandma should have written a memoir. This  is her as a Harvey Girl, peeking over the woman third from left.

Titles Agents Are Looking For and Personalized Rejection Letters

Two agents at the L. Perkins Agency have posted wish lists of submission titles they'd like to see come across their desks. So if you have a book that matches or you like one of the ideas, you have the inside track.



Jenny is also offering personalized query rejection letters for a limited time. If you submit your project between now and July 23rd, you'll get a personalized letter explaining why you were rejected if they decide not to request a partial.



No one likes rejection, but it could offer some great insights into refining your project. But don't be a goober and email them nasty things if you don't like their comments. Dignity people.



Jenny Rappaport:

• A mainstream YA novel about a teenage girl living as an illegal immigrant in the United States.


• A non-Western society steampunk fantasy. Where are all the African steampunk books?


• A *good* YA science fiction novel that doesn't involve spaceships, portals, telepathic powers, or aliens.


• A novel about a Japanese woman working as a hostess; I want it dirty and power-intrigue filled.


• A British historical romance that doesn't involve a member of the nobility. Think Jane Austen gentry with sex.


• A contemporary romance with ice skating in it; either a male or female figure skater; I'm good with both.


• A novel about how one woman's obsession with the Food Network saves her life.


• An urban fantasy with an atypical male protagonist--no vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, or faeries allowed.


• A kick-ass AI based science fiction novel. Not just fancy robots with human-like characteristics; give me true AI and its ramifications.

Lori Perkins:

• AN OFFICER AND A LADY Turn the old Richard Gere classic on its head. Make her the officer and him the factory worker and still make it work.


• I want a chick lit stripper novel, damn it! I get so many stripper stories by men, or heart-wrenching stripper memoirs, but what I really want is Bridget Jones as a stripper. (By the way, there's a short story anthology I'm working on, so any stripper short stories and/or strippers who write fiction, please contact me).


• SEX AND SHOES I don't know what the story is about, but I would definitely pick up this book based on the title alone.


• A TALE OF TWO PRINCESSES I recently went to a lesbian wedding and they both wore wedding dresses. My best friend is getting married for the second time in her mid-50's and I have been hunting down the ultimate wedding dress. This made me think about how much fun it would be to be two women buying and undressing each other in these elaborate clothes.

Query on.

Emmanuelle Alspaugh: Guest Agent for Missouri Writer's Guild Conference

The 2008 Missouri Writers Guild Conference starts Friday, so I'm profiling a few of the guests this week. If you're a procratinator and haven't signed up, you might want to email Eva Ridenour at bepub@socket.net and see if they still have space. One year I signed up at the door.

The cost for the general conference:
Guild Member $155
Chapter member $165
Non-member $179
Student $139 (enrolled in at least on college course for Spring)

Emmanuelle Alspaugh is a literary agent with Wendy Sherman Associates, Inc. She's looking for "literary and commercial fiction, memoir, and nonfiction relevant to contemporary issues." You can see her bio on Wendy Sherman's Website (scroll down a bit to see her entry). She joined the agency a year ago, so she may still be building her client list.

What kind of writing does she like? Check out some of her clients:

Therese Fowler

Danielle Younge-Ullman

Alissa Johnson

Note: She doesn't represent thrillers, horror, cozy mysteries, children's, health/diet/fitness, poetry, or screenplays.

Check out the agency's submission guidelines, so you'll be prepared after you meet her at the conference.

New Literary Agency Bressler Scoggins

The Guide to Literary Agent's Blog has a post on a new literary agency, Bressler Scoggins.

Located in North Carolina, they specialize in romances, southern, and literary fiction. They accept a small amount of nonfiction.

According to their website they currently they want:
"Romance - supernatural, contemporary, or commercial
Southern Literature
Mystery/thrillers
Fantasy
Intermediate Fiction
Young Adult Fiction
Literary Fiction with a strong narrative
Women's motivational and business"

Query on.