I could have never imagined that I would be a literary agent. I was the author in 2002 tagged “the accidental author.” The beginning of my writing journey was accidental but what wasn’t is the desire to help others. Bringing encouragement to women was my aim and the publishing piece was an accidental surprise. Many published books since, I have come to love writing and processing life and learning through words. I have continued to grow in wanting nothing more than helping others. And that’s where agenting fit with my aim and calling almost four years ago. It’s an honor and joy to be a literary agent with the books & such team. A true gift to help the clients God brings my way.
Being I spent many years in pastoral care, my approach with clients is one of a writing coach, a career guide and a shepherding presence. I like the big picture and love exploring that with each client and pursuing the right project and the right timing. Often the timing is not quite yet, but with prayer and preparation the timing will come. With over 30 clients, both male and female, I’m invested in praying for each as they pursue God’s will for their ministry and writing.
This month is especially exciting for me. Two of the first books I’ve agented are now releasing! As you can see, publishing is not a quick process but after contract a book isn’t usually released for 18-24 months. While other clients have previously released books, there has not been a month where two were released back -to-back. My mind goes to the first meetings, the prayers over direction and the heart desire for their messages to find a place in this world. This month these books will hit shelves, touch hearts and begin to make a difference in the world.
Each one has a different connection to my own journey and a different message to the Christian audience. I’d like to tell you a little bit about these two authors and their projects.
Sarah Grace Hallas was the first client I signed. Once becoming an agent some of my adult kids told me that I needed to follow this young woman from Nashville. I reached out and soon discovered that her story went viral on TikTok, leaving her with 500,000 followers. She vulnerably told of being a single mom trying desperately to trust God in the aftermath of all her dreams falling rather than coming true. Her beautiful book, This is Not Forever: Hopeful Reminders That God Has Abundantly More in Store (90 devotions) Zondervan will release 8/22. Her writing will help the reader encounter God in the mess and find renewed faith in hardship. Like Sarah, my first husband left me, and my life fell apart at the seams.
I related immediately and am so proud of how she will use what she has walked through to help other women.
Our first meeting in Nashville, after signing to the agency.
Chelsea Ohlemiller is a client I met through a virtual conference.
We connected on zoom and when she told me about her online Facebook work with Hope and Harsh Realities, I was immediately drawn to what she was called to. After losing her mother, nothing was the same and she has dedicated herself to helping other women grieve the loss of their mothers. When my own mother died over 20 years ago, I felt lost and orphaned. I knew that what Chelsea was offering is what I needed when losing my mom. I’m proud of this brave and vulnerable work that will help others. Her book, Now That She’s Gone, A Daughters Reflections on Loss, Love and a Mother’s Legacy, Revell, has already made the #1 top new release spot from pre-sales. It releases 8/13, honoring her mother’s life and legacy.
Our first meeting at the client retreat in Savannah.
If you want to know what an agent does—I would say committing themselves to the client’s journey. That comes with juggling different projects, praying over uniquely different clients, content coaching, hand holding and proposal pitching. Sometimes you disappoint the very clients you want to help. The agent has the job of delivering news that stings of rejection and news that dashes the hopes of their writer. These things take time….
But in the end, when release dates come, there is celebration and awe over what God has done. But the most important thing in my opinion is asking God to open doors for each project that no one can shut. Yeah, it’s a lot of work. But it’s a work of honor and joy. I am truly grateful.
Debbie, I sincerely hope you will take what follows as totally tongue-in-cheek. It certainly does NOT apply to anyone at Books and Such.
It does apply, however, to certain academic faculty search committee members.
I tend to see an agent
frozen in time and place,
a haughty judge at pageant
raised high upon a dais,
imperially sorting dreams
with manicured thumb,
heedless to the anguished screams
when the lions come.
But they are more complex than that,
human in many ways,
like sitting with a purring cat
while munching on some Lays
and devising how they might yet better
the sting of the rejection letter.
Tonight, I came across your blog “by accident” and was deeply touched, especially by the description of your caring heart and prayers for clients. (I feel the same way about my Christian counseling/life coaching clients and greatly appreciate your “above” and beyond approach.) Thank you, Debbie Alsdorf, for this blog. Your words are an encouraging beacon light. I hope there may be a way to connect someday. Note: I had no idea how to find a traditional literary agent, but I just kept moving forward anyway because my heart would not let me give up on my message of hope. Continuing to pray for His new doors to open, I thank you for sharing!