Books & Such Literary Management Names
Wendy Lawton Senior Literary Agent Emerita
For two-thirds of the more than thirty-year legacy of the prestigious Books & Such Literary Management, Wendy Lawton has been a core part of its influence and success stories. As Vice President of the company, she has helped steer decision-making and provided thoughtful care of her clients and the agency itself, working alongside its other agents and Books & Such President and Founder Janet Grant.
As of October 1, Wendy’s title will change to Senior Literary Agent Emerita to reflect her stepping aside from daily agent duties. She will continue to serve on the agency’s board of directors and to advise as needed. The new title also reflects her service to the agency, her clients, and the publishing industry. As she retires, she is entrusting her clients to her agency colleagues, with the transition well underway.
The list of authors Wendy Lawton discovered and then helped form their thriving publishing careers is long and, as we say in the industry, storied. With her focus primarily on fiction, especially in recent years, she’s helped develop authors’ careers that reached bestseller and award-winning status, with many of her clients having written hundreds of titles with millions of copies sold. She is proud of the unpublished authors she signed who have gone on to successful careers, including Tessa Afshar, Sarah Loudin Thomas, Lori Benton, Cynthia Ruchti, Amanda Dykes, and Jill Eileen Smith, and others she began representing early in their careers such as Gabrielle Meyer, Kathleen Y’Barbo, and Janice Cantore. Additionally, she has long served authors like Debbie Macomber, Julie Klassen, Ann Gabhart, and Lauraine Snelling and so many others who have enjoyed highly successful careers.
Asked what first drew Wendy to agenting after many years as a successful artist and savvy businesswoman in the field of high-end art dolls , Wendy responded, “The business provided the perfect foundation to becoming a literary agent. I’d spent years developing product, analyzing market trends, and being involved in every aspect of the product supply chain.” She still believes product development is the perfect parallel to book development.
Wendy will continue to be involved with Books & Such as she serves on our board of directors, offering her business insights and problem-solving skills.
Of the 21 years working with Wendy, Janet Grant says, “Wendy was integral to the growth and success of Books & Such. During her tenure as Vice President, the agency has added five agents and expanded our client list to more than 250 clients. She regularly negotiated six- and seven-figure deals and showed her astute grasp of whether an author had the skills to find success in a demanding industry. I’m grateful she’ll continue to be involved with Books & Such as she serves on our board of directors, offering her business insights and problem-solving skills.”
Wendy Lawton has witnessed and influenced a career’s worth of change, adaptation, and innovation and has seen significant victories. She’s creatively approached every challenge before her and has a reputation for caring deeply about the agency and her clients while working collaboratively with each publishing house. The number of titles she has represented is staggering by any measure.
Why Generosity is a Writer’s Best Friend
Thank you, Wendy, for your impact on the world of Christian publishing and for all the wisdom you’ve shared on this blog. I learned so much from you!
Great reminder, Shirlee, to go back through Wendy’s archived blog posts! Gems!
Thankful for you Wendy!!
I’m sure she’ll be blessed by your comment!
Wendy is an amazing agent and talented artist but most importantly she’s a beautiful and kind person.
Congratulations, Wendy!
So true!
Indeed!
It’s been my privilege to know you, Wendy–even before your Books & Such position. I have the highest regard for your work both as a creator and as a literary agent. Many blessings as you enjoy your retirement.
You voiced what so many of us feel, Janet!
Thank you, Wendy, for serving our industry so long and so well! Blessings to you in this next season!
Oh, Barb, so good to hear from you! I’m sure she’ll be pondering these encouragements for years to come!
What an immense privilege to know you, Wendy–and still more to have been your client. Your example of combining sharp business sense with a keen eye for strong writing, a prayerful, compassionate heart, and wise sensitivity to the Holy Spirit’s leading is such an example and inspiration to me. So grateful for you and that you will still be part of our Books & Such family! We love you!!
Beautifully said, Kiersti!
Thank you for all of your wisdom and joy, Wendy! You were the first Books & Such agent I met (years ago at Mount Hermon), and your warmth and professionalism drew me in right away. I knew this was an agency I hoped to be a part of.
Thank you for all of your wisdom and joy, Wendy! You were the first Books & Such agent I met (years ago at Mount Hermon), and your warmth and professionalism drew me in right away. I knew this was an agency I hoped to be a part of.
Warmth and professionalism are great one-word descriptors for Wendy!
Have admired you and your contributions for many years, Wendy. Wishing you all the best as you move into this next chapter of your life.
So many of us agree!