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Books & Such Literary Management

A full-service literary agency that focuses on books for the Christian market.

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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Books & Such
    • Our Agents
    • Our Behind-the-Scenes Staff
    • Our Travel Schedule
  • Our Authors
    • Author News
    • Collaborators and Ghostwriters
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    • Recommended Reading
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Fiction

Ten Things that Make a Thumbs-Up Novel

July 7, 2024 //  by Wendy Lawton//  11 Comments

Today, I’ve decided on a very subjective  exploration about what makes me give a novel an unflinching thumbs up. This is not a blog that represents anyone’s taste but mine. Purely personal. I’m guessing there wouldn’t be another literary agent …

Ten Things that Make a Thumbs-Up NovelRead More

Tick, Tick, Boom! Raising the Stakes to Raise an Agent’s Interest

June 9, 2024 //  by Barb Roose//  9 Comments

It’s summertime, so let’s talk stakes. Not steaks, which we could talk about, especially if you’re planning a 4th of July cookout. Today, let’s discuss an essential ingredient of storytelling that makes the difference between an agent emailing you back …

Tick, Tick, Boom! Raising the Stakes to Raise an Agent’s InterestRead More

Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing BIPOC Characters or Stories

February 4, 2024 //  by Barb Roose//  9 Comments

“If I add a BIPOC character to my novel, will it improve my chance of finding a traditional publisher?”

I’ve been asked that question several times over the years. There are several motivations behind posing it. However, I believe that …

Four Questions to Ask Yourself When Writing BIPOC Characters or StoriesRead More

Creating Your Own Style Sheet

June 24, 2023 //  by Wendy Lawton//  5 Comments

I was recently talking to Brittany Stonestreet, a friend who is finishing up her Masters in Publishing at the prestigious Emerson College in Boston. She mentioned she was just completing the style sheet for her newest YA novel. I
…

Creating Your Own Style SheetRead More

Avoid Character Labels

April 2, 2023 //  by Wendy Lawton//  7 Comments

I read a fiction manuscript last week that described a character as a cripple. I winced when I read the word and stopped to think about why I had such an immediate revulsion. After all, it was historical fiction and …

Avoid Character LabelsRead More

Getting an Agent to Read Your Entire Query

March 17, 2021 //  by Barb Roose//  8 Comments

As a literary agent, I love seeing stacks of queries in my inbox. Like the other agents at Books & Such, I enjoy discovering unique book ideas, moving memoirs and fresh new voices. However, all literary agents must balance limited …

Getting an Agent to Read Your Entire QueryRead More

Fiction Giveaway Time!

February 8, 2021 //  by Rachel Kent//  29 Comments

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! I was struggling to find a blog topic, but then my eyes fell on a stack of beautiful novels. I have an extra copy of each of these books by my clients …

Fiction Giveaway Time!Read More

Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction

June 22, 2017 //  by Cynthia Ruchti//  44 Comments

Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and Nonfiction

By Cynthia Ruchti

Story old and newIn a January 16, 2011 post for Psychology Today, Dr. Pamela B. Rutledge expounded on “The Psychological Power of Storytelling.” She focused on the concept as it relates to changes …

Story–The Common Ground Between Fiction and NonfictionRead More

An Agent’s Prerogative

February 10, 2016 //  by Wendy Lawton//  71 Comments

Blogger: Wendy Lawton

You’ve heard that it’s a women’s prerogative to change her mind. As an agent I’m going to claim the same prerogative. As I look back on some of the things I stated categorically about the craft of …

An Agent’s PrerogativeRead More

Brilliant Description

May 12, 2015 //  by Wendy Lawton//  69 Comments

Blogger: Wendy Lawton

When I open a fiction manuscript nothing gives away the skill level of the writer more quickly than the writer’s use of description. The novice tends to fall in love with description, offering it generously and effusively. …

Brilliant DescriptionRead More

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