Senior Literary Agent Cynthia Ruchti

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Cynthia Ruchti has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with publishers, editors, marketing managers, as well as retailers, library representatives, reviewers, and other agents on industry-centric projects and events. She also is invited to many of those events as an industry insider.

Her previous roles in creating mission and vision statements for non-profit governing boards, problem-solving, negotiating, personnel placement, and handling communications prepared her for similar roles in agenting.

As the author of more than 50 books to date (both fiction and nonfiction), Cynthia has experienced the full gamut of the author’s side of the process. She understands both the heart of the author and the business side of a writing career, the elements of a strong proposal, editor/author relationships, marketing and publicity challenges, and the sometimes labyrinthine path to publication. As an agent, she’s exercised all those learned skills and has been involved in many multi-book acquisitions and in multi-publisher auctions for her authors’ projects.

Since joining the Books & Such agency in 2017, she has seen the authors she’s acquired—fiction and non-fiction—published with HarperCollins, Hachette, Penguin Random House/Waterbrook Multnomah, several imprints within the Baker Publishing Group, Harvest House, David C. Cook, InterVarsity Press, Moody Publishers, Barbour, Kregel, Tyndale House, and other key publishing houses. She’s celebrated her authors becoming bestsellers on the New York Times list, ECPA and Parable Bestseller lists, and other national bestseller lists. They also have received honors in a number of industry awards programs including International Book Awards, Carol Awards,Christy Awards, and the prestigious ECPA and Christianity Today Book of the Year honors.

Cynthia represents fiction and nonfiction in a number of categories but is not currently interested in memoir, sci fi/fantasy/speculative, or children’s books.

Client Testimonials

“The pillars of a great agent are dedication, communication, vision and wisdom. Cynthia Ruchti cultivates all of these strengths for her clients and their projects. Working with Cynthia as my agent has been a wonderful experience, changing my historical writing career for the better!”

Joanne Bischof, Christy Award-winning author of The Lady and the Lionheart

“Cynthia Ruchti brings a unique blend of knowledge, industry expertise, and first-hand insight into the world of media and publishing that is unparalleled. She has been a mentor, editor extraordinaire, and unwavering champion for my writing career. But most of all, it is her heart to serve others and love for Jesus that shine through.”

Dr. Stephen Ko, author of Faith Embodied: Glorifying God with Our Physical and Spiritual Health

“Wise, grace-filled, witty…all Cynthia. Her ‘fitly spoken’ words land just so–like a gentle, yet well-placed kick in the pants every aspiring or seasoned writer needs.”

Robin W. Pearson, Christy Award- winning author of Dysfunction Junction

“Cynthia sees, honors and nurtures her authors’ unique writing journeys. Every interaction with her leaves me feeling encouraged and more prepared for the next step. In the sometimes-challenging world of book publishing, I trust her to be a wise counselor who reminds me of my Why and points me to the How.”

Sara Brunsvold, Christy Award-winning author of The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip

“We’d been talking publishing and the writing life and serving God through both, so Cynthia’s query that day seemed casual: “What are your dreams for your books? Your hopes and prayers for your writing?” In the context of brainstorming all God can do, I answered boldly. She listened, couched her next actions in prayer, and before I knew it, brought those dreams to fruition. I can’t say enough about Cynthia Ruchti. I not only respect and trust her skill and discernment, intelligence and wisdom, character and faith, but I consider her a 24 carat, lion-hearted friend. I love her, and I’m grateful.”

Cheryl Grey Bostrom, author of Sugar Birds and Leaning on Air