As you peruse the list of faculty members and their classes for BRMCWC 2017, do you find yourself wondering who the agents & editors are and which publications, houses, or agencies they represent? Are you wondering what types of writing they’re looking for? This post is an answer to those questions.

1. They are the gatekeepers to this industry. Be professional in your approach. Introduce yourself, shake their hand, and try not to fidget while you sit across from them. First impressions are important.
2. Wear your thick skin and business casual attire. When someone critiques your writing or offers constructive advice, take time to consider what they’ve offered. Even if it’s a rejection. We are always, always learning, and it will do our writing careers great justice if we heed the professionals’ opinions.
3. Remember that these people are just as human as you and me. Once in a while, we hear the horror stories of an agent or editor telling a conferee they should just give up on their writing dream. If this happens to you, don’t bad mouth the agent or editor. Take time to get past the hurtful remark and then ask a close friend to pray with you in private. Be the bigger person. Don’t return negativity for negativity. Release it to God instead. Vengeance belongs to Him.
4. Be yourself. Our faculty are waiting to meet with you as anxiously as you are waiting to meet with them. We are blessed to be able to say that they are easily approachable and enjoy sharing with our conferees. Set your nerves aside. Let your personality speak for your writing. It’s easier to hear an author’s voice in their writing once you’ve met the author. Relax. Enjoy yourself.

Now, for the list of agents & editors. We’ve included links to their websites so you can do your research to find out what each is looking for in particular. If the person doesn’t have a list, look around the house’s site/agency’s site/magazine’s site to find information about what that company is looking for. It’s possible you may not find the information at first glance, but it’s also highly possible you will find it. HINT: A few have included the information in their bios on the Faculty and Classes page.

AGENTS

Ann Byle – Credo Communications

Jonathan Clements – Wheelhouse Literary Group

Steve Laube – The Steve Laube Agency

Jessica Kirkland – Kirkland Media Management, LLC

Tamela Hancock Murray – The Steve Laube Agency

David Van Diest – The Van Diest Literary Agency

Cyle Young – Hartline Literary Agency

EDITORS

Publishing House Editors:

Jessica Barnes – Fiction Editor – Bethany House Publishers, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Jevon Bolden – Senior Editor – Tangerine Press (Scholastic Book Fairs)

Pamela Clements – Vice President and Associate Publisher – Worthy Inspired – an imprint of Worthy Publishing

Cheri Cowell – Owner and Publisher – EABooks Publishing

Vicki Crumpton – Executive Editor – Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group

Deb Haggerty – Owner and Publisher – Elk Lake Publishing

Tessa Emily Hall – Editor – Illuminate – an Imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Eddie Jones – Founder and CEO – Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Terri Kalfas – Editor – Grace Publishing

Yvonne Lehman – Editor – Candlelight Romance and Guiding Light Women’s Fiction – Imprints of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas & Moments, Yvonne’s nonfiction series

Paula Mowery – Acquisitions Editor – Prism Book Group – Imprint of Pelican Book Group

Katara Patton – Founder – Esteem Publishing

George & Karen Porter – Founders/Owners – Bold Vision Books

Erin Smith – Editor – Tyndale House Publishers

Cindy Sproles – Editor – Straight Street Books & SonRise Devotionals, Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas

Magazine and Online Content Editors:

Brad Bloom – President/Editor – Lifestyle Media Group

Faith & Fitness magazine

Shout! Outdoor Lifestyle magazine

map Travel Lifestyle magazine

Lindsey Brackett – Editor – Splickety’s Lightning Blog

Michelle Cox – Editor – Just 18 Summers®

Just 18 Summers®

WHOA Magazine for Women

Jesse Florea – Editor – Focus on the Family Clubhouse magazine

Tessa Emily Hall – Owner and Editor – Pursue Magazine

Katy Kauffman – Editor – Refresh Bible Study Magazine

Susan King – Associate Editor – The Upper Room magazine

Beth Patch – Internet Acquisitions Editor – CBN.com

Cindy Sproles – Founder/Editor – Christian Devotions & Inspire a Fire

Ben Wolf – Founder – Splickety Publishing Group

Splickety magazine (multi-genre)

Spark! magazine (romance)

Havok magazine (speculative fiction)

Now, go get ’em! Be sure to sign up for your choice of two 15-minute appointments on Sunday night (we will release you to do so after our group meeting). Make sure to check with any agents or editors who may have done a critique for you (you sign up for these by following the instructions on the Blue Ridge Conference website – page coming soon). If you had a critique done, you’ll want to know your appointment times with your critiquers before you sign up for other appointments. If you have any questions about agents & editors, feel free to leave a comment below. We’d be happy to respond! [reminder]