Posts
Ask Me Anything, Self-Publishing
|How Long Should I Try to Get and Agent before Deciding to Self-Publish?
It can take quite a while to find an agent, which is usually the first step if you’re seeking traditional publishing. But how long do you go at it before giving up? As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, you might send your query to dozens of agents before finding a match. Only you can…
Read More A Writer's Life, Publishing, Writing
|Have you been to a writers’ conference?
Even if you’re published, conferences can be a great way to network, make friends, continue your education, and most of all, be a part of the writing community. Writing is a solitary endeavor, so it’s helpful to be reminded that you’re a part of something bigger. Plus, those friendships with other writers…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun
|BOOK CLUB ALERT: “Wholehearted Faith” by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu
“Wholehearted Faith” by Rachel Held Evans with Jeff Chu releases in three weeks! This is a message from Jeff: As we’ve been anticipating Wholehearted Faith’s release on November 2, we’ve been thinking about how we want to read this book. The word that kept popping into our hearts and heads: together. We want to…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun
|Congratulations to author Cindy Wang Brandt on release day!
Congratulations to author Cindy Wang Brandt on release day! Cindy’s first children’s book, “You Are Revolutionary,” encourages kids that they don’t need exceptional skills to make an impact. The inspiring words and pictures reveal that kids already have inside themselves everything they need to make big, transformative change in the world – just…
Read More Announcements, Publishing
|New Release Spotlight: Kayla Craig
Congratulations to author Kayla Craig on release day! Kayla’s debut book, “To Light Their Way,” is a gorgeous collection of over 100 modern liturgies, giving words to our prayers for our children. From everyday struggles like helping your child find friends or thrive in school to larger issues like praying for a brighter world rooted…
Read More Announcements
|Gardner Literary is Proud to Represent Kaitlin Curtice!
Congratulations Kaitlin! We are so excited to be working with you and can’t wait for this book.
Read More Announcements
|Gardner Literary is Proud to Represent Debut Author Amanda Held Opelt!
I am so happy to announce this book deal for debut author Amanda Held Opelt. Amanda’s a gifted writer in addition to her considerable talents as a musician, singer & songwriter. In her first book, she explores grief and the rituals people have used throughout history to cope. With her talent for storytelling, this…
Read More Ask Me Anything, Submitting, Writing
|How do you determine the difference between heavy competition for agents vs. if your work is just not good?
So you’re sending out submissions with no luck. Why? Well, your query may need work. The book idea itself may need work. OR… Your query and your book might be just fine. But because there are so many other queries in the queue, and perhaps bad luck and lack of serendipity and an annoying scarcity of fairy…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun, Publishing
|Gardner Literary is proud to represent author Karen González!
Gardner Literary is proud to represent author Karen González! Congrats, Karen, on your new book contract.
Read More Ask Me Anything, Publishing, Submitting, Writing
|What’s a good subject line for a query email?
A basic but important question: what do you put in your query subject line? I’m sure there are plenty of possible creative answers to this, but I’m going to err on the simple side. I like a subject line that includes the word “Query” along with your book title, and possibly the genre. Some examples:…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun
|Gardner Literary is proud to represent debut author Lyvonne Briggs as she signs her first publishing contract!
Gardner Literary is proud to represent debut author Lyvonne Briggs as she signs her first publishing contract! Congrats, Lyvonne!
Read More Ask Me Anything, Popular Posts, Publishing, Self-Publishing
|What’s your advice for someone wanting to publish a first-time poetry collection?
The first step toward getting your poetry published is to get the Poets Market, a print resource also available on Kindle. It includes hundreds of publishing opportunities specifically for poets, including listings for book and chapbook publishers, print and online poetry publications, contests, and more. Before trying to get a whole book of poetry published,…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun
|SPOTLIGHT ON CLIENT BOOKS – Make a Move: How to Stop Wavering and Make Decisions in a Disorienting World by Stephanie Williams O’Brien
We make thousands of decisions, and while most of them are relatively simple, we can get stuck in the larger, life-altering decisions, leading to frustration, anxiety, and confusion. “It would be so much easier if life just came with a road map!” Life is full of twists and turns, the unexpected and the unforeseen.…
Read More Announcements, Just for Fun, Publishing
|SPOTLIGHT ON CLIENT BOOKS – Abuelita Faith by Kat Armas
This beautiful book from debut author Kat Armas is out in the world, and I’m excited for you to read it! What if some of our greatest theologians weren’t theologians at all? “Abuelita Faith” tells the story of unnamed and overlooked theologians in society and in the Bible–mothers, grandmothers, sisters, and daughters–whose survival, strength,…
Read More