Books, books, and more books! Gimme all the books! That’s been my motto for as long as I can remember. I grew up reading whatever I could get my hands on. Mostly mysteries and suspense like Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, Sweet Valley High, Alfred Hitchcock, Erle Stanley Gardner, Agatha Christie, C.S. Lewis, and so on. And then, I found Christian fiction in the form of Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, Colleen Coble, and DiAnn Mills.
Needless to say, I was hooked. But I wanted something more than to read a great story; I wanted to write one. Through God’s divine providence, He arranged for me to meet the people I needed to meet. While there were quite a few lovely people who encouraged me in my writing journey, one special lady named Dee Henderson took me under her wing and mentored me all the way to publication. And the rest, as they say, is history.
For those of you who may not know me yet, I am an award-winning, best-selling author of over 65 novels in the romantic suspense genre and a client of The Steve Laube Agency. Tamela Hancock Murray has been my agent since forever, and we have a wonderful professional and personal relationship that has served both of us well. Over the past 15+ years, I’ve had the pleasure of working with the phenomenal people at Revell and Love Inspired Suspense publishing houses.
I’ve attended many writing conferences, teaching, mentoring, critiquing, and encouraging prepublished authors while getting to know the amazing people in the industry of Christian publishing. Stepping into the role of agent feels like a seamless move to continue helping writers chase their dreams to publishing fruition. All that to say, I’m thrilled and honored to bring my experience and expertise to The Steve Laube Agency.
So, what genres am I looking to represent? Thank you for asking!
I’m looking to represent authors of all types of Christian fiction including, but not limited to:
- romantic suspense
- thrillers
- mysteries
- speculative fiction
- historical
- women’s contemporary
- YA
- and writers targeting the Love Inspired suspense lines.
- I’m also interested in YA nonfiction and may be interested in some adult nonfiction, depending on the topic.
I am not looking for children’s books.
What kind of client am I looking for?
I am looking for Christian authors wishing to write and sell to the Christian market. This means that I’m searching for clients who adhere to the teachings of Christ and Scripture. I love Romans 12:2 which says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (NASB). Our fiction stories should show this truth, and I’m searching for those that do. You can refer to the agency’s statement of faith here: https://stevelaube.com/about/statement-of-faith/ to make sure this agency is the right fit for you.
What kind of agent am I?
First and foremost, I will be your cheerleader, not only in the publishing world but also in your personal life. I will pray for you while encouraging you to keep yourself spiritually, mentally, and physically healthy.
Now, as for the publishing side of things. If I think your premise will sell, I’ll work with you to hone a compelling book proposal and help you navigate the submission process to find the perfect publisher. That being said, if you’re a writer who’s never been published in the traditional market, please have a completed fiction manuscript before approaching our agency. If you’re a seasoned writer, a query letter and proposal are all I need to see. I may request more later. I take email submissions only, which you may send to ehumphries@stevelaube.com.
How long will it take to get a response?
Please give me 12 weeks to get back to you. If you haven’t heard from me after those 12 weeks, feel free to reach out and ask where you are in the process.
*Before submitting, please read the guidelines to ensure your work is presented in its best light. They can be found here: https://stevelaube.com/guidelines.
I look forward to reading your stories!
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
I might give you some surprises
if I place into your hand
the manuscript, ‘Rumspringa Rises!’,
’bout Amish teens who save our land
by showing their peers secular
the joys just waiting to be found
in a life-vernacular
that is free but also bound
to an old-school teaching,
structure for which young hearts are yearning,
without dry dead-eyed preaching,
but with the fall bonfires burning
whose golden dancing leaping blaze
inspires talk, conversion, praise.
Pam Halter
“Rumspringa Rises” made me legit LOL. And I might have snorted a little. Thanks, Andrew!!
SOMEONE needs to write this now. Just sayin’.
Andrew Budek-Schmeisser
Pam, I truly hope someone WILL write this. It’s beyond me, but I sincerely believe that the faith community can, through stories of hope and joy, lead us back from the abyss.
Marcia Greenshields
Thank you for more information.
Maureen Miller
So exciting… for you! For the writing world!!! Congratulations!
Carrie Stuar
I’m thrilled for you, dear friend. May you be as successful in this as you are in writing. Blessings all the way! Love ya!
Daphne Woodall
Lynette, how exciting that you are on a new adventure as an agent. I started going to BRMCWC in 2010 and you’re the first author I’ve known to join the rank of agent in the many years I’ve attended. You certainly have the industry experience to vet new authors. Steve Laube made a wise decision. May your in-box receive promising proposals for Christian readers and beyond. Congratulations!! -Daphne Woodall
Laura Hamby
So excited for you. I am just now starting my first manuscript so I have a lot to do before approaching you with my work. I do look forward to seeing you again in August if all goes well.
Pam Halter
You make me wish I wrote for the older audience. haha! Wishing all God’s blessings on you as you help authors find homes for their books!
Kelly Criste Goshorn
Wonderful news! You’re gonna be a blessing to so many authors!
Terri Gillespie
Lynette!!! Congratulations!
Claire O'Sullivan
Lynette! How exciting, and congratulations! We’ve PM’d some on FB and it’s always a pleasure. I love, love your novels, and before the Rapture hope to read them all. I am so excited for you. What a cool move.
Felicia Ferguson
Oh wow. Dee Henderson’s O’Malley series was my introduction into the Christian fiction genre over a decade ago. How incredible that she was your mentor! I’m excited for your new journey as an agent. I enjoyed meeting with you and taking your class at FCWC. Hope to see you at Blue Ridge!
Beverly Smith
Lynette,
Congratulations! So excited to see you begin this new adventure as an agent! You were one of the first authors I read in the Christian suspense genre and one of the first people I met at my first BRMCWC last year. All the best to you! And if you ever decide to represent MG, you will hear me cheering even louder! Congrats!
Lynette Eason
Thanks, everyone! Love all the comments and appreciate all the congrats! It’s getting fun fast! LOL. 🙂
Allie Lynn
What is your opinion on representing young writers (such as teenagers)? Do you take MG fiction?