(Updated 1/19/2023)
I’m thankful to the Lord that I’m a literary agent working for Him in Christian publishing. I’m grateful to the readers of this blog for being part of our writing community.
As for approaching me with your work, let’s see if our passions match:
Christian Romantic Suspense and Suspense
Readers of Christian romantic suspense and suspense are a large and devoted fan base. I’m privileged to represent many significant authors in this space. I would like to see category novels and longer stories.
The suspense author creates a realistic situation involving immediate, life-threatening danger that doesn’t diminish until the perpetrator is apprehended. Authors must know proper law enforcement procedures, weapons, and how criminals think and operate. The plot needs to be logical. The motive must be strong enough to justify the crime. The reader is waiting to see the reason for the crime, so a weak motive will diminish the reader’s enjoyment of the novel. But a twisty conclusion will encourage readers to become lifelong fans!
Romantic suspense novelists should follow the above guidelines, but stories must feature a compelling and natural romance. The couple is in imminent danger. The romantic protagonists are appealing both inside and out, emphasizing personality and integrity over physical appearance.
Historical and Contemporary Christian Romance Novels
Christian romance readers love their authors and books. I’m honored to be an agent entrusted by many prominent authors to represent their work. I would like to see category romance novels, as well as longer novels.
This author creates a fresh take on traditional plots for uplifting, inspiring stories. The author is an expert in the chosen setting, attitudes, and mores of the time. For example, to ensure accuracy, authors of Amish fiction should have a close connection with the particular community they’re portraying in their novels.
When considering historical novels, choose an era you’re passionate about enough to spend numberless hours researching. Hone the discipline to include historical elements the reader needs to know and will enjoy while keeping nonessential factoids off the page.
As with all Christian romance novels, the star couple is attractive inside and out, emphasizing sincere charm, temperament, and integrity over physical attributes.
Other Christian Fiction
I seek a tale well told that deserves a place in CBA. While novels not within a genre may have fewer guidelines, traditional publishers seek a word-count range. For example, a standalone 30,000-word novella and a 250,000-word novel from an unproven author are each likely to secure rejections from traditional publishers. Unfortunately, I must decline many submissions because of length.
General Market Fiction
My list boasts successful authors writing for the general market. Some authors on my roster write for both the Christian and general market because I only represent clean reads. This author has studied the market and knows where and why the work will fit.
Nonfiction
The importance of platform here is magnified a thousandfold in comparison with fiction. I need to see an author already connecting with a sizable number of potential readers.
Nonfiction readers seek insight, help, knowledge, and encouragement. An author must show authority in the chosen topic when delivering a book to these readers.
Dynamic writing is essential, even when the topic is intense. I love books that beg me to read them even when the subject doesn’t apply to me. Now that’s a well-written and engaging book.
Read Before Writing
Writers eager to be published must know the competition, so read what’s already available, preferably published within the last couple of years. Take notes to keep from repeating the same settings or ideas in fiction. The nonfiction author should make sure an author with an international platform has yet to publish a similar book.
Visit publishers’ websites to discover their books. Some publishers offer submissions guidelines.
Hearing From Me
We aren’t perfect in our response speed. Please follow up if you don’t hear from us. Every submission we receive is reviewed. We attempt to respond to every offer. You can send proposals to ewilson@stevelaube.com. (Please visit the guidelines for specifics.)
I look forward to hearing from you!
Bring the Books (What Steve Laube Is Looking For)
The YA market is very tight, but I do consider YA.
You said the YA market is tight but you would consider a YA novel. Can you elaborate?
J., I would consider an age-appropriate YA novel that presents a fresh idea with vibrant writing that I feel really hits the mark. That said, I rarely take on a YA novel because of the tight market and because my expertise is geared more to other types of books.
Tamela, I just got your LI invitation (sent 6 days ago) and was reminded that I submitted to Steve Laube Agency about 5 years ago. Although YA is not your primary interest, I have a YA mystery series The Picaresque of Ímagine Purple.Tate has published 7 books, has one in book cover/layout process; and 2 more under contract. Although the series set in 1969-70 is not categorized as outright Christian fiction, the main character Ima Purple, a teacher-turned-detective, is a recent reborn Christian, notably one of the most dangerous people on earth until settling down on how to use faith:-). I have 6 more stories yet to write to finish the series from Newfoundland to New Delhi but don’t know what to do then: go with self-published ebooks, seek another traditional publisher, or stay with the tried-and-true Tate. However, FYI, I am also a produced playwright since 2009, with planned repeat productions this year in Winnemucca and Jarbidge, NV. I have a classical styled, Christian historical fiction offering set in Rome, 258 A.D. A professor at Spring Arbor University, MI said “It was elegant” and seeks to have a reading when we can find the right date. Please contact me at beth@imapurple.net if any of this interests you. Thank you.
If it’s romantic suspense, yes.
Sharyn, I will give serious consideration to stories written in first person POV when the story really needs to be told from that POV.
Oops! I should have said that, “I look forward to querying agents about my novel after I’ve polished it again and again.” 🙂
Fredrick, there are many ways to depict foul language without spelling it out. And besides, there are many people who simply don’t use foul language.
Righty so. We don’t live by scripts, e.g. television and movie. Do we hear people profane in every walk of life? I think not. Even through I wear hearing aid, my 6 years old son would have alert me if he is listening language that is foreign to him.
I agree that there is far too much profanity in the writing field as well as on the screen. I saw the movie “A Star is Born” with my 88 year old father, and cringed every time they cussed…which was like every other line.
Have you ever read a book about a Christian overcoming bipolar disorder?
Maria, it is always best to be up front about everything involving your writing career. A skilled agent willing to represent you will know how to navigate the publishing waters.
Yes. 🙂
Its okay even if its not necessarily a christian book right? Thanks 🙂
I specialize in the Christian market but would be happy to consider your work.
Yes, you may submit as per our guidelines. Thanks for asking.
Landen, I don’t handle plays and since I’m not in that world, I can’t make any recommendations. What I can suggest is going to conferences that offer a screenplay track and interacting with people who are already working in that sphere, and going from there.
Emma, so sorry I somehow missed your question until now. Sure, you are welcome to send your proposal. The email address is ewilson@stevelaube.com.
Rodney, first of all, who doesn’t like Georgette Heyer!
To me, “fresh” means that you present a timeless topic in a new and different way, so that readers are touched and entertained as they learn eternal truths. Yes, both fiction and nonfiction can achieve all these goals.
Not at this time. Thanks for asking!
Sounds wonderful, Grace! Thank you!
Kimberley, thanks for asking. Many factors play into my decision to represent a novel. I’d really have to review it and weigh all the factors. I wish I could give you a generic answer, but I don’t feel that would be fair to either of us.
Sounds great — yes, that’s my assistant’s address. Thanks for asking!
Hi Amy – I would be interested in the published novel! I know it’s a late answer from the blog, but, do you have yours published?
I love writing romantic suspense and I am blessed to have you as my agent. Following guidelines is vital for every written piece. Researching an agent’s area of expertise is most important before making a submission. Study, pray, research, pray, submit, and pray.
I fancy me romantic,
with sentiment I’m crowned,
but when I saw ‘Titanic’,
I smiled when Leo drowned,
for he was just an irritant,
that poor but plucky lad,
made out to be significant,
a modern Galahad.
Far better had James Cameron
selected for the part
a chap who had good muscles on
(but still a winsome heart).
I wonder why he did not phone
the agent, say, of Sly Stallone?
Thank you for the update, Tamela! This definitely gives me an idea about the flavor of story you are after. May your list of authors be a force to be reckoned with and a delight!
Thanks for being so open and straight forward, Tamela. It’s refreshing.
Tamela, I’m delighted to read the kind of story you seek. Insightful, fresh, truth-telling. I appreciate it and look forward to meeting you at WCCW!
Hi Tamela,
I have the perfect book that fits your criteria of romance, suspense, life-threatening danger, realistic, and a controlling narcissist villain. The novel is titled “Heaven’s Dew” by Randy Delaughter and is volume one of a trilogy.
Randy, feel free to submit here: ewilson@stevelaube.com.
This book “Heaven’s Dew” sounds exactly like mine I just finished and would love to read it. I have recommended it for our local library.
Would you consider a Biblical fiction novella?
Unfortunately, I currently don’t have a ready market for a standalone novella.
I have a Novella ready to be pushed toward the market of those that Enjoy the writings of C.S. Lewis. It is call the Nailbed Memos. It is an updated more modern form of the Screwtape Letters.
I dig it that you want to look
at good Christian suspense
in a bright well-written book,
so here’s what I intends
to begin this very morning,
that you’ll see it soon,
the tale of an Amish couple courting,
suspended by balloon
o’er Lancaster’s steaming swamps,
sailing low for miles and miles,
while below prowl in their haunts
the secular cruel crocodiles…
will protagonists find love at last,
or become a croc’s repast?
Oh my, I hope they find love!
Hi Tamela! Thanks for updating your preferences.
I’m curious, what kind of book would you NOT like to receive in 2022? Which are better suited for other agents, even within the CBA market?
I’m open to most Christian books. I don’t specialize in children’s picture books, science fiction, or poetry.
Thank you for letting us know what you are looking for this year, Tamela! God Bless as you serve Him with the written word and the wonderful writers He has brought your way!
Any author would be blessed to have Tamela’s representation. She’s tops!
Kim, you are so kind. I’m honored to represent you!
Interesting post Tamela. I’m intrigued to understand what you mean when you say in the General-market Fiction Section that you only represent clean reads. I am a Christian writer but I don’t write Christian fiction – I write general-market fiction. How do you define a “clean read”?
Thanks for asking, Rachel! To express this in the most succinct terms, I don’t represent steamy romance novels. The general market romances I represent fall into the “sweet” category.
Super article, Tamela! Thank you! Many will benefit from your instructions. I, for one, am honored to be among your Tamelites!
Glad to have you on board, Loretta!
A little birdie told me
that I should write a book,
but experience then bade me see
my feathered friend was quite the kook.
I did try, for many years
to spin Christian romantic tales,
but these met not my hopes, but fears,
for all were really awesome fails.
The romance God laid within my soul
is something less than thimble-full,
and really, rather, on the whole,
I’m beholden to the pull
of the rugger scrum and maul,
the grunts and sweat, and blood withal.
Ms. Murry,
I have recently published an adult fiction book. Out of 21 comments, I received five stars on Amazon reviews. I also have seven publications in NEWSWEEK.
Would these qualifications enable me to submit my unsolicated manuscript to you? This second book is 80,000 words, realistic fiction on finding faith before, during and after Covid.
Thank you for responding, Ms. Murry!
You can always submit. Thanks for asking!
This is the only email address I could find for you Tamela….
ewilson@www.stevelaube.com
It is at the bottom of your article: “Book Proposals I’d Love to See”
I will soon be submitting my Book Proposal to you, a non-fiction workbook titled CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE As Designed by God.
Please confirm that this email address is correct, for 2 reasons:
1) Email addresses do not usually have www in them
2) This email address does not have your name in it
3) I surely don’t want to send my Proposal to a non-existent email
Thank you very much!
William L. Monette – Author
Thanks for asking! I don’t think that email address will work. Here is the email address for my assistant: ewilson@stevelaube.com
We look forward to hearing from you!