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Home » Archives for Tamela Hancock Murray » Page 2

Tamela Hancock Murray

Book Proposals I’d Love to See (What Tamela Hancock Murray Is Looking For)

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 19, 2023
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(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!

 

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Category: Agency, Book Business, Book Proposals, Career, Craft, Creativity, Romance, Trends, Writing CraftTag: Agency, book proposals

I Am a Writer

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon January 11, 2023
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My father always resolved never to make New Year’s resolutions. Admirable indeed, although few possess his fortitude! What are your goals for 2023? I remember when I first started writing articles and books for publication. Rejections abounded, and this was at a time of plentiful magazines and regional newspapers publishing unknown authors. Winning a contract from a traditional book publisher has …

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Category: The Writing Life

​My Christmas Prayer for You

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 15, 2022
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This will be my last blog before Christmas Day. The Christmas season is a lovely time to bless and remember our blog community and to let you know how much your thoughtful comments have brought insight and pleasure over the years. Thank you for being part of our community. I pray that as we move through Advent that you and your loved ones are blessed as we all await in glorious anticipation to …

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Category: Personal

Three Fun Links

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 7, 2022
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Since we’re all busy preparing for Christmas, I thought you might enjoy a brief respite. Here is a fun link that is also useful to writers. What year was the word you want to use officially born, as in, first used in print? What words were born during your birth year? Have fun exploring! Time Traveler by Merriam-Webster: Words from 2021 I love Christmas hymns. My favorites are too numerous to list …

Read moreThree Fun Links
Category: Personal

Thankful to the Lord, Today and Every Day

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 23, 2022
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From the Book of Common Prayer 1979 of the Episcopal Church, USA   A Litany of Thanksgiving Let us give thanks to God our Father for all his gifts so freely bestowed upon us. For the beauty and wonder of your creation, in earth and sky and sea, We thank you, Lord. For all that is gracious in the lives of men and women, revealing the image of Christ, We thank you, Lord. For our daily food and …

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Category: Personal

You Might Not Like My Edits

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 10, 2022
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Just for fun, here’s an edited (see how I did that!) version of a conversation I had with one of my adult daughters after she sent me a short document she wanted me to check. Daughter: Have you finished yet? Me: I’m fiddling with it. Daughter: Oh no! Don’t do that. I just want you to look at it. Me: But … Daughter: I knew you were going to over-edit it. When I was in elementary school, I would …

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Category: Editing

Line Editing

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 2, 2022
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Today’s post is the second installment of definitions about different types of editing. If line editing, that means someone “fixing” the craft. Sometimes I receive submissions from authors who need more practice in craft. That’s okay! Even the most experienced authors can improve. However, once we’ve agreed to work together, you’ll know that I believe you have mastered craft and that your work is …

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Category: Editing

Developmental and Copy Editing

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 20, 2022
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Last week, I shared a few thoughts on how I edit manuscripts very little, if at all. But rest assured, when you work with me, you are not alone. Using definitions of different types of editing offered by Steve Laube, I’ll explain my process over the next two blog posts. If developmental editing, that means someone “fixing” the story. Like most writers, I call this “brainstorming” with authors. …

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Category: Editing

A Few Edited Words

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 12, 2022
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Sometimes writers will ask me if, as a literary agent, I edit manuscripts before submitting them to publishers. I choose not to touch a manuscript for several reasons: (1) I love your writing, so I don’t think you need my edits. (2)  I worked for many years as a professional writer but not as a professional editor. (3)  Since I have worked as a professional writer, I understand the emotions behind …

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Category: Agents, Editing, Grammar, The Writing Life, Writing Craft

Should I Enter the Contest?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 21, 2022
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Lots of contests for both published and unpublished writers abound. Should a writer enter these contests? The short answer? Yes! Goal: The contest sets a goal. For instance, a contest needing the first ten pages, fifty pages, or the first chapter and a summary all give the writer a deadline. The writer must prepare these materials to enter the contest. Statement: For the unpublished writer, the …

Read moreShould I Enter the Contest?
Category: Contests
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