Tamela Hancock Murray

Christmas Blessings to All Our Readers

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 16, 2021

The Christmas season is a lovely time to bless and remember our blog community, 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 this next week of Advent is blessed as we all await in glorious anticipation to celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I pray that the stillness of Christmas Eve brings you peace and a sense of wonder. And I pray you and yours will enjoy a most wonderful Christmas day celebration together and experience increased joy throughout Epiphany and beyond. May you thrive in 2022 as you follow the Lord’s plan for your life. Amen.

New Year’s Resolutions

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon December 8, 2021

New Year’s resolutions already? But we’ve only just finished the last of the turkey noodle soup, turkey tetrazzini, and flaming turkey wings from Thanksgiving! And we’re in the midst of deciding whether or not we need to make a run out to the Hallmark store to buy more gift wrapping paper and greeting cards. Stop the madness! Yet we are less than a month from January 1, when many people resolve …

Category: The Writing Life

We Have It All!

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 17, 2021

Recently I received several boxes of books from Steve Laube. Inside were dozens of sample books published by our agency clients. Since he is cheap, frugal, thrifty, fantastic for being concerned about the environment, he sent my books in repurposed containers. One was labeled “Reformed Systematic Theology,” scratched through with a black Sharpie pen. Another bore the Harlequin logo familiar to …

Category: Agency

One Approach to Problem Solving

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon November 4, 2021

I appreciate receiving daily delivery of The Washington Post newspaper. When the paper’s delivery became irregular, I felt disappointed. I figured we had gotten a different carrier. This new person on the job was proving to be a departure from the former prompt and faithful delivery person. But when the paper didn’t arrive three days in a row, I wanted the replacement carrier to be informed and …

Category: Career

What’s the Problem?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 27, 2021

My office receives many submissions with the hypothesis that a protagonist thinks s/he’s living the perfect life until it falls apart. This is a great premise! What is a perfect life? Most of us have an idea of what the world thinks of as an ideal life and what seems to be the “perfect” life we can live as Christians. Therefore, the reader doesn’t need to spend much time living the protagonist’s …

Category: Craft, Get Published, Writing Craft

Why I Represent the Author: Agent Edition

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 14, 2021

My reasons for representing an author may differ from why I read a certain book. Content: When I see something fresh and different, but not so far out that no one can relate, an author has my attention. Talent: Although my office must decline talented authors every day, writing talent will get authors a close look. Proposal: A professional proposal shows me the author has taken the time to learn …

Category: Book Proposals, Career, Pitching, Platform

Why I Bought the Book: Consumer Edition

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon October 6, 2021

I’m a literary agent, but I’m also a reader. As a reader, I have reasons for buying a book. Nonfiction Topics: The topic must address a need or want I’m feeling at that time. For example, if I’m cooking for someone who’s a vegan, I’ll search for books with ideas for vegan dishes. Fiction Topics: Some topics simply don’t appeal to me as a reader. Authors may note that some readers have triggers and …

Category: Book Sales, Marketing, Reading

Start with Your Winning Argument

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 23, 2021

A few years ago, I received a call from someone who otherwise never contacts me. “You need to pay expenses for Dick and Jane. They’ve done so much for us!” Dick and Jane had done a lot for the caller, but they had done nothing for anyone I love. While I’m not so coldhearted as to hang up the phone based on this flawed opening, the caller had opened with an unconvincing pitch. Writers can make the …

Category: Book Proposals, Marketing, Pitch, Pitching

The Secondary Market for Books: Friend or Foe?

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 15, 2021

Understandably, most artists want to earn the highest royalties for their hard work. Remember how Garth Brooks wanted a secondary royalty on his music, thereby kicking off a feud with secondary-market retailers? (See the article linked here.) So, as an author, do you feel that the secondary market is a friend or foe? I think this market is our friend. Here are a few reasons why: …

Category: Book BusinessTag: Used Books

Grateful for Workers

By Tamela Hancock Murrayon September 2, 2021

As we approach Labor Day this coming Monday, let’s pause for a moment of gratitude: 1. I can read! According to Live Science, as recently as 2009, 14% (1 in 7) of American adults were considered illiterate. 14 Percent of U.S. Adults Can’t Read | Live Science Historically, women were less likely to be literate than men. As a woman, I am a thankful reader. 2. I can work longer. Writing is …

Category: Personal