Agents - Religious/Inspirational

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windyrdg

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My 2007 Guide to Literary Agents lists very few agent in this category...22 to be exact. OK, I've sent out 20 queries and have 11 rejections, 1 request for a partial and one for a full.

I need to keep sending out queries for my novel. Anyone have any ideas?
 

Ned George

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Is that really the lot? I found dozens, so are you culling them somehow? I mean, are you eliminating all but those who represent religious or inspirational fiction exclusively? When I did that some time back, I think I came up with the same: about two dozen at best.

It's sad, but there really aren't that many agents out there who not only rep Christians, but who are Christians. You might go through the book again and just eliminate the ones who rep work you'd be embarrassed to be associated with. Although I'd prefer the former, I wouldn't object to an agent who also represented Historical fiction, etc. I only really object to those who claim to rep Christian/Inspirational, while also actively seeking manuscripts that sell well, such as erotica and such. It takes a lot of time to go through the guide and then all the websites of these agents, to eliminate those you wouldn't contact. I spent days making my list and finding those I judged to be the best "match" for what I write.

Most Christian agents say they make most of their deals at writer's conferences. There are only three or four really big conferences for Inspirational, but check the sites of the agents you are interested in, and find their schedules. Any conferences they'll be attending will be listed on their sites. I honestly think it's the best way to make contact.
 

Ned George

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I reviewed the index in my copy. Yes, there are quite a few, but only a minority represent fiction. Is that what you meant?
 

windyrdg

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Inspie: Hartline is one of the ones I have on my list. I'm sending to anyone listed as Religious/Inspirational unless their website or listing stipulates nonfiction only.

In the back of the Guide they cross sort the agents by genre, based on the agent's listing info. I've also been watching PublishersMarketplace looking for sales by agents not on my short list. I've picked up two or three this way, but they're typically nonfiction. Of course, the whole CBA market is heavily skewed toward nonfiction and romance.

The only option I see is to start querying some of the better fiction agents. I worry that this might be a waste of my time and postage.

This whole CBA concept bothers me. In the past religious themed works were published by the major trade houses. There are tons of readers who want something moral and inspirational who never set foot in a "Christian bookstore." Heck, we livce in a small town that only has one bookstore. If I had my druthers, I'd rather be published ABA and have the book crossover, although I've been told by editors and agents that crossovers only go CBA to ABA, not the other way around.

BTW Here's an interesting trivial question to ask your friends. What was the best selling fiction title of the 19th century? Remember, we're talking Dickens, Austen, Twain and a ton of other books that are considered classics.
Answer: Ben Hur. It was made into a stage play, four movies and has never been out of print.
 

rwam

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Hi windyrdg. If your ms isn't overtly Christian (predictable and preachy), but is more spiritual with subtle Christian themes, then you shouldn't feel bad at all about querying mainstream fiction agents. There are tons of great works of inspirational fiction that aren't found in the CBA marketplace. You will probably want to have two versions of your core query letter, though, based upon what kind of agent you're pitching.
 
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