Books & Such Literary Agency

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

janetgrant.com/About_Books.html (http://janetgrant.com/About_Books.html)

This agent appears to have contacts in publishing houses that I view as suitable for my books. Anyone had any experience w this one?

[sfsassenach]

that her site has been updated since 5/02! That speaks to how on top of things this agency is, IMO.

[James D Macdonald]

I don't know about that ... webpages are at the bottom of the priority list at legitimate agencies.

[Betty W01]

First of all, I agree with several other post-ers that it's too bad this board doesn't present itself more as a "let's check up on so-and-so" rather than a "here's another scammer", when an innocent person may be mentioned in the subject line, thus damaging their reputation.

Second, I have nothing to do with Janet Grant, never met her, and she's not my agent (although I'll gladly sign on with her, when I get to that point, if she were to ask...), so this is not a puff piece.

Having said all that -

The thing to notice is that Grant has clients whose books have been sold. I have sitting on my shelf four books by Sandra Byrd that just came out in her Hidden Diary series for kids, represented by Grant, and they're good books, by a major house.

And her site must have been updated at least some since 5/02, because she mentions an associate who joined her in 2003, and the books by Byrd that she mentions came out in 2003, as well.

To me, it looks as though she is in the process of updating the site even now, and I don't know much about how you can tell when a site has been updated, but I don't *think* the date changes itself. Maybe her webmaster hasn't gotten to that detail yet!

So, don't let the old date put you off. Ask her for some clients' testimonials or contact some of them yourself... here are just a few of the authors she represents...

Robin Jones Gunn
www.robingunn.com/bio.html (http://www.robingunn.com/bio.html)

James Watkins
www.gospelcom.net/watkins/pressroom.htm (http://www.gospelcom.net/watkins/pressroom.htm)

Gayle Roper
www.gayleroper.com/ (http://www.gayleroper.com/)

Stephanie Grace Whitson
www.stephaniewhitson.com/about.htm (http://www.stephaniewhitson.com/about.htm)

Lynn A. Coleman
www.lynncoleman.com/ (http://www.lynncoleman.com/)

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

My intenion was not to damage her reputaion...I apologize, but given the content of other posts I figured this was okay.

But thanks for the info. It is very reasssuring to know she is "real" and productive. I think now I will say a prayer and send in my work.She seems like the only agent I have found who seems to have the connections to the publishing houses I see my book with. Thank You again Betty :) .

[Betty W01]

you're welcome - and I'm sure you weren't trying to ruin anything, it's just a concern that this board's very set-up can cause from time to time. Jenna has had suggestions made to her in the past about changing it to something a bit more questioning in tone and introduction and a bit less accusing, so we'll see what happens.

Meanwhile, good luck with your book!

:clover

[Janet Kobobel Grant]

Just to offer a few insights into my web site, janetgrant.com...It certainly has been updated since May 2002, but apparently my webmaster has failed to change that date.

I make changes about every other month, but the site isn't my highest priority. Like most agents, I'm busy placing projects, negotiating contracts, and troubleshooting for authors I represent. This past month I placed more than 30 projects; so I'd say I would fit in the "active" category.

I hope that helps to bring a bit of perspective to how seriously take the date of the last change on a web site.

[Stephenie Hovland]

Thank you for weighing in Ms. Grant. It is nice to hear directly from the source. :thumbs

Stephenie

[EDITORINCHIEF0103]

Well that is wonderful news:snoopy ! Thank You Janet Grant for sharing this bit of info with us.

[rtilryarms]

sfsassenach,

You may not know it but the update note is posted by the page designer. That is the last time anything has been edited in the HTML.

Editing is done constantly, adding news etc. What the webmaster means by updating is changes in the body or new downloads.

The owner, Janet in this case, would not know how to change the update code normally.

So that was bad information


rt

[Betty W01]

Since the above post, I've heard from three of her clients whom I personally know and can vouch for. They are VERY happy with her, and I've read a number of the books she's sold for them (without knowing it until now) and can say without equivocation that she's done an excellent job for them. In fact, I'd be very happy to have her as my own agent. (From my mouth to God's ear...)

[ramis]

I have had Janet Grant's name beside my computer since last spring. She is someone with whom I hope to work someday. Thank you Janet for taking the time to respond. God bless you!

[CaoPaux]

Adding live link: http://janetgrant.com/

[jamiehall]

Does anyone know if Rachel Zurakowski (http://www.janetgrant.com/html/meetrachel.html), a new agent at the agency, has had any sales yet? I can't find any information whatsoever on clients or sales for her.

[xiaotien]

14 day personal ejection from rachel z
saying she's recently taken on quite a few
clients.

[thequotegal]

Hi there! Just received a response from my query to Rachel for first 3 chapters, synopsis and bio. However, upon visiting their site, I notice many books with religious themes....mine is not. Did I miss something about this agency???

[IceCreamEmpress]

Hi there! Just received a response from my query to Rachel for first 3 chapters, synopsis and bio. However, upon visiting their site, I notice many books with religious themes....mine is not. Did I miss something about this agency???

From the "About Books & Such" page:

Janet Kobobel Grant established Books & Such Literary Agency in 1996 after working in the book publishing industry for more than twenty years. She had her own imprint at Zondervan Publishing and served as managing editor of books at Focus on the Family.

That may be what you missed: Zondervan is a large Christian publisher, and Focus on the Family is an evangelical Christian lobbying group.

[thequotegal]

Yes, I most definitely did miss that part. Thanks! Do you think I should still send to Rachel? Do they work with other publishers?

[xiaotien]

quotegal, i don't see why you shouldn't
send it, esp if she asked for it! good luck!

[IceCreamEmpress]

Yes, I most definitely did miss that part. Thanks! Do you think I should still send to Rachel? Do they work with other publishers?

Well, when I go to their "Author News" page (http://www.janetgrant.com/html/authornews.html), all the news is about Christian publishing groups' awards; it does seem like that's their specialty.

[Soccer Mom]

They do a lot of Christian and Christian/Inspirational Romance

[IceCreamEmpress]

Oy Vey...my protag is Jewish, and I didn't think to mention that in the query! Hmmmmmmmm!

Well, you never know. I'm sure they have contacts at mainstream publishers as well, but it does seem like they specialize in the Christian markets.

If they offer to represent you, I think you might be wise to get specifics about their submission plans before signing on with them.

[xiaotien]

Oy Vey...my protag is Jewish, and I didn't think to mention that in the query! Hmmmmmmmm!

it doesn't hurt to try. you have nothing
to lose except a no. and possible i want to
see more. right? =)

[nash]

It's been quiet on this thread. <echo, echo...>

I sent a query 9/25. Anyone else out there waiting?

[sharla]

Sent a query to Wendy Lawton today, and received an automated message telling me that they only respond if they want more so if I haven't heard in 30 days, they've decided to pass.

That's okay, at least that's something other than crickets chirping!! LOL

[nash]

Sent a query to Wendy Lawton today, and received an automated message telling me that they only respond if they want more so if I haven't heard in 30 days, they've decided to pass.

That's okay, at least that's something other than crickets chirping!! LOL
Oooooh, right, 30 days. I guess that's a no for me. Bummer.

Best wishes on your search!

[sarahfru]

Sent a query to Wendy Lawton today, and received an automated message telling me that they only respond if they want more so if I haven't heard in 30 days, they've decided to pass.

That's okay, at least that's something other than crickets chirping!! LOL

Same thing happened to me. At first I thought it was an automated form-letter rejection!

[ether]

Queried Rachel on 9/4, so I have a little bit of a wait before closing it out.

[Jamiekswriter]

Any new information about Rachel Kent and Books and Such? Because I have such awesome notes, I have her down as someone to query . . . but I'm querying an adult vampire novel and she looks like she's a YA-ish agent and the agency looks like it's slanted towards romance and christian books. Anyone know if there was an urban fantasy buzz about her/them? Thanks :D - Jamie

[Gravity]

The thirty day mark came and went for my submission, so I'm taking that as a "no thanks."

[callalily61]

Sorry, John. *hugs*

[Gravity]

Eh, maybe somebody will like it. I hope.

[CAWriter]

Any new information about Rachel Kent and Books and Such? Because I have such awesome notes, I have her down as someone to query . . . but I'm querying an adult vampire novel and she looks like she's a YA-ish agent and the agency looks like it's slanted towards romance and christian books. Anyone know if there was an urban fantasy buzz about her/them? Thanks :D - Jamie

The agency is definitely slanted toward Christian books. Rachel isn't strictly YA, but she does represent writers with a youthful voice (if that makes sense). She might be open to urban fantasy, but it would probably need to have a fairly conservative and/or Christian tone.

[Deb Kinnard]

Books and Such is very well respected in the Christian fic market. If Ms. Kent has joined the agency, and likes to get queried for YA fiction, I'd be willing to bet she isn't limited to that genre alone. Reason: there's a scarcity of large Christian houses that publish in the YA market. So I'd feel it's at least a 70% safe bet to query Ms. Kent on anything in this spectrum that you'd like to pitch to her.

[K. Victoria Chase]

Sent a proposal to Ms. Kent on 2/5 after meeting her in last year's ACFW Conference. Will keep you posted on response time.