Hartline Literary Agency

**Project nachonaco** · 08-19-2005, 04:22 AM

http://www.deborahbrevoort.com/

Does this sound fishy to you guys?

I'd like a publisher that sells to B&M stores. I'm hoping that they can accept my manuscript as I am having trouble locating a good agent.

http://www.hartlineliterary.com/guidelines.htm

Or that one?

**James D. Macdonald** · 08-19-2005, 04:36 AM

Originally Posted by nachonaco_Grippers

http://www.deborahbrevoort.com/

Does this sound fishy to you guys?

I'd like a publisher that sells to B&M stores. I'm hoping that they can accept my manuscript as I am having trouble locating a good agent.

http://www.hartlineliterary.com/guidelines.htm

Or that one?

I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing the question. Deborah Brevoot appears to be a playwright. She has an agent (two of them), but doesn't appear to be an agent or publisher herself.

**Cathy C** · 08-19-2005, 04:37 AM

What genre is B&M stores??

**Project nachonaco** · 08-19-2005, 04:40 AM

B&M stores, I believe, refer to actual bookstores vs. internet ones.

I think I'm going with Hartline, does anyone have any experience?

**Sheryl Nantus** · 08-19-2005, 06:14 AM

mark this page: http://www.anotherealm.com/prededitors/

Preditors and Editors is your best resource other than word-of-mouth (and even I'm not too sure on that!) to find good reliable agents and publishers.

**Gravity** · 08-19-2005, 02:31 PM

I'm with Hartline. My agent worked like a Trojan getting my series placed (the Joe Box Mysteries, with RiverOak), and I couldn't be happier.

**aruna** · 08-19-2005, 02:49 PM

I notice that all Hartline agents seem to have a strong Christian background. Make sure that your book is the kind they would respond to positively - or is that the specific reason you singled them out?

**absitinvidia** · 08-20-2005, 07:08 AM

Originally Posted by Cathy C

What genre is B&M stores??

B&M = brick-and-mortar stores. Actual physical bookstores.

**Project nachonaco** · 08-20-2005, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by aruna

I notice that all Hartline agents seem to have a strong Christian background. Make sure that your book is the kind they would respond to positively - or is that the specific reason you singled them out?

Actually I did a google search.

My book deals more with science, would they still reject it?

Does Hartline pay an advance?

Where is their HQ based at?

**Gravity** · 08-20-2005, 07:04 PM

Hartline is based in Pittsburgh, and they aren't they ones who pay an advance; that's up to whatever publisher ends up taking your work. Yes, they do nonfiction as well as fiction, both CBA and ABA. Your best bet would be to query them. My agent said they're pretty selective, so you'd probably want to make your query as good as you're able. Hope this helps.

John

**aruna** · 08-20-2005, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by nachonaco_Grippers

My book deals more with science, would they still reject it?

I don't know - you'll just have to try them out. People's beliefs do matter in their jobs. It's unlikely that a very Christain agent would take on a book whose main theme is the non-existence of God, for instance. Most agents say the books they take on have to stroke a chord with them. Vice versa: I noticed that an agent who I sent a partial to said, among their criteria, that they don't take books on spirituality. My novel has a very spiritual element to it - could be that be one of the reasons they turned it down? Who knows?

**victoriastrauss** · 08-24-2005, 03:33 AM

Originally Posted by nachonaco_Grippers

My book deals more with science, would they still reject it?

That's not really the right question. Their beliefs aren't the issue--what you need to know is whether they will be able to represent your book effectively. Different literary genres/markets have different requirements, trends, imprints, and editors; and agents specialize in particular genres/markets according to their interests and experience. So an agent may be terrific at selling Christian-oriented books to Christian publishers and imprints, but might not have the contacts needed to sell a science-oriented nonfiction book.

Always look for an agent with a verifiable track record of commercial sales--but more than that, look for an agent who has experience selling books in your subject or genre.

Does Hartline pay an advance?

Publishers pay advances. Hartline is not a publisher, but a literary agency. If it were to sell your book, you'd pay it a commission.

- Victoria

**Rachael** · 08-24-2005, 07:58 AM

Originally Posted by aruna

I notice that all Hartline agents seem to have a strong Christian background. Make sure that your book is the kind they would respond to positively - or is that the specific reason you singled them out?

I'll have to check these guys out... that's what I'm looking for.

**first time writer** · 04-25-2006, 10:02 PM

hi there

does anybody know anything about the Hartline Literary agency?
they seem to be legit but then again i thought the Robins agency and the New York literary agency were legit.

Also is it normal for literary agencies to charge for normal everyday things like copying and mailing regarding a persons manuscript

thanks

first time writer

**James D. Macdonald** · 04-25-2006, 10:13 PM

Originally Posted by first time writer

Also is it normal for literary agencies to charge for normal everyday things like copying and mailing regarding a persons manuscript

They can, under certain circumstances. However it is normal for such charges to be deducted from the author's advance after the book sells.

For the rest of your question:

Hartline appears to be a legitimate agency.

**first time writer** · 04-25-2006, 10:20 PM

Thanks James

that's what I wanted to hear. Coming from you that means a lot

first time writer (tonyb)

**HeatherCW** · 09-18-2008, 10:06 PM

While researching this agency (http://www.hartlineliterary.com/) I came across this oddity:

"Include the title, author's name, your physical address, your email address, the genre of your novel (e.g. cozy romantic mystery, Civil War historical, women's fiction), and the length (word count). Also put Represented by: Agent’s name, Hartline Literary Agency. Agent’s address, phone and e-mail."

The first part, no issue. But to include 'represented by' the agency, as part of a query package? That feels strange to me.

And yes, this IS, according to their site, to be part of the initial contact.

I haven't seen this anywhere else, and I'm reluctant to do it. Any thoughts?

Heather

**NancyMehl** · 09-20-2008, 08:23 AM

Heather,

I agree that the information is listed somewhat strangely, but I think they're asking which agent you are submitting to.

I used to be represented by Hartline, and they are a very reputable and successful agency. The only reason I'm no longer with them is because my agent left to start her own agency. I went with her.

Nancy

**Deb Kinnard** · 09-23-2008, 05:15 AM

This spring I signed with Hartline, and couldn't be happier. But my query package to them didn't include this. I think they meant this "represented by" verbiage to go on the proposal package to a potential publisher.

My take.

**Robin Bayne** · 09-23-2008, 10:03 PM

I am also with Hartline, but never ran into that wording.

**HeatherCW** · 10-06-2008, 06:07 AM

Deb, I assumed it meant that as well but when I went through the site carefully it definitely asked for that page to be sent with queries as well.

I'm glad you're happy with them! What genre is your book?

Heather

**Deb Kinnard** · 10-06-2008, 08:00 AM

The sale my agent just landed for me is a Christian time-travel romance -- and yeah, it's really going to be a book! It'll come out in spring 2010 and I couldn't be more pleased. My agent is terrific.

**in_fusion_production** · 11-01-2008, 01:29 AM

I'm just writing to let you know that the Hartline Literary Agency has
clause in their contract asking writers to give up their arbitration
rights in any future disagreement between the client and the agency.
They force writers to sign a clause that takes all arbitration to a
Christian oriented panel and forgo all legitimate, secular arbitration
in the courts. If a writer does not sign to this clause, they will
suddenly go back on their offer of representation and cite some other
reason for not signing the contract. They are a successful agency, but
unfortunately they are trouble when it comes to author's rights.

**Deb Kinnard** · 11-02-2008, 06:37 AM

Since I am a Christian writing Christian fiction, hoping to sell to C-fic publishers, I saw this clause and I'm fine with it. For me, better a Christian arbitration panel than one who doesn't understand my background.

Hartline has never claimed to be other than an agency representing C-fic to C-fic oriented publishers. At no time has any other client of theirs indicated to me that they have any problem with the arbitration clause.

My take. Your mileage may vary, particularly if you do not write for this market.

**Juneluv12** · 06-01-2009, 01:39 AM

Hi guys,

I hope I'm not overstepping my posting bounds here since I usually ask questions like these in Beware and Background Checks, but since there's one for Alive Communications, I thought it might be okay.

Anyone here queried them? How long does it usually take back to hear from them?

Just wondering!
Thanks!