Query Like a Pro: What Literary Agents Actually Look For
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Release Date: 06/04/2025
Inside the Publisher’s Chair - A Conversation with Mark Rice, Kregel Publications (Part 2)
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
We're back with the second half of our conversation with Mark Rice, publisher and senior marketing director at Kregel Publications. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there — we've linked it in the show notes below. In this episode, Mark delivers some of his most practical and candid advice yet, covering book titling, the often-overlooked sales team, AI in publishing, and the three things he'd tell every author before they leave the room. In this episode you'll learn: Mark's titling pet peeve! He shares the two rules every author needs to know before naming their...
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Inside the Publisher’s Chair - A Conversation with Mark Rice, Kregel Publications (Part 1)
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
What does a publisher actually do? And what does it take for a book—or an author—to get a "yes"? This week, host Barb Roose sits down with Mark Rice, publisher and senior marketing director at Kregel Publications, for a candid look at the business of Christian publishing from the inside out. With more than 40 years in publishing, Mark brings a wealth of perspective on what makes books succeed, what separates good publishing from great publishing, and why a well-crafted publishing plan is the foundation for everything. He also shares the story behind two books he's especially proud of—a...
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The Do's and Don'ts of Being a Professional Author
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Want to be taken seriously as an author? In this episode, the Books & Such agents share three essential do’s and don’ts that separate hobby writers from true professionals—and what it really takes to build a lasting writing career. In today’s episode, the Books & Such team dives into what it truly means to show up as a professional author—not just someone who writes when inspiration strikes. If you’ve ever wondered why some writers gain traction in traditional publishing while others stall out, this conversation offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at what agents...
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5 Reasons Agents Won’t Read Your Whole Query (And How to Fix Them)
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Ever wonder why your query received a form rejection… or no response at all? In this candid and surprisingly fun conversation, Books & Such agents pull back the curtain on what really happens inside an agent’s inbox. Jen, Barb, Cynthia, and Debbie share the most common query mistakes that immediately make agents pause—or stop reading altogether. From overly long emails to industry misunderstandings and accidental professionalism red flags, this episode offers practical insight to help writers present their work clearly, confidently, and professionally. If you’re preparing to query...
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Should You Give Up On Traditional Publishing?
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
In this episode, the Books & Such agents tackle one of the most emotionally loaded questions in a writer’s journey: Should I give up on traditional publishing? Join Books & Such Literary Management agents Jen, Cynthia, and Barb for answers to the most commonly asked questions around why traditional publishing takes so long - and should you give up? They answer three commonly asked questions and share about how you can develop the perseverance and endurance for the journey. Pursuing book publishing offers an invitation to personal growth and faith. They discuss why delay isn’t...
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Publishing in 2026: Janet Grant on Trends, Calling, and the Future of Christian Publishing
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
In this episode of the Books & Such Literary Podcast, host Jen Babakhan sits down with agency founder and publishing veteran Janet Grant to talk about where publishing is headed in 2026. With decades of experience as an editor, agent, and industry innovator, Janet shares insights on emerging trends, shifting market realities, and the opportunities authors should be paying attention to now. From the rise of Bible-centered publishing and creative genre mashups to bookstore growth, AI concerns, and career strategy, this conversation offers wisdom and clarity for both aspiring and established...
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The Best Investments for Authors: Websites, Coaching, Social Media & More
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
In this episode of the Books & Such podcast, our agents dive into a question almost every writer wrestles with: What should I actually spend money on as an author? Should you hire an editor? When should you get help with your social media? What does your website truly need—and what’s a waste of money? And is attending a writers conference a valuable investment or a drain on your time and resources? We’re giving you the inside scoop on all of it. Whether you’re unpublished, contracting your next book, or maintaining a multi-book career, this episode will help you make wise,...
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What NOT to Say as a Writer (and Why It Matters for Your Career)
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Why venting about editors, authors, or agents can hurt your reputation How to respond to publishing frustrations with maturity and grace What editors and publishers look for on your social media Why quoting others without permission can cause serious problems How to protect your credibility and future writing relationships Key Takeaways “Publishing is a small world—your words travel farther than you think.” “Maturity in your response protects your reputation and your calling.” Mentioned in This Episode Books & Such Literary...
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Ask the Agents: Real Answers to Real Writer Questions
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Have you ever wished you could ask a literary agent your toughest writing and publishing questions? In this episode, Books & Such agents, Jen Babakkan, Barb Roose, and Cynthia Ruchti answer listener-submitted questions about pen names, genres, comp titles, and writing style. With wisdom, humor, and heart, they unpack the “why” behind key publishing decisions and share what really matters most to editors, readers, and your writing career. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a published pro, this episode will help you gain clarity—and confidence—as you take your next step as...
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From Inbox to Impact: Building a Newsletter Readers Love
Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast
Episode Summary: Newsletters can feel intimidating—but they don’t have to. In this episode of the Books & Such Literary Management Podcast, Jen Babakkan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti continue their conversation on panic-free platform building with a deep dive into newsletters. From knowing your why to discovering the power of consistency, the team shares stories, strategies, and surprising facts (like why publishers value newsletters more than social media numbers). Whether you’re a novelist or nonfiction author, you’ll walk away encouraged and equipped to serve...
info_outlineWelcome to our Books & Such podcast! We're so glad that you're here with us.
According to literaryagent.com, the average literary agent can read 11,000 queries before finding a project that stands out for representation. Far too many hopeful authors are writing ineffective query letters. We want to help you avoid that! How can you write a query that grabs our attention?
In this first episode, we discuss the factors that compel us to dig into your query letters.
- How important is your title?
- How long should your query letter be?
- What should you include in your query?
Our goal is give you valuable insights as well as practical guidance to help you write high quality, attention-grabbing queries. We also tell you what to avoid and much more!
Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our Books & Such podcast on iTunes so you'll be notified when new epsidoes are released.
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