Agents
Appointments with Agents
The first 30 to register for the conference are eligible for a 4th appointment. Their appointments will be scheduled in the order they registered. After that, appointments will be scheduled on a first come basis.
The deadline for requesting appointments is June 10.
See Our Appointment Process for important details.
Be prepared to email the following to whaconferenceappointments@gmail.com
no later than June 12.
One Sheet that includes
Title, Audience, Brief Overview, Comparative Books, Marketing Plan
First Page of Manuscript
12-pt Times New Roman font, double-spaced, 1" margins
Be sure to watch the videos on preparing your one sheet
and attend the live Practice Your Pitch sessions with
DiAnn Mills – Fiction
Karen Whiting – Nonfiction
See Pre-Conference Opportunities
The pitch sessions are only open to conferees.
Everything is Eastern Time
Stephanie Alton
Agent, The Blythe Daniel Agency
Stephanie is a literary agent and marketer with The Blythe Daniel Agency, Inc. and represents adult nonfiction and select fiction works. She has been with BDA for over 10 years, splitting her time between the agency’s The Book Pod Interview & Review Network offering books for review, authors for interviews, and launch team management. Along with publicity campaigns, helping authors develop their message, and securing book deals with traditional publishers. Stephanie lives on the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and two teens. She loves sunset cruising the bayou to the bay.
Workshop 3G – I Have a Book Deal! Now What? (Friday, 2:00 – 2:50)
This workshop is designed for writers who are transitioning from “contract signed” to “book in production,” helping them avoid surprises and navigate the next steps professionally.
- What happens after you sign a book contract
- How to prepare for the publishing process
- What authors should expect from their publisher
- How to collaborate effectively with your agent and publishing team
- Marketing and publicity considerations once the deal is in place
Round Table – Friday, 12:30 – 12:55
Interested in Representing
Fiction: women’s contemporary, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy
Nonfiction: Devotionals, leadership, lifestyle, family, mental health, and women’s issues
Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott
Founder/CEO, AuthorizeMe® Literary Firm
Author, Speaker
Licensed Minister
From obscurity in Compton, CA, to preaching from sacred pulpits, to commanding main stages teaching others how to understand the Bible or write their books, Dr. Sharon Norris Elliott encourages us to “Live significantly!” This inspiring message has driven Dr. Sharon to become an award-winning (and Amazon bestselling) author, editor, agent, engaging speaker, and licensed minister. She is a graduate of Biola University (BA in Liberal Studies, Minor in Bible), and HSBN International School of Ministry in association with Gateway International Bible Institute (Doctor of Theology, ThD).
Dr. Sharon is the author of 20 books and a member of several prestigious organizations. She serves as a board member of the WCCW (West Coast Christian Writers) Conference and AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association). She is also a Christian broadcaster, hosting her Life That Matters show reaching the world on HSBN.tv.
Having expertly reinvented herself after retiring from her beloved 35-year teaching career (most of that time spent teaching teenagers in English and Journalism classes), Dr. Sharon is even busier now operating as founder/CEO of the successful AuthorizeMe® Literary Firm (www.AuthorizeMe.net) offering book development, personal consulting, coaching, writing masterclasses, and, of course, the literary agency. She considers her clients to be a part of her AMLA (AuthorizeMe Literary Agency) family and encourages them to support each other as their books launch from a wide variety of traditional publishing houses. She represents Christian and positive message titles (both fiction and nonfiction) for adults and children in many genres (no horror or X-rated material please).
Dr. Sharon lives in Southern California and serves on the pastoral staff at her home church, Christ Second Baptist Church of Long Beach. She enjoys traveling, visiting with her children, and being “Nana” to her three amazing grandchildren.
Continuing Session – Craft a Winning Book Proposal in Five Hours (Almost)
Thursday & Friday: 11:15 – 12:15 and 3:15 – 4:15
Saturday, 11:15 – 12:15
Dr. Sharon will guide participants through her winning book proposal template. She will explain as participants draft each section. Depending on how much of the manuscript is already written, the “Almost” is there because several of the more involved sections will be fully explained and at least started, but they could need some homework time to complete. This continuing session is for the absolute newbie to the experienced writer preparing to pitch a new project.
Workshop 4B – The 14 Targets a Title Must Touch (Friday, 5:15 – 6:05)
Most of us do our best to come up with a clever title for our book, but many of us fail miserably. The title is the most important marketing tool for your collection of words. In fact, a strong title must multitask to accomplish 14 purposes. Attending this workshop may help you creatively entitle your book to enthrall your readers, or it will at least explain why publishers reserve the right to assign this task to the company’s hired professionals.
Round Table – Wednesday, 6:30 – 6:55
Interested in Representing
All genres except the following that AuthorizeMe does NOT represent: horror, journalism reporting, philosophy, economics, political science/politics, mathematics, technology, science, personal finance, film/media studies, art & design, music, nature/environmental, law, fantasy (except some children’s), science fiction, magical realism, gothic, paranormal, psychological thriller, or erotic fiction.
David E. Fessenden
Literary Agent, WordWise Media Services
Editorial Coordinator, CLC Publications
Publisher & Proprietor, Honeycomb House Publishing LLC
Author
Dave has degrees in journalism and theology, and over thirty years of experience in writing and editing. He has served in editorial management positions for Christian book publishers and was a regional editor for the largest Protestant weekly newspaper in the country.
Dave has published eight books, written hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles, and edited numerous books. He is a frequent speaker at writers’ conferences. Two of his books, Writing the Christian Nonfiction Book: Concept to Contract and A Christian Writer’s Guide to the Book Proposal, are based on his experience in Christian publishing.
The Case of the Exploding Speakeasy, Dave’s first novel, reflects his love for history and for the Sherlock Holmes stories of Arthur Conan-Doyle. Dave is currently pitching his second novel to publishers. Figman O’Firth is about a Scottish storyteller at the cusp of the Renaissance. His most recent published title is How to Be a Wise Guy, a preteen study of the book of Proverbs.
Workshop 5F – Writing Sidebar and Discussion Questions (Saturday, 2:00 – 2:50)
Your nonfiction article or book manuscript will be more salable with strong sidebars and discussion questions. This workshop gives tips on how to produce these valuable additions.
Round Table – Thursday, 6:30 – 6:55
Critique Group – Friday, 4:30 – 5:10 – Historical Fiction
Interested in Representing
Nonfiction: Bible Studies, Books Military Related, Christian Living/Ministry/Evangelism, Culture/Contemporary Issues, Curriculum/How To/Teaching, Devotionals, Discipleship & Personal Growth, Men’s Books, Prayer & Spiritual Warfare, Women’s Interests
Fiction: Action/Adventure, Biblical Fiction, General Market, Historical, Inspirational, Legal/Political Thrillers, Suspense/Crime/Mystery
Other: Gift Books
Greatest Area of Need: authors with a decent platform
Overworked Topics: biography/memoir, one-year devotionals with no overarching theme, medieval fantasy with hero/heroine on a quest against an evil king
Helpful Tips: Inexperienced, first-time authors with no platform do not need an agent; they need an editor or a writing coach.
Guidelines for Writers: Wordwisemedia.com
Michelle S. Lazurek
Literary Agent, WordWise Media Services
Author, Speaker, Certified Writing Coach
Michelle is a multi-genre award-winning author, literary agent, certified writing coach, speaker, pastor’s wife, and mother living in Coopersburg, Pennsylvania. She is a 37-time award-winning author, including a three-time Children’s Book of the Year, Article of the Year, Selah, and Directors’ Choice awards. Michelle is the host of The Spiritual Reset Podcast. She is also a member of the Christian Author’s Network and the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association.
Workshop 1I – Writing to Shape Culture (Thursday, 2:00 – 2:50)
This workshop is for new and seasoned Christian writers who want to target their messages to speak to the world around them. Learn how your words can shape not only the lives of those who know you, but also the culture around you. Michelle will help you:
- Identify your core values to understand your core message
- Understand the world’s values to spread the gospel
- Identify the cries of the world to better target your message
- Write a tagline that reflects these values
Workshop 3E – Writing for Early Readers (Friday, 2:00 – 2:50)
This workshop is for beginning or intermediate writers who want to write for children but don’t know how to start and intermediate writers who write for children but find their material is not resonating with their audiences. Learn how to reach the next generation through creating compelling and engaging content while staying true to God’s Word. Michelle will share:
- Why writing children’s books is so important
- Five tips to help you if you have a desire to write but don’t know where to start
- Four ways to keep children engaged in the story
- How to structure your book
Round Table – Thursday, 12:30 – 12:55
Interested in Representing
Mytecia R. Myles
Associate Literary Agent
Author Development & Publishing Consultant
Embolden Media GroupM
Mytecia is a creative, bold, and authentic leader, workshop facilitator, and subject matter expert. As the founder and global head of PR and communications of Supernatural Success, LLC, Mytecia oversees innovation and client development. She is a sought-after advisor, speaker, and writing coach, and has provided media management for local, regional, and international brands. As a co-creator, book editor, and workshop presenter, Mytecia has had the honor of working with diverse groups of aspiring writers, helping many become published authors.
Interested in Representing
Mytecia loves representing a focused list of authors writing memoir, narrative nonfiction, and select upmarket and historical fiction. She specializes in culturally grounded stories that explore identity, inspiration, healing, and transformation, with a particular emphasis on women's issues and BIPOC voices.
Currently, Mytecia is seeking cultural impact memoir and narrative nonfiction with a strong voice, clear audience, and compelling personal or transformational arc; elevated health/wellness, faith, spirituality, projects rooted in a cultural context, and African Diaspora historical and upmarket/book club fiction with emotional depth and discussion potential.
Across all categories, she is drawn to projects with strong commercial viability and clear potential for film or documentary adaptation, and to authors who bring both a powerful story, clarity of voice, a distinct, authoritative perspective. She is interested in contemporary art, photography, and projects with a strong curatorial voice or archive-based concept.
Karen Neumair
Senior Literary Agent
Chief Operating Officer
Credo Communications
Karen is a Senior Literary Agent and the Chief Operating Officer of Credo Communications, where she assists authors with their book proposals and connects them with potential publishers. Since 2009, she has worked alongside nonfiction authors who write about Christian living and spiritual growth, as well as topics geared toward women and families. In 2017, she expanded her representation to include a limited number of picture and board books.
Workshop 4G – Shelf Awareness: How to Research Comparative Titles (Friday,5:15 – 6:05)
Confused about comps? Understanding which books compete with yours can shape your project’s direction and success. Join Karen as she explains a variety of ways to research comparable titles and determine how best to make your book stand out on the shelf.
Workshop 6G – How to Know Which Publishing Path Is Right for You (Saturday, 3:45 – 4:35)
New to publishing? Karen outlines the pros and cons of three key publishing paths, helping you choose the best fit for your goals – plus an overview of how to break into traditional publishing.
Interested in Representing
Adult nonfiction: Christian Living and Spiritual Growth, Contemporary Issues, Devotionals, Marriage / Family / Parenting, Men’s Books, Women’s Interests, Devotionals
Children: Board Books, Picture Books, Devotionals for ages 12 and under
No fiction
For more information on editorial needs, be sure to check The Christian Writers Market Guide 2026 available in paperback and as an eBook. We recommend a yearly subscription to the eBook because it is updated throughout the year.
Available through the Christian Writers Institute.