Have you ever been frustrated while looking for an agent or editor? Where can you find good editors and agents? I asked Steve Laube, the president and founder of the Steve Laube Agency, an ACFW Agent of the Year, and the author of record for the Christian Writers Market Guide.

Thomas: Many people feel like, “Where are all the agents? There just aren’t that many out there.”

Steve: That’s part of the challenge. There are a lot of agents, but the problem is knowing which ones are good or legitimate because anybody can become an agent. There’s no test, no organization you must join, and no vetting process. That’s why there are so many crooks out there. If someone types “literary agent Arizona,” my name is the only one that comes up, so I get calls from some very strange people. Google can’t curate those results; it just gives whatever matches your search terms.

If you search for “literary agents Christian,” anyone can call themselves a Christian. Do they really work in that space? Are they legitimate? Those questions are why people get frustrated.

Thomas: One of the things I like about the Christian Writers Market Guide is that there are tips from the agents themselves on how to get their attention. That’s valuable because many authors get unnecessary rejections when they pitch to agents or publishers who don’t represent their kind of writing.

When someone pitches me a fiction book, I send a stock rejection because I don’t represent fiction. It’s not about the quality of their novel. It could be the next bestseller, but it’s not my area. If they had looked in the Christian Writers Market Guide, they’d know to send their proposal to you or one of your colleagues instead.

Steve: The Christian WritersMarket Guide gives you a curated starting place. You can go beyond it, of course, but this is where you begin if you want to stay in the Christian space. Writer’s Digest publishes a similar book that lists all kinds of literary agents, but it’s hundreds of pages long and covers every category imaginable. The Christian Writers Market Guide narrows your search to what’s relevant. If you’re writing a “military-style cookbook for surviving the Andes,” the Christian Writers Market Guide isn’t for you. But if you’re writing for the Christian market, it’s the perfect place to start.

Thomas: I read a book called The Combat-Ready Kitchen. It’s about how the military has influenced our diet. Canned food was developed for Napoleon’s troops, and the U.S. military invented things like instant pizza and packaged guacamole. It’s fascinating, but it wouldn’t have been published by a Christian agent or editor because there’s no gospel connection to the topic.

Section 1: Book Publishers

Does knowing about a publishing company ahead of time give you a better chance of success?

Steve: Absolutely. When I teach at conferences, I sometimes quiz the class by naming a publisher and asking them which church denomination is behind it. I stump them every time.

For example, someone might write a book about speaking in tongues. Regardless of whether you agree with the topic, you need to find a publisher that aligns with that belief. You wouldn’t send it to a publisher whose theology rejects it. One of the great features of the Christian WritersMarket Guide is that it lists publishers by denomination.

Thomas: That’s fascinating because there are denominations in there I’d never even heard of. Even small or obscure denominations often have their own publishers. Those publishers don’t get as many queries because they’re not Zondervan or HarperCollins, but that means less competition.

Steve: It also lists magazines by denomination. That’s important because the guide isn’t just about books; it’s also about periodicals, both online and print. Many writers don’t realize they can build a great writing career by starting with magazine articles instead of books.

Thomas: And magazines reach more people. I was looking at a denominational magazine, and its circulation was in the hundreds of thousands, even millions. Churches hand them out monthly, so if your article is in there, you’re reaching a huge audience.

It’s also easier to get published. Big publishers might release a couple of hundred books a year, but magazines need dozens of articles every month. Over a year, one magazine might publish as many pieces as a major publisher. Hundreds of magazines pay for content. Many authors miss these opportunities simply because they don’t know they exist.

Steve: That’s exactly what Sally Stuart, the original creator of the Christian Writers Market Guide, wanted to fix over thirty years ago. She wanted a single volume where writers could find magazines, book publishers, and editors all in one place.

Some people think Google is enough, but it isn’t. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, it can help, but most writers don’t. Instead of only a few leads, the Christian Writers Market Guide will give you twenty-five or more because you discover opportunities you didn’t even know to search for.

Thomas: Google helps you find exactly what you’re already looking for, but it’s not great for exploration. If you just know you want to be published and need to find out who publishes what you write, that’s not a question Google answers well.

The top five publishers dominate search results because of SEO (search engine optimization), but the publishers and magazines most likely to say yes to a new writer often don’t rank high on Google. That’s where the Christian Writers Market Guide shines.

Section 2: Independent Book Publishers

Steve: We had to separate the traditional publishers, those who have you sign a contract, pay you royalties, and cover the costs themselves, from the self-publishing industry. We don’t call it strictly “self-publishing” because that term doesn’t always fit. Some people handle every part of the process themselves, but others work with companies called “packagers.”

These organizations charge a fee to handle editing, cover design, typesetting, and all the other steps that get your book ready for publication. Since you, the author, are paying for it, we categorize those companies as independent book publishers.

So if you pay nothing to publish your book, that falls under the traditional publisher section. But if you’re paying for any part of the publishing process, that belongs in the independent book publisher section. We’ve listed most of the reputable independent book publishers in the marketplace.

We even include a disclaimer at the start of the chapter: Do your due diligence. Check them out. Yes, we vet them, but things can change. For example, Tate Publishing was in the guide for years before the owners were indicted and later convicted of fraud. They had been around for 15 or 20 years before things went wrong. We removed them as soon as it became clear.

So even with vetting, authors should always double-check before signing anything.

How can authors find the right publisher or agent?

Thomas: That warning doesn’t just apply to independent publishers. It’s also true for periodicals, traditional publishers, and agents. Just because someone is a great agent for one author doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for you. Likewise, a publisher that succeeds with one kind of book might not do well with yours. They’re not interchangeable.

When you find the right match, it makes a huge difference. Let’s say you’ve written a women’s ministry book. If you sign with a publisher who’s spent the last decade building a list of 10,000 women’s ministry leaders, they’ll know exactly how to reach your audience. But if you’re writing a young adult novel for teenage boys, that same publisher won’t be a good fit.

As a former teenage guy, I can tell you that having your mom hand you a book from her women’s ministry group is not the best endorsement. So do your homework before signing. Find a happy customer or author who’s worked with them and had a good experience. Anyone can post a glowing testimonial online, but real references matter.

And if you’re truly publishing independently, hiring your own cover designer, editor, and other specialists, the Christian Writers Market Guide lists those professionals too. There are pages of editors, designers, and technicians, many of whom freelance for traditional publishers as well. Some even list their pricing ranges to help you plan your budget.

Steve: We ask our contributors to include their pricing range. It helps authors budget realistically. There are about 70 to 80 pages of this type of support material in the guide. Right after the independent publishers section, we list people who specifically help self-publishing authors. Later in the book, there’s another full section dedicated to editors of all kinds.

Why is finding a good editor important?

Thomas: Finding a good editor is crucial. Like agents, anyone can call themselves an editor, but that doesn’t mean they’re qualified. I like the open market, but having a vetted list helps ensure you’re getting actual quality.

Section 4: Specialty Markets

Thomas: The next section of the book, Specialty Markets, caught my attention.

Daily Devotional Booklets and Websites

Steve: These are smaller, unique publications that accept devotional material. They’re not typical magazines with wide circulation, but they may have loyal readerships. It helps writers find the right place to submit their work.

Thomas: Devotional booklets are powerful ministry tools. They’re like a blend of a short book and a magazine, and quite a few are produced each year.

Steve: Many are online, and several are denominational. The Christian Writers Market Guide lists 15 to 20. It’s a small category, but one that many writers don’t know exists.

Greeting Cards and Gifts

Thomas: Another specialty market that stood out to me is Greeting Cards and Gifts. The guide lists companies looking for greeting card writers who will actually buy your poems.

So if you’re a poet thinking no one buys poetry anymore, that’s not true. Greeting card companies buy poetry all the time, but not the dark, brooding kind. They’re looking for uplifting or encouraging work.

Steve: I have a client who writes devotionals and nonfiction, but she supported herself for years writing greeting cards. She wrote hundreds of them. Dayspring, which is the top Christian greeting card company, is owned by Hallmark. Most people don’t realize that connection.

Gospel Tracts

Thomas: The next section, Gospel Tracts, is close to my heart. When I was in college, I wrote two gospel tracts that are still in circulation today. Writing gospel tracts is one of the purest forms of gospel communication. The writing is short, but the potential reach is enormous. People distribute hundreds or even thousands of tracts each month.

It’s also a great place to start because writing a gospel tract takes less time than writing a full book.

Steve: That’s true, but it still takes skill to express the gospel clearly in just 100 to 250 words. Good News Publishers, one of the main organizations listed, is the parent company of Crossway Books, which publishes the English Standard Version of the Bible. That company started as a gospel tract publisher and still distributes tens of millions of tracts every year. They’re always looking for new material.

Bible Curriculum

Thomas: The last specialty market is Bible curriculum. This is where the Christian Writers Market Guide really shines because it’s a uniquely Christian niche. Millions of people study the Bible through a curriculum each year.

Learn more in our episode How to Expand Your Role as a Writer by Writing Sunday School Curriculum.

Steve: Bible Curriculum is primarily used for Sunday school classes. Most curriculum is written for children or youth, though some churches still use adult material. Many churches have moved away from traditional Sunday school, but companies like David C. Cook continue to produce curriculum. They’ve acquired Gospel Light, Scripture Press, and Standard Publishing, so they now own most of the major outlets.

Churches that have used one brand for years often still do, but now it’s all managed under David C. Cook. It’s quite fascinating.

Thomas: Do those brands still have separate acquisition teams, or does everything go through David C. Cook?

Steve: You’d go through David C. Cook first. If they like your work, they may assign you a project. They don’t always take direct proposals, but are always looking for strong writers. I met a woman at a local conference who has been writing for her denomination’s curriculum division for 35 years, and she’s not on staff. As she puts it, “I’m just a grandma who knows how to talk to kids.”

Thomas: That’s amazing! And what an impact she’s having. She’s reaching thousands of children, maybe hundreds of thousands, all from home.

Steve: And she’s been doing it since before computers. She used to type her lessons and mail them in.

Section 5: Support for Writers

Thomas: The final section, Support for Writers, is the one everyone gets most excited about. People often buy the book for this section, but we put it last on purpose because the other sections are important too.

Agents

Thomas: All the vetted agents who belong in the Christian Writers Market Guide are listed. Other than agents and tips on what they want and how to get accepted, what else is in this section for writers?

Christian Writers Conferences

Steve: We list all the Christian writers conferences, both regional and national. You can find out where they are and when they happen. I think it’s broken down by state. If you’re in Arkansas, you can see conferences in Arkansas or nearby Oklahoma, and when they are. That helps you avoid mismatches. If you write systematic theology, you wouldn’t go to Realm Makers, which focuses on science fiction and fantasy. Having it all in one place is invaluable. You can’t Google that effectively.

Thomas: Many conferences have weak websites and poor search engine optimization, with a few exceptions. Your local conference might not rank at all, even if it’s in your hometown.

Steve: They’re usually run locally, details change every year, and leadership shifts. It’s too fluid for a typical business-grade website. If you want to attend a conference and don’t know where to begin, this list is a great starting point.

Writers Groups

Another section is writers groups. Local groups asked to be listed by state, so you can see, “I live 20 miles from that meeting; they meet every other month.” Otherwise, you might never know they exist.

Thomas: You can search Meetup, but it only shows groups that pay to be on Meetup. For example, many ACFW groups use their own systems and won’t appear on Meetup, but they’ll be in the Christian Writers Market Guide.

Steve: We put all the Christian Writers Market Guide information online by subscription so you can search it. You can look up “writers conferences Nebraska,” or find magazines that publish short stories, or magazines open to articles on specific social issues. The same applies to conferences and groups. If you don’t have the hard copy, the online version lets you search quickly.

Thomas: I really like the online version because it has search power plus the vetting and focus of the print book.

Editorial Services

Thomas: You also list editorial services under Support for Writers. How is that different from the earlier editor listings? Are these independent editors and editing companies?

Steve: Yes. The earlier section focused more on design and production services for self-publishing. Editorial services here are for authors who want a professional edit before turning the manuscript in. I have a bestselling novelist client who never submits to her publisher until she’s already had the manuscript edited. She wants her best work in front of her editor at her traditional publisher, so she hires someone.

These editors are listed here, and there are about 70 pages of them.

Remember, there are three kinds of editors:

• developmental editors (big-picture structure)
• copy editors (grammar and usage)
• proofreaders (punctuation, typos, and minor errors)

Make sure you search for the kind you need. A proofreader isn’t necessarily a good developmental editor, and vice versa. I’m a developmental editor and a terrible proofreader. I hire someone to catch my mistakes. Most writers don’t see their own errors; that’s what these services are for.

Marketing and Publicity Services

Thomas: You also list marketing and publicity services, which help both traditionally published and indie authors. When I ran a marketing service, many traditionally published authors used part of their advance to improve their websites or marketing plans. A stronger platform can help you get a better publisher or agent.

Authors are typically either time-rich or cash-rich. If you’re time-rich, take courses at the Christian Writers Institute and do the writing, marketing, and PR yourself. If you’re cash-rich and time-poor, hire professionals.

If you’re both cash-poor and time-poor, you need to revisit your priorities. To succeed in writing, you must invest either time or money. The most successful writers often become both time-rich and cash-rich as prior success frees up resources. As Jesus said, “To him who has, more will be given.”

Legal and Accounting Services

Thomas: My dad, Tom Umstattd, CPA, has worked with authors for 35 years. If you want his info, it’s in the guide.

Steve: Writing income has unique quirks your average tax-prep kiosk may not understand. Professionals can help with accounting, LLC setup, and separating bank accounts. Sometimes hiring a pro keeps you from making costly mistakes.

Thomas: A stitch in time saves nine. Every tax season, people wish they had planned better the year before. A CPA helps you prepare for next year.

Speaking Services and Contests

Thomas: Speaking services list Christian speaking agencies to help you connect and book events. Writing contests are plentiful as well.

Steve: Contests can put your work in front of professionals. I’ve judged dozens of contests and discovered a client through a contest. Her entry was the standout, so I asked the organizers to connect us. I signed her, and she’s now published six or seven novels. That doesn’t happen to everyone, but it shows why contests matter. You’ll get feedback, exposure, and sometimes awards, such as the ACFW’s Genesis award for first-time writers. Agents and editors watch for emerging talent.

Thomas: I also appreciate that the contests are vetted. There are scam contests that take your money with little or no judging. In the guide, you can see who is behind each contest, any entry fee, and any prize. We’re not claiming every contest is amazing, but we do our best to exclude known bad actors. Tate Publishing is no longer in the guide, for example.

Think of it like a home inspection: the inspector can’t see behind walls. Just because a problem wasn’t found doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. The guide reflects our best efforts to include reputable options, but only God sees the heart. This is not a spiritual guarantee. Do your due diligence.

How do the print and online versions work together?

Thomas: There are two versions to choose from: online and print.

Sponsor

Christian Writers Market Guide. We have a special deal for podcast listeners: if you buy the print version, you get a free year of the online version, which is a $25 value.

You get the paper book and the online access. Amazon changes prices sometimes, but the paper version is often cheaper than the online subscription, so getting both can be the best deal.

Steve: The online edition is updated throughout the year. We print the book in November, release it in December, and can’t update the print version monthly.

The online version is updated continuously. By March, we’d already made around 120 changes. Making 30 to 50 updates per month isn’t unusual. That’s why you always verify details. Use the print version for browsing and the online version for fresh data. Buy the paperback and get the online version free for a year; then decide which you prefer.

Thomas: To redeem, email your receipt (or a photo of it if you bought in person) to receipt@christianwritersinstitute.com.

The Christian Writers Institute is also offering a free course, How to Use The Christian Writers Market Guide, with a video walkthrough of the sections and how to use them.