Meet Literary Agent Rachelle Gardner

There seems to be a myth out there that touts all agents and editors as rather frightening individuals to be greatly feared and avoided. Perhaps this might have something to do with those nasty rejection letters we all get and think they love to send. Or perhaps its the fact that they can change our entire future with a simple yes or no. Slight exaggeration there, but you know what I mean.
Here at Writers' Rest, we're all about myth busting. The more time you spend here, the more we hope you will learn.
Agents and Editors are not the least bit frightening. The fact is, yes, they are the Gatekeepers. But they're not out to get you or paper your bedroom wall with their rejections. They're actually on your side and want to see you succeed. If you succeed, they succeed.
We'd like to use Thursdays to feature these fine folks so you can get to know them and not be afraid to introduce yourself should you meet up at a conference somewhere. (But remember the Golden Rule...no bathroom pitches!).

Today it's my privilege to introduce you to my agent, Rachelle Gardner.

Rachelle has been an agent with Wordserve Literary since around Thanksgiving of last year. If you're a regular blogger, you may already be familiar with her through her personal blog Seek First His Kingdom, (http://rachellegardner.blogspot.com).
Prior to stepping out into the field of agenting, Rachelle worked in the publishing industry as an editor for Nav Press, as well as a freelance editor for many of the CBA publishers she's now pitching novels to.

Rachelle devotes an enormous amount of time to encouraging aspiring writers on her agent blog Rants and Ramblings, (http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/).
Anything and everything you ever wanted to know about agenting, writing, and the path to publication, is featured on this blog. If you haven't already bookmarked it, I suggest you do that immediately.
Her honest insights point out the real facts of the publishing world. If you're an aspiring author, you'll discover just how hard it is to get published, and just how good you need to be to get your big toe in the door. But if you're still bound and determined to have at it, Rachelle provides you with all the right advice in posts such as Getting Published (In a Nutshell), Book Proposals, Craft of Writing, and many more informative features that I'm sure you'll want to devour right away! After reading her blog, I think you'll understand why writers need agents, and why you need to do your homework before querying one.

Rachelle is still open to new clients, but please check out the guidelines on her blog before submitting your query.
With the wealth of wonderfully nice agents out there to choose from, you may ask, "Why Rachelle?"
Well, I can tell you from firsthand experience that she really IS nice, (and a dog person to boot), she knows her stuff, and she'll do her best to get your project into the hands of the right publisher, but if she offers you representation, this is the clincher for me. (Quoted from her Rants and Ramblings blog).

I love working with authors. Your passion impresses me; your bravery amazes me. The commitment authors must maintain in order to be successful is nothing short of monumental, and for that, I salute every one of you. It is my pleasure and privilege to support you in the small ways that I do.

If you're looking for an agent, please make sure you find one who understands your heart.

Rachelle lives with her husband and two children in the majestic mountains of Colorado. She'll be attending the ACFW conference in Minneapolis in September, and will be taking appointments.