It thrills me to announce Tim Beals, President |CEO of Credo Communications is my new literary agent. Anyone in the writing business knows this is a big deal.

Two years ago, my agent released all her clients so she could spend more time with her family. I was happy for her but disappointed for myself.  A writer without an agent is comparable to someone making a long trip in a car with four flat tires.

When I look back on my writing journey thus far, the road is long but made pleasant with new friends. I never would have met Tim Beals if not for having a relationship with my critique partner, Carrie Padgett. And I’d never have met Carrie if I hadn’t been represented by Mary Keeley, my former agent. Carrie and I met at a Books and Such retreat. When Carrie’s book was a finalist in the ACFW’s Genesis contest, she couldn’t attend the awards banquet and she asked me to accept the honor for her if she won. (And she did!) I met Tim at the banquet and ended up sitting next to him among hundreds of other attendees. When a writer meets an agent at a conference, the appointment lasts about ten to fifteen minutes. It was a blessing to have the opportunity to talk with Tim through the meal.

While praying one morning, I felt God urging me to send a proposal to Tim. After researching his company, I discovered most of the authors he represents write non-fiction, and I primarily write fiction. My whining to God went something like this; It’s almost impossible to get an agent and you want me to seek representation from a guy who favors non-fiction. Finally, I yielded, sent the proposal to Tim, expecting a rejection. Instead, he sent me a reply, “Not yet,” with a critique of my work. Most agents and publishers don’t take the time to explain why they are rejecting your proposal. They are not unkind. Agents simply don’t have the time to write a detailed explanation. I understood immediately the huge gift Tim offered. He’d shared his time and expertise to help me improve my book with nothing to gain except my thanks.

That was two years ago. Earlier this month,  Tim Beals offered me a contract for representation. Through the past months, I’ve studied the craft of writing, and I’ve written another novel. My goal is to glorify God with my very best effort and I know Tim will tell me if my manuscript needs further work.

I trust God has a good plan for me and for the words I write because He is the one who gives me the stories. I can’t write anything worth reading without God’s help and He continues to send people to assist me: Mary Keeley, my first agent; Jamie Chavez, my developmental editor, and friend; Carrie Padgett, my critique partner; Kelly Liberto, another critique partner, and many more friends. The fingerprints of the people I mentioned are all over my manuscripts. Now, Tim is among the many talented people God sent to aid me. It’s Tim’s job to find the right publisher and I am free to focus on what I love to do best: write stories of friendship and hope.

I am lifting prayers of thanks to God for arranging for me to sit next to Tim at the awards banquet. Have you ever looked back on your journey and noticed how events you thought were roadblocks ended up being turning points in the right direction? If so, I hope you’ll share them.

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22. ESV

If I were editing this verse to fit my life, I might say, Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers (and prayer) they succeed. Of course, I would NEVER add one extra syllable to scripture, and a good editor or agent would point out the reader will know prayer is a given and need not be said.

Let me introduce you to my new friends at Credo Communication.  https://www.credocommunications.net/. You can check out my author page on Credo Communication’s website too by clicking on this link:  https://www.credocommunications.net/authors/profile/

Thank you to everyone for joining me on this wonderful journey.