Do you have questions for an editor?
Are you wondering about an agent?
Sign up for a 1-on-1!
1-on-1s are brief, scheduled meetings with editors or agents.
Sign-ups for 1-on-1s will be available on registration day.
1-on-1s
One-on-ones are valuable gold to writers. Although short—often only 10 or 15 minutes in length—they allow for important work to be accomplished. They connect participants to publishing experts—from established writers or coaches to agents and editors. One-on-ones have a range of uses. Beginners may ask an editor or a coach for feedback on their opening paragraph or about a craft issue they’re having. Advanced writers may pitch their story idea to an agent or editor. These writers may have completed manuscripts, proposals, and/or one-sheets. Know that one-on-ones can trigger high anxiety. We urge you to not let this stop you.
Cindy Bunch is associate publisher and director of editorial at InterVarsity Press, where she has worked for over thirty years. She acquires and develops for the Formatio line of spiritual formation books and is looking for spiritually mature fiction and nonfiction. She is the author of Be Kind to Yourself as well as several Bible study guides in IVP’s LifeGuide® Bible Studies series. Cindy holds an MA in theological studies from Northern Seminary and completed her spiritual direction training at North Park Seminary. She and her husband live in the Chicago suburbs. [Virtual only: Monday]
Katherine Chappell is the Marketing Manager for trade and children’s books at Kregel Publications in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She has been in Christian publishing for over a decade. Katherine holds a BA in English Literature and Theatre from Cornerstone University and an MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University. She has also worked as an oral historian, a museum professional, and as a staff writer in radio, newspaper, and magazines. She lives in Grand Rapids with her two rescue cats, where she is a foster parent, and volunteers with Treetops Collective and other organizations that seek to strengthen communities both here and abroad.
Kathleen Kerr is an agent for authors of nonfiction at Alive Literary Agency, where she’s always looking for the bold voices shaping conversations in today’s culture. Kathleen served as an acquisitions editor at Zondervan and Harvest House Publishers. She also worked as a bookseller at an independent bookstore, where she learned that there are few greater joys than introducing kids to books that will shape their own stories. Kathleen graduated from Calvin College with degrees in French and English. She lives with her husband, Noah, and their two daughters in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. She can usually be found reading, camping, and creating chaos in the kitchen. [Virtual only]
Rob Teigen currently serves as vice president of publishing at Christian Art Gifts with over twenty years of prior publishing experience. He is the author of the bestselling Laugh-Out-Loud Jokes for Kids series (under the pseudonym Rob Elliott). He and his wife, Joanna Teigen, have five kids who bring adventure to their lives in West Michigan. Together they create resources to encourage couples and families, including 88 Great Daddy-Daughter Dates. Learn more at www.growinghometogether.com or email him at RTeigen@cagifts.com.
Dale Williams is an acquisitions editor for HarperCollins Christian Publishing. He has nearly ten years of publishing experience at three different Christian publishers. He holds an MDiv from Westminster Seminary California and seeks to acquire books that answer questions, deepen understanding, and show how to apply biblical truth to everyday life.