Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast

There are some conversations literary agents dread — not because they don't care about writers, but because they care so much. In this episode, host Jen Babakhan is joined by Barb Roose, Cynthia Ruchti, and Debbie Alsdorf for an honest, behind-the-curtain look at four of them. In this episode the agents discuss: → AI and your manuscript — why it puts your book deal and your reputation at risk → Wh...

We're back with the second half of our conversation with Mark Rice, publisher and senior marketing director at Kregel Publications. If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, start there — we've linked it in the show notes below. In this episode, Mark delivers some of his most practical and candid advice yet, covering book titling, the often-overlooked sales team, AI in publishing, and the three thing...

What does a publisher actually do? And what does it take for a book—or an author—to get a "yes"? This week, host Barb Roose sits down with Mark Rice, publisher and senior marketing director at Kregel Publications, for a candid look at the business of Christian publishing from the inside out. With more than 40 years in publishing, Mark brings a wealth of perspective on what makes books succeed, wha...

  Want to be taken seriously as an author? In this episode, the Books & Such agents share three essential do's and don'ts that separate hobby writers from true professionals—and what it really takes to build a lasting writing career. In today's episode, the Books & Such team dives into what it truly means to show up as a professional author—not just someone who writes when inspiration strikes. If...

Ever wonder why your query received a form rejection… or no response at all? In this candid and surprisingly fun conversation, Books & Such agents pull back the curtain on what really happens inside an agent's inbox. Jen, Barb, Cynthia, and Debbie share the most common query mistakes that immediately make agents pause—or stop reading altogether. From overly long emails to industry misunderstanding...

In this episode, the Books & Such agents tackle one of the most emotionally loaded questions in a writer's journey: Should I give up on traditional publishing? Join Books & Such Literary Management agents Jen, Cynthia, and Barb for answers to the most commonly asked questions around why traditional publishing takes so long - and should you give up? They answer three commonly asked questions and sh...

In this episode of the Books & Such Literary Podcast, host Jen Babakhan sits down with agency founder and publishing veteran Janet Grant to talk about where publishing is headed in 2026. With decades of experience as an editor, agent, and industry innovator, Janet shares insights on emerging trends, shifting market realities, and the opportunities authors should be paying attention to now. From th...

In this episode of the Books & Such podcast, our agents dive into a question almost every writer wrestles with: What should I actually spend money on as an author? Should you hire an editor? When should you get help with your social media? What does your website truly need—and what's a waste of money? And is attending a writers conference a valuable investment or a drain on your time and resources...

In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why venting about editors, authors, or agents can hurt your reputation How to respond to publishing frustrations with maturity and grace What editors and publishers look for on your social media Why quoting others without permission can cause serious problems How to protect your credibility and future writing relationships Key Takeaways "Publishing is a small world—y...

Have you ever wished you could ask a literary agent your toughest writing and publishing questions? In this episode, Books & Such agents, Jen Babakkan, Barb Roose, and Cynthia Ruchti  answer listener-submitted questions about pen names, genres, comp titles, and writing style. With wisdom, humor, and heart, they unpack the "why" behind key publishing decisions and share what really matters most to...

Episode Summary: Newsletters can feel intimidating—but they don't have to. In this episode of the Books & Such Literary Management Podcast , Jen Babakkan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti continue their conversation on panic-free platform building with a deep dive into newsletters. From knowing your why to discovering the power of consistency, the team shares stories, strategies, and...

Does the word platform make you panic? You're not alone. In this encouraging and insightful roundtable episode, agents from Books & Such Literary Management—Jen Babakan, Barb Roose, Debbie Alsdorf, and Cynthia Ruchti—break down what platform really means, why it doesn't have to be overwhelming, and how to build it in a way that aligns with your calling. Whether you're a seasoned author or just beg...

Do you ever wonder what it really takes to become the writer you're meant to be? In this insightful episode of the Books & Such Literary Management Podcast, host Jen Babakhan is joined by fellow agents and writers Debbie Alsdorf, Cynthia Ruchti, Barb Roose, and others to explore the real tools that move your writing forward—and the ones that might just waste your time. Together, the team shares ha...

Welcome to our Books & Such podcast! We're so glad that you're here with us.   According to literaryagent.com, the average literary agent can read 11,000 queries before finding a project that stands out for representation. Far too many hopeful authors are writing ineffective query letters. We want to help you avoid that! How can you write a query that grabs our attention?  In this first episode, w...

Welcome to the Books & Such Podcast! This mini welcome episode gives you the inside scoop on what our new podcast is all about. You'll hear our podcast intro featuring our four hosts as well as an overview of how we want to help you in your publishing journey. What's our podcast about? We're helping you read between the lines of publishing. Our experienced literary agents invite you into their wor...