Kristen Terrette, Literary Manager

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Kristen is a literary manager excited to build her list featuring titles in middle grade, young adult, female-driven crime thrillers, faith-based books, and the occasional picture book with an author/illustrator.

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She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Theology and Religious Studies which led her into children’s ministry for many years. Eventually, her lifelong love of books and authors drew her back to her original dream of entering the publishing world. Kristen is a multi-published author and freelance writer. She’s held such positions as the Blog Manager for a national women’s ministry and the Social Media Manager for a publishing house. All these components landed her a spot in the coveted Writers House Intern Program. There, she received valuable hands-on agenting and publishing experience which she brings into her new position. 

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Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and is a facilitator of groups around these topics in her church. In all her focused genres, she welcomes books with BIPOC or disabled main characters and diverse friendships. She believes books change people in all the best ways and that every child should see themselves in the pages. 

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Kristen's Accepts these genres:

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Young Adult (All subgenres except Sci-fi): My background in writing YA and extensive reading in this genre has given me a great love and understanding of it. Grab my attention within the first couple of pages. Send me books with first loves, unique friendships, interesting and/or challenging family dynamics, and hard-hitting subject matter (race relations, suicide, abuse, divorce, etc.) but leave me with a satisfying (not necessarily happy!) ending.

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Crime Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: I love a good thriller with a woman main character, so send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small town and big cities. I love relatable and quirky characters. If I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next or what the ending will be, you’ve gotten my attention.

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Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night.

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Romance: I am currently open to all subgenres of this category. Surprise me.

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New Adult: I love college stories! And humorous young twenties. Send me these!

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Women's Fiction/Historical Fiction: I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories in these genres, but I'm open to all. I LOVE diverse stories in this area! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I'll take a look.

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Faith-Based Fiction and Nonfiction: I love a good redemption or forgiveness story, a historically accurate saga, a clean and beautiful, yet realistic love story, or a memoir that has me crying and laughing within the span of a few pages. Surprise me with the beauty of God’s grace. I also love bible studies and devotionals. :)

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True Crime (Nonfiction): I'm obsessed with true crime. If you've got a story, tell me about it...

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Illustrators: I am open to seeing your artwork! Query me with your portfolio!

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Fantasy: My tastes definitely lean toward romance here (Romantasy), but I do love me some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), so I'm open to seeing most submissions here. I tend to get bored with the whole court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm. But give me an Aragorn and Legolas, and I'll read happily.

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Non-fiction: Send me memoirs, culture, celebrity, parenting, and psychology books. If you have an interesting idea, send it. My tastes vary greatly here. (Please have a strong platform and/or authority to speak on the subject if you are sending me a NF submission.)

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I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in MG or YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, or gratuitous sex scenes.

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What I'm taking a break on:
Middle Grade (All subgenres except Sci-fi): I heart Middle Grade! But, I need to take a break on MG submissions for now. I will look at Middle Grade projects at conferences or as referrals.
Picture Books: Picture books are an important part of establishing a love for literature at an early age. However, I need to take a break on PBs for the moment. I will look at Picture Book projects at conferences or as referrals.
 

​To see Kristen's listing on #MSWL, click here.

If your manuscript is ready, please submit to Kristen via Query Manager here.