Kristen Terrette, Literary Manager

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Kristen is a literary manager excited to build her list featuring titles in young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers/mysteries/suspense, romance, women's fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, non-fiction, all faith-based books, and she is also looking for more illustrators.

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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, award-winning 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 position. She was also named an ECPA Emerging Leader in 2023 and went through a precious mentorship during 2024 to further her understanding of the Christian Publishing landscape.

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Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and has been 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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I, generally, like friends-lovers tropes, am a little tired of most contemporary YA stories (so it better be fresh!), and I like witches or dark, rogue magic and characters over Fae and court intrigue. I will always love dragons, but would need a new take here, and do you have a unicorn story? I'm game to see it!

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Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: Send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small towns 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. (Note: I am less into straight police/procedural fiction unless there's a strong hook.)

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Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night. Give me a book that explores death- the process of, grim reaper, death personified... If folk-horror is a thing that sounds like it could fit your book, send it. Have a ghost story? I'd rather it be like 'The Ghost Whisperer' versus a romance with one. Vampires? Werewolves? Great! But it better be fresh! No slasher-film style stories please- these don't read well for me. Is your story a thriller with a touch of horror/speculative elements? Send it. 

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Contemporary: Voice will be what gets me here. Also, everyday life stories that aren't set in the US or England. 

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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:  I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories here, but I'm open to all. I LOVE diverse stories here too! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I'll take a look. 

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Historical Fiction:  I'm interested in the Civil War to present day time periods, little known parts of WWII that haven't been explored, the Viking era, and Native stories from around the world.

Literary Fiction: I'm picky here... But I'll give anything a shot. Surprise me.
 

Faith-Based/Inspirational 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 want to see more 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 (Romantsy). And while I do love some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), I'm currently not looking for high fantasy. Like my tastes in YA fantasy, I'm tired of the court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm. 

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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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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.

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Overall Preferences: Settings I'd love to see: Reservations, underpopulated areas in the US, anywhere other than the US or England... I love books with unique structures or retellings, time lapses, dual POVS when warranted, industry-standard word counts (!), and hooks/stakes shown within the first 5-8 pages.

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I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, sick-lit or cancer books, books over 100k words, and books with gratuitous sex scenes.

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

To see Kristen's website, click here.

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