FEB 4

Should You Give Up On Traditional Publishing?

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 share about how you can develop the perseverance and endurance for the journey. Pursuing book publishing offers an invitation to personal growth and faith. They discuss why delay isn't necessarily denial and they encourage you to push through the tough spots toward your goals. This episode offers reassurance, clarity, and a grounded perspective for writers who are questioning their next step in the traditional publishing journey. Connect with Us! Books & Such Literary Management: booksandsuch.com Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio New episodes release the first Wednesday of each month. Find our full archive at booksandsuch.com under the Resources tab.

25 min

JAN 7

Publishing in 2026: Janet Grant on Trends, Calling, and the Future of Christian Publishing

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 the rise of Bible-centered publishing and creative genre mashups to bookstore growth, AI concerns, and career strategy, this conversation offers wisdom and clarity for both aspiring and established authors navigating a rapidly changing publishing landscape. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a multi-book author, or simply curious about the future of publishing, this episode offers thoughtful perspective, practical wisdom, and a hopeful vision for what's ahead. Books & Such Writing Intensive | February 10-12, 2026 - click here for more information. Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch Watch Us on YouTube! New episodes release the first Wednesday of each month. Find our full archive at booksandsuch.com/podcast under the Resources tab.

22 min

12/03/2025

The Best Investments for Authors: Websites, Coaching, Social Media & More

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? We're giving you the inside scoop on all of it. Whether you're unpublished, contracting your next book, or maintaining a multi-book career, this episode will help you make wise, strategic, and sustainable decisions as you steward both your calling and your resources. In This Episode: When hiring social media help makes sense (and why buying followers never does) When to invest in a freelance editor (and when to might harm your career) What every author needs on their website (and why simple beats flashy) How to know if a writers conference is worth your money this year Mentioned in This Episode Books & Such Literary Management: booksandsuch.com Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio New episodes release the first Wednesday of each month. Find our full archive at booksandsuch.com/podcast under the Resources tab.

24 min

11/05/2025

What NOT to Say as a Writer (and Why It Matters for Your Career)

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—your words travel farther than you think." "Maturity in your response protects your reputation and your calling." Mentioned in This Episode Books & Such Literary Management: booksandsuch.com Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio Release Schedule New episodes release the first Wednesday of each month. Find our full archive at booksandsuch.com/podcast under the Resources tab.

25 min

10/08/2025

Ask the Agents: Real Answers to Real Writer Questions

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 editors, readers, and your writing career. Whether you're an aspiring author or a published pro, this episode will help you gain clarity—and confidence—as you take your next step as a writer. In This Episode, You'll Learn: When (and why) a writer might use a pen name—and the downsides to consider What genres are accepted in Christian fiction (and what crosses the line) How to find and use comparative titles (comps) effectively in a proposal The "gap method" for explaining how your book stands out in the market How much you should adjust your writing voice to fit a genre or readership Why staying authentic as a writer matters more than chasing trends "Platform isn't about shining—it's about serving your readers." "If your writing serves everyone, it connects with no one." "The best writers bring their truest selves to the page—and make sure readers can understand them." Links & Mentions: Visit: booksandsuch.com Subscribe to the Books & Such Blog (award-winning publishing insights) Listen to the podcast on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch New episodes drop the first Wednesday of every month! Subscribe today so you never miss an episode that helps you grow as a writer.

24 min

09/03/2025

From Inbox to Impact: Building a Newsletter Readers Love

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 surprising facts (like why publishers value newsletters more than social media numbers). Whether you're a novelist or nonfiction author, you'll walk away encouraged and equipped to serve your readers through a newsletter that's authentic, consistent, and life-giving. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why newsletters often matter more to publishers than social media numbers How to define your why so your newsletter serves rather than sells Practical examples: devotionals, humor, and "hope + help + funny finds" formats The surprising math of reader engagement (10–20% of subscribers are likely book buyers) Why consistency and predictability matter more than perfection How to evolve your newsletter over time without guilt or panic Key Takeaways: "Platform isn't built so we can shine—it's built so we can serve." "Don't compete. Don't compare. But do learn." "Consistency in newsletters builds trust. It's not about being flashy; it's about showing up." Resources & Mentions: Books & Such Writing Intensive – September 22–24, 2025 (online) Follow us on Instagram: @booksandsuch New episodes drop the first Wednesday of every month. Subscribe and leave a review to help other writers discover the podcast!

18 min

08/06/2025

Panic Free Platform Building

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 beginning your writing journey, this conversation will help you breathe a little easier—and build a platform that's meaningful, manageable, and true to who you are. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why "finding your lane" is more freeing than "finding your brand" What platform actually means (hint: it's not just a social media number) How to discern your audience and serve them well Simple strategies like "The Rule of 3" and giveaways to build your email list The difference between noise and connection—and why depth matters more than reach Key Takeaways "If you're writing for everyone, you're serving no one." "Your newsletter isn't a broadcast—it's a way to care for your readers like a congregation." "Don't panic about platform. Serve in your lane, and the rest will grow from there." Resources & Mentions: REGISTER NOW: Books & Such Writing Intensive – September 22–24, 2025 Books mentioned: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, On Writing by Stephen King, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Subscribe: iTunes | Spotify | Audible | iHeartRadio Follow us: IG at @booksandsuch Quotables "Don't try to reach everyone. Find your lane and serve your audience well." "Your newsletter is how you pastor your readers. It's not just a tool—it's a relationship." "You don't need a big platform to be effective—you need a clear message and consistency."

21 min

07/02/2025

Becoming the Writer You Want to Be

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 hard-won wisdom, personal stories, honest trade-offs, and a powerful new opportunity that blends the best of all three options: the Books & Such Writing Intensive. In This Episode, You'll Learn: Why the gap between where you are and where you want to be is normal—and how to close it Pros and cons of writer's conferences (and what no one tells you before you go) What to look for—and watch out for—in a writing coach Why not all social media "experts" are created equal Favorite books on craft from seasoned, published authors How the Books & Such Writing Intensive gives you focused, one-on-one mentorship with agents who are also experienced authors Featured Resource: Books & Such Writing Intensive | September 22–24, 2025 Join the Books & Such agents for a one-of-a-kind, hands-on experience with mentorship, real-time feedback, and personalized guidance to help you become the writer you're called to be. Learn more and register here. Links & Mentions: Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott On Writing by Stephen King Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert Books & Such Website New episodes of the Books & Such Podcast drop the first Wednesday of every month. Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow writer who's ready to take the next step.

22 min

06/04/2025

Query Like a Pro: What Literary Agents Actually Look For

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, we discuss the factors that compel us to dig into your query letters. How important is your title? How long should your query letter be? What should you include in your query? Our goal is give you valuable insights as well as practical guidance to help you write high quality, attention-grabbing queries. We also tell you what to avoid and much more! Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to our Books & Such podcast on iTunes so you'll be notified when new epsidoes are released. RESOURCES: Visit the Books & Such Website

19 min

05/30/2025

Welcome to the Books & Such Podcast

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 world for a discussion that pulls back the curtain on how agents think and what we're looking for. Each episode, we'll discuss a hot topic you've always wondered about. If you're pursuing or considering Christian publishing, the Books & Such podcast is for you. As literary agents, we'll help you maximize your knowledge and equip you to confidently take the next steps in your writing journey. Visit us at Books & Such.com

1 min

Books & Such Literary Management The Podcast

Episodes

Should You Give Up On Traditional Publishing?

Publishing in 2026: Janet Grant on Trends, Calling, and the Future of Christian Publishing

The Best Investments for Authors: Websites, Coaching, Social Media & More

What NOT to Say as a Writer (and Why It Matters for Your Career)

Ask the Agents: Real Answers to Real Writer Questions