- Location: Tryon, North Carolina
- Represented by: Les Stobbe, Founder and Agent
Agency Description
Among the many authors Les helped get started during his 21 years in book publishing are Erwin Lutzer, Zola Levitt, Marie Chapian, Gayle Roper, Marian Wells, Kathy Collard Miller, Marilyn Willett Heavilin, and Marita Littauer. Several of today’s editorial directors in Christian publishing got their initial training in book publishing from Les.
Along the way Les wrote or co-wrote 14 books for such people as Jim Talley, Dale Evans Rogers, Ken Nair, and other nationally known leaders. As editor-in-chief of the Jerry B. Jenkins Christian Writers Guild, he wrote most of the lessons on writing nonfiction articles and books for the “What’s Your Story?” Apprentice and Journeyman courses.
Some 15 years ago, when Les was convinced by authors to begin serving as a literary agent, he committed himself to helping first-book authors get published, writers like Ann Tatlock, Ethel Herr, Frank Simon, Elizabeth Hoekstra, Mark Mynheir, Austin Boyd, Michael Barry, Louise Gouge, Diane Nichols, and Jerry Rassamni.
Authors recently offered multi-book contracts include Dave Earley, Katie Cushman, Trish Berg, Will Davis Jr., Doug McMinn, Mary Conneally, J. Scott Gruner, and Jon Nappa.
Most of Les’s publishable proposals come via recommendation from clients, well-known authors, and editors, often at Christian writers conferences. While Les is convinced that outstanding writing by fresh voices ought to be a priority consideration when a manuscript is evaluated, he is well aware that breakthrough writers typically already have a platform.
Thus he is looking for those fresh voices in both adult fiction and nonfiction who above all know how to tell a story with truth embedded in it — and already have a platform that will lead to sales for publishers.
About the Agent
Les Stobbe has worked in Christian publishing, as an editor, consultant, and literary agent, for more than 50 years. Les has authored or co-authored 14 books and more than 500 feature articles, as well as provided editorial leadership at six publishers. The Christian Writers Guild’s Executive Editor, he also serves as a mentor. He lives in Tryon , North Carolina.
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