Mike Salisbury is a literary agent with Yates & Yates. He says, “My dad once told me the best days are the ones that include a trip to the bookstore. I couldnÕt agree more. And perhaps the best careers involve literature too, because every day I consider myself fortunate to work with extremely talented writers, editors, marketers, and sales professionals in the publishing industry.
Biographical Information
At Grand Valley State University I enrolled in an introductory creative writing class on a whim, thinking it would be fun. That class led to a minor and then a major. I was hooked.
Being a double major in both creative writing and marketing, I had no idea how I would marry the two in a career. I always thought theyÕd be separate, writing being my passion and marketing my day job. Then one day I was offered an internship with ZonderKidz, the childrenÕs division of Zondervan. My first project was working on the movie tie-in release for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe. My internship turned into a full-time role on the trade books team. I was responsible for developing author brands and marketing strategies for product launches. I worked with authors like Chuck Colson, Gary Thomas, Ann Voskamp, Jon Acuff, and Shauna Niequist.
In December 2010, I moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan to Colorado Springs, Colorado Springs to pursue an opportunity with David C Cook. But not without first asking the love of my life, Amy, to marry me. After finishing the school yearÑsheÕs a teacherÑwe married that summer and she joined me on this Colorado adventure.
During my time at David C Cook, I had the opportunity to market Francis Chan, Matt Chandler, Tullian Tchividjian, and many others. As I grew from a senior manager to the marketing director of trade books, I began helping with publishing decisions and guiding the companyÕs future initiatives. I also finished my Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon.
Being a literary agent for Yates & Yates is the perfect opportunity for me to continue combining my passions for publishing and marketing.
When IÕm not reading or writing, Amy and I love to run in the summer and ski the mountains in the winter. We enjoy listening to Detroit Tigers baseball and wandering bookstores. You can keep up with my reading list by friending me on Goodreads.”