Jenni Burke is a literary agent with the Illuminate Literary Agency. She is on a mission to see authors truly thrive, so their words and lives can make a deep and lasting impact in the world for good.

Her love of books and Jesus led her into the Christian publishing industry in 2003. After guiding a wide range of manuscripts through Multnomah PublisherÕs editorial department, Jenni moved to the other side of the publishing desk in 2006 to help Don Jacobson start a literary agency, D.C. Jacobson & Associates. As the agency grew over the next 13 years, JenniÕs career progressed from an author relations manager, to associate agent, to senior literary agent, before she stepped into her current role as president and owner in 2019. Jenni rebranded the agency to ILLUMINATE in 2020.

Now, sheÕs championing authors in a new role with Illuminate Literary Agency, and delivering the same quality service that her clients and publishing partners have always valued.

ÒAuthors are my heroes,Ó Jenni says. ÒIt takes a great deal of courage and perseverance to write and promote a book you believe in. I feel honored to get to lift up people whoÕve been entrusted with life-changing messages,Ó she says.

Seeking: This year, Jenni is looking to add just one or two select clients who are exceptionally strong in what she calls The Four Cs: Concept (message, angle), Craft (writing skill), and Crowd (platform, network), and Character (work ethic, fit).

Theme Verse: When Jonathan is considering a bold, audacious move up a steep cliff to take new territory, his armor-bearer says to him: ÒDo all that you have in mind. Go ahead; I am with you heart and soul,Ó (1 Samuel 14:7). Jenni wants to be that kind of champion for her clients as they pursue their God-given passions.

Tell me a bit more: JenniÕs degree is in English Communication and Business Administration from Corban University. She is a native Central Oregonian, where she lives with her husband SethÑa counselorÑand their two young children, William and Violet. She enjoys getting her hands in the dirt with her family, ministering with her local community, or planning her next trip to Italy. After a long day working on books, Jenni likes to relax withÉ a book. Jenni has combined two of her passionsÑlifting up Christian communicators and spending time in ItalyÑinto the Tuscany WritersÕ Retreat, a soul care pilgrimage for writers (and spouses) in the land of the Renaissance. SheÕs led groups in 2014, 2016, 2018 and is hoping to take a group of ILLUMINATE clients in 2022!