Cynthia Ruchti is a literary agent with the Books & Such Literary Agency. She distinctly remembers telling people, ÒIÕd rather sing three songs on a platform than have to speak my own name into a microphone.Ó It will come as no surprise to those who understand GodÕs sense of humor that sheÕs spent most of her life since that moment with a microphone in her hand; first as writer/producer and corporation president of a national and international radio broadcastÑThe Heartbeat of the HomeÑthen as a speaker/author.She has served or currently serves on several non-profit ministry boards. Her roles in creating mission and vision statements, problem-solving, negotiating, personnel placement, and handling communications prepared her for similar roles in agenting.CynthiaÕs experience with American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), as board president (2009-2010) and in her current role as ACFWÕs professional relations liaison (since 2011), helps to keep her informed about the publishing industry and has introduced her to many publishing professionals. She has worked shoulder-to-shoulder with publishers, editors, marketing managers, as well as retailers, library representatives, reviewers, and other agents on industry-centric projects and events and is invited to many of those events as an industry insider.As author of 21 books to date, Cynthia has experienced the authorÕs side of the process. In addition to novels and novellas, she has written full-length nonfiction and has frequently contributed to devotion collections. In 2016, she was honored to have participated in two Bible projectsÑGuidepostsÕ Mornings with Jesus Daily Bible and The Common English WomenÕs Bible. She understands both the heart of the author and the business side of a writing career, the elements of a strong proposal, and the sometimes labyrinthine path to publication.Being part of the Books & Such team fulfills another layer in a long-held passion: helping other writers develop their craft and reach their writing career goals. She is an advocate for the power of storyÑfiction and nonfictionÑand a champion for those who create, edit, publish, distribute, review, and sell books. As part of her contribution to other writers, she serves as an instructor or keynoter at writers conferences.Although Cynthia is open to a few novelists, she currently is focusing her acquisitions attention on nonfiction projects.