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The Directory of Literary Agents
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Literary Agent Directory
Important: Visit each agent’s website (links in their listings below) to see if they’re open to submissions before querying.
- The results are being filtered by the character: C
Ana Crespo
East West Literary AgencyDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Ana Crespo is a literary agent with the East West Literary Agency. Ana, herself a picture book author, became an assistant agent at East West Literary Agency in January of 2021. Prior to becoming an agent, Ana apprenticed with Deborah Warren and the E/W team for two years. She has a degree in journalism, a Master of Education in Adult Education, and is a 2020 graduate of the Denver Publishing Institute. Ana’s work experience includes Internal Communications, where she worked with different departments to promote their platforms, services, and client talking points to the sales force, and Academic Advising, during which she helped students from different backgrounds, needs, habits, and moods navigate the challenges of college. She brings these transferable skills to agenting and looks forward to helping her clients achieve their career goals in the publishing world. Ana specializes in picture books, although she is also accepting submissions for board books and chapter books. (She is not accepting submissions for middle grade, YA, or graphic novels at this point.) For information about submissions and what Ana is looking for, please, visit Ana at her Publisher’s Marketplace page.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Chapter Book * Children’s Fiction * Picture Book *
NONFICTION: Juvenile *
Sha-Shana Crichton
Crichton & AssociatesDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Sha-Shana Crichton is a literary agent with Crichton & Associates. Sha-Shana is also the founder and president, and she is a licensed attorney and literary agent. She lectures frequently on publishing matters. Sha-Shana is the proud graduate of Howard University School of Law (J.D. cum laude) and the University of the West Indies (B.A. Hons.). She speaks Spanish and French.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Commercial * Ethnic Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Multicultural Fiction * Religious * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Business * Current Events/Affairs * Education * Ethnic * Health/Wellness * History * Law * Lifestyle * Mind/Body/Spirit * Money/Finance * Multicultural * Politics * Religion * Self-Help/Personal Development *
Biography
Laura Crockett is a literary assistant with the Triada U.S. Literary Agency. She is interested in a variety of YA and adult fiction.
She’s a character-driven reader seeking narratives with emotional depth and compelling stakes. She’s interested in diversity in all of its forms across all of the genres below.
In YA, Laura is seeking contemporary realistic fiction (romcoms, fierce feminists, strong family/friendship dynamics, light-hearted and humorous, interesting jobs/hobbies, hopeful) like A Pho Love Story, Happily Ever Afters, and Dumplin’; historical fiction (original, accessible, unique, uncharted areas of female and/or non-European history) like Outrun the Moon and A Madness So Discreet; and fantasy (fractured fairytales, culturally-influenced folklore, historically-inspired, lush world-building, horror) akin to The Star-Touched Queen, The Lie Tree, A Magic Steeped in Poison, and Six Crimson Cranes.
In adult fiction, she is seeking fantasy (inspired by historical/cultural events and folklore, in-depth world-building and authentic characterizations, secondary worlds, ensemble casts and solo protagonists, epic/high and soft/low, and horror) like Babel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, The City of Brass, A River Enchanted, Daughter of the Forest, Priory of the Orange Tree, Kings of the Wyld, Mexican Gothic, The Year of the Witching, and The Book of Gothel; historical fiction (spotlight on feminism, STEM, spies and code-breaking, non-European and/or little-known eras, parallel narratives) like Shadow on the Crown, The Alice Network, Hamnet, and Kate Morton; and women’s fiction (romcoms, millennial-driven, slice of life, compelling obstacles and moral dilemmas) a la Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Ayesha at Last, Remarkably Bright Creatures, Abby Jimenez, and Mhairi McFarlane.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Contemporary * Fantasy * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Magical Realism * NoMG * NoPB * Romance * Science Fiction * Women’s Fiction * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
P.O. Box 561 Sewickley PA 15143 USA
Biography
Audrey Crooks is a literary agent with Trident Media Group. She is an Associate Agent at Trident Media Group. She joined the agency in 2020 as an assistant to Don Fehr and Ellen Levine. Previously, Audrey was an intern at the Frances Goldin Literary Agency, a bookseller, and from 2017-2018 she lived in Jordan, working for a nonprofit serving Gazan women refugees. Audrey’s academic background is in poetry and Middle Eastern Studies.
While continuing to work closely with Ellen Levine, Audrey is open to submissions and excited to collaborate with authors as an Associate Agent. She is seeking literary fiction, speculative fiction, story collections, international works, and upmarket and genre fiction with a literary bent. She is drawn to smart, character-driven stories with a sense of humor and style. She welcomes the surreal and is excited by fiction that explores gender, language, identity, built and natural environments, and/or systems of power in creative and compelling ways.
For nonfiction submissions, Audrey is looking for memoir, narrative nonfiction, cultural criticism, and human-centered journalistic deep-dives, with particular interests in food and dining, fashion, nightlife, dance, the cultures of the contemporary Middle East, and the American South.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Humor Fiction * Literary * Short Story Collection * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Beauty/Fashion/Style * Cultural/Social Issues * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * Journalism * Memoir * Narrative * Travel *
Claudia Cross
Folio Literary ManagementDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
Laura Gross is a literary agent with the Laura Gross Literary Agency. She says: “I grew up in London, where I worked for a prominent literary agent, as well as for three Members of Parliament (which allowed me a fascinating view of the British government’s innards before security was tight).
After completing a degree in Comparative Literature at Brown University, I began my publishing career as an assistant at two leading New York literary agencies. I then became the youngest editor at one of New York’s oldest publishing houses.
I have been a literary agent for 30 years and am extremely lucky to love what I do. I’m also fortunate that I am able to represent a broad range of both fiction and non-fiction writers. I am particularly interested in history, politics, and current affairs, and also love beautifully written literary fiction and intelligent thrillers.”
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This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Christian Fiction * General Fiction * Historical * Horror * Romance * Women’s Fiction *
NONFICTION: Biography * Christian * Cooking/Cookbook * Dating/Relationship/Sex * Film/Entertainment * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * Inspiration * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Pop Culture * Religion * Spirituality *
Sara Crowe
Sara Crowe LiteraryDO NOT QUERY – THIS AGENT IS NOT CURRENTLY ACCEPTING UNSOLICITED SUBMISSIONSQuery method(s): Email *Biography
* Picture Book authors should not submit unless also illustrators. *
Sara Crowe is a literary agent with and the founder of Sara Crowe Literary. She always had a book in her hand, and is still amazed that she gets to help make them. She has 25 years of experience in the publishing world, with 8 in foreign rights, and 20 representing clients. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania and the Radcliffe Publishing course, she started her career at The Wylie Agency, where she went on to sell foreign rights in Wylie’s London office. She was a foreign rights manager at Trident Media Group, and an agent and foreign rights manager at Harvey Klinger, before becoming a senior agent at Pippin Properties.
She represents a diverse group of children’s and adult fiction and nonfiction; everything from picture books to graphic novels to literary fiction and adult romcoms. Her clients include Newbery and Printz medalists and honorees, National Book Award Finalists, Lambda award winners and finalists, and NYT Bestsellers.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * General Fiction * Graphic Novel * Humor Fiction * Juvenile Fiction * Literary * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Romance * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: General Nonfiction * Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
Biography
Sophie Cudd is a literary agent with The Book Group. She joined The Book Group as Associate Agent in 2023, after nearly four years at William Morris Endeavor. Born and raised in Nashville, TN, Sophie has a degree in English Literature from Southern Methodist University, studied Shakespeare at the University of Oxford, and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
In fiction, Sophie loves compelling, high-stakes tales of love, loss, mystery and belonging. She is drawn to accessible and deeply resonant characters, plot-driven stories with a strong sense of time and place, and is a sucker for a twist she never saw coming. In nonfiction, Sophie’s interests are wide-ranging, but she is particularly interested in moving and introspective memoirs, food writing, essay collections, and well-researched narrative nonfiction.
Sophie splits her time between Nashville and NYC. When she’s not reading, Sophie can be found haunting an art museum, hiking Nashville’s Percy Warner park, or making her favorite Ottolenghi saffron pasta.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Action/Adventure * Ethnic Fiction * Family Saga * General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Multicultural Fiction * Mystery * Romance * Suspense * Thriller * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Cooking/Cookbook * Cultural/Social Issues * Ethnic * Food/Drinks * General Nonfiction * History * Memoir * Mind/Body/Spirit * Multicultural * Narrative * Pop Culture * Psychology * Science * Upmarket *
Biography
Mary Cummings is a literary agent with Great River Literary. “Great River Literary” was the clear name choice for the new agency established by Mary Cummings in 2021, after thirteen years as an agent for books for children and teens at Betsy Amster Literary Enterprises.
Except in the depths of winter, nearly every evening Mary goes down to the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul to see the passing scene of trees and birds, barges and boats, kids and lovers – and always the play of light on the flowing water.
Mary finds great joy in helping her clients polish their stories to stand out for editors and to become books that will make a difference in kids’ lives. Before becoming a literary agent, Mary was Education Director at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis where, among other accomplishments, she curated an annual festival of children’s literature and selected judges for the McKnight Award from leading editors in children’s publishing.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Chapter Book * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * Picture Book * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION: Juvenile * Middle Grade * Young Adult *
137 Curtice St E Saint Paul MN 55107 USA
Biography
Nicole Cunningham is a literary agent with The Book Group. She represents a range of fiction, nonfiction, and illustrators. She works with writers and artists who share a sense of wonder, curiosity, and tenderness about the world.
Nicole is looking to acquire literary and upmarket women’s fiction, historical fiction, and novels with a magical or speculative bent. She’s drawn to fiction that’s gorgeously written, immersive, smart, and sensitive to the complexities of being a human. She believes great fiction makes readers feel seen, so she wants to read about complicated relationships, identity and belonging, grief and regret, home and community. Nicole gravitates towards work with a strong sense of place and vivid natural settings.
In the nonfiction space, Nicole wants to read fresh, surprising essay collections, and well-researched, entertaining narrative nonfiction that has the binge-able quality of her favorite podcasts. She particularly enjoys work that explores topics like reproductive health, motherhood, feminism, family, and the natural world.
Nicole joined The Book Group in 2016 to support Julie Barer. Prior to joining the agency, she worked as the Manager of Author Relations at a book discovery website and as an assistant in the publishing department of ICM Partners. She studied English and American Literature at New York University, with a minor in Gender and Sexuality studies. When she’s not reading, Nicole can be found social dancing, hiking the Catskills high peaks with her husband and dog, and renovating her old home in the Finger Lakes. She splits her time between Brooklyn and Upstate NY.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: General Fiction * Historical * Literary * Magical Realism * Upmarket Fiction *
NONFICTION: Art * Environment * Family * General Nonfiction * Health/Wellness * Narrative * Nature * Parenting/Child Guidance * Photography * Women’s Issues *
20 West 20th Street Suite 601 New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
Michael Curry is a literary agent with the Donald Maass Literary Agency. He joined the Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2012, where he works as the assistant to Jennifer Jackson and is now developing his own select list of clients, focusing on literary SF/F and thrillers with speculative elements. He is also a slush reader for the award-winning Lightspeed Magazine (and has been since 2009, when it was still Fantasy Magazine).
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Fantasy * Horror * Literary * Science Fiction * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
1000 Dean Street Suite 252 Brooklyn NY 11238 USA
Biography
Ginger Curwen is a literary agent with Julia Lord Literary Management. She represents thrillers and mysteries. Ginger’s previous publishing experience includes positions at Barnesandnoble.com, HarperCollins Publishers, American Booksellers Association, Bantam Books, and Random House.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Crime/Detective/Police * Mystery * Suspense * Thriller *
NONFICTION:
38th West Ninth Street New York NY 10011 USA
Biography
John Cusick is a literary agent with Folio Literary Management. He began his career in publishing as an agent’s assistant with Scott Treimel NY, where, along with dog-walking and coffee-fetching, he was fortunate enough to learn the ins-and-outs of publishing. He soon began representing a small list of clients, including Sharon Biggs Waller (A MAD, WICKED FOLLY, Viking Books for Young Readers), Ryan Gebhart (THERE WILL BE BEARS, Candlewick Press), and Hannah Moskowitz (A HISTORY OF GLITTER AND BLOOD, Chronicle Books).
In 2013 he joined Greenhouse Literary and grew his list to include many more critically acclaimed and bestselling authors, including New York Times bestseller Tommy Wallach (WE ALL LOOKED UP, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), Courtney Alameda (SHUTTER, Feiwel and Friends), and Gina Ciocca (LAST YEAR’S MISTAKE, Simon Pulse). He also began representing picture book authors and illustrators, including Chana Stiefel (DADDY DEPOT, Feiwel & Friends), Julie Bayless (ROAR! Running Press Kids), and Eric Chase Anderson (CHUCK DUGAN IS AWOL, Chronicle Books).
At Folio Jr., he’ll continue to represent a diverse list of iconoclastic voices in picture books, middle-grade, young adult, and everything in between.
Notes
This literary agent represents:
FICTION: Children’s Fiction * Fantasy * General Fiction * Horror * Juvenile Fiction * Middle Grade Fiction * New Adult * Picture Book * Science Fiction * Suspense * Thriller * Young Adult Fiction *
NONFICTION:
630 Ninth Ave. Suite 1101 New York NY 10036 USA
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Directory Instructions
Use the drop-down menu on the left to search for agents by genre, gender, location, longevity, or AAR Status. To find a specific agent or agency, enter the agent’s name or the name of the agency into the search box.
Important: If you use the search box, you must remove the search term by pressing the “Clear Search” link before you look for more agents using the drop-down menu (or you won’t see the proper results). Click on the “Show Notes” and “Show Bio” links underneath each agent for more information about that agent.
Have a question or need support? Post a comment or question by clicking on the red button at the bottom of the page.
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About Mark Malatesta
MARK MALATESTA is a former literary agent turned author coach. Mark now helps authors of all genres (fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books) get top literary agents, publishers, and book deals through his company Literary Agent Undercover and The Bestselling Author. Mark’s authors have gotten six-figure book deals, been on the NYT bestseller list, and published with houses such as Random House, Scholastic, and Thomas Nelson. Click here to learn more about Mark Malatesta and click here for Reviews of Mark Malatesta.
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Author Coaching Testimonials
“Mark, finding you has been both a treat and a treasure—I just signed a contract with my new literary agent!
My career has spanned publishing, TV, and feature film. I’ve served as Creative Dir. for the Magazine Group, TIME Inc.; Dir. of Time World News Service, a Founding Dir. of TIME-Life Films; Exec. Prod. for both the CBS and NBC TV Networks; Prod./Dir.: Movies of the Week: CBS Cinema Center Films and Universal MCA.
In today’s publishing marketplace, agents come and go. They also very often seem to just want an easy pathway to make a buck. Many authors are let go by their agents because their last book didn’t do well enough and the agent doesn’t want to devote the time to help the author. That’s not what you’re about Mark. Even established authors need this type of support in today’s marketplace.”
Author of ten fiction and nonfiction books
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“I’m psyched to have this be official. After getting five different offers for representation from top literary agents, I signed with Stephanie Tade who got me a 6-figure book deal with Penguin!
Getting multiple agents interested in my work was really important to me. I’ve dealt with agents before and gotten screwed on things contractually so I wanted to do it differently this time. I wanted choices.
Having you help me create that, and navigate my options, was really helpful. I heard other authors talk about their great relationships with their agents and it made me want the same thing. Now I have that.”
Author of Woman on Fire
(Penguin Books)
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“After sending out the query Mark revised for me, I had the opportunity to speak with literary agents from top agencies such as Janklow & Nesbit, Trident Media, Anderson Lit, and Folio. I signed with Don Fehr at Trident and, a short time later I had a publishing contract with Berkley Books, which recently published my book in hardcover.
Before that, I sent my query letter out on my own to 30 or 40 agents and got a lot of rejections. I then found Mark online while I was researching agents. I was surprised that he offered so much during his initial consultation—for a very modest amount of money.
I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t worked with Mark. I can’t even imagine that now though, because of the grief and detours I experienced before we worked together. It was a time-consuming pain in the neck. If you want to get the attention of top literary agents and publishers, there is no substitute for working with an insider. You can’t beat experience. And having Mark on your side is incredibly valuable.”
Author of Single Handed
(Berkley Books, a Division of Penguin Random House)
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“AHHH! OMG, it happened! I got three offers of representation for my children’s picture book in the United States, even though I live abroad! When I woke up and found the first offer for representation in my email in box, I wanted to scream. But my family was still asleep so I couldn’t. 🙂
Just 8 minutes after I sent a query letter to one of my favorite agents, she replied and asked to see my manuscript. A short time later we had a lovely conversation. She was interested in representing me and sounded very positive and enthusiastic about my book. Since I also got offers from two other agents, I had to turn two of them down. One of them was upset and it felt like I was breaking her heart, but you just have to do it. I kept reminding myself that this is a good problem to have!”
Author/Illustrator of Lon-Lon’s Big Night
and many other children’s books
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“Mark, after you helped me land a top literary agent, I got publishing offers from THREE well-known publishers: Amacom, Palgrave Macmillan, and McGraw-Hill (they’re publishing my book in hardcover)!
I was at Disneyworld with my family, in the Haunted Mansion, when I got the call. I went outside and listened to the voicemail message from my agent. A huge smile came over my face. It was a fantastic feeling. For a moment I felt like life was perfect and the angels were singing.
You’re filling an important need so I’ll say this to every other author reading this testimonial. Mark showed me that getting a top literary agent is a science. If you’ve written a book, or you’re in the process, you’ve already invested a lot—a lot more than money. Don’t stop yourself from getting out there to fulfill your purpose and dreams. Thank you so, so much, Mark!!!”
Author of Customer Focused Process Innovation (McGraw Hill)
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“I got a book deal! After I started sending out my new query letter I had 6 literary agents request my manuscript in a short amount of time, which is awesome. Then, within 2 weeks of my agent starting to pitch my story to publishers, we had an offer. I signed a book contract yesterday. A little while later my agent told me that a TV co-producer asked for more info about my book.
By the way, the acquiring editor that fell in love with the manuscript jumped in with both feet and we just worked out our timeline for publication. She’s as passionate about getting my book out as I am, and that means everything. She read the manuscript in two days and said she couldn’t put it down. And the book is going to be published as a hardcover!”
Author of A Chick in the Cockpit
(Behler Publications)
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“Thank you Mark! After you helped me get a well-known agent with Hartline Literary Agency (for my previously self-published murder mystery), he got me a deal with an American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) approved publisher. I’m hard-pressed to find anything that I had an expectation for that you didn’t deliver on.
Before I worked with you I sent out queries, but no one ever requested my complete manuscript. Comparing your new version of my query to the one I wrote before, I can see a vast difference.
I’ve been in business for 35 years so I’m not just saying this… what you’re doing is phenomenal. There are other people offering similar services, but the difference is your success. Others might say they do similar things but, if you research them, they don’t have your background or track record.”
Author of The Rector
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“Mark, you’re a miracle worker. Thanks to your help with my book, query letter, and synopsis… I now have a legitimate publisher who described my book as ‘Powerful Magic’ and it’s now available in bookstores and online!
I’m a lifelong academic writer who one day found myself writing inspired short stories that came to me in dreams and I began thinking of them as novels. That’s when I had a momentous conversation, an introductory coaching call with Mark Malatesta, the American creative writing coach, or rather, to be precise, a how-to-sell-yourself-and-your-work adviser. It was the best-spent money of my life apart (possibly) for my wedding ring.”
Author of The Black Inked Pearl
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“Within 4 minutes of sending out my query letter, a top literary called me on the phone (the #1 agent on my wish list). Less than 30 days later I had three major publishers making offers. A few days after that, I signed a deal with Random House. Mark, your query letter did that.
My agent talked about the query letter you helped me create for a long, long time. When he first called me on the phone, he hadn’t seen any of my sample chapters. It was just the query letter that did it. Communicating the right thing is so important. You are a wonderful medium helping authors find their voice and elevate their writing from just a hobby to a real business… a source from which they can both learn and earn.”
Author of Lights Out
(Random House)
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“MARK, MARK, MARK!!!!!!! Holy smokes… I just signed my book deal. First, two well-known literary agents asked to represent me. One of them responded to my query letter in less than 4 minutes!!
Then THREE different publishers wanted my book and started talking about making offers. The publisher I chose is perfect for me because they produce titles for the trade, educational, and scientific markets. And they agreed to publish my book as a hardcover!!!
When I met you, Mark, it was a pivotal time. I was under the belief that I could self-publish my book with a vanity press and then seek a publisher. I didn’t know what a literary agent was, why I needed one, or how to get one. I was wandering in the dark. You guided me in the right direction and gave me a solid plan.”
Author of Intestinal Health
(Rowman & Littlefield)
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“Boom!!! I just signed a contract with Thomas Nelson/Harper Collins for (what I’ve been told by several people) is a very large advance for a first-time author.
Before working with Mark I submitted my book to agents but didn’t get any interest. This time around I got a top NY literary agency (Fine Print Lit). What cloud is higher than 9?
I had several agencies interested before deciding to go with Fine Print. And, to be honest, all of the attention didn’t surprise me. The query letter and proposal that Mark helped me develop were incredible. Agents actually said things to me like: ‘Scott, I read your proposal and I’m just blown away by it!’ Mark is extremely talented at what he does. If you have the opportunity to work with him, take advantage of it.”
Author of The Unbreakable Boy
(Harper Collins/Thomas Nelson)