Author/Agent Interview ~ Tamela Hancock Murray

Tamela Hancock Murray is a CBA writer who seeks to provide other Christians with edifying, entertaining works. She is the author of 13 novels, 8 novellas, 7 Bible trivia books, and her work has appeared in several compilations. Tamela is also proud to be an agent for Hartline Literary Agency. She is the wife to John, her real life knight in shining armor, and the mother of two lovely daughters.

Ane here. Tamela is allowing us to give away her book, Vera's Turn For Love. Leave a comment at the end of her interview to enter in the drawing. Click here to read about the book.


What new book or project is would you like to tell us about?


I am quite excited about VIRGINIA HEARTS, a book of contemporary romantic stories set in my home state, and MARYLAND BRIDES, a book of historical romantic stories set in historical Maryland. Since I live in Northern Virginia, I visit beautiful Maryland often, and many of my friends and relatives live in that state. I am also excited about THE MUSIC OF HOME, soon to be released by Heartsong Presents. In that story, a young couple finds love amid the hardships experienced by musicians in the early years of recording. And of course, who doesn’t love a good Christmas story? I’m honored to be teamed with Ginny Aiken in a novella set called YULETIDE IN IRELAND AND WALES.

Tell us about your publishing journey. How long had you been writing before you got a contract? How did you find out and what went through your mind?

After I left my office job to stay home full time with my first daughter, I wrote occasional articles for newspapers while I worked on my novels. If I had been focused on fiction, I believe I would have taken less time to land a book contract. When I did, my first thought was, “Good! Now maybe my first book won’t be published posthumously.”

Do you still have self-doubts about your writing?

No, really, I don’t. Never. Ever. And if you believe that, you certainly are a fan of fiction!

Was there ever a time in your writing career you thought of quitting?

And get a real job? You’ve got to be kidding!


What mistakes did you make while seeking a publisher or agent?

Not realizing that you must write to market rather than writing a book with no market in mind.

What’s the best writing advice you’ve heard?

If you write 1,000 words a day, you will have a novel in three months.

What’s the worst piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

That anyone can write a silly romance.

Do you have a pet peeve having to do with this biz?

The Theory of Relativity. For people waiting for me to read a manuscript, time moves quickly—so quickly that I don’t realize I’ve kept someone waiting longer than I intended. But when I’m waiting for an editor to get back to me, time moves slowly. Surely the editor knows I want to know NOW! What is taking so long?

That is how the Theory of Relativity works, right? If not, don’t send me any books on Quantum Physics.

What do you wish you’d known early in your career that might have saved you some time and/or frustration in writing? In publishing?

Write to market! No matter how good a book is, if the story doesn’t fit the publisher’s marketing plan, the editor won’t buy it.

Was there ever a difficult set back that you went through in your writing career?

I got discouraged as I waited to publish my first book. However, during that time, I wrote three other books. That effort wasn’t wasted even though I since haven’t marketed those novels.

What are a few of your favorite books?

What do you mean, not written by me? (laughs)

I have many favorites, but I’ll point out a small book I read on a plane trip recently. It was given to me by a friend and it’s called A LIFE GOD REWARDS: Why Everything You Do Today Matters Forever by Bruce Wilkinson. The title lives up to its promise.

What work have you done that you’re especially proud of and why?

Readers tell me how much my books touch their lives, and that is something that always makes me feel gratified. I am especially glad that I had the opportunity to write Bible trivia books because Sunday School teachers use those to impart knowledge to students. I am thrilled to be a small part of their learning experience.

Do you have a scripture or quote that has spoken to you lately?

Yes. Psalm 23:1: The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

I have been led to realize that when He is your shepherd, He will take away your want for what you don’t need, and for things that will take you away from Him.

Can you give us a look into a typical day for you?

Every day starts with prayer. Other than that, there is no typical day. I try to get a little exercise every day, and balance business with family. Our family sits down to dinner every night with almost no exceptions. My husband and I make a point to spend time alone together each evening. We believe that a strong marriage is one of the greatest gifts a couple can give their children.

Do you have a word or page goal you set for each day?

I try to write 1000 words a day.

Are you an SOTP writer or a plotter?

I am a plotter.

What author do you especially admire and why?

St. John the Apostle, for his vigor in evangelizing.

What's your favorite and least favorite part of being a writer?

The least favorite part is the grunt work of sitting in front of a blank screen and going through the exercise of getting characters from Point A to Point B. The most rewarding part is hearing how much people enjoy my work.

How much marketing do you do? What's your favorite part of marketing?

Since most of my writing is for book clubs, I don’t have to do the intense marketing required by authors of trade books. I enjoy holding book signings and talking to people about my work.

How long have you been an agent?

Almost five years now, I think. A quick five years, I must say.

Did you write before or after you became an agent?

Before. I think my experience as a writer helps me understand the process and to empathize with both writers and editors.

As an agent, what's that special something you look for in a book?

A story that has a clear and viable market. My personal opinion of the writing and story doesn’t matter. What matters is its marketability. Of course, I do like and enjoy the books I choose to market; otherwise I couldn’t be enthusiastic when speaking with editors. However, I am forced to turn down excellent books when they simply don’t have a market.

What are some things that set off red flags in a manuscript?

A query letter where I can’t follow the author’s train of thought. I don’t require a fancy letter – just one that shows me you know how to convey thoughts. Another red flag is when an author obviously has no idea about current market realities. For instance, very few editors are looking for a 20K word manuscript. I’m amazed by how many letters I receive asking me to market books that are really pamphlets. Writers should do enough research to have a basic idea of what type of book the market will bear.

What makes a manuscript stand out from the rest?

A strong manuscript from a well established author will always get my attention. When an author is less well established, I need a super manuscript written to market that the author can promote. A recommendation from a current client will earn a writer exceptional consideration.

We all hear how subjective this business is. Can you elaborate on that?

An editor has to work with a manuscript on so many levels. When the editor has a choice between a manuscript that touches the heart and one that’s good enough but doesn’t speak to the editor’s heart, the first one will win every time.

What's the best piece of advice you can give our readers about getting published?

Sometimes after I am forced to decline representation to someone, I receive a response that conveys deep, personal hurt. I advise these authors not to take rejection personally. Rejection from an editor or agent is not the same as rejection from a beloved friend. Unless you and this person have had a definite falling out, the decision about your manuscript is not personal, but a business decision.

To protect yourself from hurt feelings, do the following:

Distinguish between a book that your family will treasure and one the public will read. For example, you may have just been through the most heart-wrenching experience of your life and it may have made you a better person, but does a typical reader—a stranger—want to learn about that? A reader paying money and investing time to read your words is rightfully selfish, looking for entertainment or useful knowledge, maybe both. If your book wouldn’t interest a stranger, save it for your family, who will appreciate your writing and you even more after sharing your experience through the written word.

Remember that just because a book has been written doesn’t mean it must be published. Publication does not necessarily mean the book has incalculable merit. What it does mean is that the text has been identified as something the public will buy. Very, very few publishers are run by independently wealthy people on a mission to publish certain literary tomes whether or not they make money. Most publishers need to make money to stay in business. That is why most books published will have some sort of broad popular appeal, or serve a profitable niche.

And remember that just because a book isn’t published, doesn’t mean that it’s not worthy. Much writing is worthy and worthwhile, but not published.

When thinking about whether or not to market your book, decide where your book fits. If your topic is too intensely personal to be of interest beyond your friends and family, be glad you wrote your book for them and don’t worry if no publisher ever buys it. If you want to be published, study the publisher’s guidelines and write exactly what they say they want. Your book may still be rejected, but if you’ve written to market, you can approach other publishers looking for similar books.

Let's say I have an intriguing query, a well developed synopsis and my three sample chapters are strong. Why might I still get a rejection?

The quickest reasons are the most easily avoidable:

1.) Don’t tell the agent she’s the 20th one you have approached. I like to think my ego isn’t so very fragile, but this is not flattering and it’s hard for me to believe you’re excited about working with me if I’m on your “desperation strikes” list.

2.) On email queries, don’t have forty other addresses showing in the “sent to” header. I take a dim view of submissions that seem like a mass mailing.

3.) Approaching all four Hartline agents at once is not desirable. Decide which one of us you want to work with and approach that agent. Maybe even tell us why you want to go with our agency, and why you chose the particular agent. We still may be forced to decline, but showing some thought is always a nice touch and will get you more than a cursory read.

4.) Don’t send an agent a book that is out of category. Whatever your category, find an agent who’s looking for it and try that agent. Don’t bother with any agent who’s clearly not seeking your category.

Sometimes, however, agents have to decline excellent manuscripts. One major reason is that the agent has too many similar manuscripts on file. I will tell authors this if that is the case, which is more often than authors like to think. In fact, more than once I have received responses from upset authors insisting that indeed, I cannot possibly have too many similar manuscripts on file. But if an agent says she has too many similar stories on file, I suggest you believe her.

Of course every author’s book is unique, but if yours is the tenth high tech fantasy the agent has seen that day and she already has several clients writing those, she really can’t take yours too, even though your manuscript may still be wonderful. The next agent you approach might have just received a call from an editor frantic for a wonderful high tech fantasy, and yours might be the one!

Another reason is that the agent’s roster is simply too full. Just as editors have only so many slots to fill, agents can only market so many manuscripts. If you really want to go with a certain agent and this is the reason she gives, ask if you might approach her again in six months. Even if she says yes, you are still free to approach other agents in the meantime, but you might want to let the first agent know if you sign on with someone else, and thank her for leaving the door open for you. The world of publishing is smaller than you think, and you want to keep as many doors ajar as you can at all times.

If a writer is rejected and reworks the manuscript, can he/she resubmit it?

I speak only for myself, but I would say yes if there is a strong reason to resubmit. For example, you have been to a conference and several editors expressed interest; your manuscript has been changed by editing, especially a professional editor; you have developed a speaking ministry or some other new way to promote your book.

If so, would they send it to a different agent in the agency or the same one?

I’d keep working with the same agent, but that’s my opinion. Hartline is the Agency with a Heart, and all four of us work in a collegiate and congenial way together.

Would you recognize a resubmission? If you did, would you be able to see it with fresh eyes?

I would probably recognize a resubmission, and would appreciate honesty regarding that. Tell me why it’s fresh and new now, and worthy of a second look.

Do you have any parting words of advice?

Get an agent! Be persistent. Keep writing. And pray without ceasing!