Kristen Terrette

I am honored to be a literary manager with Martin Literary and Media Management. I’m excited to build my list.

A little background: I have a BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Theology and Religious Studies which led me into children’s ministry for many years. Eventually, my lifelong love of books and authors drew me back to my original dream of entering the publishing world. I’m a multi-published author and freelance writer. I’ve held such positions as the Blog Manager for a national women’s ministry  and the Social Media Manager for a publishing house. All these components landed me a spot in the coveted Writers House Intern Program. There, I received valuable hands-on agenting and publishing experience which I bring into this position. I also served as an ECPA Emerging Leader in 2023, which garnered a precious 2024 mentorship which furthered my understanding of the Christian publishing landscape.

I have long been a voice for diversity. I’ve written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and am a facilitator of groups around these topics in my church. In all my focused genres, I welcome books with BIPOC, AAPI, or disabled main characters and diverse friendships. I believe books change people in all the best ways and that every child should see themselves in the pages.

My General #MSWL for 2025 includes:

Overall:

Settings I’d love to see: Reservations, underpopulated areas in the US, anywhere other than the US or England… I love books with unique structures or retellings, time lapses, dual POVS when warranted, industry-standard word counts (!), and hooks/stakes shown within the first 5-8 pages.

I am not a good fit for Science Fiction (even in YA), books with any political agenda, extremely foul-mouthed characters, sick-lit or cancer books, books over 100k words, and books with gratuitous sex scenes. 

Young Adult (All subgenres except Sci-fi): My background in writing YA and extensive reading in this genre has given me a great love and understanding of it. Grab my attention within the first couple of pages. Send me books with first loves, unique friendships, interesting and/or challenging family dynamics, and hard-hitting subject matter (race relations, suicide, abuse, divorce, etc.) but leave me with a satisfying (not necessarily happy!) ending.

I, generally, like friends-lovers tropes, am a little tired of most contemporary YA stories (so it better be fresh!), and I like witches or dark, rogue magic and characters over Fae and court intrigue. I will always love dragons, but would need a new take here, and do you have a unicorn story? I’m game to see it!

YA TV/films comps I’d love to see: Maxton Hall, Reservation Dogs, The Summer I Turned Pretty, Trinkets, Stranger Things, Me and Walter Boys, Labyrinth, The Vampire Diaries, My-So-Called-Life, Ginny & Georgia…

Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery: Send me the smart, tough, and brave lady crime solvers. I love serial killers. I love small towns and big cities. I love relatable and quirky characters. If I can’t figure out what’s going to happen next or what the ending will be, you’ve gotten my attention. (Note: I am less into straight police/procedural books unless there’s a strong hook.)

Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery TV/films comps I’d love to see: Only Murders in the Building, Based on a True Story, Reacher, Presumed Innocent, Harban Coben’s stories made into movies, The Lincoln Lawyer, Will Trent, Dark Winds…

Horror: Creep me out. Make me scared to read the story at night. Give me a book that explores death- the process of, grim reaper, death personified… If folk-horror is a thing that sounds like it could fit your book, send it. Have a ghost story? I’d rather it be like ‘the Ghost Whisperer’ versus a romance with one. Vampires? Werewolves? Great! But it better be fresh! No slasher-film style stories please- these don’t read well for me. Is your story a thriller with a touch of horror/speculative elements? Send it.

Horror TV/films comps I’d love to see: From (!), Chapelwaite, The Forrest, Midnight Mass, The Lost Boys, Predator, World War Z, The Haunting of Bly Manor, The Haunting of Hill House, Wolf Like Me, Stranger Things, Castle Rock, Dark, Salem’s Lot, Jeepers Creepers, Kindred…

Contemporary: Voice will be what gets me here. Also, everyday life stories that aren’t set in the US or England.

Contemporary TV/films comps I’d love to see: Beef, Reservation Dogs, Yellowstone, Yellowjackets, Tell Me Lies, The Brothers Sun…

Romance: I am currently open to all subgenres of this category. Surprise me.

New Adult: I love college stories! And humorous young twenties. Send me these!

Women’s Fiction: I am picky in my tastes here. I tend to lean to lyrical stories here, but I’m open to all. I LOVE diverse stories here too! I love new structures, interesting and surprising POVs. Send me all and I’ll take a look.

Historical Fiction: I’m interested in the Civil War to present day time periods, little known parts of WWII that haven’t been explored, the Viking era, and Native stories from around the world.

Great TV/Film comps I love here: The Last Kingdom, Vikings, Highlander, The Blitz, Forrest Gump, The Chosen

Literary Fiction: I’m picky here… But I’ll give anything a shot. Surprise me.

Faith-Based/Inspirational Fiction and Nonfiction: I love a good redemption or forgiveness story, a historically accurate saga, a clean and beautiful, yet realistic love story, or a memoir that has me crying and laughing within the span of a few pages. Surprise me with the beauty of God’s grace. I also want to see more bible studies and devotionals. 🙂

True Crime (Nonfiction): I’m obsessed with true crime. If you’ve got a story, tell me about it…

Illustrators: I am open to seeing your artwork! Query me with your portfolio!

Fantasy: My tastes definitely lean toward romance here (Romantsy). And while I do love me some Lord of the Rings (the soundtrack was played at my wedding!), I’m currently not looking for high fantasy. Like my tastes in YA fantasy, I’m tired of the whole court intrigue storyline, or princess needing to save the realm.

Non-fiction: Send me memoirs, culture, celebrity, parenting, and psychology books. If you have an interesting idea, send it. My tastes vary greatly here. (Please have a strong platform and/or authority to speak on the subject if you are sending me a NF submission.)

What I’m still taking a break on:

Middle Grade (All subgenres except Sci-fi): I heart Middle Grade! But, I need to take a break on MG submissions for now.

Picture Books: Picture books are an important part of establishing a love for literature at an early age. However, I need to take a break on PBs for the moment.

Submission Guidelines

Submissions should be emailed to https://QueryManager.com/KristenTerrette

Please Query me via QueryManager with query letter, manuscript details, short bio, and the first pages of you manuscript.

https://QueryManager.com/KristenTerrette

Guidelines & Details