Tracie Miles Literary
Hi, aspiring author friend!
I'm Tracie Miles, founder of Tracie Miles Literary. With more than 15 years in the publishing industry, I bring both the insider knowledge of a working author and the professional experience of someone who has navigated the traditional publishing world from multiple vantage points.
I am the traditionally published author of eight books, several of which have achieved bestseller status, released with respected CBA publishing houses including Bethany House Publishers, Leafwood Publishers, and David C Cook between 2012 and 2024. That firsthand experience as an author shapes everything I do as an agent: I've lived every stage of that process myself, from the blank page to the bookshelf, which means I advocate for my authors with both professional expertise and genuine empathy.
Before founding Tracie Miles Literary, I served for nearly nine years as Director of COMPEL Pro Writers Training at Proverbs 31 Ministries, where I helped train tens of thousands of Christian writers in the craft and business of publishing. That season gave me an unusually broad view of what aspiring authors need, and what the market is actually looking for.
Since opening my agency, I have secured publishing contracts for my clients with traditional CBA publishers, and I continue to actively build a select list of authors whose work I believe in deeply. I don't take on projects simply because they're marketable; I take on authors whose message I'm convinced the world needs to hear.
I personally represent nonfiction authors, while my Associate Agent, Becky Kopitzke, represents all of our fiction clients, both adult and young adult. You can learn more about Becky and what she's looking for below.
There is no greater joy than making that phone call to a hopeful author with the great news that a publisher is offering them a book contract!
If your dream is to see your book sitting on the shelves of a bookstore and changing lives, I would love to review your completed book proposal.
Tracie Miles Literary is a member of the ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association).
Book Topics of Interest:
To have your project considered for agency representation by Tracie Miles Literary, it’s important to make sure you know if your project fits into the types of books Tracie will and can represent. Before submitting your query or book proposal, please read the below information to see if your book idea is currently a project Tracie could consider.
How important is having a platform?
For nonfiction authors, a strong platform is essential, and it's one of the most important areas to invest in before you approach a publisher. That means a growing email subscriber list, an active Substack, a website that reflects who you are and what you write about, and social media channels where real engagement is happening, not just follower counts. Publishers count on authors to help promote their own work, and they can't carry the full weight of marketing and sales on their own. A book launches and sustains itself best when the publisher and the author are working the promotion together, which means your platform needs to be more than a personal Facebook page of friends and family; it needs to be an audience that's genuinely interested in your topic and shows up when you speak into it.
Fiction and children's book authors don't need to meet that same bar. Publishers in those categories weigh platform far less heavily than they do for nonfiction, since the manuscript and the story itself carry more of the load.
All that said, publishers vary in what they require, and many are genuinely willing to take a chance on a new author with a smaller platform if the angle is fresh, the writing is excellent, and there's real evidence that people care about the topic. So if you don't have a massive following, don't be discouraged. There are creative ways to demonstrate audience reach beyond raw numbers, and any time you invest in building your platform, and in strengthening the platform section of your proposal, will pay off. A platform section is required for submissions.
What is the Agent/Author relationship?
The agent/author relationship is a professional partnership in the publishing industry where a literary agent represents an author in various capacities.
In essence, the agent/author relationship is built on trust, mutual respect, and a shared goal of achieving success in the publishing world. The agent brings industry knowledge, negotiation skills, and connections, while the author provides the creative content. Together, they work to bring the author’s books to market and to build a sustainable writing career.
My personal goal is that an author/agent relationship goes beyond just business. As a literary agent, I am a personal friend, advocate and cheerleader for my clients. I believe in their message and their writing and strive to see it grow from simply an idea to a beautiful book getting into the hands of those who need it.
Submission Guidelines
Tracie primarily represents books in the Christian literary market, and is currently accepting submissions.
Please submit your FULL BOOK PROPOSAL SUBMISSOIN by using the Submission button below. Submissions are only accepted via the Submission form. Submissions sent through email or snail mail will not be accepted, acknowledged or returned.
Before clicking into the Book Proposal Submission Form:
Remember:
- You must submit a full book proposal. Without all the components, the book idea cannot be given full consideration. Please do not submit a query letter and manuscript or sample chapters without a full book proposal, as that will not be accepted or reviewed.
- To make sure your proposal is ready to submit, please take a moment to review the free Book Proposal Checklist below! Do your research about how to complete each section or check out my Author Coaching Services for book proposal development, if desired.
- Your platform is essential. Please include any or all social media numbers, email subscribers, Substack followers (free and paid), podcast downloads, blog stats, engagement stats, audience reach in other ways, etc., as well as your ideas for marketing.
- We all only get one chance to make a first impression! Your proposal is your first writing sample and introduction of you, your credentials and your book idea. Therefore, it’s important to submit the most solid, clean and impressive example of your writing style and a thorough explanation of your book concept, your unique spin on your topic and why the book is needed in today’s literary market.
Please follow the submission guidelines and send your proposal through the Book Proposal Submission Form only - Please note: It will take up to eight weeks to receive a response. If you haven't heard back from Tracie within a couple months, please feel free to reach out again via the contact form but it's likely safe to assume she is not in a position to offer representation at this time.