My guest for this episode of "One Thing - Literary Edition" is Kacie Newport, Founder & Talent Manager of BAM Management. She identifies “authenticity” as the single most important factor for success in the arts and entertainment business.

Newport holds the “unpopular opinion” that AI is a valuable tool if used correctly.

"Don’t forget why you got into the business… it’s because we’re makers. We have to make the art, and that’s all it’s really about.”

My guest for this episode of "One Thing - Literary Edition" is Sandra Proudman, a literary associate at Galt & Zacker Literary Agency.

She shares the #1 mistake authors make in the query trenches: staying too long. "I see authors query the same project for 5 years... you need to be producing new work."

Key points include:

• The 2-Year Rule: When it’s time to pivot.
• Market Alignment: Why your next project might be the one that sticks.
• Pro Stamina: Preparing for the "book-a-year" pace of the industryabout "Two-Year Rule" and how to build your writing stamina.

Her one big piece of advice is to keep writing and producing new work.

My guest for this episode of "One Thing - Literary Edition" is Stephanie Cardel, the founder of Lighthouse Literary Agency, which represents authors of children's (PB, MG, YA) and adult fiction and non-fiction for both the Christian and secular markets.

She provides a "reality check" for aspiring authors regarding the traditional publishing industry.

My guest for the premier episode of "One Thing - Literary Edition" is Amanda Carbonell, a former Junior Agent at the Belcastro Agency.

Our conversation revolves around the importance of persistence in the literary world. She highlights several reasons including:

• Market Fluctuation
• The "Right Desk" Principle
• Subjectivity of Rejection
• A "Pass" is Not "Never"
• Personal Experiences with Persistence

We share personal anecdotes to illustrate the necessity of staying in the "trenches."

My guest for this episode of "One Thing - Literary Edition" is Jen Nadol, Literary Agent at the Unter Agency. She says that while conflict and tension are necessary ingredients, urgency is the “engine” that truly propels a reader through a story.