Random House/Kensington and Urban Books.
All but about 4 of those authors came to me
simply wanting me to edit their book, do literary
consulting, a professional reading critique, or
some other literary service. I was the one who
asked them if they would allow me to agent their
book. I rarely take unsolicited submissions. I’ve
either worked with the author before in some
capacity and know they slay (LOL!), or someone I
trust has referred them to me. E N Joy: The book cover designer for the books in
my divas series is Charlton “CP the Artist” Palmer
out of Atlanta, GA. I have 100% input. I share the
book synopsis with the artist, some parts of the
story, and I’ll even email him a scene from the
book if that’s the picture I want depicted on the
cover. We did all of the above for the cover to
More Than I Can Bear.
E N Joy: By the way, Christine Pauls, very few
people even realize I’m an agent, so I’m always
open to reading submissions because I’m not
sitting on some huge pile. I consider books of all
genres. E N Joy: Christine Pauls Yes, Charlton is
amazing!!!!
Christine Pauls: Talented artist.
Shannan Harper: Is there anyone in the literary
community that you would like to collaborate
with?
Shannan Harper: What made you bring the
main characters Klarke and Reo from this book E N Joy: Right now I’m content with working
into Deborah’s Story in One Sunday at a Time?
with Nikita Lynnette Nichols, but every now and
then Shelia Bell drops into my spirit. I don’t know
E N Joy: Not all of my Joylynn M. Jossel and what that’s about, but I’m sure God will reveal it
JOY secular fan base made the transition with in His timing.
me to Christian fiction. The ones who didn’t, even
though The Root of All Evil was published back Shannan Harper: May I suggest Michelle
in 2004, still ask me if I’m going to write another Stimpson, because that would be interesting to
book with Klarke and Reo. I did write a sequel see Mother Doreen and Mama B together. (IJS)
to The Root of All Evil titled When Souls Mate,
but to date the readers still wanted more Klarke E N Joy: Ha! And we thought Angel and Lady
and Reo. So I decided to give my original Joylynn Arykah was something . . .
M. Jossel readers what they wanted and bring
them into my new genre of writing. Some of the Shelia Bell: Wow, as you do in mine E N Joy,
secular readers I’d lost actually read my Christian especially recently. I agree, God will reveal his
fiction novel, One Sunday at a Time, just to be will when He gets good ‘n ready. :)
reunited with Klarke and Reo.
Shannan Harper: Can’t wait to see what God
Christine Pauls: Who designs your covers? Are reveals
they based on your input?
E N Joy: Amen, Shelia Bell!