Bethany Jett is a literary agent with MacGregor & Luedeke.

Bethany has an affinity for projects with strong commercial appeal and potential for literary recognition. Since becoming an agent, Bethany has drawn on over a decade of industry experience. A multi-award winning author with an MFA in Communication, she brings a sharp editorial eye and strong market instincts to every project she takes on. Bethany teaches at conferences nationwide and loves to help writers position their work with clarity and purpose. She is a lifelong planner enthusiast, proud boy mom, and military spouse who lives outside of D.C. with her family and their not-spoiled-at-all Pomeranian.

She seeks a variety of adult fiction, adult nonfiction, Christian works, and children’s picture books.

Genres: Children’s; Gift Books; Cookbooks; Commercial Fiction; Christian Nonfiction

Adult Nonfiction wishlist:

As a traditionally published nonfiction author, I understand the pressure around “platform, platform, platform.” I’ve been there, and now on the agenting side, I still find myself emphasizing its importance. I’m drawn to authors who have already created their brand and built their audience, even before a book deal comes into play.

I’m looking for:

COOKBOOKS!!!!!
How-to
Self-help
Christian Living
Lifestyle
Home & Garden
Gift
Bible studies

I’m not the right agent for:

Memoir or Narrative
Devotionals
Sports
Science / Technology
Politics
Projects that don’t have a tie-in to the author’s credentials or platform

Adult Fiction wishlist:

“I’m hooked on stories written in extremely deep POV and I appreciate writing that provides just enough information to the reader while letting their imagination take over…very “Master of Suggestion” Alfred Hitchcock-esque, if you will. I’m a sucker for small towns, anything in the South, and I adore an unreliable narrator…or two. I appreciate trigger warnings for suicide.”

I’m looking for:

Psychological thriller
Domestic Thriller
Suspense
Cozy mysteries
Historical
Book Club
Upmarket
Women’s Fiction
Romantic Comedy
Historial Romance
Romantic Suspense
Regency Romance
Magical Realism

I’m not the right agent for:

Science Fiction
Fantasy (outside of Magical Realism)
Biblical Fiction
True crime
Action/adventure
Political / government thrillers
Spy thrillers
Military science or war
High spice, erotica or sex “on the page”
Vulgarity or extreme violence
Horror
2nd person POV
YA-crossover or New Adult

Children’s: Picture Books wishlist:

My list has become increasingly focused in two specific areas:

1. Highly commercial concepts with strong hook appeal, like How to Babysit a Grandpa or How to Catch a Unicorn

2. Classic, literary-type prose or emotionally layered storytelling like BIG or The Rough Patch

Many of the stories I receive are lovely, but don’t quite align with the direction I’m currently building.

I’m not the right agent for:

Nonfiction
Didactic or overly message-driven stories
Generic animal stories
Rhyme
SEL
STEM/STEAM
Middle Grade
Young Adult
YA-crossover