Meet Ami McConnell,
Founder, collaborative writer, consultant and literary agent
Ami McConnell is an agent, author, writer, and editor with 20+ years of experience in publishing. Her most recent in-house role was as Editor-in-Chief, Vice President of Simon and Schuster’s Howard Books. Having edited numerous New York Times bestsellers and award winners, she now works with authors of all stripes to create bestselling books. As collaborative writer, she’s a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller. She founded and serves as president of WriterFest Nashville and A Dolly Good Time, a fundraiser for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, and serves on the board of Women’s National Book Association/Nashville Chapter. She lives in the Nashville area with her family.
Ami seldomly uses social media, though she can be found on Facebook and LinkedIn. The best way to get glimpses of her world is through our agency social media accounts, such as Instagram or by inquiring directly about your project.
Ami is not currently accepting queries for traditional agent representation and works by referral only in that capacity.
“Giving birth to a book is an exquisite joy, but it’s also hard work! I see myself as a book midwife, in my sweet spot calming, coaxing, and coaching artists through this mysterious creative process.”
Ami McConnell serves as a traditional literary agent, publishing project consultant, collaborative writer, and publisher.
She is most interested in these categories:
Southern, Nashville Music (Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Caroline Randall Williams)
Spirituality/religion (Anne Lamott, Fredrick Buechner)
Therapy/Psychology (Mother Hunger by Dr. Kelly McDaniel)
Books featuring books (The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman)
Nature (World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil)
Illustrated or art books (spirits, creativity, and art)
Narrative nonfiction (The Song of the Cell: An Exploration of Medicine and the New Human by Siddhartha Mukherjee)
Endorsements
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"My experience working with Ami on Miracle at the Higher Grounds Café and The Christmas Candle has been nothing short of wonderful. She is skillful, encouraging and creative. I have nothing but a positive endorsement for her work."
Max Lucado, New York Times bestselling author of Traveling Light
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“Ami McConnell taught me more than I can ever express. She encouraged me and shared brilliance that lives on the pages of my book— and became my friend in the process. I will never forgot when she asked, ‘What gift are you offering?’ That changed everything. So grateful God blessed my life with her!”
Caroline C. Barney, author of Pull Yourself Together: How to Connect to a Life You Love
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“Ami McConnell is a magician. She took my content and “Charlie Brown Christmas Tree-ed” it so it was still in my voice but so much easier to read. I highly recommend working with Ami!”
Elizabeth Lombardo, Ph.D., bestselling author of Get Out of the Red Zone: Transform Your Stress and Optimize True Success
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“In our literary agency work at Yates & Yates we care about helping our clients develop and write excellent manuscripts for their works. When we have an author who requires the professional assistance of a collaborator, it is important for us to help our clients work with the best. Ami McConnell is a collaborative writer extraordinaire. She not only has the skills and experience to deliver the highest quality work, but she has a heart for her clients and her work product. We are grateful when we can pair Ami up with one of our clients. When we do that, we know that we can depend on Ami to deliver the highest quality work and in a very timely manner.”
Sealy Yates, Senior Partner, Yates & Yates
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“I never imagined that I would gain a new friend while working with Ami on my book. Her gift of writing and story telling is a direct result of her incredible ability to listen and ask the right questions. I’m so grateful for our new friendship and couldn’t imagine doing my project without her.”
Kirsten Watson, author of Sis, Take a Breath and podcast host of Why or Why Not with the Watsons
Services Offered
Book Mapping
$7,500 for two days
Collaborative Writing
1-2 dollars per word
Proposal Development
$7,500-25,00
Content Editing
$12,500 per 50,000 words / $0.25 cents per word
Guides author to map out the scope and substance of a book idea. Provides a detailed summary and table of contents.
Collaborates with the client to create and deliver an edited, final manuscript. May be done with or without the book-mapping option.
Creates custom book proposals designed to attract and engage literary agents and/or editors. Package includes customized research on where the book might best fit. Optional editing (or creation of) sample chapters.
Consulting
$500/hour
Manuscript Viability Review
$1500+
Marketing Copywriting
$500+
Provides an annotated, line-edited manuscript & an extensive editorial feedback letter. Includes consultation call.
Works with publishers and authors to create commercially viable book projects. Authors may choose to receive coaching over an extended period toward successful manuscript completion.
Reviews proposal and/or manuscript (partial or full) and provides assessment of strengths and weaknesses along with a recommendation of next steps, including customized research and contact information. Includes a one-hour consultation call.
Crafts marketing copy to arrest readers’ attention to compel a book purchase.
Ami in the Media
For media spots featuring Ami talking about WriterFest or A Dolly Good Time please see those subpages.