2026 Faculty: S through Z
Jaden (Beth) Terrell / Editor
Jaden (Beth) Terrell is a Shamus Award finalist and the internationally published author of the Nashville-based Jared McKean private detective series. Terrell’s short stories, which range from cozy to noir, have appeared in several anthologies, and she’s a contributor to ITW’s The Big Thrill online magazine and Now Write! Mysteries, a collection of how-to essays for writers of crime fiction. Terrell is the recipient of the Killer Nashville Builder Award and two awards for service to the Southeast Mystery Writers of America. She offers workshops, coaching, and courses for writers.
Website: https://www.jadenterrell.com
Kristen Terrette / Agent
Kristen is honored to be a literary manager with Martin Literary and Media Management. She’s excited to continue building her list featuring titles in young adult, new adult, fantasy, thrillers/mysteries/suspense, romance, women’s fiction, horror, literary fiction, historical fiction, contemporary, non-fiction, all faith-based books.
She has a BA in Early Childhood Education and MA in Theology and Religious Studies which led her into children’s ministry for many years. Eventually, her lifelong love of books and authors drew her back to her original dream of entering the publishing world. Kristen is a multi-published, award-winning author and freelance writer. She’s held such positions as the Blog Manager for a national women’s ministry and the Social Media Manager for a publishing house. All these components landed her a spot in the coveted Writers House Intern Program. There, she received valuable hands-on agenting and publishing experience which she brought into her position, and now learns every day beside her amazing MLM colleagues. She was also named an ECPA Emerging Leader in 2023 and went through a precious mentorship during 2024 to further her understanding of the Christian Publishing landscape.
Kristen has long been a voice for diversity. She’s written extensively on topics of racial reconciliation and unity and has been a facilitator of groups around these topics in her church. In all her focused genres, she welcomes books with BIPOC or disabled main characters and diverse friendships. She believes books change people in all the best ways and that every child should see themselves in the pages.
Helen Thornton-Gussy / Editor
Helen Thornton-Gussy has been the editor and owner of Edit Co. since 2017, offering developmental (structural) editing, line editing, copy editing, proofreading, and formatting. She works in both US and UK English and loves a good Oxford comma. Even though Helen is based in New Zealand, she works predominantly with US authors.
Helen specializes in adult commercial fiction, particularly crime, thriller, mystery, epic fantasy/fantasy, and women’s fiction. She has a soft spot for thrillers and epic fantasy and considers herself fortunate to have worked with Grim Oak Press (Washington State), who produce limited-edition books for fantasy authors such as Robin Hobb, Terry Brooks, Raymond E. Feist, and others.
Learn more about Helen, and the services she offers here (https://www.editco.nz/) or on Instagram
@edit_co._ or Threads https://www.threads.net/@edit_co._/