Agent Solicited Work

I'm trying as best I can to remain calm and focused and keep plodding away with my writing, but, truth be told, I'm sitting on pins and needles and going absolutely nuts.

About 1-1/2 weeks ago, I signed onto AW and had a private message waiting that read "project interest." Hmmmm, I thought to myself. What's this? I opened it up, and it was a message from a new agent at a very well-established children-only agency. She said she had recently read the chapter of SWEETNESS I had posted in SYW and really liked it. She invited me to submit additional chapters to her. I sent three more chapters. A couple of days later, she wrote back saying how much she was enjoying the book and asked me to send the full manuscript. She then asked what else I had completed or was working on. I gave her a run-down of a few things. She wrote back saying to feel free to submit those as well. I sent her a full copy of my supernatural thriller, the first chapter of another MG I'm working on and a picture book. She wrote back saying she received them.

Now, I realize it hasn't been long at all, but I still can't help but feel a little anxious. I mean, considering how fast she went through the first few chapters of SWEETNESS, I would imagine she's finished with the book by now. Yet I haven't heard anything else from her. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but a part of me feels like her enthusiasm has waned and she's now thinking of a way to let me down easy after getting my hopes way, way up.

Yeah, I know. I'll drive myself crazy thinking about it. But I can't help it. No one has ever taken interest in my work like this before.

Thanks, both of you. I know 1-1/2 weeks is nothing in the publishing industry. I've had queries come back months later after I forgot I even sent them. The picture book I sent is one in a series of three. I've been trying to stay busy by working on the other two. If something does come of all this, I would love to have the whole series complete and ready to go.

Thanks, Sheila. If I haven't heard anything in the next few weeks, I might just have to wander over there with all the other head scratchers.

Judg said:

You're serious? Agents look through SYW for potential clients? I thought that kind of thing was urban legend.

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Yeah, I've always known agents visit these boards and sometimes even post, though it's usually if someone is disparaging them and they feel the need to defend themselves. I never ever in my wildest dreams thought one would read my stuff here and contact me. I suppose stranger things have happened though.

Sissy, Dolores, thanks for the support. Yeah, SWEETNESS is the book about the girl trying to protect the birds from her neighbor's cat. I've rewritten it a thousand times, given up on it then pulled it back out. I don't suppose I'll ever give up on it completely until I finally see it between two covers.

Yeah, I blew an opportunity a couple of years ago after growing impatient. I certainly have no plans of shooting myself in the foot again. I just needed some understanding ears.

Yeah, I thought about that too, that perhaps she's passed it on to her boss for a second opinion. I've also wondered if maybe she's feeling editors out on an informal basis. I actually read an agent's blog in which she said before signing a new client, she made some phone calls to editors first just to see if it was even worth bringing someone new into the stable. But who knows? All I can do now is hope for the best and stay busy with one of my current projects.

Thanks, Clair. It really is encouraging that she's expressed so much enthusiasm about the book. Agents are always saying how important it is to find someone who is really excited about your work.

Mware, I'll certainly let everyone know what happens.

Thanks, Michael. I'm trying to keep it all together.

Thanks for the link. I'll check it out. I recall querying Nathan about my book two years ago. He said the voice was nice but that the first chapter didn't have enough tension. At the time, I had no idea what he was talking about. Now I get it.

Smish, I just read Nathan's blog post. He captured my anxiety perfectly. He seems like a very considerate and empathetic agent. Anyone would be hellalucky to join his team.