What happens when you finally DO land an agent, after all those months, maybe years, of searching, researching, waiting, hoping, praying, crying, editing, revising, querying and rejecting? I went shopping for exotic, expensive shoes but ended up buying underwear. I excitedly contacted all my best friends and relatives whose reactions ran the gamut from WHOOPEE to “let me know when it’s on the shelf.” And I danced around the house to loud Beatles music before my husband finally said I should probably stop before I have a heart attack.
Look, everybody deserves a few moments of insanity after working so hard for so long. And yes, writing a book is hard work. I figure that this, my first book, CRAZY, has been in the making for about 15 years. At least the idea was spawned way back then, under a palm tree on Myrtle Beach during Spring Break when I told my husband to watch the kids while I wandered up the beach, seeking a quiet spot to write.
I started with 20 loosely connected poems, ran them by my best writing buddy, Carol Baldwin, who suggested that they needed to be a book. Then, over many years of raising kids, teaching full time, and writing in the pre-dawn hours, something resembling a novel began to materialize.
Several rounds of professional editing followed, not the least of which was the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop at Chautauqua in 2009. By the luck of the draw, my assigned reader was Patti Gauch, former vice president and editor-at-large of Philomel Books. Her expert editing advice and direction encouraged me to take every ounce of insight I had gleaned at Chautauqua and do one more rewrite.
I launched an agent search in mid June, 2010, and almost four months later to the day, Julia Kenny at Markson Thoma Literary Agency offered to represent my work.
Some have instant success. For me, just getting to this moment has been a long time coming, and who knows where it might go from here. But if all else fails, hearing an agent tell me that she loves my work and that it moved her to tears might be enough to satisfy the longings of my heart forever.
What can I say, Linda, that I haven’t already said? I’m so proud of you and thankful for what the Lord is doing in you life.
I’m thrilled for you, Linda. It sounds like you have a beautiful story worth telling and you deserve an agent who believes in you. Can’t wait to see the book on the shelf.
And now, I’ll turn up the Beatles and do a little dancing in your honor….CONGRATULATIONS! Miriam
So very cool!Happy for you, Linda! Love your enthusiastic post.
Wowzers! This is fantastic news, Linda. You have got to be dancing on the ceiling! 🙂 Please keep us informed of all the good news to come!
Congratulations, Linda! I am in the process and have been subbing to agents for about a year (to editors for about seven years!) It’s inspiring to read your story!
Now go dance some more!
Cheers to you Linda! I’m looking forward to seeing your book in print. Your story encourages me as well. By the way, Oregon (Eugene) is very dear to my heart too. — Mary
Linda, I have discovered your blog and agree with your new agent that you do indeed write very well. Since your book is about a fourteen year old girl in the 1960s, I invite you to visit my blog which has a daily post from the diary I was keeping as an Iowa farm girl when I was 17 in 1960. It will continue through my college years ending in 1965. Oh, and by the way, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2005. I am very fortunate that through the miracle of modern medication, excellent therapy, and an understanding husband and family, mine is very much in remission. I wish you and your agent all the best as you seek a publisher.
I am thrilled to hear you found a agent who loves your work. Good luck.
Terri Karsten
That “Ahaaaa”! moment when you realize that at least one other person read your work and fully understood your heart has to be worth the months of blood, sweat, and tears poured into your masterpiece. Dancing, singing, moment of insanity? You are crazy……..crazy in love with the Author of the Universe and Master of your Heart. Praise Him! Psalm 150:4 Blessings Linda! Vicki
Congrats, Linda–and thanks for sharing. Gives hope to the rest of us still plugging away. VERY excited for you!