In Pilgrim's Progress Christian met an Evangelist who gave him instructions and guided him along his journey. If not for Evangelist's words of wisdom and his directions, Christian may never have reached the Celestial City.An Agent is the writer's Evangelist. Without an Agent, most writers will likely never reach the City of Publication. A few seem to make their way without one, but the vast majority of us need an Evangelist to guide us to our destination, through the world of publishers and editors.
I'm waiting for my Evangelist.
I'm over half done with my current historical romance. I have another sitting in Rachelle Gardner's slush pile. It's been in her slush pile for a long, long while. My thin thread of hope lies in her few but powerful words: she said she really liked my query and sample pages and she asked to the see the Full MS.
After my most recent follow-up with her, she indicated she may be able to look at it in April. So what are my chances she'll have time to read it? And if she does read it, will she like it enough to work with me? Will she have the capability to take on another client?
Or will she decide I'm not far enough in the journey to qualify for her help? Will she tell me I'm too new, too inexperienced on this path, that I need to travel the road a little (or lot!) longer before I'm ready for an Evangelist?
What are your agent stories? Have you had to wait to hear back from one? Any advice to make the waiting easier?
P.S. One of my novels centers around John Bunyan. . .so, this blog is an extension of my infatuation with him!
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Hi, Jody:
ReplyDeleteYou're further than me. I haven't sent out my mss yet. Still trudging along to get them perfect.
I know what you mean though with all the questions. I guess that's what toughens our writerly skin, though. We just need to keep living "To God be the glory."
I'll pray for Rachel to find the time to read your ms and for God's desires to be met for you!
LOL! I have a partial historical romance sitting with her too. But she didn't ask for my full so it looks like you're doing great. That's so exciting. :-)
ReplyDeleteIf she liked your sample pages then odds are your writing is pretty good. Now it just comes down to subjectivity and if she thinks she can sell it.
I know what you mean about waiting.
This same partial has been sitting for almost two months in a different agent's pile. I'm so anxious to e-mail and just say, did you get it? 'Cause I snail mailed it. But I know two months isn't that long for a partial so I'm trying to sit on my fingers. I love querying. I love starting the hunt for an agent or publisher, submitting and waiting. It's a great adventure.
What a cool analogy for an agent. It really is true.
Nice post, Jody.
Jody, though it is hard waiting, you should be proud of the progress you've made so far. To even have an agent tell you she'd like to see your full manuscript must mean you're doing something right! I myself don't have an agent, though I am getting my book published this year. I completely agree with you, however, that finding someone to represent your work that believes in your work is a huge and important step on the way to publication.
ReplyDeleteI'll pray for wonderful blessings with your manuscript!
Hi Eileen,
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by! I don't know that I'm further along than you. It's always hard to judge whether your work is ready to send out, and maybe I just sent mine out too soon before it was ready! Maybe I needed to spend more time polishing it up like you're doing.
Once I hear back from the agent, I'm sure I'll have a more objective view on my work, and either way I know I'm in for the long haul of revising!
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteYou have such a positive attitude about querying and finding an agent and waiting!
And that's great that Rachelle has your MS too! Wouldn't it be awesome to get her for an agent? I'm trying to stay realistic though. I know I still have a LONG way to go on this writing journey.
I try remind myself that whenever I do finally hear back from Rachelle, that whatever feedback she gives will help me become a better writer (whether it's positive news or not). Right? :)
Hi Cindy,
ReplyDeleteI'm always in awe of writers who can get published without an agent! So congratulations! I know how difficult that is!
Do you think since you have books published you will be able to find an agent easier than someone who's yet to publish a book? Or do you think it's hard to find an agent no matter your publishing history?
I will pray hard that your evangelist is Rachelle Gardner! How wonderful would that be?
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting on a few things right now and I have to say the waiting really is the hardest part.
Hi T. Anne,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers! I agree, the wait is the hardest part!
Hey Jody! Guess whose name my son drew out of the bucket to win Daisy Chain? LOL
ReplyDeleteSend me your snail mail and I'll get it out to you. If you'd rather me send an inspirational romance or two, let me know. I've got tons. :-) Look forward to hearing from you, Jessie.
Hi Jessica,
ReplyDeleteI left a note for you over on your Booking It blog. Thanks bunches!!
I e-mailed you, so if you don't get it let me know. :-)
ReplyDeleteNo problem. I'm happy to share this book and get Mary's name out there. It's very good and I hope you enjoy it (though it is a hard read, it's also got a great pace that hooked me in).