As many of you know, one of my novels has been sitting in the slush pile agent Rachelle Gardner for a long time. I'm sure you've heard me lament about it plenty!
After finaling in the Genesis Contest, I decided now might be a good time to follow up with Rachelle and let her know about the contest results. So, I wrote her an email, told her both my manuscripts finaled, and spelled out some goals I had for getting them ready to pitch to editors at the ACFW Conference.
You can imagine my excitement when she emailed back and asked me to resubmit 50 pages of both manuscripts to her along with a synopsis for each. I jumped on the chance and got them to her Sunday evening.
Yesterday morning, Rachelle and I emailed back and forth a few times. Then finally she sent me an email that made my heart stop. I'd love to have a phone conversation with you sometime soon. Could you send me your number and some possible good times to talk?
For those who read Rachelle's blog, you know she recently posted about making THE CALL to authors. (Read about it here.) I prayed and hoped when my phone rang a short time later that Rachelle was making the call to offer me representation and not to tell me I needed to take a hike back to the drawing board!
She immediately put my fears to rest. She gave me the kind of news I'd been waiting to hear for a LONG time: she liked my work and wanted to offer to represent me!
The rest of the story will have to wait for future posts. But I will say this, Rachelle said she was excited about my projects! And she gave me a list of things I need to start working on. I'm going to be VERY busy, very, very busy!
And, Rachelle is just as sweet and fantastic on the phone as she is in her blog. I consider myself privileged and blessed to have the opportunity to work with her!
Thanks for letting me share this with you today! I know all of you writing friends will understand exactly how excited I am!
Posts
Alex Segura on the Stories You Can’t Ignore
6 hours ago
Jody!! That's such fantastic news!! Wow--what a week!! I think you'll be looking back on this time with a smile on your face. Whew!!
ReplyDeleteI follow Rachelle on Twitter and she comes across as very intelligent, warm, and on top of things. I think you'll have a wonderful relationship with her.
Oh, I wish I could take you out to coffee to celebrate!!
CONGRATS!!! Oh my gosh this is GREAT news Jody! Jumping up and down for you!
ReplyDeleteI am so excited for you! I can only imagine how awesome it must feel to get The Call! Congrats Jody! I hope you keep us up to date on the rest of the process!!! :D
ReplyDeleteFANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's doubly wonderful news because you are so talented and so nice!
God bless your writing!
Congrats, Jody! You're reaching the dreams some of us are striving for, too, and it's so helpful to see that it can be done! Good luck to you. Please keep us posted on your journey. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat job and congratulations! Good follow up work. This isn't luck or good fortune; this is the process of long, hard work on you part. Well done.
ReplyDeleteOh, Jody, this is wonderful! WONDERFUL! Rachelle seems like a great agent. Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteAAAEEEEEKKKK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh LOL, you can't hear me scream loud enough! LOL, LOL, LOL
I'm so excited for you. :-) I guess you might not need an agent appt at ACFW after all. :-) Now I know two people repped by her (lady in my crit group also). She seems like not only a great person, but a good editor. I read the Sushi series that she helped Camy Tang edit and it was really good.
Wooohooo! Good for you for letting her know about the finals too. Smart move. :-)
Yay!!!!
Keep us updated on how all this agent stuff works. :-)
Another Super Whoot! Congrats. :-)
ReplyDeleteWow, wow, wow! Absolutely amazing news, Jody! Many, many congrats!
ReplyDeleteHip Hip Hooray! I'm thrilled for you! Rachelle seems like one of those cool agents to be in contact with and now she's representing YOU! Have fun and work hard -- bring God with you on this journey and I can't wait to see where it takes you!
ReplyDeleteI'm dying to know more details, but I will demonstrate my ability to continue to be patient by waiting. :D
WAY TO GO!
~ Wendy
I actually have tears in my eyes - I am so excited for you! WOW. What a wonderful blessing for you! I can't wait to hear more. :)
ReplyDeleteWell, awwwwwww-riiiiiight!
ReplyDeleteI am SOOOOO excited for you and this awesome news!!!! WOW!!! You persevered and it paid off!! WOW again!! Celebrate!!
ReplyDeleteJody, Blessing are raining down on you, girl!! You've worked so hard and now you're seeing the results of all that. CONGRATULATIONS!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm keeping balancing in my prayers for you, friend. Way to go, girl!!! I'm so excited to share a room with you at conference. You'll have lots of stories to tell me, I'm certain!
Oh my goodness!!! Congratulations!!!
ReplyDeleteWow wow wow!
ReplyDeleteWhat amazing news - congrats!
You have to keep us updated on how the process goes for you, we'll all be dying to hear!
Wow, that is AMAZING news!! Many congratulations!! I can't wait to hear about your journey in upcoming posts, you are a rising star! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Jody!! What wonderful news. Enjoy the thrill.
ReplyDeleteA dream come true! Many congratulations, Jody, and best as you continue onward.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! That's terrific news!
ReplyDeleteHappy Dance, Happy Dance. Congratulations, Jody. So proud of you and happy for you. :)
ReplyDeleteOh, huge congratulations! I'm very happy for you, Jody! This is wonderful, wonderful, wonderful news! Keep us posted on your revising and your publishing process!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, oh my gosh OH MY GOSH!!!!
ReplyDeleteJODY, I am so very excited for you!
What a dream come true!!!
Many blessings as you work on your ms.
What a wonderful God we serve!
Love you,
Jen
That's sooooooo great! I'm so happy for you. Congrats! You deserve it. *hugs*
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Another celebration Congrats, Jody!!!
ReplyDeleteWow! Congratulations! My agent also gave me a list of things to do. Here I was, thinking that the hard part was writing the book! But nothing worthwhile is easy. Congrats yet again!
ReplyDeleteThat's fantastic! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteJODY!!!!!! AAAAAAAGHHHHH!!!!!! I'm so excited for you! I couldn't be happier if it happened to me! I praise God for blessing you. xoxo
ReplyDeleteWHOA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I need to email you!
ReplyDeleteThat is AMAZING news!!! I am so happy for you! All that hard work finally paying off. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is EXACTLY the kind of momentum a contest result is supposed to build! Yay for the Genesis contest, yay for your quality writing, and yay for Rachelle's wisdom!
ReplyDeleteYAHOO! I am so excited for you. I'm sure you are about to burst with happiness! Congratulations and I can't wait to purchase your book! I'll be able to say I knew her when...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteWow--I saw on Twitter that Racelle was giving an author THE CALL...so cool that it's you!
ReplyDeleteYay, Jody! Congratulations. May your books sell a million copies. :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Susan
I'm a bit late in commenting, but congratulations. Big time!! I've always found her blog to be really useful, and her personality shows through. I can't imagine you not doing well under her wonderful care. Good luck and I'll keep my eyes out for your first publication.
ReplyDeleteEvery novelist's dream. Congratulations! Your post made it sound so easy, but I know how high that mountain rises. YOU are on your way. Champagne? I think it is required for each step of the writing process.
ReplyDeleteThis is soooo exciting! Congrats a million times over!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to buy a copy.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, EVERYONE!!!
ReplyDeleteYou guys ROCK! I wish I could respond to each of you individually, so forgive me for a group thank you! But please know I've cherished each one of your responses!
Holy wow! That is beyond awesome! Congratulations!! :D
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!! OMG I am soooo happy for you!!! Congratulations and I cannot wait to keep following you as you continue your journey towards becoming a published author!
ReplyDeleteCongrats! That is wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteElana, Kate, Amy: Thank you!!!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Janna said congrats were due and here they are. Congrats! It's quite the validation, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHow in the world did I miss this post?????!! Congratulations! It sounds like a great fit for you....how very wonderful :)
ReplyDeleteCongratualations, that's great news!
ReplyDeleteIt's so weird. Before yesterday, I had never heard of your agent. Now, as of today, I've heard of her two days in a row. She completely surprised me by leaving a point by point comment on my team blog.
I look forward to hearing more about your journey as a writer.