Represented by ...

So, this happened.

I’m now represented by Jennifer Mishler of Literary Counsel. Okay, maybe I did this a little backwards, getting a publishing contract before a literary agent. I guess that’s just how I roll—can’t do anything by the book (sorry, bad pun).

Anyway, this isn't widely acknowledged or spoken about, but I’d be a traitor to my peers if I didn't say it. Many of us spend months or years querying literary agents in an attempt to secure representation. Often, this is done while maintaining a full time job, going to school, raising families, and carving out actual writing time (querying is not writing, doesn’t scratch that itch). Somebody once asked me how many queries I’ve sent out, and at the time I think I joked that I wasn’t counting until I got an agent. I’m still not counting. I don’t need to know. I think it really comes down to this: querying the right agent at the right time with the right material, persistence, and luck. Sure, there's obviously more to it than that. And I'm not naive enough to think that everything will be easy from this point on. I know this is just the beginning. I'm so happy to have a beginning.


For me, it’s been a long road, and I’ll admit there were a few times I wholeheartedly threw in the towel and swore I was quitting: quitting writing, quitting querying, just flat out quitting. Enough. The problem is, I can’t quit writing. I have tried. I’ve put serious effort into rehab and recovery, avoiding my laptop and trying to silence the characters and stories in my head. The end result is always the same. Me, giving in to the addiction, resting my fingers on the keyboard, and welcoming the surge of adrenalin as I fall willingly back into words.

I’m so incredibly fortunate that Fran Black and Jennifer Mishler decided they like those words.  My agent (wow, listen to those two words!) is excited enough for both of us about my next book, and all those after that. Which is good, since I’m currently still a little stunned. Numb. Dazed. Not catatonic or anything, but trying to wrap my head around the fact that I now have this great agency in my corner, believing in me and ready to help me be heard, be read. In terms of how stoked I am, I’d say today ranks right up there with all the biggies, the best and most amazing days in my life so far, no exaggeration. Thank you Literary Counsel!