Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Representation and Validation

I was at work when it happened. My husband called me with three words that made me shiver with excitement. Nope, not "I love you," though that works, too.

No, he said, "Call your AGENT!"

The second agent I sent my work to wanted to talk. I got right on the phone and she continued to say all the right things (referring to my previous blog When it Rains it Pours) .

First was, "I love the story." Next was, "I love the characters, and your writing style." Then, the pièce de résistance, "I'd like to represent you!"

Well, I wanted to leap from seat and do the dance of joy, however, my boss was downstairs and is already afraid I may be leaving soon. So, instead, I behaved with the utmost professionalism and told her (my AGENT) it was great, and asked what we do next.

She is now going over the contract I signed with my publisher to be certain I do, in fact, own the rights to my stories and characters. When she finishes, she'll call me and we'll talk business.

To say this is a long time coming would be an understatement. It took eight years and hundreds of rejections. It all seemed so easy with her, making me wonder why it didn't happen sooner.

Was it just finally my time? Or were the cosmos aligned in my favor (for once)? Whatever it was, I'm grateful.

Now, just because I now have an agent really doesn't mean anything other than a professional thinks my work is good enough to be on the market. There's still a lot of work that needs to be done.

She will have to pitch my Eyes of Garnet trilogy to publishers and editors, and get one (or more!) interested enough to want to take a chance on me. It's all about the bottom line: can they sell my work?

The reason an agent says yes to a writer is because they are excited about the story, the writing, the characters, and they are sure the writers will continue writing. She has to be as enthusiastic as I am about what she's pitching to convey her beliefs that the story(ies) will sell.

Since I've done so much of this (getting published, signings, sales, distribution) on my own already, she knows that I'm in it for the long haul. I want to be able to make writing my living. Lord knows, my muse never shuts up, so why not exploit it?

I know it won't happen over night, that's not how my life works, but this is one enormous step in the right direction.

So, with that all said, I've got some writing to do!

5 comments:

Dawn Forney Gray said...

Congratulations!! I don't know why this didn't happen for you sooner either because I love your story, your characters and your style of writing too! All have left me panting for more!! I can't wait for your next book to come out in print so I can continue to follow the lives of these incredibly well defined characters who feel like old friends!

TerriRainer said...

OH MY FREAKING GOD!!!!

I am so glad that I can uncross everything!!!!!!!!!!

This is such great news that I actually clapped (yes, we all know I'm a dork) when I read your post.

YEA YEA YEA!!!!

This is great and I am so so so happy for you!!!!!!!!

Congrats and way to hang in there Mary!

:) Terri

Mary Duncan said...

Thank you all for sticking with me!

I'm hoping you didn't cramp up too much, Terri! It's been a long time since you began keeping everything crossed for me.

Dawn, Cat, Greame, and Gregor are like family to me. I was sad to end their story.

Or did I???? tease, tease, hint, hint.

Cat said...

I'm doing the pee pee dance I'm so excited! (Terri, you thought YOU were a dork!)

It was only a matter of time and getting the right person or people to see your work for what it's worth. You're gonna go far!!!
Congrats and all the best to you and your lovable characters!

Mary Duncan said...

Thank you, Cathy!