Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Momentary hiatus from my hiatus. The agent got in touch!

Today I climbed out of the shower, dried and dressed myself and was just applying my antiperspirant/deoderant when my cell phone trilled at me from downstairs.  Thinking it was another mundane call on a mundane day I sauntered downstairs, picked up the phone and saw the New York city area code.  My antiperspirant/deoderant was rendered obsolete in that moment.

Heart thundering, sweat dribbling down my ribs I flipped open the phone and, trying to convey both professionalism and insousiance in one word, said 'hello'.  The caller asked for me and then identified herself as the agent who has had my full manuscript for the past couple of months.  Not her assistant, not her intern, but the lady herself.  I had to sit down.

She spent about an hour on the phone with me giving me constructive criticism and some ideas for how to make my book stronger.  Sweat pouring from everywhere, I feverishly scribbled notes and waited for her to close the conversation by thanking me for my interest in her agency and telling me that the manuscript wasn't right for her.  She didn't.  She asked me if I would be interested in revising with her critique in mind and resubmitting.  I had to keep myself from squeeing into her ear. I managed a polite and only slightly high pitched, 'Yes, I would.'

Folks, I'm in a strange place right now.  My emotions are in such a stew I'm not sure what precisely I'm feeling.  Gratitude mostly that she took the time to a) phone me b) spend so much time on the critique c) not write me off completely.   Mostly I think I sort of haven't gotten over feeling that it's all a bit surreal (although reality interjected itself quite forcibly during the conversation in the form of little blond person shrieking 'Mommy, I peed.  I really really peed!  I need a treat now').  I think I'm excited, probably almost as excited as llittle blond person was with her successful production of number one in her potty chair. This isn't half bad for my first foray into the publishing community or my first contact with a legitimate literary agent.  Right?  Maybe that's the problem.  I'm not quite sure if this is mostly good or mostly bad.  I'm leaning toward mostly good. 

I'd love to hear your opinions and thoughts on the whole thing.  Also anyone out there whose gone the revise, resubmit route could you share your thoughts/experiences on it?  Is it pretty standard practice for agents to do this?  Did you feel it was worth the time and effort that the revisions took? 

I hate to blog and dash, but I've got a brief window of opportunity for a badly needed nap and I still have my WIP to complete and I've got some revisions to get to.  Not sure when I'll be dropping by to blog again, but thanks all for your comments on my last post and for taking the time to read this one.   Hope there's some good news waiting just around the corner to interject itself into your day!

20 comments:

MoonGarden said...

Haha, Angie! Of course this is good!

I am super curious what revisions she wants made. :)

Amparo Ortiz said...

Holy cow, those are some serious good news!!

Revise only if you feel comfortable with the suggestions, though. If you think they'll make your book stronger, go for it. Either way, this is a win/win situation. Taking my hat off to you!

LMB said...

That is awesome!...and I love how you described the taking of the call- we all know that feeling of trying to get our tone of voice right from "hello"...Good luck with the revisions!

Unknown said...

That's amazing news!!!! I say, lean to the good! You and Little Blond Person have some serious reasons for celebrating!

Old Kitty said...

YAY!!!!!! YAY!!!! *CLAPPING VERY LOUDLY* YAY!!!

Oh well done, well done!!!! Exciting news - I am so, so, so, so happy for you!!!

I'm really sorry but I haven't a clue about re-submissions etc! But I just want to wish you well and to say well done again!!! FANTASTIC NEWS!! *still clapping*

Take care
x

Kristin Rae said...

Congrats!! It's so encouraging to hear of a fellow blogger/writer making progress like that!!! So happy for you!

Anne Gallagher said...

Congratulations! This is awesome news. And yes, in answer to your question, only do the revisions if you agree with her suggestions. Remember she's the one who knows the market and can tell you what to do to get it on the shelves.

Best of luck with this and do keep us informed. Congratulations again!

Jaydee Morgan said...

I think this is so exciting. If you agree with the changes, go ahead and make them and then get that book back in to her. Good luck!!

Vicki Rocho said...

no experience to share, I just wanted to say congratulations! That is supremely exciting! Best of luck on those revisions!!!

KA said...

Ha-ha. You had her at hello. Or she had you. Or something.
Congratulations! I love the bit about little blond's shrieking. That's how it is when you try to be professional, you almost-agented lucky girl.

Charmaine Clancy said...

Well Done! And I think your response to reworking your MS for the agent was professional (despite the pitch) - saying 'no, this is my novel and it stays that way!' - that would have been unprofessional ;-)

Enjoy the high you'll be feeling now :-)

Creepy Query Girl said...

Holy crap, that's awesome!! If she took the time to critique you, than you are way ahead of the game and I wouldn't be surprised to hear about you signing a contract some time very very soon! Good luck and CONGRATS!!!

Nishant said...

That is supremely exciting! Best of luck on those revisions!!!
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Laura S. said...

Wow, awesome! Since she took the time to offer constructive criticism and wants to see the revisions, she must be super interested! It seems like a test to see if you'll be a good fit for each other. Good luck with your revisions!!!

And congrats to your little blond person. :)

Moll said...

Oh my god. I am thrilled for you! This is such a positive sign. Worse case scenario, your work gets better and you can hit up other agents. Best case scenario...well, we know what that is! ;)

Congrats!

Unknown said...

Wow that is absolutely amazing Angie! Sorry it took me so long to get over here and see the news! That's great news, I'm sure you are right on top of that WiP working feverishly to get it to work out to the right spefications!

What a awesome opportunity... oh and what an adorable little blonde person you have!

Tracie said...

Ang,
Congrats, Super exciting both the phone call and the pee-pee!

Tracy said...

I have no experience with this sort of thing (yet), but I wanted to say CONGRATS!

That's pretty freaking cool!

laughingwolf said...

wowsers, grats angie... on both fronts!

methinks the peeing is as important as the acceptance, albeit with a few revisions!

Peggy Shumway said...

Wonderful progress! I'd be jumping loops if an editor gave me such encouraging prospects.

I've left you an award on my blog.