Like most things in my life, it happened rather awkwardly. I like to think that perhaps I’m charming-awkward, but I’m fairly certain I fall into the it’s-a-little-embarrassing-to-watch-you category of awkward. In total, I sent out 34 queries. I had some partial and full requests, but no bites. And yes, I’m a real slowpoke when it comes to querying.
And then I heard from Laura Lam (author of Pantomime) that her agent, Juliet Mushens, was looking for epic fantasy. Everything I’d read about Juliet praised her to the high heavens. I sent off a query + 3 chapters in December and she requested the full manuscript two days later.
In February, I got the email saying that she loved it.
Of course, I proceeded to scan the rest of the email, looking for the words “but” or “unfortunately”. When I didn’t see them, I finally read the rest. She wanted to schedule a call to discuss edits and representation, and I stopped in the middle of my breakfast and did this:
[embed]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlkL57rxZ7k[/embed]
We spoke later on that week, and I felt a little star struck and we discussed edits and then we hung up. And she never said what I considered the magic words (I’m offering you representation!) and I didn’t clarify because I was too nervous.
So I did what I do best. I bothered my husband. “What does it all mean?” And he groaned and rolled his eyes and told me I should have just asked. Because I have a tendency to get overly optimistic, I decided not to get too excited this time. It was an R&R.
I preemptively pulled my manuscript from submission to Harper Voyager’s Open Door. They told me they’d had it marked for consideration, at which point I tore out my remaining lock of hair.
I began ruthless cuts, rewrites, and revisions to the problem areas of my book.
And then this morning, I got an email from Laura saying that Juliet had told her that she’d signed me.
Oh. So I did what I should have done earlier, and clarified with Juliet. I am officially represented by Juliet Mushens of The Agency Group! I’m as happy as a puppy on a trampoline.
YES. This happy.