I hesitated in writing this blog post because I always thought when it finally came time to write about how I got a literary agent it would be an epic of strife and turmoil. And yes, while there was some of that, when you boil it down, I got my agent mostly due to luck.
But let’s start at the beginning. I finished my first book at the very beginning of my freshman year in college, nineteen and bright-eyed. Then, because I was in college and I had always put school before writing I edited the next two years. But in the summer between my junior and senior year (2015), I attended two writing conferences in Dallas. The first was the ever-traveling Romantic Times (RT) Convention. The other was the DFW Writers Conference put on by the DFW Writers Workshop. My first ever pitch at the RT Conference yielded a full manuscript request. I’m ever thankful for this experience because it encouraged me beyond belief. It gave me at a young age what every writer needs – hope. The next conference, however gave me a reality check and some of the best friends I have ever made. After I graduated college I joined the DFW Writers Workshop, and it was amidst friends that I finished my second book, perfected my query letter and then cold queried like mad.
There are so many details I could talk about it in this blog. I could shower you with numbers and timelines, but I’ll jump to the point. In June 2018, the DFW Writers’ Workshop held their annual conference, and I, being a member, helped out where I could.
On the Friday night before the event, I was at a cocktail hour, surrounded by my found family and literary agents. At one point I had a question for the President of the Workshop and when I found her she was talking to an agent. The President, being the friend she is said, “Dana has a good book” and left me to pitch. This was my first pitch of that conference. The notecards in my head were still undefined and scrambled. But I did it. I told this lovely woman who my main character was and what she wanted in the world and then blurted out bits and pieces of conflict and comparison titles. By the end I was a pile of nerves, wondering aloud if that pitch even made sense. And this brilliant woman said, it in fact did make sense and she wanted to see the full manuscript.
Weeks later she emailed me saying I was next on her list to read, which was of the nicest emails I’ve ever received. For her to give up her time to even tell me that? I knew she was thoughtful and amazing right then. About three days later she wanted to set a call, saying she had read my book in one day and loved it.
I talked to her the next day. She wanted me to revise the ending to give it more resolution and I agreed. I began my edits right away and the rest is history. After years of writing and months of querying I signed with Amy Brewer from Metamorphosis Literary Agency.
Now, some of you may say Dana, this doesn’t sound like luck. And in part it isn’t. I’ve worked hard. I’ve harbored this dream since I was a little girl and I’ve carved out time and made choices to chase it. Yet, overall I feel lucky. Lucky that I got to move to Dallas, join the DFW Writing Workshop and build my craft. Lucky that I had the ability to attend writing conferences and talk to agents face-to-face. So above all else I want to express my gratitude for those that helped me along in this journey. Right now I am one big step closer to the dream of publication. Thank you.
Parting Note
In part I leave you with this: writing and querying is hard. And even when you get an agent the submission process is brutal too. I thought my agent story would be like most everyone else. I’d query, I’d wait, it wouldn’t happen for years or even a few books. But what I really learned about this whole process is every single person’s story to publication is different. Everyone! So if you are just starting out or you are swimming in years of rejection letters just know you are trudging your own path. Don’t ever let anyone make you feel bad for trying to accomplish this monumental thing. And please, don’t compare yourself to me or anyone else. Go forth, be brave, query away and keep writing.
I wish you all the best.
Happy Writing!
P.S. If anyone is interested in the numbers and the timeline comment below and I’ll answer any questions.