Well, I’ve survived my first full day at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference. And, miracles of miracles, I was able to get up the nerve to speak to an agent about my work! Hooray!
She doesn’t want it.
Okay, she didn’t say that. But, it’s no big deal, I’m just pleased as punch that I was able to stammer out a few phrases about my work and not faint in the process. I know, I’m being overly dramatic, but I’m actually a very shy person and the concept of walking up to a total stranger and telling them why my writing is so great — that’s a terrifying idea to me. I will NEVER be a used-car salesman, that’s for sure. But, I believe in my story and I did it.
What was even more shocking was to find out that she was born and raised in San Francisco and her brother is a historian and has written a book on San Francisco history! Wow! That’s a very strange coincidence (or something else…). Anyway, she doesn’t represent children or teen books, so she referred me to another agent who isn’t at the conference. I guess that’s sort of a positive response.
But… I did it! I did it! I did it! Yeah!
It seemed fitting that later in the evening, our keynote speaker, Bill Butterworth spoke on courage. Maybe that’s what God is really trying to teach me this week. Trust in Him and take courage from Him. And then I can set out to do what He is calling me to do.
I need to learn from my own words — the last phrase of my “pitch” focuses on Hebrews 12:29: …or will she (my character, Wanda) be forced to seek out the one thing that cannot be shaken?”
Every time I face an editor or agent, I’m shaking in my tennies.
But I can cling to the fact that God is in control… and He cannot be shaken.
Congratulations about being able to speak with an agent. I probably would have hyperventilated before I even got the chance. These kinds of things frighten me to no end. Just stumbled upon your blog and thought I would leave a note, a “good job” boost, because I’ve found that getting the word out there about your book and actually speaking to people in the publishing world seems a lot more difficult than actually writing a book.
Thanks Cindy! I’m sure that I probably was hyperventilating. I had been dreading that moment for months. But, it was good to get the first one over with and then head on to the second, third, fourth and so on! Thanks for your encouragment!