My Big Huge Amazing Announcement…I Have An Agent!

Many of you know that this past weekend I was a busy bee speaking on a panel at the Central Coast Writer’s Conference with fellow bloggers Pam and Amy. We had a fantastic time and I’m excited to say that the panel went incredibly well. Sadly, I’m a complete dork and forgot to take pictures! What was I thinking? Well, I’m pretty sure I was just a tad bit overwhelmed with not only the panel, but also some amazing news I can finally share with everyone…

I have an agent!

Yes, just today I signed (my life away, no…not really) my contract with Pam van Hylckama Vlieg at Larsen Pomada Literary Agents!

Can I tell you how overwhelmingly excited I am? Also, can I say this is very surreal? Never in a million years did I think all of my crazy ideas and writing would garner the appreciation of such an incredible agent & agency.

Yes, Pam and I have known each other for quite a long time. In fact, I believe we started book blogging right around the same time. But one thing I know about Pam is that if she thinks what you’ve written isn’t for her or that it isn’t quite what she’s looking for then she’ll be honest with you. So the fact that what I wrote connected with her is amazing to me and I’m thrilled!

So, how did it all happen? For those of you wanting the nitty gritty details… This weekend, while at the conference, we had a few minutes before a workshop Friday evening where I would be sharing the first page of my middle grade novel and I asked Pam if she would read it over to make sure I wouldn’t completely embarrass myself. Backing up a bit, about two or three months ago I’d shown her a similar page as well as quite a few chapters, but she’d mentioned it might be a good idea to rewrite it in third person, having originally been in first. Well, she loved the change in point of view! And then, she formally asked if I’d be interested in representation.

Now, you’d think at this point I’d be jumping all over myself and her, but I’m a complete dork. Yeah. A dork. I think I was in shock. Because a couple of more minutes passed and Laurie McLean (one of the spectacular senior agents at Larsen Pomada) stopped by and also read it saying she loved the idea, and Pam offered again. And again, I’m a dork. I didn’t really say much. I know, you all want to hit me. Thinking back, I’m surprised I didn’t hit myself or at the very least that Pam didn’t hit me.

Believe it or not we then got up to walk around for a bit and Pam offered to take me on as a client one. more. time. Yes, I finally came to my senses at this point and said, “Yes! Absolutely! Of course!” Finally I was shaking myself and realizing I really should have said this about thirty minutes prior. Sorry Pam! I promise I’m not normally so clueless, I blame it on the crazy week/weekend. See, she really is fantastic and I’m really incredibly fortunate to have this wonderful opportunity!

There you have it! I’m now an author represented by the incredible Pam van Hylckama Vlieg aka “Agent P”! My novel, THE OTHERS/THE PROTECTORATE, is a middle grade supernatural adventure featuring a young girl who’s mother recently died and subsequently inherited a new best friend who also happens to be a ghost. I cannot wait to share it with everyone, but until then thank you to Pam and to all of my readers here for all of your support along the way!

Pam and I getting a hug from “Andrew” at the conference this weekend.