Today I had a great phone call with an agent’s assistant. You woulda thought it was “the call” the way I danced around the room and gushed to everyone in my phone book. (“The call” is a famous saying for when an agent calls to offer representation.) Although, it wasn’t “the call,” it was pretty damn cool having thirty-five minutes face-to-face over the computer with Meredith Barnes.
Meredith is an assistant to the “Query Shark” at FinePrint Literary Management, another famous known thing about the writing world. Go ahead, Google it and be in awe. I was lucky enough to enter a funny enough line in one of her contests to win a fifteen minute Skype chat about social media. I’ve been anxiously waiting for this day for two weeks trying to figure out different ways to win Meredith over as my new BFF.
As requested, I sent five questions a few days ago about social media. I agonized to make sure they were light, but professional and serious, but funny. I wanted to make sure I represented the real me to my new potential BFF, so of course one of the questions involved profanity. (Okay Mom, roll your eyes.)
After some technical issues in the beginning, and my full-fledged panic attack because of it, we were finally able to see each other. Immediately she stole my heart by complimenting the red wall in my kitchen. <swoon> When the next sentence she said was we could talk about anything to start; like queries, agents, the publishing world, I fell deeply and madly in love. After stuttering an unintelligible sentence, I asked her “Who do I believe?” I’ve visited the writing boards and read all the blogs, but find I’m more lost than ever on query letters. So what does Meredith do? She asks me to read what I have. It was full cardiac arrest. My mind rushed through all the excuses such as I’m still working on it, it’s not ready for other eyes yet, I want to put my best foot forward…but one second later, I pull it up and read the words.
It was fabulous; a dream come true. Meredith gave me some great tips and new wind in my sails. Self-doubt plaguing my mind the last weeks was replaced by rejuvenated excitement to get back on the project.
We did talk about social media and I’m in the process of getting on Twitter. Boy, do I feel like a jackass stumbling through it. But I’m sure soon I will be just as addicted to it as I am Facebook. Meredith graciously extended the fifteen minutes to a total of forty (including our technical difficulties.) She was funny, friendly, and super nice. I could only think if she is this nice to some chick who won her contest, could you imagine how she treats her clients? I only hope one day I can find out.
Meredith IS a godsend, isn’t she. I’m so glad you see her for the incredible talent she is.
She is amazing….as you are, too. Thank you for adding the link to your Tweet.
Um, OMG. You are *my* new BFF! We’re so excited to hear from you when you’ve got query/revisions/world domination straightened out.
Thanks for winning my contest!
Meredith…I could write/talk about how cool you are every day.
We didn’t even get to the world domination discussion. I’d love to hear your advice.
What an awesome, encouraging story, Susan. I think we all should realize this by now but agents are real people too. Lookingforward to seeing you on Twitter.
Thanks Kirk. Did I mention how great Meredith is? 🙂
Meredith is beyond fantastic!
Testify! (With a snap)
Your meeting sounds like great fun!
I have a feeling you’ll love Twitter 🙂
Thanks Emily!
I loved reading this!
It was great to read about your nervousness and fears and how they were resolved. Meredith Barnes sounds adorable. It is just what I needed to read to feel hopeful again about the biz-end of writing and help me remember that the people on that end are human beings whose goal is not to dash all hopes and send authors into the depths of gloom.
If your fiction is as engaging and natural as your writing in this post, I think you’re half-way home.
Best of luck!
I thank you for this.
dannan
Dannan, I love your note! I’ve re-read it ten times because it guarantees a smile.
Thank you. Thank you. And yes, Meredith rocks!
No hope dashing! (Well, not on purpose, anyways) Remember, getting rejections means something needs to change. First step is to look at your query list. Are you querying nonfiction agents for a novel? Do you even know what the agents on your list last sold?
Next look at the query. Scrap what you’ve belabored and write, in one sentence, who your MC is and what their major choice to make/major crisis to face is. Also, look at Query Shark (Google it).
After that, sorry, but it’s the book. Whether the market or the writing is to blame, something’s not hitting.
Next book!
What a great opportunity!
I queried Janet and had several great email responses from Merideth, who was ever so kind and complimentary and encouraging about my book. I’m in the midst of revisions because of her, and I know, just from that small communication – and now from you! – that she’s be a joy to work with.
It sounds like you did a great job of making the very most out of the Skype, which leads me to believe you’ll be ready for publication when the time comes. 🙂
I was very fortunate to have Meredith’s time. She has been more than great! If you are lucky enough to work with her…I envy you.
This was a great post! 🙂 It’s scary when you’re first starting out. Don’t worry, it gets better and a hell of a lot easier! Although, I have to admit, Twitter still scares the bejeezus out of me. Good luck!!!
Thanks Amanda. Come to the Twitter darkside. I’m starting to fall in love there… I’m sprunty2000.
I really enjoyed reading your post. You swept me up and brought me right into your kitchen. I was excited and nervous along with you. I’m almost panicked when I thought you weren’t going to read your query.
Congratulations on winning the contest and the 15 turned 40 minute Skype call. Awesome! I live by the law of probability. If you keep putting YOURSELF out there, and not some contrived version you think people want to know, you’re going to get noticed. Keep trying and things will fall into place. Go Meredith!
Thank you, Laura. Great note! It made me smile (all 10 times I read it.)
This was a great post. I loved your excitement! It made me a little teary at the end…yeah, I cry at commercials. Anyway, good luck with your query and congrats on a successful and fun phone call. It’s so easy to forget in this business that part of the reason we do it is because it’s FUN.
Joelle, ha! I love the teariness. Thank you for the great wishes. The fun of the past three weeks has brought a new energy to the writing, that’s for sure.
This was fantastic to read. I found the link via Janet Reid’s blog — and I’m glad that I did. It’s always great to read stories (blog entries) like this.
I learned a few things from reading this — and the comments. 🙂
Thank you Ali. I appreciate you taking the time to read and leave a comment. Really, I do.
What a wonderful, uplifting story. It’s so true, about agents sometimes seeming like superstars. I had an agent reply to my tweet the other day, and I danced around the house squealing before I could even calm down enough to tell my husband. Thanks for sharing. =)
Annie, I totally get the tweet excitement. I’m dancing with you.
Welcome to the Twitterverse, Susan. The writing community there is very supportive – let us know your @handle over there so we can find you!
Thanks Susan! I’m @sprunty2000. Love for you to find me.
This post is just awesome, and Susan, your question was absolutely perfect – WHO DO I BELIEVE? Indeed. Everything is so conflicting and subjective and it really is hard to figure out what’s what.
I could only imagine being on the radar of these fine ladies at FinePrint *hooray for you!*
I was totally lost on twitter forever. So bizarre.
Hi Corinne. The ladies at FinePrint have been more than generous to me. Because of them, I got to meet all of you. (Okay, I’m getting cornier with each post…but it’s true!)
Meredith sounds like a total sweetheart…and the shark, well…I love her. She does so much for the writing community and as mean as she tries to pretend she is, I’ll always secretly want to hug her if I ever see her in person.
Natalie, since I’m not a “toucher,” I’ll watch you hug the shark. I must admit I love it when she gets a query caught in her teeth.
Hi Susan. What a great opportunity. I’m a little in love with the reef mob myself. Janet rejected my query, but I still love her. It’s refreshing to find professionals so willing to share their knowledge of, what sometimes is a confusing industry. I’ve adopted Janet as an online mentor and I figured everyone around her would be just as awesome. You’ll love twitter. It’s been the most effective networking I’ve done, and surprisingly, all I have to do is be myself. You can build wonderful communities on twitter. I’ll look for you 🙂 Happy writing!
Thanks Simon. I’ve been a devoted follower of all their blogs for quite some time. The information has been a big help in getting a clearer view of the bigger picture.
Love to see you on Twitter…I’m @sprunty2000.
Thanks again!
Lovin’ this blog.
Thanks Lizzy. Really appreciate it!
Hi Susan! Your post made me smile. You totally captured the nerves and giddiness you must have felt in words. I’ve no doubt your mss will be a hit if you do it half as well.
As far as Twitter goes, there is a post on my blog that you might find helpful. A couple weeks back, I wrote a post on using Twitter that could be useful to you. Hope it helps!
Rebecca T. Little
http://rebeccatlittle.blogspot.com
Twitter post: http://rebeccatlittle.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-ive-learned-about-twitter.html
Rebecca, thank you for kind words. I really appreciate the Twitter education. Your blog was very helpful. Everyone should check it out!
What I love best about your post is your infectious positive attitude. 🙂 Your personality shines. When you’re ready, I think any agent and publisher would be lucky to have you.
Good luck with your query letter and the project you are getting ready to query.
Hugs,
Lola
Thank you Lola. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the supportive comments. (I feel like I’m gushing all over everyone on this post.) But it means a lot to me…for sure!
Susan
What a wonderful post. Now I really really want an agent.
Jacqui, if you get anyone at Fine Print Lit I’ll be so jealous! 🙂 Good luck.