Wanted: Literary Agent

I don’t currently have a literary agent. In fact, I’ve never had one even though I’ve managed to attract the attention of a few editors. It doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like one, but they would have to be very special. In the spirit of Mary Poppins, wherein Jane and Michael Banks advertise for their dream nanny, I’ve devised an advertisement for my dream agent. I only wish I had a snappy little tune to sing it to like Jane and Michael did so eloquently.

 In case you can’t tell, I adore Mary Poppins in all it’s 1970’s glory. J

Wanted: Literary Agent

Must love the following wholeheartedly, without reservation~ books, dark chocolate, coffee, tea with honey, Jane Eyre, Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, small animals and children, but not necessarily in that order.

Must be honest, charitable, trustworthy, punctual, and kind-hearted. Must be willing to put up with my numerous questions and emails without batting or rolling an eye. Must doggedly fight for my work and for me while giving the best professional advice money can buy. Must be willing to represent  the multiple genres and age levels I write for and find appropriate publishers for all my projects. Said publishers will have plush marketing budgets for my books. Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, etc. will be leisure activities for me, not requirements for marketing. Must never be cross, impatient, rude, snobbish, condescending, disingenuous, or lazy. Experience coaching, cheerleading, writing, editing, and mentoring a plus.

For my part, I promise to meet all deadlines and provide all written material needed, i.e. blurbs, synopses, copy, etc. I promise to make any necessary edits cheerfully, while reserving the right to respectfully disagree if someone suggests changes in voice I can’t accept. Above all, I promise to write.

All agents with the above qualifications, please respond immediately. I eagerly await your application. Sincerely,

Lisa T. Cresswell

www.lisatcresswell.com

Blog #12 A To Do List a Mile Long~

Ok, so this post is me whining a bit about all the things I’ve gotten myself into this month. You can click past it or you can bear with me and maybe give me a bit of encouragement if you like.

First off, I don’t know why I decided to do the 31 Day Blog Challenge #31dbc this month, I’m so crazy-busy, but I’m glad I did.  It’s been great and I’ve blogged tons more than normal already. I’ve met some cool bloggers, learned some interesting things, and broadened my perspectives by reading the blogs of people I might never have met before. For selfish reasons, I wanted to gain more blog/website traffic and promote my upcoming book. I know of at least one person who discovered my self-published work through the blog, so makes it worth the effort. J

Next, I need to prepare for this writing workshop I’m attending next week. I sorta know what I need to bring, but I sorta don’t.  I figure I’ll take hard copies of two of my works in progress. I have a “consult” set up with an agent there some time during the week, but it’s not like the agent has reviewed my work beforehand. I’m supposed to use the time to pick her brain about any subject I like, but I need to figure out what that is!!  Do I ask for a query critique? A ten page manuscript review?  Maybe help with a synopsis…that could be useful.

This consult is unlike any I’ve ever done; all the others have been a ten page critique. I suppose I could just ask questions about the industry and ask for advice, but isn’t that what the conference is about??  I think part of my problem is I’m torn over whether I even want an agent as this point. For so long, I was operating under the assumption I had to have an agent.  With the ease of self-publishing and small presses that don’t require agented submissions, maybe I don’t?  I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want a cheerleader to go out and find me a lucrative contract. That would be wonderful! I would be thrilled!  But I also know if I don’t have an agent, it’s not the end of the world and it’s not the end of my writing journey. I’m still going to write and put it out there.

But honestly, I haven’t given any of this serious thought because I’m so wrapped up in travel logistics – who’s gonna feed the animals? Have I done everything at work that needs done before I’m gone? What do I need to pack? Laundry!  I feel like I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Ack!  Wish me luck~