Sunday, April 1, 2012

A is for Agent: My A to Z Wish List

Today is the first day of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge April 2012, and I've decided to put together a wish list. Most of the items on my list will be for the writer me, but I suspect I'll include a couple of things for the other me (the retiree who occasionally has other things on her To Do List besides writing suspense novels).

As you can see from the title, I'm looking for an agent. I made a one pitch stab at it last fall but then decided to make quite a few changes to one of my manuscripts and send the other one to an editor for critique.

Now I'm ready to give manuscript #1 (Dead Wrong) a trial run while I make a few more changes to manuscript #2 (Wishing Caswell Dead) and finish the first draft of manuscript #3 (the NaNoWriMo novel with no name).

With all the publishing options available to me, why do I want an agent?

1. I would appreciate the advice and guidance of an expert in placing my manuscript and evaluating a contract.
2. The only way to approach some of the bigger publishers is through an agent.
3. Having an agent will make me feel good.

So there you have it. I wish I had an agent. I'm working on it.

24 comments:

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Excellent start to the challenge Patricia. hope you're ok.
Best of luck with the rest of the challenge.

Yvonne.

Unknown said...

It's a wonderful thing to wish for. I hope you get it.

Anonymous said...

Pat - What a great start to the A-Z challenge! And I think that a good agent can make all the difference in the world. I hope you find one who really recognises your talent.

Mary@GigglesandGuns said...

I hope you get your wish.
Strong choice for the challenge -- 26 wishes.

Jemi Fraser said...

Love your theme! I'd love to have an agent for the same reasons - one of these days I'll be ready to hit those query trenches!

Rob-bear said...

I've never had need of an agent, since I've never thought of publishing a book.

I hope your search for an agent goes well.

baygirl32 said...

Hope you find someone great!

happy A to Z

DL Hammons said...

A purpose like landing an agent helps motivate us to do our best work. Good luck with your endeavors!! :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Sorry to show up late for the party, but I'm recovering from the wonderful Northern Colorado Writers Conference Friday and Saturday. I'm off now to start visiting blogs and write some more of these wish list posts. Thanks to those of you who have visited so far. I'll drop backlater after I've made the rounds.

Arlee Bird said...

Wish list--what a great concept for the A to Z. I think a lot of us would like an agent. Maybe it could help me get in the right gear for the uphill climb.


Lee
Places I Remember
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog

shannon said...

Patricia, may your wish be granted. Good luck on your search and in the A To Z Challenge as well. Blessings.

ElaineLK said...

Best of luck to you, Pat. I see you already have two novels to your credit--did you have an agent for those? I'm another wannabe novelist, still working on draft 2 of the one I did during NaNoWriMo several years ago. I'll be eager to see how your search goes! Did you talk to agents at the conference? That sounds like a good way to get started. Again, good luck, and thanks for visiting my blog.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

It will make you feel good - I like that reason!

Tracy Jo said...

That is an excellent wish! I really like your idea of making the A-Z challenge a wish list...then you will always have it and can look back after all the wishes come true and smile. :-) Happy A-Zing!

Leigh Covington said...

I wish I had some good advice for you, but I still haven't went down that road yet. I'm hoping to later this year. I wish you the best of luck though. And I love the idea of using the challenge for a wish list! Fun idea!

Golden Eagle said...

Good luck! I hope you find just the right agent. :)


The Golden Eagle
The Eagle's Aerial Perspective

Jan Morrison said...

I so agree Pat! I want an agent too, a shepherd that knows the way through this rugged landscape...may we both achieve our aspirations! See you around the A to Zed water cooler...
Jan Morrison

Beth Stilborn said...

All the best in your agent search! I, too, have "find an agent" high on my wish list!

I'll be interested to read the rest of your wish list as the month unfolds!

Dean K Miller said...

I could be your "secret agent" if that would help make you feel better. Doubt I'd find much of anything for you though....

Good luck in your search. Somehow, I believe, the agent is gonna find you...

Stacy S. Jensen said...

Patricia, I love your wishlist theme. Your A is on many a writer's wish list. Best of luck.

Melissa Sugar said...

I like your theme, Patricia. I didn't do a wish list theme, but I almost did a bucket list theme with the letter "B" standing for the bestseller list for my novels. Of course, before I can get to said list, I will need an agent. I am hoping to get one this year. I wish you the very best in landing a good agent for your novels. Good luck with the challenge and I will be back to read more from your wish list.

I am a new follower from the challenge.

Laura Eno said...

A wish list is a fabulous theme! I hope all of your wishes come true for you - even the ones you didn't know about. ;)

Laura A to Z of Immortals, Myths & Legends

Pa Ul said...

Hmmm...I wonder what are you wishing for from a-z, interesting :)
Do check out mine too GAC a-z

Stephanie said...

I'm like you...I really want an agent. My book is out on query hell right now. I already have four books published by a small digital oppress....but I just want more for my career and an agent can do that.

Looking forward to reading more of your wish list!