Friday, April 30, 2010

Meet my New Agent!

So, this is the post I've been dying to write!

I just signed with an agent. His name is Michael Bourret, he lives in L.A., and he's a Sagittarius. Just kidding, I don't know what he is. But I'm so excited. 

The Story:
I had several full manuscripts out there. (If you query an agent with a one-page letter, and they're interested, they might ask to see the full manuscript). Then about a week ago, I got a phone call from a great agent who wanted to offer representation. 

The next step (after you jump up and down and scream at the top of your lungs, to the point where the neighbors are calling the police) is to alert all the agents who have fulls, and tell them you have an offer so they have a chance to respond. Like a week or so.

The last time I did this, nobody else responded. So I was sort of expecting the same thing, even though it's a different book. 

Anywho, the crazy thing is, almost every agent who had the full ended up offering representation. Pure madness. 

So then I had a choice. A good choice, but a stressful choice. I lost five pounds in a week, which is weird because I made a concerted effort to only eat chocolate. 

I thought, what are the things I'm looking for in an agent?

1. Someone with whom I get along with good. (Hey, I never said I was a good writer). 

Problem: I spoke to every one of them on the phone. Got along great. Planned family barbecues together and trips to the coast in the summer.

2. Someone who knows his/her stuff.

Problem: They all did. They were even eloquent about it. Not a dangling participle or wandering gerund among them. 

3. Someone who's passionate about the book. 

Problem: They all were. They spoke of the characters as if they were actual people, which makes me feel less weird when I'm alone in my house and I'm carrying on conversations with my characters.

In the end, I had to go with my gut, and my gut was telling me to go with Michael. (Of course, it might've been all that chocolate I'd inhaled. But even if it was, I always listen to chocolate. It's just common sense.)
 
Michael is part of Dystel and Goderich Literary Agency, and he represents stellar authors such as Sara Zarr, Lisa McMann, James Dashner and Emily Wing Smith
(Michael Bourret. He and his smile are available for writing conferences.)

I hope he knows what he's gotten himself into, taking me on. 

52 comments:

  1. CONGRATULATIONS!! That is awesome Brodi! So now what happens...when do we get to see your book on the shelves?

    Oh, you didn't tell him about the blog did you, might scare him away...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Of course I didn't tell him about the blog. That's between me and you.

    As for seeing the book on shelves, we have to revise and revise, and then he submits it to publishers, who may or may not buy it.

    Sheesh, when I put it that way, I guess it's not very exciting...

    ReplyDelete
  3. That's awesome! congrats!!! =D

    ReplyDelete
  4. Congratulations, Brodi! I'm so excited for you and all the exciting stuff that's happening in your career. Your new agent looks great - also, a little like Brad Pitt.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Cynthia- Thanks so much!

    Susan- His looking like Brad Pitt has absolutely nothing to do in the decision-making process. Nothing at all. At all.

    It's a perk, though.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awesome day!!! Good luck with all the revisions and fun-ness!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Congrats, Brodi! Excited to have a champion for you and your book?

    ReplyDelete
  8. So exciting! Wow! That is super spectacular! You totally deserve it. Today as I was getting my diet coke I had the most random memory of drinking diet pepsi (I know we both know better now!) at Cowboy Grub. Too funny! Hope your day is terrific! Monae

    ReplyDelete
  9. Shauna- Thanks!

    Shannon- I am thrilled to have a champion for my book. Someone who is as excited about it as I am. How are things going on your end? Good I hope!

    Monae- Ah, sweet memories of the Grub. Maybe I'll stop by there today for soup. Since it's winter outside.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Yay! This makes me happy, since I'm now one step closer to reading the whole thing. Once it's finally published, you won't be able to ignore my repeated requests for MORE! In fact, I'll have it ALL! Yipee!! (Oh, and it's great for you, too, of course.)

    So, did the slew of agents respond en masse before or after you won the First Chapter contest? (More good news for me: you'll be ineligible for that contest next year!)

    What a great post. I'm all grins.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Congratulations!! That's so exciting that it happened so fast for you! Yay!!

    Any chance you'd be willing to write my query and/or my first chapter for me? :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Yay for you. Yay for me too. It is nice to know that my role as Manager has paid off so well.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Robin- Thanks so much! You're way too nice. I'm totally cheering for your chapter next year, so you better get writing!

    Jenilyn- thanks! I'd be happy to write your query, but I like to use only gerunds. Is that a problem?

    Sam- Yes, you make a great manager. I never disagree with a thing you have to say. Never ever.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thanks, Brodi! I'm totally getting busy with the writing, and, if my master plan pleases the gods :) will also be ineligible for the First Chapter contest next year. :D (Ah, dreams.)

    YOU need to get busy publishing, since the last thing I need is to be up against you for the Best New Author Whitney for 2011! (You have plenty of time to get it out this year--hurry up!) Or you can take 2011 and I can take 2012. 2012 sounds more musical anyway....

    ReplyDelete
  15. The Mayans thought 2012 sounded "musical". Or wait, it might've been "disastrous".

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hooray!!!! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you! That is fantastic!!!

    ReplyDelete
  17. congrats brodi--i have been dying for an update!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Congratulations! That's awesome! So, does that mean you have separate agents for Echo and this new book? Or, is Michael representing both books?

    ReplyDelete
  19. WHOOO HOOO!!! YIIPPPPPEEEEE! I really like Michael and his smile! Who cares if he knows his stuff...just post more pics of him...he's cute:)

    Congrats again! Now he knows that you have a twin sister (almost) that wants to play the starring role as Becks in the movie, right? You might want to make sure that is in the fine print of your contract.:)

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jenni- No, I parted ways completely with my old agent, and then Michael took me on for the new book. So we will work on The Underneath first, and see how that goes, and then in the future, maybe we can look at Echo again. It'd still be a long ways off.

    Erin- That was my first request. You could totally pass for a 17-year-old girl.

    ReplyDelete
  21. That makes sense. Congratulations! Hopefully, you'll get published soon! I can't wait!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. CONGRATULATIONS! You made it over a major hurdle! Way to go! I am excited to get my hands on your book!

    ReplyDelete
  23. YAY!! That is so exciting! I've heard excellent things about Michael. Happy, happy, happy dance on your behalf! (Ricky Martin is playin' in the background.)

    ReplyDelete
  24. Lulabell- Thanks, girlfriend.

    Nicole- It's not a happy dance unless there's Ricky Martin playing in the background.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Congratulations, Brodi!! I am thrilled for you. Really.

    Anne

    ReplyDelete
  26. Brodi!!! That's so fantastic! I met Michael briefly back in February. He was great! Best of luck with everything :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. Thanks Anne and Becca! So honored to have well-wishes from awesome authors like you.

    ReplyDelete
  28. I was going to say congratulations-- but a ton of people have already said that. So then I was going to say that I was jealous--but that's been said, too. I guess I don't have anything new to say.

    It's funny though because the other day I was reading an agent's blog and she was ranting about the intense competition between agents lately and how every time she wants to offer representation on a book, there are other agents standing in line. And then I read your post describing the same phenomenon. So I'm thinking you must have queried her and she's still bitter that she doesn't get to represent you. You must have written an awesome book! Way to go!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Congratulations on your new agent! :) Love that you had agents competing to represent you. Very cool. I'm sure Michael will be awesome! Chocolate would never lead you astray! Looking forward to hearing more about The Underneath.

    ReplyDelete
  30. Melanie- That is funny, but I'm sure she wasn't lamenting about me. I'm pretty forgettable! Maybe this is good news though, in general, that agents are looking and ready to fight for what they want, right?

    The raging river with the deadly undercurrents - that is the querying process - is always half-full, right?

    Violet- Thank you! Chocolate really is a fount of wisdom and knowledge.

    ReplyDelete
  31. YAHOO! You go girl. Here's to a new chapter of chocolate and editing.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Congrats, Brodi! That is so exciting. Jeni was telling me about the story, and now I'm excited to read it!! Keep us updated on what happens next :-)

    ReplyDelete
  33. congrats, Brodi! That is so awesome! So what I'm wondering is, why did you switch agents? (Was I reading that right?)

    ReplyDelete
  34. Leeann- Mmmmmm. Chocolate. This post is making me crave some more.

    Chersti- Jeni's always been so nice about it. I love her work too!

    Tamara- It worked out that for this second book, Michael was a better fit. Thanks for the congrats!

    ReplyDelete
  35. CONTRAGULATIONS!!!!!! You seriously ROCK. Down with the Fluffy White Bunnies!! DIE, DIE, DIE!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Cam- Thanks! I was waiting for someone to bring up the FWB's! I think I'm going to get bumper-stickers made this week.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Brodi that is such awesome news! How exciting and wonderful!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh my goodness, that's SO EXCITING! Congratulations! You're pick of the agents?!? WOOT!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Hey Brodi - I don't know if you remember me (I met you at lunch with Bree the other week). Wow, I am so SO excited for you! I'm so glad it worked out so well. Congratulations again!

    ReplyDelete
  40. And P.S. I realize I used the word "so" about ten times in that last comment, but oh well. I'm excited for you. So so excited. he he. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. I had to stop by and see how the story ended! Congratulations - I've heard wonderful things about Michael. It must have been a hard decision, though. But how exciting, to have lots of interest like that.

    I can't wait to someday read the book that got all of that interest!! :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. Thanks Debbie and Olivia!

    Sara- Of course I remember you! Thanks so so so much. And I'm excited to hear great things coming from you.

    Lisa- There were definitely a few sleepless nights during the past week. And a few tears. Thanks for the congrats. I'm honored to have you stop by my blog!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Congrats! I'm so excited for you and I look forward to hearing more about your book hopefuls!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Brodi...way to go!!! I'm THRILLED for you!! =] I can't imagine how great this must feel after all your blood sweat and tears. Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  45. Wow - I'm tail end Charlie in response time over here. But BROD - 1 2 3 4 - Who are we cheering for? BRODI! BRODI! BRODI! That's the best writer's news I've heard in a long time!! HURRAH! And look at all the support you have here in the little blog world. We're behind you all the way. So what's up with Ted? He must be devastated. And Echo? Where is she off to?

    ReplyDelete
  46. Cath- You're never too late! Thanks for the congrats. As for Ted, we parted ways amicably a while back, and I know he's happy for me. Echo remains in my back pocket, waiting patiently for its turn again.

    ReplyDelete
  47. Wahoo! I have to throw in my congrats.

    ReplyDelete
  48. This is soooooo exciting! Can't wait to be in Barnes and Noble buying the print, kindle, audio, paper back print, hardbook e-book editions, etc. We'll buy 'em all.

    ReplyDelete
  49. Congratulations! I've heard lots o' good things about Michael Bourret, so kudos to you for snagging him. You're in good company.

    ReplyDelete