"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by doing so some people have entertained angels without knowing it." - Hebrews 13:2



Monday, January 16, 2012

Representation...


It’s been a long road on this writing journey, and I can finally say—I have an agent!

It all started last October when I began to query my project. I had a feeling about this book. I had taken the novel out, dusted it off, and polished it up. Right away, I got a request for a partial. Within a few weeks, I got a note from the agent suggesting a few revisions to the beginning. She said that once the revisions were completed, she would like to see the full manuscript. I made the requested changes and sent the full manuscript off the week before Thanksgiving.

I didn’t hear a peep until Friday, January 6th, when I received an email from the agent advising me that the book was up for a final read. Final read?
This was it. It was in her hands.

Late Saturday (the next day) afternoon, just as I was getting ready to leave for work—I got the call.

Now, I’ve heard about these calls, and I’ve read plenty of blog posts on getting the call. I believe every aspiring author has dreamed of and rehearsed that call over and over. I had. I’ve got to say, it’s everything and nothing like I thought it would be!

I was downing a cup of coffee when the phone rang. Eric and I looked at each other. I walked over to the phone. When I saw SEYMOUR on the caller ID, I smiled. I may have squealed.

Mary Sue Seymour was calling me!

I have to admit, I didn’t hear much after—“I’m printing up a contract now.”

Somehow, I managed to ask her—“What did you think of the book?”

Now I knew to listen here, and she didn’t disappoint. She liked it a lot! She sounded very excited about it. She told me personally that “I like your story telling/characterizations a whole lot! You are a very gifted author.” Mary Sue was fun, a real joyful spirit, and genuinely thrilled for me as she shared in my happiness…I heard it in her voice.

After the call, Eric had to drive me to work. He knew I wouldn’t be able to drive safely. I called my kids.

A whole new path is in front of me—I proudly signed a contract with the Seymour Agency last Wednesday. I’ve crossed a huge milestone on my writing journey. I know the road ahead will not always be easy, but I’m ready, and I have an awesome agent by my side.

With the contract, Mary Sue sent me a card with my favorite Proverb on it:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. ~ Proverbs 3:5-6

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree


I also won another blog award - THE GREAT COMMENTS AWARD. This one is from the lovely and talented, Carol Riggs. Visit her blog - Artzicarol Ramblings - she always has something great going on over there. 


45 comments:

Sandra Orchard said...

Congratulations, Loree!!!! I'm so excited for you. Mary Sue is such a sweetheart, too. You've contracted with a gem.

Jessica Nelson said...

WOOHOOOO! She seems like such a lovely person and has a great track record as an agent. This is huge. CONGRATS!!!! :-)

Wendy Paine Miller said...

Yeah Loree! This has to feel soooo good! Congratulations!
~ Wendy

Jill Kemerer said...

Wonderful, wonderful news!!! Huge congratulations!! What a great way to start the new year! Savor it!!

Cindy R. Wilson said...

Yay, Loree! I'm so excited for you. Congratulations! You have to keep us updated on the next steps, but for now just enjoy the news :)

Terri Tiffany said...

How did I miss this??? WHOOO HOOOOO!!!! I am thrilled for you!!!!!! So exciting! And I agree with jill--wonderful way to kick off the new year!!

V said...

Awesome news Loree!!!! It is all coming together. So happy for you! :)

Jessica R. Patch said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! I am thrilled for you! God is so good! I can't wait to hear about your journey on.

Great great news, Loree. I am singing that song, "Celebrate"!

Woohoo!

Unknown said...

Congrats! That's awesome!

Diane said...

So exciting and congrats on the awesome news! :O)

Heather Sunseri said...

That is so, so exciting, Loree!! I'm super duper thrilled for you!!!! Congratulations!!

Julie Musil said...

LOREE!!!! Holy cow, this is SO exciting! I'm so, so, SO happy for you. What an awesome way to kick off 2012. You totally deserve this, and I couldn't be happier for you.

Lacie Nezbeth said...

Yay for wonderfully great news! Congratulations Loree!!!

Emily R. King said...

Congratulations! Wahoo! That is such great news! I'm so happy for you!

Unknown said...

Oh, congrats, Loree!!! I'm soooo excited for you! What an awesome start to 2012!!!! :-)

Brandi Boddie said...

Congratulations, Loree! I'm so thrilled for you! It's the beginning of great things to come!

Sarah Sundin said...

Congratulations, Loree! Mary Sue Seymour seems like a fabulous agent! And we need more Civil War fiction out there :)

Loree Huebner said...

I'm so overwhelmed by all of you, and your sweet comments and tweets today! I'm humbled. Thanks for the love and support! I mean that from the bottom of my heart @ Sandra, Jessica N, Wendy, Jill, Cindy, Terri, Tori, Jessica P, Julie J, Diane, Heather, Julie M, Lacie, Emily, Gwen, Brandi, and Sarah...

Thank you.

Charlotte Brentwood said...

Well done Loree, what incredible news! Will you tell us a little about the winning MS?

Sarah Forgrave said...

LOREE!!! How exciting! Congratulations!!!

Lynda Lee Schab said...

Congratulations, Loree! That is AWESOME news! Woo-hoo!!!

troutbirder said...

Terrific new Loree. I can only begin to imagine how thrilled you must be. Way to go!!!!

Melanie N. Brasher said...

Loree!!! I'm SO excited for you! Congratulations. Oh, you made my day. :)

Eric J. Huebner said...

Loree, I'm so proud of you. I know how hard you worked on those books. Love you!

Melissa K Norris said...

Loree, I'm so thrilled for you! What a wonderful journey we're about to embark on. So glad we get to share it with you!
Praying for your book and that God's hand will direct it to the perfect house! Congrats.

Loree Huebner said...

Charlotte, Sarah, Lynda, trout, Melanie, and Melissa, thanks for taking the time to leave your kind well wishes and sharing in my joy! I'm just overwhelmed by your sweet comments. It means so much.

Eric: I wouldn't have made it this far in my writing journey without your (and the kids) love, encouragement, and support. I love you. Thanks for always being there.

MTeacress said...

Marvelous! Wonderful! Fantastic! I feel like singing a song for you. Congratulations! :D

Deana said...

Oh Loree, I am absolutely thrilled for you! And your agent sounds awesome! I absolutely love that verse. So very inspirational:)

Rosslyn Elliott said...

Loree - A huge congrats! Mary Sue Seymour is very tuned in to the market, and I am delighted that you've signed with her. How exciting! I can't wait to see what's in store for you. :-)

Bonnie Leon said...

"The Call" -- the wonder of it.

Congratulations. I'll be watching for your books.

Grace and peace to you.

J.L. Campbell said...

Well done, Loree and Congratulations! It's great reading wonderful news in the morning.

Loree Huebner said...

Michelle, Deana, Rosslyn, Bonnie, and J.L., thank you for stopping in and leaving such wonderful and encouraging words. I'm overwhelmed by the love and support of the writing community and the readers. Thanks for sharing in my joy!

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

Congratulations!!!! Such a great way to begin a new year. I just discovered your blog and I'm happy that I stumbled in now to wish you all the best.

Stacy Henrie said...

Congratulations, Loree! I'm so excited for you. Can't wait to read the book. Hurray for January 2012. :)

Loree Huebner said...

Cynthia: Welcome here! Thanks so much for the well wishes! So sweet!

Stacy: Thanks, and a BIG congrats to you on your book deal and representation! I'm so excited for you! YAY for January 2012!

Cynthia and Stacy, thanks for stopping in. Your comments mean a lot!

Misha Gerrick said...

Oh my word! Congratulations! :-D

Shopgirl said...

Congrats Loree! So well deserved and really happy for you. :)

Loree Huebner said...

Misha and Shopgirl: Thank you so much. I appreciate your love and support. I just love how writers and readers all support one another...just awesome!

Marji Laine - Faith Driven Fiction said...

Oh! I'm so excited for you! *pompom cheer!* I bet you're still jumping out of your skin! Can't wait to see your book at my local Walmart! Woohoo!

Loree Huebner said...

Marji: Thanks for the cheer and the shout out on twitter. So sweet of you!

Carol Riggs said...

This is so wonderful! BIG congrats to ya, wheee! I'm thrilled for you. :) (Aw, and thanks for the sweet mention regarding the blog award.) *hugs*

Jayne said...

Oh my goodness, Loree--fantastic news! I had such a, I don't know, visceral reaction to reading this post--like I was standing right by the phone with you and your husband. (Not that I'm even ever contacted and agent.) The joy of that moment is so raw here, and I just love it.

So happy for you! Best wishes--I'm sure there'll be a lot of work going forward. Your fans are waiting w/bated breath for the publication date! :D

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, how wonderful for you! Congratulations, Loree!!!! God be praised.

Loree Huebner said...

Carol: Thanks for the hug!

Jayne: Thanks for sharing my joy!

Jeanette: Thank you! Amen!

Carol, Jayne and Jeanette, thanks so much for your kind words and well wishes. It means a lot!

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Oh,Loree,I'm so thrilled for you! May God bless you and open the doors to publication.