The Seymour Agency Blog Hop - THE CALL

Welcome to THE CALL Blog Hop!

Welcome here if you are a regular reader, visitor, or a new friend!

The Seymour Agency authors will be sharing their "call" experiences - when they got THE CALL from their literary agent!
(Which in this case is Mary Sue Seymour, Nicole Resciniti, or Marisa Cleveland.)

Participating authors will post on their blogs 
Mon Jan 7th, Wed Jan 9th, & Fri Jan 11th - Me, I'm doing just one post for all week - this one will stay up.

There may even be some GIVEAWAYS!!! - Yes, I'm doing a giveaway for one lucky commenter for the week! I'm giving away a $25 Starbucks gift card, and a special little something from me. The winner will be drawn at random on Sunday, January 13, 2013, at 9pm CDT and posted on next Monday's post. You can leave an email address to make it easier to find you, if you wish. If you have trouble leaving a comment with Blogger blogs, you can leave your comment on my
Facebook Author Page  
https://www.facebook.com/LoreeHuebnerAuthor


We've got a potpourri of talented authors. For a complete list of the participating Seymour Agency authors and their blogs, visit The Seymour Agency's, Promotion Manager, Tonya Kuper's blog. 

Press here to warp to Tonya Kuper's blog!

This is my first blog hop. I admit it, I'm a little bit excited and nervous. You see, I'm part of a wonderful and unique group - The Seymour Agency. 

When the topic of the blog hop came up on our loop, I went back into my archives to read the post that I posted about getting agent representation. I hadn't read it since it was posted on January 16, 2012. Reading the post, I relived the moment and shed a tear of joy. I was also surprised to find that it has been exactly one year to the day (today - January 7th) that the well-respected Mary Sue Seymour offered me representation. She understood the heart of my story. I couldn't have asked for more. I've learned so much in the past year! 

Remembering my "call" was invigorating for me. I felt renewed and reborn in my career as a writer. I have been so busy recently that I haven't really looked back at just how far I have come. I've been just trudging forward, eyes fixed ahead. I think it's important for writers to go back and take a look at the milestones (large or small) we've crossed on our writing journey. These victories prepare us for the goal - PUBLICATION of our work.

One thing I love to read is exciting news. I love to read writer's stories of victories, the biddy and the big - a publication in a magazine, a sagging plot fixed, or finally typing THE END. I cheer and applaud when I hear about a request for a full manuscript, the call from an agent, a contract from a publisher, an email from an editor! I rejoice with my fellow writers when I read good news.

Those who have had "the call" know that it's different for each of us, but ultimately it's the fact that someone else loves our work. It's humbling. I would love it if any of you would share something inspirational, unusual, or humorous about your "call". 

Those who are still waiting for "the call" - don't give up! It took me nearly 10 years of learning the craft - finding my voice - writing historical novel after historical novel - on a part time basis - not to mention the time taken for revisions, editing, and more revisions - for that phone to ring. Know that call is coming your way, most likely when you least expect it, maybe even right around the corner. Keep learning the craft, sharpening your skills, and most of all, love what you are writing. That call will come when the time is right. I would love to hear what you are doing to get closer to that "call". What inspires you? 

And now, the call...my call...as posted by me on 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

Well, there it is, the story of when I got "the call" from Mary Sue. 

I would like to add one thing that I didn't expect when I signed on with the agency. I didn't know that I would become part of a wonderful "family" of super agents and talented authors. We all write different genres, but we are a family, we support one another. I love my Seymour Sibs! Hop on over and meet a few as they share their "call". 

Between you, me and the gatepost,

Loree

The winner of last week's drawing of Amy Lillard's debut novel Saving Gideon and a $15 Starbucks gift card is: Cheri S! Congrats Cheri! I will be getting in touch with you later this week for your address.

Loree Huebner
Writing with one foot in the past...
On Twitter @LoreeHuebner
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