“How I Got My Agent” is a recurring feature on the Guide to Literary Agents Blog, with this installment featuring Coreene Callahan, author of several books, including the newly released KNIGHT AWAKENED. These columns are great ways for you to learn how to find a literary agent.
Coreene Callahan is the bestselling author of the Dragonfury
novels and the Circle of Seven series. To learn more about her
books, please visit her website CoreeneCallahan.com. You can
also find her on Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and
Authorgraph. Callahan currently lives in Canada with her family
and writing buddy, a fun-loving golden retriever. Her latest book
is the Dec. 4 release, KNIGHT AWAKENED (a Circle of Seven Novel).
TAKING MY TIME WITH THE PITCH…
I met my literary agent in a karaoke bar over a tequila shot. She was celebrating the signing of a book contract with one of her authors, and I got swept into the group. An unusual way to begin a professional relationship, I know, but…hey. I’ve always been the kind of person who opens the door when opportunity comes knocking. But here’s the thing…
Even though I knew agent Christine Witthohn by reputation (and that she is an excellent literary agent), I didn’t pounce. Or maneuver myself into an immediate “pitch my book” position. Why? Well, common courtesy, for one thing. And two, I needed to know whether we not only got along, but also if our business philosophies jived. As crazy as it sounds, that kind of meeting of the minds is important. How well you see eye-to-eye with your agent can make or break you. It’s about teamwork and business acumen. About partnering with the right person, one who is not only invested in your success as an author, but shares your vision for the future.
Quite honestly, it’s a bit like dating. She said this. I said that. We laughed, clinked glasses and…bingo. The relationship was underway.
BACKSTORY ON MY WRITING
Before that chance meeting, I had been writing seriously for two and a half years. And by seriously, I mean every day, working to improve my storytelling skills, but also to build a vision of what I wanted to achieve as an author and what success would look like upon arrival. During that time, I pursued publishing whole heartedly, querying editors and agents, researching and entering contests to get my stories in front of industry professionals, and attending conferences to pitch my work. All the while holding tight the vision I had created and the Three Ps in writer’s life: passion, perseverance and patience.
So, the morning I met with Christine to discover whether we were a good fit in the business realm, I had suffered my fair share of rejection. The no’s and maybe’s had come hard and fast over a couple of years, and yet, as I chatted with her, I dared hope she might be “the one”. As it turned out, she was, and we both got our happily-ever-after. Within a week of sending her my manuscript, she offered me representation. And within six months of that, I was offered a book contract. Fantastic, right? No question. But remember this…without the vision, it never would have happened. Only by doing the hard work upfront was I able to recognize not only what I wanted to achieve, but the kind of teammate I needed to help me realize my dream.
HAVE A PLAN AND SET GOALS
In other words, I had a tailor-made plan right out of the gate, comprised of a vision, tangible goals, and the steps needed to be taken to reach each one. But the fact remains, a chance meeting in a karaoke bar with the right literary agent put me on the right path. One that not only saw me published, but published well. Christine and I work as a team. She’s great at her job. I like to think I’m good at mine. But together, we make a formidable duo.
90 Days to Your Novel is an inspiring guide
that will be your push, your deadline, and your
spark to finally, in three short months, nail that
first draft of your novel.
Other writing/publishing articles & links for you:
- Why Your First Few Pages Are So Important.
- Query Agents in Bunches and Tiers.
- NEW Literary Agent Seeking Clients: Dana Newman of Dana Newman Literary.
- Sell More Books by Building Your Author Platform.
- Why You Should Read Your Work Aloud as You Go.
- Follow Chuck Sambuchino on Twitter or find him on Facebook. Learn all about his writing guides on how to get published, how to find a literary agent, and how to write a query letter.
I’m too excited about reading this post, and I will definitely mention some of these tips in finding a publisher. In three days, I’ll be launching a YouTube based documentary about the realities of getting published and undertake the challenge of getting published in a year! Come and join!
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheWriteNowWriter
I wish I’d been there! Can’t wait to read your new historical–I enjoyed your dragonmen, though I’d better not swap the cat for one…
Hi Coreene! I remember that meeting. I was there too. That was a fun night. I’m so glad we share such a great agent.