How I Landed A Literary Agent & What You Can Learn From It: Renée Ahdieh

On a chilly winter’s eve back in 2013, my forlorn, un-agented self was perusing Janet Reid’s blog. I kept noticing the Query Shark speak in a teasingly scathing tone of another agent. An agent who had been driving her mad of late, yanking riches out from under her well-primed nose.

That agent’s name was Barbara Poelle.

I’d seen this agent’s name here and there, but wasn’t certain I wrote in her wheelhouse. Nevertheless, I’d already relegated myself to a night of Google tomfoolery, so I conducted a search and found that she and Holly Root were offering a Query Critique Webinar through Writer’s Digest in a few short weeks.

My wallet was handy. My desperation was replete. So I signed up.

The webinar was a wonderful chance to see the minds of highly successful agents in action. Holly and Barbara live-critiqued my query, and I was able to see what worked (my voice) and what did not work (everything else).

Two weeks after receiving my critique, I decided to attend the Writer’s Digest East Conference in NYC. This may be a bit too much window into my crazy, but I do think it’s important for any writer intent on pursuing traditional publishing to be aware of what this process should entail. Which is not to say that I recommend following in my stumbling footsteps. After all, Kanye West provides much better source material for that.

Needless to say, I knew if I wanted to go to a conference and spend that kind of time and money, I needed to make the most of it. So I researched all the speakers and took the time to decide which seminars I wanted to attend.

One of those seminars was being taught by a Barbara Poelle.

Fate, and all that jazz? Nah. For as much as I appreciate the notion of fate and can understand other writers speaking of “Dream Agents,” I don’t necessarily subscribe to that school of thought, mostly because I think it puts a lot of pressure on all parties involved, including fate. But I will say that after hearing Barbara speak at her seminar, I was more determined than ever to see if I could at least get her to read my pages. She was so smart and so refreshingly honest. I could see the passion she exhibited for her clients’ work. The earnest drive for success in all aspects of life.

And I wanted that for myself.

After Barbara’s seminar, I waited in line to speak with her. I remember clearing my throat at least five times while moving forward, one slow step at a time. Believe me when I say the irony of that was not lost on me, after languishing so long in the query doldrums. When it was my turn, I reminded her of my query from the Writer’s Digest critique, and a few subsequent pleasantries were exchanged. Mostly surrounding a shared love of designer bags and how cool Holly Root is. Then I decided to throw caution to the wind—

And I asked Barbara if she was free for lunch.

She laughed. Loudly. I mean, nigh on head-back-and-cackling.

After her laughter died down, Barbara told me I was absolutely doing the right thing, but she unfortunately already had plans for lunch. I guess the story could have ended there. But I’m a persistent sort of chick. Kind of like the gum on your shoe. So I reached into my purse and pulled out a partial of my book. With even more laughter, Barbara took it.

Two weeks later, she offered me representation.

In the end, I suppose fate might have had a hand in it. Because I do believe getting traditionally published involves timing and a small measure of talent. But I think a lot of it has to do with tenacity.

Kind of like the gum on your shoe.