I’m happy to announce that I’m now represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
The details:
I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference in Seattle last July and first heard Carolyn speak on an agent panel. She introduced herself and talked about the kind of writing and author she wanted to represent and I felt like she was talking to me. Kerry Schafer and I waited a long time in the hallway waiting to make appointment changes and I was delighted Carolyn had room for me. (Kerry also has a very grounding influence on me, so her presence there was more than a side note, yeah? Looking for a secret weapon? Go to a conference with Kerry.)
The next morning I started my day with speed pitching. I had no idea to whom I would be presenting, only that this was the young adult panel. Speed pitching was great fun and I ended up at Carolyn’s table with three business cards (three requests) already in hand. I was having a great morning, but I really wanted her card the most. When I ended by telling her I’d be meeting her later that day, she said, “Oh, you’re going to be tired of me by then.” No, not likely. And yeah, I liked her.
That afternoon at the longer session, I repeated my Claire Morgane pitch and also told her about my middle grade novel, Spillworthy. She asked me which one I’d like to send first. Happy day.
I submitted Claire Morgane and then I was off to attend Willamette Writers Conference the next week. I learned so much through writing workshops at PNWA and Willamette and, as we all do, I kept thinking about what I could do to improve.
My response to Claire came from Kris Rothstein, an associate agent working with Carolyn Swayze. She said they couldn’t represent the manuscript yet, but she’d like to see a revision. Her suggestions were exactly what I needed to hear. She invited me to call and talk about her ideas for the book and I emailed to set up a time.
And I called.
And wow.
The changes she wanted were big, but they were right. She had the experience to isolate what I needed to do to take this book where it needed to go.
I wrote like hell for the next month.
I sent off the revision.
And then I waited.
And the more I waited, the more I started doubting myself again. The beginning of the book was all new material. Reading it again, I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d submitted a first draft. What was I thinking?
The day I was supposed to hear back from Kris, I was sick. I waited until the end of the business day and fell asleep early, not feeling incredibly hopeful. A windstorm woke me at 3AM and, with my mixed-up sleeping hours, I couldn’t go back to sleep. Might as well start writing early.
Yes. You guessed it. That’s when I heard from Kris. Her email must have come in minutes after I turned off my computer.
She sent notes for the early chapters and I nodded as I read her thoughts. Yes. True. Absolutely right. And then she noted that this was new material and she hoped I’d smooth it out—because the rest of the book was really quite good—save a couple things I could change here and there. She really hoped I’d consider making the changes.
I reread that section a couple times because it sounded like I was getting another chance. And her suggestions were so good. I had to make sure I wasn’t getting my hopes up for nothing. Yes. She wanted to see revisions.
And then I finished reading the next paragraph—the one that included talk of a contract and representation. She was going out of town, but she’d like to discuss it with me the next week.
And that’s how I found out I was on the cusp of representation. The end of a long revision, discussion with someone who really understood what I wanted my book to be, weeks of waiting, another chance to revise, and then discussion of a contract—and there I was at 3AM, wanting to scream, wanting to tell someone, alone in the quiet of my perfect writing bubble. If I startled everyone awake, I’d lose my writing time for the day. So, yeah. I could tell them later. I started revising.
Today my contract arrived and the news finally feels real enough to say out loud. And I’m driving today and have no internet connection. Funny how these things work. So you all will know in the morning.
Which is now *this* morning.
I’m happy to announce that I’m represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
Yay!
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Tuesday, December 14th, 2010, 6:31 am | 
agents, Claire Morgane, PNWA, Willamette Writers | 
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December 14, 2010 at 2:13 pm
@johannaharness woot woot! Congratulations!!!! #amwriting
December 14, 2010 at 8:14 am
Congrats!! This is great news!! I am very happy for you!! :-) :-) :-)
December 14, 2010 at 2:15 pm
@johannaharness Congrat!!!! I”m so excited for you! :)
December 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm
@johannaharness I’m all late here, but CONGRATS!!!! :D
December 14, 2010 at 8:21 am
Congrats!!! Can’t wait to congratulate you on your first sale!
December 14, 2010 at 2:30 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations on finding an agent!
December 14, 2010 at 2:56 pm
@johannaharness Congrats on getting an agent!! That is really exciting for you!!
December 14, 2010 at 3:03 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations! Your good news is cathartic for the rest of us. Thanks for sharing your exciting news
December 14, 2010 at 3:04 pm
@johannaharness First off CONGRATULATIONS! 2nd, your voice begins my twitter day & I can’t think of a better way to begin…#amwriting. <3 u
TwinkleChar Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 4:50 pm
@johannaharness Can’t follow chain back far enough so see what everyone is congratulating you for. SHARE AGAIN, whatever it is!
December 14, 2010 at 3:05 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations! Wow, that is great!
December 14, 2010 at 3:09 pm
HEY EVERYBODY! @johannaharness GOT AN AGENT! #amwriting Grats, Johanna! ^__^
December 14, 2010 at 3:11 pm
@johannaharness Yay!!! Congratulations!!!!! *happy dances and sparkles and all things awesome today*
December 14, 2010 at 9:13 am
Congratulations, Johanna! I’ve kept up with you on Twitter through the #amwriting hashtag, and wow, this is just really exciting news!! Woo-hoo!! I hope you celebrate big time!!
December 14, 2010 at 3:24 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations Johanna :)
December 14, 2010 at 9:37 am
Mega congratulation!!! I received an offer of representation for Christmas last year and know how exciting that is. Enjoy the thrill. Here’s hoping you have more BIG news to share soon.
December 14, 2010 at 9:38 am
Fantastic tale, fantastic news!
December 14, 2010 at 9:45 am
Oh, Johanna! When I saw the news on Twitter this morning I was so excited for you! Congratulations! You just thought you were working hard before. *wink* I’m very proud of you and your perseverance. I know in my heart that Very Good Things(tm) are waiting for you.
December 14, 2010 at 3:46 pm
@johannaharness congrats! score!
December 14, 2010 at 9:49 am
Fabulous news! Congratulations!!!
December 14, 2010 at 3:51 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations!
December 14, 2010 at 3:53 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations! What awesome news!
December 14, 2010 at 4:08 pm
@johannaharness a long road with a happy ending! Congrats!
December 14, 2010 at 4:12 pm
@johannaharness WHAAAAAAATTTTT!!!! EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!! *happeh dance for you* :D YAYAYAYAY
December 14, 2010 at 4:16 pm
@johannaharness Congrats!! Sooo exciting!
December 14, 2010 at 10:21 am
YAY JOHANNA!!!! That’s so amazing! You are a real inspiration to me, and your post came at the perfect time. I know you wrote it to share and celebrate, but it has also encouraged me to keep pushing! I hope someday soon I can announce similar news! Woo hoo for you!!!!
December 14, 2010 at 4:24 pm
@johannaharness That’s awesome and inspiring!!! Congratulations, Johanna!!!!
December 14, 2010 at 10:25 am
A HUGE congratulations!! :)
December 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations, dude!
December 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@johannaharness oh YAY YAY! No one deserves it more than you and I’m thrilled for you! Congratulations!!
December 14, 2010 at 4:56 pm
@johannaharness Ooh, I missed that. Let me add my congratulations!
December 14, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations! That’s big news!
December 14, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@johannaharness oh sorry for the delay! congrats xx
December 14, 2010 at 4:57 pm
@johannaharness Congrats — and best of luck for a quick sale.
December 14, 2010 at 10:58 am
Many, many congratulations Johanna!! Woot! *throws confetti* Wonderful news. :-)
December 14, 2010 at 4:58 pm
@johannaharness Excellent! Could I borrow…?
December 14, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@johannaharness yay! Congrats!
December 14, 2010 at 4:59 pm
@johannaharness and let me add my congratulations. Your tweets have been inspiring.
December 14, 2010 at 10:59 am
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!
The work paid off – #she’swriting – oh yes, she is!
Well, well done. This is really great news to read/hear.
Very happy for you.
December 14, 2010 at 5:00 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations, I just read the good news, you full heatedly deserve this, the best of luck with everything!
December 14, 2010 at 11:00 am
Congratulations! *happy dance happy dance* So exciting! I’m very happy for you :)
December 14, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@johannaharness Congartulations! *happy dance happy dance* :)
December 14, 2010 at 5:01 pm
@johannaharness Whoo hoo you go girl. Huge congrats to you.
December 14, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations!
SesshaBatto Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
@johannaharness congratulations, BTW! I saw your good news, but Twitter wouldn’t let me reply ;)
December 14, 2010 at 5:02 pm
@johannaharness congrats!! congrats!! congrats!! the best is yet to come!
December 14, 2010 at 11:06 am
I’m so pleased for you johanna! The way you told the tale was –breathless, sit on the edge of your seat — beginning to end. So glad it turned out the way you hoped. Much luck on the success of the finished product.
Karen :0)
December 14, 2010 at 5:06 pm
@johannaharness Congratulations! Wonderful news for a wonderful lady!
December 14, 2010 at 5:08 pm
@johannaharness YEYEYEYEEYEYEYEYEYEYEYEY!
December 14, 2010 at 5:10 pm
@johannaharness It’s finally time to squeeee? Yes? Whoooppeeeeeee!!!!!!
December 14, 2010 at 5:13 pm
@johannaharness SQUEEEE!! I am so so so happy for you! Congratulations and I cannot wait to see your stuff on shelves!
December 14, 2010 at 5:15 pm
Fantabulous news! @johannaharness has an agent. Congrats! http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/12/1…
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