If you were on my author Facebook page at all this week, you probably saw my posts hinting at a “big announcement.” In fact, you probably even tried to guess what that announcement might be! (*hint* agent *hint*)
Two people guessed correctly (two authors, coincidentally): J. L. Mbewe and John Otte.
I have officially signed Karen Ball from The Steve Laube Agency as my literary agent!
Now, I know some of you may not find that as exciting as me expecting a baby or signing movie-deals left and right but…it’s a huge step. Let me break it down for you.
What does a literary agent do?
If you’re anything like me, you don’t have the whole role of an agent mastered. In fact, half the reason I sat down to talk with Karen was to ask her why I would want an agent. (Who knew that conversation would end with a contract offer? Eee!)
1. An agent helps keep an author’s career on track. For me, this means Karen is not only watching the progress of my goals, but she’s also taking into account my desire to be obedient to God’s will as an author. Our top priority as a team is to follow God’s guidance and get the books He wants me to write out to the world.
2. An agent fights my battles! Okay, not all of them — like vacuuming the house, or killing spiders — but an agent is the middle-man (or woman!) between angry author and frustrated publisher. The agent will help smooth out kinks, help keep the peace between an author and publisher/editor (aka. translate the author’s screaming rants into polite requests for change.) I don’t foresee Karen having to take on this role for me…at least not with Enclave Publishing, because I love being an Enclave author.
3. An agent has contacts into the broader publishing world. Authors can take themselves only so far. Then, eventually, we run into those nasty brick walls erected by big publishing houses that say, “No unsolicited manuscripts.” (Aka. authors can’t pitch their own books without an agent.) My agent has a mental-book full of contacts and relationships that I couldn’t possibly hope to build on my own. She helps shop my new book ideas around until we find the right publisher.
Essentially, I’ve just added another member to my team. We work together to follow God’s will for my books and my writing life.
Can you tell I’m excited?
What signing on an agent means for me:
- I’m officially stepping into the career of author. This means leaving speech therapy behind. Probably not forever, but I’ve been standing at the fork in the road for about three years, one leading to an author career (talent, but no degree) and the other leading to speech therapy (degree, but no talent.) I’ve stretched as far as possible with one foot in each, but I’m finally making the transfer. I’m committing to writing and I couldn’t feel better about it.
- It means you’ll see more books from me. I’m committed now! I was self-committed before, but this is different. It’s as if that commitment has now been made non-negotiable. The Out of Time Series is the first of many books to come!
I’m so excited about this step forward. God has wonderful things planned for my future and I’m honored to be the one living this life. So, since I now have a future of book-writing ahead of me…
What types of books would you like to see come from me? Name any genre. Anything that strikes your fancy! Remember, there are two more books in the Out of Time series still coming.
Do you have any questions regarding agents?
Join my newsletter list for all updates and announcements. Just enter your e-mail address here:
Woo hoo! Congrats! So glad this means your not leaving the author world anytime soon! 😀
Thank you! And never! I had hoped I’d never have to leave the author world, and this is just God’s confirmation that He’s got me here for quite some time! 😀
YAY! So happy for you! As to genres, your style is so fresh that I’ll read anything you write. Truly. Congrats, dear friend.
You’re so kind, Angie. Thank you for the congrats. 🙂
Congrats!
Yay! Thank you, Clint!
Awesome!! Congrats!
Thanks, Bethany 😀
Way to go, Nadine! That’s super awesome exciting (and a few more superlative words thrown in there too)!
Exhilarating! Mind-blowing! Fantastic! 😉 Thank you. I like those superlative words.
Well well well. I expected nothing less from the awesome and talented Nadine…I can’t be more happy than a squirrel who finds a basket full of yummy nuts! Whoot! Love you…auntie Angela aka auntie laleeelaaa 😉
Daw…. 😉 Love you, Auntie Laleela. 😀
Super exciting! Congrats!
Thank you, Melissa!
Yay! Congratulations!
Thank you!!
Awesome Nadine! Congratulations! So exciting! I wish we could bring over some bubbly to celebrate!
I wish you could, too! But maybe we can have bubbly when I come down to visit for Thanksgiving. 😉
I resonate with your excitement Nadine. Some things in life are so good!
Yes they are. God definitely knows how to bring in the excitement. 🙂
Awesome! Congrats!!!!!! 😀
Thank you, Jennette! 😀
Wow!!! This is awesome, not a prequel or a sequel for A Time to Die… but very good news indeed. Congrats!!!
True, it’s not. BUT the sequel comes out next year, so it’s twice the celebration! 😀
Thanks, Angel.
Yay Nadine! Thrilled for you!
Aww, thank you Amy! 🙂 God is good!
Awesome, Nadine! Congratulations! This is super exciting 🙂 Is this from a meeting you had at Conference?
Thank you, Sara! Yes, this is from a meeting at the ACFW Conference. Squee! God’s timing is always so perfect and, well, FUN! [grin] 😀
Loved seeing your grin in the pix! Welcome to the SLA team!
Thank you Karen! I’m so excited and honored to be part of the SLA team. 😀
That is awesome! Congratulations. 🙂
(And I have the same pens. I just had to comment on that. xP)
Wow!!! I totally understand how big of a deal this is, and congrats!!!!