It's settled. I'm going to LA for the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Summer Conference in West Hollywood.
My mission: to meet the agent of my dreams. These dreams just started, and I haven't slept well since.
At our last critique group it occurred to me, even though I had received a personal invitation from Editor X to submit my graphic novel directly, this might not be the best plan for me or my graphic novel, though this was the only plan I had.
I saw the wisdom in representation. I just couldn't commit to the idea of an agent for myself. I had an invitation to submit directly to an excellent editor, and finding the right agent has been compared to dating. We all know how that goes. I wanted to bypass any potential pain.
But now I see the wisdom in finding representation for myself, especially as a first time writer/illustrator. An agent has your back. An agent gives you options. I don't care how long it takes, I want to enter this market like a heavyweight contender with my agent in the corner, and my work in the ring.
There are eight agents on the LA faculty. Will one of them become my agent? Stay tuned for the next installment of the agent of my dreams.
Good luck Karen Ann, I'm rooting for you. Too bad they couldn't have speed-dating sessions with agents and writer/illustrators like in that movie, Hitch. Bell rings, move on to the next agent until that special chemistry strikes and *bing*
ReplyDeleteTrue agent-love.
thanks for the good luck wishes, ben. i was wondering if you would be in la. now i'm guessing you won't be, as you didn't say "see you there!"
ReplyDeletei don't know for sure, but the conference does seem like a speed dating session. eight agents! four days! four nights! surely the agents expect to start at least one long term relationship!