An Agent's Reaction

My primary form of communication with clients is via email. Let’s face it, it’s faster, easier, and you’ve never heard of playing “email tag.” That being said, there are a few instances where I almost always call.

When I’m offering representation. Certainly I think a big request like this, “Will you be my client?” needs to be heard and not read, but really . . . I just want to hear the excitement in an author’s voice. There’s nothing better than that pause when the potential client wants to scream, but is trying desperately to stay calm. I love it.

The second? When we get an offer from a publisher. This never gets old, and whether it’s your first contract or your fiftieth, I don’t think it ever gets old for the author either. I love the cheering, the telephone happy dance, and the ability to share good and exciting news.

Do you know what I love most about both of these calls? When an author lets go of the professionalism for just an instant and allows herself (or himself) to scream, cheer, or enjoy a little crazy laughter. It gives me chills. Even writing about it gives me chills.

So what would you do if an agent let go of that professionalism for just an instant and screamed, put down the phone for a happy dance, or let out a squeak of crazy laughter? Because I have to tell you, after years of agenting and offering representation to numerous clients, it never gets easier or any less exciting. Anytime an author makes me wait while she considers her choices, I become a crazy person. I IM Kim multiple times a day to ask why the author hasn’t gotten back to me yet, even if it’s Tuesday and the author promised she wouldn’t be making a decision until Friday. I pace around the house and obsessively talk to my family about the book and, when the author finally calls to say “yes,” I have a moment of breathless excitement, that pause when I want to scream.

Jessica

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