I've had a lot of people ask me to tell my agent story.
At first I felt weird about sharing it on The Alley since
self-promotion is NOT my forte, but the longer I thought and prayed about it, I
realized that this story is all about what God does.
Because it’s a pretty cool story.
And it really wouldn't have happened unless God was
seriously involved.
I've been told by several authors that you aren't a REAL
writer until you have rejections under your writing belt. I don’t know if the
same rule applies for agent rejections, but I've definitely had those too. About nine specific rejection letters and over ten “no responses” – and those all
happened over the past two years.
Let’s not even start calculating my manuscript rejections J
At ACFW 2011, I had a chance to have dinner with an editor. I didn't really pitch. She didn't really ask. We just talked. It was a nice
conversation, followed by a few other conversations throughout the remainder of
the conference. Just before leaving the conference she said, “Hey, when you get
an agent, I want to read your work. Okay?”
Sure.
Fabulous.
So I queried 5 agents after the conference. FIVE. And I’d
actually met 4 of the 5 in person at the conference. AND I was a Genesis double-finalist. That had to count for something, right?
Nothin’. Nada. Zilch.
For nine months this ‘baby’ didn't go anywhere.
I assumed it
was because my stories didn't really ‘fit’ with what was selling in CBA. Rom
Com wasn't the top genre. Self-doubt reared its ugly head on many occasions. I carried insecurities around like a pack of gum. Was I just dreaming too big? Missing the mark? Living on stardust and daydreams?
After all, I'd been seriously writing for over six years with no 'happily-ever-after' in sight :-)
BUT, like the obedient flunky I was, I kept doing what
Ruth Logan Herne and Mary Connealy told me to do. I kept writing.
In July I finished another novel and posted my excitement on
Facebook. Low and behold, the editor saw my comment and replied, “Hey, when are
you going to send me something to read?”
To which I replied. “You told me not to send anything until
I had an agent. I still don’t’ have one, so I haven’t sent anything.”
Then the most amazing thing happened! She asked me to
compose a cover letter and she would send it out to agents for me. Agents she thought
would be a good match for me.
I was overwhelmed. Floored. Humbled.
And did exactly what she said.
When two agents emailed me, I sent my proposals. They both
responded quickly and favorably.
Then at ACFW, I had the opportunity to meet Nicole – one of
the agents recommended to me. She seemed as excited about my stories as I was.
She was funny, sweet, and savvy – plus she had a great sense of style. There
was an immediate match. (Look at that GREAT smile!)
And she told me she would like to represent me.
I told her that I thought we had a great connection, but I
wanted to think and pray about it first.
So I did. And consulted close writing friends. And prayed
some more.
And I knew it was right.
When I heard her beautiful acceptance speech as Agent of the
Year, it just confirmed what a special lady she was.
End of story?
Not quite.
It was the last day of conference before I had the chance to
talk to the editor who set this up. We’d missed each other throughout the
conference, but in God’s good time, we were both in the lobby waiting to leave
for the airport at the same time. I went up to her and told her about what
happened with Nicole and she smiled. “I’m so proud of you.”
To which I replied. “I can’t thank you enough. You didn't have to do that. It’s not your job to find me an agent.”
She answered, “I believe in you.”
And I said, “ You've never even read my writing before. How
can you believe in me?”
(I will NEVER forget her answer. EVER. I still get tears in my eyes thinking about it) She said, “Pepper, I didn't say I believed in your writing. I said, I believe in you.”
It was as if the voice of God sliced through all the chaos
of the moment, all the emotional baggage of my past rejections, all the doubts in my heart, all the questions and insecurities,
and used this editor to speak directly to my spirit.
“I believe in you.”
Wow.
And it’s true – for ALL His kids.
He may give us great and amazing talents. He may bring us
fame and recognition. He may shower us with opportunities to spread His word
through our writing.
But at the heart of it all, He’s doing a whole lot more than those things.
He’s letting His kids know that He believes in them.
Enough to take on the Devil, Death, and Hell.
Our writing is just an extension of what’s happening inside
of us. Who we are in Him.
And with His faith in us spurring us forward, we are
equipped to do great and marvelous things…whether those “great and marvelous”
things are meant to minister to a small number of 1 or a great number of MORE.
He believes in you.
He believes in me.
We are His.
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Pepper Basham writes Blue Ridge romance sprinkled with grace and humor. In her contemporary romances she doubles-up on the humor. She is a mom of five, speech-language pathologist, lover of all things AlleyCat, and chocolate addict. You can check out her website at www.pepperbasham.com to discover more.
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