Big, Agent-y News!

I'm thrilled to announce that, as of today, I have an agent! I'm now represented by the amazing Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates. Basically, I've been doing this all day:

I actually met Hannah almost two years ago on Twitter, when she was interning at the agency. I had asked for beta readers for my previous novel, and Hannah volunteered. She gave me some awesome feedback that formed the core for my revisions of that novel. We stayed connected on Twitter, and when she became an agent last year I couldn't wait to submit my new manuscript to her.

Around June this year, I posted my pitch for The Unhappening of Genesis Lee on Twitter, and Hannah asked me to send her the manuscript when it was ready. I started querying in the last week of August, and sent it on to her. Nine days later, I got an email from her that requested a phone call. I was so excited and shocked that I gave a crazed laugh and started shaking.

That was a Friday, and I talked to Hannah last Monday. She was so excited about the book (she'd read it twice!), and from the way she talked, I could tell she really GOT the story. I loved the ideas she mentioned for revisions, and felt like we clicked really well. I told her I was excited about the prospect of working with her, but needed to contact the other agents who had my material (I had another full and a partial out, and contacted the others who I'd queried as well).

Over the next week, I got two more offers and a revise and resubmit request. The other agents were wonderful and great to talk to, but I still kept coming back to Hannah as feeling like the right choice.

So this morning (after having a dream where I called Hannah back to accept and she said she'd changed her mind-- and reminding myself IT WAS JUST A DANG DREAM), I accepted representation. I signed the agreement, sent it off, and went out to a celebratory lunch with my hubby and kids. (And yes, those flowers are from my totally awesome husband.)

So, my friends, I have an agent!! And not just any agent, one I love, who loves my work, and shares my vision for it. I'm beyond excited to work with Hannah for this book and for future ones. Thanks to all of you who've been supportive of me on the internets and real life! Anyone else have good news they want to add to the good news pot?