Her name is Ginger Clark of Curtis Brown (who doesn't blog, but she tweets). She represents a number of great authors, including Jeri Smith-Ready. She also handles the British rights for all of Curtis Brown (click those links above to find out more about her).
This is what happened (a really short version):
Sara J. Henry* beta-read my novel and suggested I query a couple of American agents. A thought which didn't occur to me before (since I'm in Australia), but I thought, why not?**
Of the three agents I queried, two offered representation. Which is pretty much unheard of, so obviously I have some kind of long-distance hypnotism capabilities.
This, for a person as indecisive as me, was about the worst thing ever. Both of the agents were absolutely wonderful agents, who'd sold brilliant books and had well-known clients. (One is a 'dream agent' for a lot of people.)
And then, I entered the Secret Agent contest on this blog***. Ginger Clark was the Secret Agent, and from that she read my full and decided to offer me representation.
So I had three offers of representation. Three of them. Which sounds wonderful, but I was freaking out.
After speaking to all of them on the phone, and a lot of deliberation I ended up deciding to sign with Ginger. She's really lovely and I'm really looking forward to working with her.
(Note: All of this occured over the course of September. Most of the time I was in NSW or Queensland. Had you have asked me about this last month, you would've been time travelling.)
If you have any questions, put them in the comments below and I'll answer them in another post. If you'd rather email me, that's fine. I love emails.
*Who is pretty much a goddess. You should read her blog.
**I ran this by my mother first. Don't think I'm doing anything without her permission, kids.
***Okay, Sara sent my entry for me. I was on a road trip and it was about 2 in the morning and I was probably in Dubbo or something. (By the way, don't go to McDonald's in Dubbo. Worst. McDonald's. Ever.)
57 notes passed:
So maybe I'm the first to say an official CONGRATULATIONS! You rock. Your blog rocks. And this novel rocks. Obviously.
FYI, readers, the woman who runs this Secret Agent contest says it's fine to have other people send in entries, because everyone cannot get to a computer at that specific time to enter. It was open to only 50 entries; I hit the button a few seconds past noon and Steph was #26. (I have to point out - because I can be obnoxious - that Steph asked me if she should bow out of the contest once an agent offered representation - I said something wise like No, stay in the contest; you never know what will happen. Which must mean I have some kind of long-distance future-predicting abilities.
Seriously, I love this novel and cannot wait to see it on bookstore shelves. Thanks for letting me be a part of this.
Many, many congrats! I can't wait to see it.
Congratulations! Wishing you a wonderful writing career.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH YAY! :D That's super exciting. CONGRATS. :D Here's to hoping for more bookish good news in the not-distant future. ;D
Wow, congratulations, Steph!! You deserve it so much and I'm so happy for you! Now let's hope Ginger goes and kicks some butt for your novel! :)
Woot! Three offers! Cannot wait to read the awesomeness that is your book.
How wonderful! What a great story. Ginger seems just lovely.
Steph, I am proud of your decision and amazingly happy. You are fifteen years old, darling, and you will be great.
I can't explain how proud I am of you!
Hugs.
Congratulations! That is so impressive. What's the book about?
Well done Steph! Awesome and exciting news.
You really do need to have an 'agent signing party'. :-)
Wow! Major, super duper grats! Wow, just wow! Now comes the shopping and then the selling and contract hammering, then the rewriting, editing, more editing, more editing, some more rewriting, then the pre publicity, the release, the tours, the movie deal, the sucky movie that puts your kids through college...
omg. that's insane!!! I'm so happy for you. I can't believe you AND Chelsea are going to be writing books. That's sooo crazy. I'm very curious about your story now. :) I'm actually working on my story at the moment...well, it's like the third one I've done but practice makes perfect right? LOL
PS Please tell your family that it is customary to throw a party (or buy a nice gift) for a person who has just signed with a literary agent!
WOW!! CONGRATS!! How very awesome is this! Such great news around the ya blogosphere lately! I'm so very proud of you and so very happy for you! I wish you the best of luck! Congrats!!!!
Wow, Steph, that is AMAZING! What wonderful news, and to have not one, but THREE offers of representation - wow. Ginger sounds absolutely awesome. Congratulations!
Such a great thing to happen to such a great book blogger (and clearly, given all the interest in your work, a great writer). Congratulations!
Wow Steph congrats that is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO amazing! Im soooo happy for you. See I KNEW you'd make it and look at this! Wow! Can't wait to read your book!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!! So excited for you! Can't wait to be able to buy your book!
Congratulations Steph! Three offers?! Do you know how rare this happens?!! You go girl!
OMZ! Congratulations! That is sooo cool! ^_^
That is so awesome and unbelievable. Congratulations!!!
been reading your blog for a while now and have to come out of my luker-dom by saying a huge CONGRATS!!! good work Steph, keep it up!!
xxx
Steph, CONGRATULATIONS!
Luck is on your side, and hoefully everything will go well! :)
Woohoo! Congratulations! I wish you much luck and the very best. :D
you. are. AMAZING. don't doubt that, please, regardless of what happens with this novel.
:)
Congratulations! I am so happy for you.
Ahhh, CONGRATS!! Obviously, you'll post when your book is going to be release and all that, so us loyal fans can preorder and then post glowing reviews on our own blogs :-D
Yayyy!!!
Congratulations, congratulations and congratulations! Your story has a talented fairy godmother. Sara J. Henry’s excerpt from Learning to Swim was gripping. Getting an agent is huge. Best of luck with the next hoop. I feel good vibes about this. Thanks for starting my day with a smile.
darling, you already know what i think about this :P
CONGRATS!
i'll be the first one in line for your first signing :D
Oh. My. GOD! Congratulations, Steph! You must, must, must keep us in the loop for your books release. I know that'll probably be a ways off, but I'd love to promote it on my blog! Don't hesitate to ask. :D
Oh my God congratulations! That's the most fantastic news! I'm thrilled for you.
Wow! Congrats to you!! Are you on twitter??
That is so so AWESOME!! Major congrats all around!! =D
Love the blog ! :)
Thanks so much for sharing
I had to stop by and congratulate you. Weronika sent me. What great news, and I wish you all the luck in the world.
Congratulations! Kate x
Wow, that's amazing! Good luck with your writing career!
Aaaaaaah I'm so excited to see this finally out! I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU STEPH! And yes, I will be first in line for pre-orders and such! xo
Congratulations. What a fun and exciting time for you. Best of luck!
That is fantastic! CONGRATULATIONS!
Can you believe this?! SO many book bloggers are getting their books published now!! Someone should publish a box set!
And . . .
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!! This is a UNBELIEVABLE achievement!!!!
Congratulations, Steph...
Best of luck to you.
Peace - Rene
Three other things:
Thank-you muchly for following my blog!
And in case you won't read this particular post, I just posted a blog entry regarding this post on my blog. I just wanted to let you know in case you were interested!
Once again, YAAAAAAAAAAAAY on getting an agent!
Congratulations, Steph! xoxoxo
You deserve nothing but the best! xoxoxo
CONGRATULATIONSSS~!!!
It's so cool that we got great news from both you and Chelsea this week. I can't wait to hear more about your book. PLease update us often ;D
Woohoo Steph. That is fantastic news! Congratulations.
Woohooo! That is SO awesome. Congrats. ;-)
Congratulations! Read about this on The Story Siren's YA Connection! That is amazing! I can't wait to read your story! Please keep us up to date on the road to publication!
Congrats!! ;D
Yay! Fantastic news, Steph--congratulations!!! I've heard so many fantastic things about Ginger Clark. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for sale news soon!
~ Vanessa
Whoo Hoo!
Congratulations :D
CONGRATULATIONS, STEPH!!!! I wish you every success with this book. You deserve it. xx
Wow, that's amazing news, Steph! Congrats. =)
Congratulations! Wooo!
It's always inspiring to read about someone else getting an agent, or making a sale.
Hope you keep us up to date on what happens with that! *g*
Ginger's a fantastic agent (and a great person) -- she's my agent as well. Welcome!
congratulations! wow, THREE agents?! that is almost unheard of. Your book must be a true gem!
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