Saturday, January 29, 2011

Ummm so, I got THE CALL!!!!

Squeee!!!!  I have news!

I am now represented by Jim McCarthy from Dystel & Goderich Literary Management!!!!

Ok, I really have to stop with the exclamation points, but !!!!!
so, how did this happen, you ask?
Well, let me break it down for you.

For those searching for an agent, a piece of advice we often hear is "query agents who represent books you love."  Can I just say that this is the BEST advice ever?

As you know, I LOVED The Forest of Hands and Teeth and The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan.  So, I queried Jim McCarthy, Carrie's agent, on 1/2.  Jim requested the full manuscript on 1/10 and I got The Call on 1/19.

Being the studious agent-stalker, ahem, I mean researcher I am, I mean was, I knew Jim usually read manuscripts in about a week (he's super fast).  So, when a week had passed since I'd sent the full and I hadn't received a rejection, I was hopeful.

My cell phone rang on 1/19 in between 5th and 6th period (I teach high school).  I glanced at the number, saw the 212 area code and thought, "Is that New York?  Maybe it's Jim McCarthy calling to offer representation.  Oh, hahahaha, Alyson you are SO funny."  I declined the call.  My students were walking in.

When I finally listened to the message, my head nearly exploded.  It was like slow-motion.  I kept looking around waiting for someone to say "just kidding." But all the message said was to call him back and I was completely unprepared.

I stayed after school helping a student.  I went home.  I paced, I had a snack so I wouldn't throw up.  I looked up the right questions to ask.  I called back.  Voicemail.  I don't know how, but I slept that night.

The next morning, I had an email from Jim saying he was sorry he missed me and when could we chat?  I called him during my off-period.  I locked my classroom door and closed the blinds.  I paced among the desks and stammered.

Just hearing Jim say my title and how much he loved it, hearing him say my characters' names, hearing him talk about my book as if it was just that: an actual book, was such an enormous validation.  I was no longer some crazy girl with people in her head, mumbling to herself in a corner with a laptop.

I was a blabbering idiot on the phone.  "Umm, yeah, oh my god, yeah, thank you, umm, I'm exited, umm," but I tried to ask my list of questions.  When he offered representation it took all my strength not to jump up and down and scream.  Two other agents had the manuscript.

I emailed the other 2 agents, letting them know of the offer and that I wanted to make a final decision in a week.  One of the other agents offered and I spoke with her on the phone, but it was never a difficult decision.  I mean OMG, I have the same agent as Carrie Ryan!  OK, I also have the same agent as many really amazing writers whose books have now moved to the top of my TBR pile.  But like, I totally want to be Carrie Ryan when I grow up!  (oops sorry, does that sound stalkerish?  I'm not a creeper, I swear).

OK Junkies, thanks for letting me share my news!  Good luck to all those queriers out there.  It can happen, don't give up!

28 comments:

  1. That is phenomenal news! I'm so happy for you :) He has a great reputation, and from what I've read, the authors in his roster are proud to work alongside him.

    Congrats once again!

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  2. Congratulations. Brad send me over to say congrats. Well indirectly. I restarted blogging just this week after a three month hiatus. My focus came back. Churning out poetry like crazy. Anyways, he became a follower, I followed him back to his blog, thus I am here. To say congrats. That is awesome news.

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  3. Congrats!!! That's awesome!!! (as you can see, I also have a !!! problem and it's not even my good news!). I'm not to the querying stage yet, but I get so excited reading about other writers' successes. Keep us updated!!

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  4. CONGRATS!!! That is one heck of an agent, missy :D

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  5. Fantastic news! What a great "call" story :)

    Major congratulations and a big brownie are in order! Best of luck on selling the book soon!

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  6. Hey! I follow Brad's blog and saw his post about you, and wanted to send a HUGE congrats your way! That is so exciting!

    I can't wait to read your book someday. I look forward to stalking your blog :)

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  7. Wow great news!!! Congratulations, it's so inspiring to know this does actually happen!!! Can't wait to hear more about your journey to publication :-)

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  8. OMG!!! Congratulations!!! (See, I can use the exclamation points, too!!! :D) And LOL, I can't believe you declined The Call!! I'm glad it turned out okay in the end. And I can't wait to read your book in the shelves! YAY!! *throws confetti* *does a crazy silly dance*

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  9. Thanks for all the exclamation points and confetti, everyone!

    Monica-I knowI I can't believe I declined The Call either! But I truly couldn't believe it was an agent calling, plus it was not a conversation to have in a room full of 17 yr olds.

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  10. Hey Alyson! I hope you don't mind that I saw this via googlealerts and had to pop by to say CONGRATULATIONS!! That's fantastic news!!! As you prob know, I LOVE LOVE Jim and he's just so fantastic to work with. Squee!!

    If you ever have any questions or if there's anything I can do to help out, please just feel free to email (carrieATcarrieryan.com). Also your post kinda made me feel like a rockstar -- thanks :)

    YAY!!!

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  11. Ummm OMG Carrie Ryan commented on my blog!

    OK, I need to stop doing that. Like right now.

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  12. Awesome news! Many congratulations.

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  13. I'm the PROUDEST Momma ever!!!! I've been bragging about you all weekend and telling everyone the story of how you wrote your first book at age 3! OMG Carrie Ryan commented on your Blog!

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  14. Congrats!!! What wonderful news!! :)

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  15. Congrats! Congrats! Funny, you posted right below me in "Hell." I also signed with Dystel & Goderich (Stephanie DeVita) this month. We're agency mates! We can happy dance together! Or we can just go grab a celebratory cocktail. : )

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  16. This was so much fun to read! Congratulations, Alyson!

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  17. Oh, I am so happy for you. Congrats.

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  18. Yay! I saw your fantastic news on AW and wanted to pop over to offer you congrats.

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  19. Alyson, super congratulations!!!! Considering the rewrites you went through with that manuscript, you've definitely earned it :)

    Will see you at the February meeting!

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  20. Congrats. Want me to have some wine for you. I will. And chocolate too but only if you say the word. I'd do that for you and in whatever order. I'm so happy for you!!! This is truly inspirational. Can't wait for the book widget:)

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  21. Thank you so much everyone!

    Samantha--thanks! Yes, let's do both!

    Heather-- thank you, can't wait to see you and everyone in HoustonYAMG

    TC MCKee-- yes please, do what you gotta do :)

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  22. Alyson-- CONGRATULATIONS! I get the digest version of the Houston YA/MG emails so I am just now reading about your call, but OMG :-) I love Jim, too, and have read how amazing he is to work with. How exciting is that? I also read your comments and it sounds like you have a wonderful support system in your Mom, and I am so excited for you that Carrie Ryan commented. What a week! I wish you all the success in the world. Looking forward to re-meeting you at the next meeting and saying congrats in person!

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  23. Wow your enthusiasm has me jumping off the walls WITH YOU! That's incredible!!! WOOHOO!!! I'm so happy for you!!! That's so freaking exciting!!!!!

    That being said we'll have to chat about it on Thursday! I want more details and I'll for sure be at the Lauren Oliver event! I'll see you there!

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  24. OMG what a great great GREAT getting the call story! Congratulations again - can't wait to see your book in print!

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