An Agent With A View
You know how sometimes you meet someone and you instantly click with them? Maybe you become best friends in a blink. Maybe you discover that you work perfectly together. Maybe you only discover a few things in common but it’s enough to know that you genuinely like that person.
That’s how it was for me when I met Literary Agent Sara Megibow. I’d never spent time with her before acting as her driver at a conference, and she’s not my agent, but I discovered quickly that Sara and I see a lot of things the same way from the writing world we both live in to personal things.
My respect for her is part of the reason I invited Sara to join the Her Miracle Man party. The other reason I invited her is because I thought you might like to see how an agent, even one who doesn’t represent an author, can influence a story.
Now, here’s Sara!
So, Sara, I bet people are expecting the typical agent interview. What do you say we give them something a little different?
WOO HOOOO – bring it on! *high fives* *shakes booty*
It’s funny, I thought of you when I was getting dressed this morning. See, I was putting on this really bright shirt and I flashed back to the day I picked you up at the airport. “How will I spot you?” “I have brown hair and I’m wearing a black skirt and a shirt that I’m pretty sure air traffic control can see.” How was I supposed to know there’d be another woman matching that description at the same gate when you came out?
I wonder though, we hear that you agents and editors are often shy and uncomfortable at conferences. What’s it like approaching some random person in an airport asking if they’re you’re ride? Is it embarrassing? Are you really shy?
Ummmm…shy? ME?? No way. I’m a gregarious, boisterous loud mouth. Most of my friends and family wonder constantly how I ended up in such an introverted job. Conferences are like crack to me – I get to have the microphone and talk, talk, talk.
I remember meeting you, Nikki, and our whole weekend together. You’re awesome! So friendly and fun and smart and talented! Thanks for inviting me to celebrate today with you on your blog – this is fun!
I’ll admit, I was a little surprised when one of your ice breaker questions was about what I write. I mean, I’d have thought you would want to wait a little longer before opening yourself up like that to a crazy writer. What surprised me more though was your response to the story I told you about. I’ve never watched someone get that excited about an idea of mine before. And then to have you offer to hook me up with a paramedic/firefighter to discuss a new possible angle… I know you don’t, can’t, do that for everyone you meet. What made you do it for me? Or, for HER MIRACLE MAN?
Some agents are great editors (sadly, I’m not one of them). Some agents are pit bulls about negotiating contracts (I hire lawyers for that, cuz it’s a big and important part of my job and I want someone to have my back). My specialty is that I think like a marketing expert. I’m great at networking and connecting people with opportunities. I love to email my clients with tidbits about the world of publishing, and I’ve closed more than one deal because I send out notes to my clients like this, “X editor just called asking for Y book. Anyone have anything like that in their harddrive?”
So, when you told me about HER MIRACLE MAN, it seemed natural to connect you with my good friend who is a firefighter. Your story is full of heart and that was evident in the way you talked to me about the book. The hook is unique and I felt myself holding my breath and maybe even tearing up a little as you described the story. So, the connection we made is more a testament to you inspiring me and me not being able to stop thinking about how awesome the book is, then, putting some puzzle pieces together from a marketing/ networking/ promotion side. Of course, I’m glad I helped – that’s awesome! And, I’m also glad that the feedback from a real firefighter helped you tell HER MIRACLE MAN with more detail so that readers will be touched by the story the same way I was.
I know I thanked you for putting me in contact with that paramedic/firefighter, who I could totally listen to talk for days because his voice is captivating. Did I tell you how much his information and advice impacted HER MIRACLE MAN? Because of you, I was able to get first hand information on a topic that is so tremendously important. You helped me breathe a new life into an aspect of the story I would never have considered.
I wonder though, how did you get to talking about pediatric life saving practices with a paramedic/firefighter? Is this something you normally chat about at backyard BBQs with friends? Or were you doing research of some kind? Or do you just have that kind of a mind where you want to hear about challenges and the ins and outs of different careers?
Great question Nikki! You are right, my friend with the sexy voice is a firefighter and paramedic. We live in Colorado where wildfires are one of the most dangerous natural disasters around. My mother-in-law and father-in-law watched a wildfire creep within 100 yards of their house three years ago and it was the firefighters who protected their house at great risk to themselves. So, whenever I have that yummy outdoor BBQ with friends we end up talking firefighting and Colorado and fire danger. Of course, we also talk books as my friends are all avid readers. Sexy-voice-firefighter is a science fiction fan, although I have it on good authority that HER MIRACLE MAN is on his must-buy list. 
One fun tidbit – when I was pregnant, I had no fewer than 10 friends and family members with extensive child delivery experience. We joked that I could go in to labor and have someone there to help me no matter what. So, yes – we tend to talk about this stuff. Paramedics and medicine, firefighting and wildfires and books…lots of books.
Now, I know how cool and totally awesome you are, but for those here who need a little extra convincing, let’s find something about you they relate to. After all, if they’re writers, they want to know what to slip into the envelope with their query letters. In HER MIRACLE MAN I touch on some of the heroine’s favorite things. Tell us what some of yours are.
Favorite music? Ok, you started off with an easy one. YES, I am biased here, but my favorite music is my husband’s band, Face. They are an all-vocal rock band and my hubby is the beatboxer.
Check ‘em out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EnSxGY...
Favorite food? Wine. Or steak. Or wine and steak.
Favorite dessert? Anything from a locally owned, home made, romantic bakery. Pastries, brownies, cakes, pies – whatever, as long as I get to buy it from one of those wonderful home baked kind of stores.
Favorite way to spend an evening? Reading (geez, I’m so predictable) or going to hear husband’s band perform at a club. Or hanging out with friends and playing Dungeons and Dragons (true). Or, building couch forts with my son.
Favorite thing to do with friends? Hike, ski, kayak, drink wine, eat, talk…the list goes on.
(By the way, blog visitors who write, you do know that you really shouldn’t try to bribe Sara with chocolate, right? I mean, she may like the stuff, but not when it’s smeared all over your query letter. LOL)
Sara, thank you for being with us today. And guests, what questions do you have for Sara? Chat! If only because doing so enters you in the draw for prizes. Though, Sara’s fun to talk to even if you aren’t a writer looking to win points for a submission.
Thanks Nikki! So nice to *meet* all of you and happy writing! Come check me out on twitter at @SaraMegibow and check out my sales, submission info and clients here:
http://publishersmarketplace.com/members/SaraMegibow/
Nelson Literary Agency is online here (with a hot new website design coming soon):
www.nelsonagency.com
Cheers,
Sara
