Wednesday, January 27, 2016

Change

It's okay, you don't have to pay
I've got all the change
--Ben Folds, "Still Fighting It"

I don't do change well. I don't think many people do, but since it's becoming clear that change is going to be the theme of our 2016, I've decided to embrace it.

But it's still sort of terrifying.

It started at the end of last year, actually. I'd been feeling like I needed to blaze a new trail, but change is hard, so I resisted. Then, just before Christmas, I realized that the time was right. All of the little loose ends were (finally) getting tied up, so I did the thing I'd been dreading for a while: I parted ways with Kate and wrote a new query for the first time in four years.

I sent my first real batch of queries on the first Saturday in January. Seven minutes later, I had my first request. The next day, the agent e-mailed me with several questions about the manuscript, and the next day, I e-mailed him with my answers. I also told him about a proposal I'd been working on, and he asked to read that, too. Later that same day, he asked to set up a phone call, and during that phone call the next day, he offered to represent me.

I did my due diligence and had some great conversations with two other agents. They ended up offering, too, but I just couldn't get the first agent's enthusiasm out of my head. I was also impressed with his initiative and drive. He didn't have to tell me he'd get the job done because he'd already shown me (and we're all about showing, not telling, in this business).

So now I'm represented by Brent Taylor of Triada US Literary Agency. (If you want to see my query, check out this interview.) He is as fierce as Beyonce and as capable as any agent I've ever met or heard of, and I'm extremely grateful to have him in my corner. As the cogs of another big part of my life start to whir and buzz around me, I can honestly say that I hope these other changes go as smoothly as this one did. To new years and fresh starts!

13 comments:

Ben Spendlove said...

So on a whim I pull up your blog for the first time in months, and wow. Congratulations, and best of luck.

I also want to add that I really like DON'T VOTE FOR ME. There aren't many books I'll read more than once, and I know you've got more of them. So get 'em published!

JeffO said...

I imagine it couldn't have been easy making the decision to part ways with your agent, even if you believe it's the right thing to do (and really, why else would you do it?). Congratulations on your move, and I wish for a long, happy, and successful partnership for you and Brent!

Laura Moe said...

Congratulations. Getting one agent is a enough, and now you have a second one. Maybe now that my book is coming out soon, I will have some luck.
By the way, you are mentioned my acknowledgments. I won in one of your agent contests, and even though, she didn't represent me, she gave me some solid feedback to improve my MSS.
If you'd like a review copy, here's a link.

http://abovethetreeline.com/reading-edelweiss-digital-arcs/about-digital-review-copies-in-edelweiss/for-publishers-how-to-sign-up-for-our-digital-review-copy-mo.html

Rena said...

Congratulations on finding a new agent so quickly! Good luck, publishing is all about the long game, so keep trucking!

HeatherCRaglin said...

Congratulations, Krista! That's such exciting news! Can't wait to hear more about your new ms.

Maria said...

Huge congrats! Cheers to a new year and what sounds like a promising change for you.

Sarah Ahiers said...

Congrats!! Yay for new beginnings!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Good timing, Ben. And thanks for your kind words about DON'T VOTE FOR ME. They mean a lot.

Thank you so much, JeffO. It was a tough decision, but as soon as I made it, I could almost feel the weight lifting. I'd been carrying around the stress and anxiety for so long that I didn't even notice it was there until it was gone.

Thank you, Laura. I've been very blessed (and incredibly lucky). And I'd love to check out your new book, but I'm not on Edelweiss. Is there another way to look it up?

Thanks for your well wishes, Rena (and for your words of wisdom).

Thank you, Heather! I look forward to being able to share more details in the coming months.

Thanks, Maria!

Thank you, Sarah! If I remember right, this is going to be a big year for you, isn't it? :)

Leslie S. Rose said...

This kicks "lucky seven" up a notch. Congrats!!!!!

tracikenworth said...

Congrats, Krista!! I wish you much success!!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Thanks, Leslie and Traci!

Myrna Foster said...

I'm glad that your first change went so well. I'm hoping this is a great year for you!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Right back at you, Myrna! And speaking of changes, if you ever need that place to stay in northern Utah... :)