I’m happy to announce that I’m now represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
The details:
I attended the Pacific Northwest Writers Conference in Seattle last July and first heard Carolyn speak on an agent panel. She introduced herself and talked about the kind of writing and author she wanted to represent and I felt like she was talking to me. Kerry Schafer and I waited a long time in the hallway waiting to make appointment changes and I was delighted Carolyn had room for me. (Kerry also has a very grounding influence on me, so her presence there was more than a side note, yeah? Looking for a secret weapon? Go to a conference with Kerry.)
The next morning I started my day with speed pitching. I had no idea to whom I would be presenting, only that this was the young adult panel. Speed pitching was great fun and I ended up at Carolyn’s table with three business cards (three requests) already in hand. I was having a great morning, but I really wanted her card the most. When I ended by telling her I’d be meeting her later that day, she said, “Oh, you’re going to be tired of me by then.” No, not likely. And yeah, I liked her.
That afternoon at the longer session, I repeated my Claire Morgane pitch and also told her about my middle grade novel, Spillworthy. She asked me which one I’d like to send first. Happy day.
I submitted Claire Morgane and then I was off to attend Willamette Writers Conference the next week. I learned so much through writing workshops at PNWA and Willamette and, as we all do, I kept thinking about what I could do to improve.
My response to Claire came from Kris Rothstein, an associate agent working with Carolyn Swayze. She said they couldn’t represent the manuscript yet, but she’d like to see a revision. Her suggestions were exactly what I needed to hear. She invited me to call and talk about her ideas for the book and I emailed to set up a time.
And I called.
And wow.
The changes she wanted were big, but they were right. She had the experience to isolate what I needed to do to take this book where it needed to go.
I wrote like hell for the next month.
I sent off the revision.
And then I waited.
And the more I waited, the more I started doubting myself again. The beginning of the book was all new material. Reading it again, I couldn’t shake the feeling I’d submitted a first draft. What was I thinking?
The day I was supposed to hear back from Kris, I was sick. I waited until the end of the business day and fell asleep early, not feeling incredibly hopeful. A windstorm woke me at 3AM and, with my mixed-up sleeping hours, I couldn’t go back to sleep. Might as well start writing early.
Yes. You guessed it. That’s when I heard from Kris. Her email must have come in minutes after I turned off my computer.
She sent notes for the early chapters and I nodded as I read her thoughts. Yes. True. Absolutely right. And then she noted that this was new material and she hoped I’d smooth it out—because the rest of the book was really quite good—save a couple things I could change here and there. She really hoped I’d consider making the changes.
I reread that section a couple times because it sounded like I was getting another chance. And her suggestions were so good. I had to make sure I wasn’t getting my hopes up for nothing. Yes. She wanted to see revisions.
And then I finished reading the next paragraph—the one that included talk of a contract and representation. She was going out of town, but she’d like to discuss it with me the next week.
And that’s how I found out I was on the cusp of representation. The end of a long revision, discussion with someone who really understood what I wanted my book to be, weeks of waiting, another chance to revise, and then discussion of a contract—and there I was at 3AM, wanting to scream, wanting to tell someone, alone in the quiet of my perfect writing bubble. If I startled everyone awake, I’d lose my writing time for the day. So, yeah. I could tell them later. I started revising.
Today my contract arrived and the news finally feels real enough to say out loud. And I’m driving today and have no internet connection. Funny how these things work. So you all will know in the morning.
Which is now *this* morning.
I’m happy to announce that I’m represented by the Carolyn Swayze Literary Agency.
Yay!
Tuesday, December 14th, 2010, 6:31 am | 
agents, Claire Morgane, PNWA, Willamette Writers | 
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December 14, 2010 at 11:32 am
OMG! This is such awesome news! Congratulations. All your hard work and perseverance have paid off.
December 14, 2010 at 6:37 pm
@johannaharness OMG YAYA!! *kermit flail*
December 14, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Thanks so much for all the congrats today! So overwhelmed and happy. Yay! http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/12/1...
jfritsche Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
@johannaharness Congrats on your big news! That is wonderful. :-)
dearsusanbranch Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
@johannaharness You deserve it!!! I watch you tweet every day, you never quit, everything you get you will have earned! Congratulations!
kellylyman Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 8:03 pm
@johannaharness Congrats! What a way to start off the holidays!
tinahoggatt Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
@johannaharness Congrats – great news and great story. you worked hard for this – enjoy this time.
meg_evonne Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 8:45 pm
RT @johannaharness: Thanks so much for all the congrats today! So overwhelmed and happy. Yay! http://johannaharness.com/blog/2010/12/1...
Nancy_Kelley Reply:
December 14th, 2010 at 9:10 pm
@johannaharness Congrats, Johanna!! Your hard work has paid off.
djolder Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 1:34 am
@johannaharness Just read that post- So exciting! congrats! :) :) *confetti*
megancfloyd Reply:
December 15th, 2010 at 2:31 am
@johannaharness Many Congratulations! It sounds well earned!
December 14, 2010 at 8:04 pm
@johannaharness That’s GREAT NEWS! Congrats!! Can’t wait to see the first book. ;)
December 14, 2010 at 3:15 pm
Congratulations. What a wonderful, and intense, story. You clearly need some friends in Europe. 3am is smack dab in the middle of the day. Great work on the revisions and how wonderful to find someone who can really see the novel you intended.
Cheers,
Margaret
December 14, 2010 at 9:28 pm
@johannaharness love your authenticity in sharing. Thrilled for you!
December 14, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Congratulations. When I got involved in Claire, I knew it was just a matter of time for you.
December 15, 2010 at 7:17 am
I never had a doubt! Congratulations! Looking forward to the published work!
December 15, 2010 at 2:01 pm
@johannaharness That’s such great news! You deserve it!
December 15, 2010 at 8:02 am
Many congratulations! You’ve worked so hard and it is fully deserved.
December 15, 2010 at 8:02 am
Congratulations! Your post is so wonderful — not only because it showcases hard work and real emotion, but also because it has a happy ending! Love! And yay!
December 15, 2010 at 8:07 am
Congratulations, Johanna. So happy for you!
December 15, 2010 at 8:21 am
Congrats! Wow. A great experience. It was meant to be. Many blessings to you :)
December 15, 2010 at 8:37 am
Wow, what a great story. Congratulations!
December 15, 2010 at 7:51 pm
I’m so happily overwhelmed by the well-wishes flowing from all of you. I think I’ve connected with everyone on twitter but, if I missed you there, thank you. You’re amazing.
December 16, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Awesome! Congratulations!!!
December 17, 2010 at 12:14 am
Sooooo stoked for you, Johanna! Congratulations!
December 18, 2010 at 1:33 pm
That is great news. Sorry it took so long to comment here. I think I have on twitter.
Certainly no one is more deserving.
December 19, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Congratulations on your representation!! All your great work is paying off. We are all so happy for you!
Cheers!
Teia
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