I just have to get this off my chest right away. You might love your agent you might even love your agent except I have the very best agent in the entire wide world. So there. I’m not trying to make you jealous or anything but it’s true. While all agent/writer relationships are different and I will concede that he might not be the right agent for you he’s definitely the right agent for me!

Now I know…you’re salivating Who is it? What’s his email address? Can I get a personal recommendation? Wow! Isn’t he handsome? Since he once told me that I should send anyone I understand who is querying his way and he’d be very upset if they signed with someone else without his getting a seem first I’m pretty sure he’d want me to actually mention his name here. He is the fabulous Michael Bourret at Dystel & Goderich Literary Management (and if you didn’t mean it Michael well…be cautious what you say to me since like you I have an excellent memory).

Michael and I are a fantastic match. We both like to surprise other people (although he doesn’t like surprises I’m totally open to them – especially gifts luxury vacations Cubs tickets and multi-book deals even when I only have one book out on submission) we know that there’s no point in even eating chocolate unless it’s milk chocolate caramels are both a cause for celebration and a means to congratulate and we’re both born in the same month (the best month of the year – but I won’t tell you so if you’re born in one of the other eleven months you won’t feel bad).

Michael and I have contests to see who can answer an email faster wittier and also who gets the last one in. Michael often tries to outdo me by sending an email with only a smiley face in it behind I make a particularly hilarious and quick comment thinking that I can’t come up with a response to that. The truth is I know he likes to get in the last word so sometimes I let him. It’s good to humour your agent once in a while (but don’t tell him).

When Michael called to offer he never actually offered. It was kind of like when someone tells you how much they like you like if they’re leading up to asking you out and they even mention a concert on a certain day but then never actually say “Will you go with me?”

He ended our half hour conversation with something along the lines of “Well I’m sure you have a lot to think about. So just get back to me when you’re ready.”

Finally I took a deep breath and said “Ummm…so are you offering to rep me?”

He laughed. “Yes! Of course I am!”

Naturally I couldn’t let him have the last word that time. “I don’t need to think about it!!!” I exclaimed. “I definitely want to sign with you!!!!’

Did I mention we both love !!!! as well (just not in the manuscript)?