The Call

I realized I've never really posted about receiving "The Call" from my agent, Christine Witthohn.

"The Call" is one of those things you always imagine, and try to plan for, so that you won't sound completely idiotic when it happens.  Of course, despite all the mental practice, I still managed to sound like a half-wit, because it was so completely unexpected.

But let me start closer to the "inciting incident".  And I'll try to set the scene as well.

It was an evening in early March, which, since our story takes place in New England, means we still had about six months of winter left.  Okay, I exaggerate.  I got to finally turn the heater off in late May.  (But I wished I'd waited until mid-June.)

My BFF Brenda had called me that evening to ask if I could look at some clothes online.  She was considering buying them, and wanted to consult with me, to get a second opinion.  I looked, gave my thoughts, and we hung up.  She called back, within just a few minutes, and had me look at something else. 

When I was done, I tossed the cell phone onto the couch, and went into the kitchen, to check on something I was cooking for dinner.   (Those of you who are devoted readers of this blog will know how unusual that is, so yes, I should have been alerted to the strange forces in the air that night.)

The phone rang again, and I remember laughing as I came back into the living room to pick up the phone.  I didn't even look at the caller ID, since what I expected to hear was, "Okay, go to this website and check out this top". 

But what I actually heard was, "This is Christine Witthohn, from Book Cents Literary Agency". 

My response?  "Oh!  I thought you were going to be my friend."

Yup.  After all that late-night practice, complete with witty repartee and engaging conversation designed to make an agent fall in love with me, that's the best I could come up with.  

So of course I had to fumble around and explain why I'd blurted someting so inane, and Christine gamely answered, "No, it's just me."

Fortunately Christine was enamored of my writing abilities, and not put off by my lack of speaking ones.  We chatted a bit about I Do. . .or Die, my contemporary romance that I'd submitted to her a few weeks earlier. 

She gave me some ideas of a few things she thought would strengthen the manuscript, and then suggested I contact a few of her clients as references, and then she and I could talk the next evening, to see if we were a good fit.

When I got off the phone I called Brenda, and I truly have no clue what I said to her.  But I think squealing commenced, on both ends of the phone line.  I know for a fact she wasn't expecting THIS kind of news when I called HER.

I contacted several of Christine's clients, who naturally raved about her, and were so gracious about answering my questions.  The next evening Christine and I chatted for about 90 minutes, and I can't even remember now everything we talked about, although I do know we went through my manuscript in detail.  I took extensive notes, some of which actually made sense the following day.

I asked if I could think things over, because I was still feeling a bit dazed, plus there were other agents with the full manuscript and I felt I should contact them.

There were several "little things" that made a big impression on me.  One of these was when Christine sent a quick email that evening saying essentially, "take your time, don't worry about anything".  I'd been nervous about asking for a week's time to figure everything out, but she was very nice about it all. 

Another important "little thing" was when we'd discussed the tough nature of the current market for contemporary romance, and how it would be an easier sell to revamp the book into a mystery.  Christine was 100% fine with me choosing to take the hard road.  When she said, "If that doesn't work, we'll try something else", I knew we'd work well together, because I'm a firm believer that there's more than one way to accomplish a goal. 

Since that first call, Christine and I have chatted many times on the phone, and I truly appreciate how accessible she is.  Her calls still surprise the heck out of me, usually because I send her an email, and she'll call in response.  BUT, now I manage to converse intelligently, and coherently.  (Well, except for that one time when I was neck-deep in revisions, and she was the first human I'd talked to in 12 hours, but it all worked out.  I'm pretty sure.)

Of course, now I'm waiting on another call.  This book is on submission, and whenever my phone rings and the caller ID says "Christine", I'm hoping she's calling with news that will make both of us happy.

After all, I've been practicing for that moment.  Even if I'm pretty sure I'm going to be completely speechless and/or incoherent when it does happen. 

But at least Christine will be expecting that from me.

Okay, tell me your stories.  Were you prepared?  Did it matter that you were?  If you haven't gotten The Call yet, tell me what you're doing to get ready for it!

Comments

[Maureen]

Caller ID is your friend... But I love these stories where an author blurts out honest reaction... I mean, we all dream of the phone call but do we prepare? Not really!

Mine was all done via e-mail, but it was cool. I'm sure if I re-read my e-mail I'd probably find some totally innane phrase, even with the opportunity to review before hitting send. I don't want to think what I would have done with a phone call, undoubtedly blathered incoherently!

Hope the next call for you totally sends you screaming around the house. With joy, or course! And may it be soon!

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, I love caller ID -- and this is the one time I didn't think I needed to check it! LOL I seriously thought I *was* prepared, but I definitely was caught off guard. LOL

I'm hoping you get a call soon too. You shouldn't get to miss out on the opportunity to blurt and scream. LOL

[Anita Clenney]

Loved the story, Donna. This is so like something that would happen to me. Here's hoping the BIG DADDY of all calls comes quickly!

[Petemorin.wordpress.com]

Hi Donna - I got my call from CW about three minutes after I'd sent her an email that said "I'm told that it's acceptable to inquiry after 4 months" (being the amount of time she had my ms). She apologized for taking so ling and said she wanted to talk about representation. I'm sure she went through the same process with both of us, as it was almost exactly at the same time!

(BTW, I'm in New England too)

Pete

[Petemorin.wordpress.com]

(Memo to Pete - proof read your post)

[Donna Cummings]

Anita, thanks for the good wishes! I probably better start "practicing" now, right? LOL (As if it'll make a difference!)

[Donna Cummings]

Pete, I'm laughing at the thought of Christine thinking, "What IS it with those New Englanders on the phone?" LOL

Are you going to be at Crime Bake in November? I'll get to meet Christine face-to-face for the first time, so I'm looking forward to that. :) It sounds like there will be some other BC Peeps there as well.

And no worries about the proofreading -- I always seem to spot the typos right AFTER I hit send (they must have a force field up before then.) LOL

[Liz Lipperman]

Donna, I left a really long comment earlier. What happened to it? It was filled with wisdom!!

[Donna Cummings]

Liz, I'm so sorry! TypePad seems to do that sometimes -- I can only guess it loved your wisdom, and decided to keep it for itself!

I'll keep my fingers crossed that it shows up later -- "the prodigal comment". LOL

[Rochelle Staab]

Cute story, Donna. I can so easily relate to the girlfriend call-swap routine! You made me smile.

My moment came during lunch break when I was on jury duty. I was huddled against a window at small table in the noisy cafeteria of the LA Criminal Courts Building when Christine called. I remember being tongue-twisted nervous, the reception in the cafeteria sucked and it was pouring outside. My glee in forced containment until the judge let us go at the end of the day.

I hope Christine is keeping notes on her author calls. They'll be a hilarious addition to her memoirs someday.

Rochelle

[Donna Cummings]

Rochelle, that must have been torturous for you! LOL The judge was probably wondering why you were smiling so much too. :)

I bet Christine is keeping notes! Which is why I thought I'd get my version of events out there first. LOL

[Joni Sauer-Folger]

Okay...I didn't get a call, but was pretty damn speechless when Christine told Kari that I was the newest BC Babe...in the bathroom at the Karaoke bar during Conference.

Liz said, "You don't seem very excited." I said something like, "Did she really just say that?" It STILL doesn't feel real, but then, I'm pretty new. Haven't even had a phone conversation with her yet.

But that's a story in itself. She called, but I didn't recognize the area code and deleted the call. LOL Geez, what a nimrod!! (sigh) I'm hoping she will call back.
Joni

[Donna Cummings]

Joni, your "call story" is definitely the most unusual. LOL I can see where it would seem unreal, but you got to talk to her in person, which makes it even MORE real. :)

You'll definitely be ready next time she calls! :)

[Pete]

Yes, Donna, I will be at Crime Bake. I know Cassy is coming too, but I didn't check the list of attendees to see who else. I live 25 minutes from the venue.

[Donna Cummings]

Pete, it sounds like the BC crowd will be well represented at Crime Bake. (Hope somebody is taking up a collection for all the bail money we'll need. LOL)

[Terri Osburn]

I almost missed this! And it made me teary. I think it's a combination of happy for you and extreme longing for a CALL on my part. LOL! I can't wait until we get the email that you've sold. That is going to be one helluva party on the pirate ship!

(And for Chance too!)

[Donna Cummings]

Terri, you are too sweet! I want you to get that call too (and have my fingers crossed for you so hard there's no circulation). The party is going to be legendary. LOL Let's start planning for it now -- I'll have the Hotties practice their cover poses. LOL

[Liz Fichera]

She sounds like a lovely agent. I have heard nice things about her. She also sounds like the type of agent who'll hang with you when the going gets rough. Good luck with your submission!

[Donna Cummings]

Liz, thanks for the good luck wishes. Christine really is great, and I'm glad we're working together--the whole process seems so much easier. :)