How the next few weeks might affect my writing career, and why I’m not sure how I feel about it.

First, thanks to anyone who purchased Borrowed Magic while it was one sale!  I had some great sales numbers.

And now for the real topic of this post…

In three weeks, I will attend one of the largest writers’ conferences in the country.  This is a learning conference, where you take classes and listen to ideas on how to improve your writing.  A ton of great presenters come and the classes are great.  I’ve been three other times and never been disappointed.

This time, I have the opportunity (picked in a lottery) to pitch to an agent.  Not just any agent.  One of the biggest YA (young adult) agents in the country!  I can’t say how thrilled I am about this.  And how nervous.  I plan to pitch my finished manuscript, Blessed.  It’s another YA fantasy but on a more epic scale than Borrowed Magic.  It’s not a stand alone but the first in a trilogy set in a mediterranean-type world with three different kingdoms and a greek gods kind of thing.  I think it’s the best thing I’ve ever written and can’t say how excited I am about it.

Which is where the “not sure how I feel about it” comes in.  If this agent were to want Blessed, it would be a huge opportunity that I couldn’t turn down.  However, that means I can’t put the book out this summer, which I will do if the agent isn’t interested.  So I’m torn.  The agent would be great for my career.  BUT it also means I don’t have as much control over timing, etc.  (Remember my post a few times ago about how long it takes a traditional publisher to get a book on shelves?  1 1/2 – 2 years!  Not to mention getting an agent doesn’t necessarily mean getting a publisher.)  And it means you won’t be able to read it as soon — assuming you want to.  🙂

Complicating it all, I’ve almost finished outlining the second book in the trilogy, and I’m soooooo excited about it!  I love the characters, the plot, everything.  And I’d love to have people reading it in 9 months instead of 3 years!

I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what happens.  I think it can be good either way.