My Job
As a teacher, I have twenty-four students. Twenty-four kiddos with different needs and abilities, all entrusted in my care. A huge part of my job is to teach them, get them ready for life.
Another part of my job is interacting with parents. Parents who want the best for their children. Parents who sometimes can’t always see their child correctly, because, well, it’s hard when you’re that close. Part of my job is to be honest with parents, but to do so with tact and grace. Part of my job is to answer parents questions, address concerns, listen, offer advice, ensure them I’m doing everything in my ability to help their child succeed.
The Analogy
Just like parents send their children off to school, trusting the teacher will get their child ready for the world, clients send their manuscript off to their agent, trusting the agent will get their manuscript ready for submission – ready to be a published book!
Just like teachers face twenty-four students with varying needs and abilities, agents face a whole stack of manuscripts at different stages in the submission process.
And just like teachers communicate with parents about their children, agents communicate with clients about their manuscripts.
I always tell parents that we’re a team. Their child will receive the best education if we work together and communicate. Same goes for agents and clients. They work together and communicate so their book can receive the best possible chance at publication.
One Step Further
Sometimes it’s hard being a teacher. There’s only one of me and twenty-four of them. Sometimes I wish I could clone myself – then maybe I could get everything done in a day that I’d like to accomplish. I’m sure agents feel the same. Only they usually have more than twenty-four clients. And those clients usually have more than one manuscript. Agents have to juggle a lot of balls at one time. And (most of them) manage to juggle so gracefully.
Two Steps Further
Teachers tend to be underpaid, overworked, and under appreciated. Newsflash: We don’t teach for the money, or the glory. We teach because we love kids. We love seeing them reach their potential. Love seeing them thrive. Love calling parents to tell them their son or daughter had a fantastic day at school. I’m willing to bet it’s the same for agents. I can’t imagine many agents are in this for the money or the glory. I think most agents do what they do because they love books and they love writers.
One Last Thought
When I emailed Jody Hedlund to squee with her about Rachelle offering me representation, she emailed me something that made me smile, because I totally felt the same way. She said: It’s like we’re kids, and we just found out we’re in the same class.
So true. After I got the call, I was jumping around like a soon-to-be 5th grader who just found out she got her favorite teacher. “I got Mrs. Gardner! I got Mrs. Gardner!” And to top it off, I knew two of my really good friends were already in her class.
Questions to Ponder: What “teacher” do you have? Or what “teacher” are you hoping for?
Funny! I think my students feel the same thrill…when they realize they're in another teacher's class!
I love this post and your great excitement!
I'm keeping my teacher wish a secret for now. Sssshhhhh.
What a fabulous analogy! I teach high school so I can definitely empathize.
And congrats again on landing Rachelle- that's awesome! I'd like to sign with Kristin Nelson. We'll see- I start querying in February!
I love this analogy, Katie. I am so proud of you, and find myself wondering when you find time to write, teach, mother and wife. Is wife a verb? It is now!
My "teacher" is the wonderful Diana Flegal of Hartline agency. When I look at her list of authors, all at various stages of publication, I'm amazed she keeps her sanity.
An email I received from her recently shows her heart to help her "students" succeed. When I set up a time to call her, I told her I'd made a list of items to talk about, so I wouldn't waste her time. She shot back, "You never waste my time, girl." That was like an "atta girl" from my 5th grade teacher…
What an awesome post … one that makes you smile!
And here I thought teachers taught for the holidays!! LOL Sorry, but Canadian teachers are in a whole different situation than our American neighbours.
Anyway, as for what teacher I'd like, I don't think I'm there yet to be deciding, but I'm ubber happy for you guys for sure!!
Great post! Natasha, my agent, teaches me the ins and outs re the business angles AND the writing structure, something I missed in Education 101!!!
Soulmates of the most amazing kind, including pubbed authors and readers and interviewees, fill the slots for "Electives" in my curriculum–proofreading 254, encouragement 299, multiculturalism 355.
Love, love your blog!!
Patt
http://www.pattilacy.com/blog
I agree! Agents are extremely busy–they MUST do it because they love it!
great point and congrads on agent! woot woot! Did I know this?
Katie, I love how you ended this, especially with the visual of you and Jody doing virtual High-5s. I remember praying that I would get a pretty teacher. Why? Because I knew I would have to look at her for a WHOLE school year! Shallow, perhaps, but when my teachers were both pretty and talented and nurturing, well, that was the best year ever. 🙂 I am one who likes to walk through life with friends nearby, and I can only imagine how much sweeter that moment must have been for you with Jody nearby. Pure blessing! Enjoy every minute of that journey. As for who I want for a teacher now, it's got to be someone who gets me as a writer, and who understands my limitations but is willing to work with me. I'm very eager to learn, always, and feel I have many stories to tell. Finding the right match is still important to me, but outward beauty is not longer a requirement. Inward beauty, that would be nice. You've found both in Rachelle. 🙂
Katie you nailed it! Having the right teacher, willing to nurture and invest in her students is my ideal. RG would be icing on that cake for sure!
I trust that God will send the right person!
I am so thrilled at all of you in the same class. Great things are coming! :O)
Great analogy. I think I want someone who will build me up, but at the same time teach me to be better.
Love the analogy, and as a retired teacher I can definitely relate. 🙂 I'm still observing from a distance, hoping to make the right connection in due time.
Hi Katie –
I've got a couple of ideas about what agent I'd like, but nothing concrete. At the moment, my focus is writing the best books possible, so I have something worthy of their notice.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Great analogy, Katie!! And I'm so glad we're in the same class and that so many others are joining us! When can we have our class par-tay!?
This is a great analogy because it's so true. And we worry about those kids and if we're reaching them and what else we can do to make them happy. And my agent does that for me too. That's how I know I'm in the right class. 🙂
Great post. Your happiness shines through your words. I find it wonderful you care for your students. We need more teachers like you, really we do. I am a student and I know this.
I'm grinning! Maybe we can sit together during study break or at lunch. 🙂
What a clever analogy, Katie.
I just joined your class and am still in a state of shock. I'm the new kid standing in the doorway with moist palms and trembling knees who is looking at a room full of awesome "students" and wondering how I was granted the privilege of being included in this great group with such an amazing "teacher."
That's so cute about you and Jody and yes I think of it that way indeed! Your so blessed and I loved the insights you shared. Now if I could only find a teacher… 😉
This is an awesome analogy!!
There are several agents that I think I'd faint if one said, "I'd like to talk with you about representation". Meaning, I better not get that call while driving! Ha!
What a wonderful analogy! That was a great post! I especially loved that you were jumping around like a fifth grader. I can see myself doing the same thing.
Yep! I have a "teacher" in mind, and I am in awe of one of her "students" and would LOVE to be in the same class with her…
Isn't this funny… seven years of teaching, and I've never made this connection. It's perfect.
So true our agents have clients, manuscripts, and lives beyond us.
Have you ever read THE PHANTOM TOLLBOOTH (great read aloud/class novel for fifth)? I always told my students I wasn't the Mathmagician: I couldn't multiply myself like he could (though wouldn't that be nice?)
I go to school with you two. I'm the one who waves at you during recess and swaps Fruit Rollups with you guys. I'm still looking for my classroom. I've been told to wait in the principal's office. It's a good thing though b/c I am praying in there about finding the right room and teacher for me.
Loved this post! I squee with you all loudly from the principal's office! On the intercom even.
~ Wendy
Nice analogy. I'm still trying to get into a class I want, but it seems I do have good friends already in all the classes I'm looking at. Hopefully, I get to join one of them in the future.
This is such a great analogy! I love it. LOL I would totally want to be in class with you guys. Since Jody signed with RG, I cyber-know about five other writers who've also signed with her.
I don't know if I'll be in class with you guys, but if I get into the same school I'll be happy. LOL!
Oh, that is such a great analogy! And too cute about the same class reference!
I'm "homeschooling" myself right now. LOL!
Great post! I feel like a five year old just DYING to go to school, hopping from one foot to the other, wondering whose class I will get.
And like a five-year-old, I have no sense of time, so I have NO clue when Kindergarten starts.
But I'm antsy anyway:-)
Katie, great post. I wanted Rachelle, but she doesn't rep MG. *she stomps her feet*
So I really, really, really want Anna Webman. And my MC's name is Anna. How cool is that? But I guess we shall see. I just want someone that loves my book and will represent it honorably. Someone I can trust. You know? 🙂
To be continued…
That is so very special. great post! 🙂