ACFW: Thursday Late Night Chat

I had already signed up for the Agent Panel late night chat. I had already had my one sheet. I already email the moderator of the late night chat telling him I was going to submit it to the panel.

When I walked into the packed room, I already had second thoughts.

It was after the agent and editor panel. Agent after agent, editor after editor had just told the assembly what they were looking for.

Bottom line.

A story that moved them.

That’s where my doubts and insecurities began to bubble up. My story wasn’t deep enough to move anyone. It was rather hokey in my opinion. Yet, I said I was going to submit and what better way to get instant feedback from three of the top agents in the CBA.

I walked into the room, stomach in knots, and found a couple of friends feeling the same way. We sat next to each other, handed our one sheets in and waited.

The first review wasn’t so good or the author. They went into detail why they wouldn’t be interested and they gave their opinion tactfully. Next one, same fate. And the next. And the next. My nerves increased with every not so good review.

Then the agents grabbed a one sheet and smiled. They read the title and tag line and the room chuckled.

It was MY one sheet!

Miracles or miracles. They liked the title. They like the tagline. They like the concept. They liked the layout!

To say I was relieved would be an understatement. I was thrilled.

After all my doubts and insecurities. Fears and second guessing, they liked it.

In fact, the agent (whom I had an appointment with later on in the week) said, “I’m meeting with her. Don’t talk to anyone else!”

If the conference had ended right there I think I would have gotten my money’s worth. It’s just the encouragement I needed to know I was on the right track, though as slow as it may be.

They went through about 30 or so other one sheets, ironically liking the ones of the people sitting in my row!

I don’t know if it was luck, grace or talent that caught the attention of the agents. But whatever it was, I’ll take it.

Later in the week I met with two of the three agents. Did they still like my concept? Did they want to represent me?

I’ll save that for next time!