Life is pretty sweet, but every once in awhile it takes a turn for the totally awesome.
Which is exactly what happened recently–starting with an email and phone call from Chip MacGregor a couple weeks ago and then another phone call with another MacGregor Literary, Inc., agent–Amanda Luedeke.
Who, I’m sooo happy to say, is now my agent. Yay!!
I “signed” the agreement earlier this week…digitally. And though I’m so not a scrapbooker, I couldn’t help posing for a picture of me pretending to actually physically sign the agreement.
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| Yes, my hair is frizzy. But it’s 100 degrees and humid in Iowa. So there! |
I am ree-diculously excited to be working with Amanda and MacGregor Literary. So much so that I may have over-celebrated at one point…with pizza…and M&Ms…and Twizzlers…and too much caffeine to admit to.
You know, it’s fun to have a big dream. It’s fun to see God pave each step of the way toward the dream.
But I’ll tell ya, in the midst of my excitement, this one thought keeps zipping through my brain: Timing.
God’s timing is unbeatably awesome, yeah? And I see the evidence of His timing, His fingerprints all over today’s fun news. Knowing He’s at work in my life, in my writing, in my dreams is even sweeter than my signature on that agreement.
Though, I’m still totally full-pot-of-coffee giddy about that signature and what it means for this writing thing! Amanda is awesome and I really do feel privileged to work with her.
(It also seems we share a special place in our hearts for Dr. Quinn. It’s possible I just lost some credibility there, but I’m sorry, what girl of the 90s doesn’t love the long-haired, hatchet-throwing Sully?)
Tell me about your dream! (We’ve done this before, but I love talking about dreams.) What’s the next goal line you’re hoping to cross? How can I pray for you?
Comments 52
Yay! Congratulations!!!! You are going to post your “how it all happened” story right? Us aspiring authors NEED to know. 🙂 For the last few years my dream has been to be a published author, and that dream still lives. For the last year, after a really hard season in life, my dream was to have a home again. And three weeks ago we closed on a beautiful house that I am currently very much enjoying. God has definitely been moving in some major ways!
Congratulations again!
Hey Rachel–thanks for the congrats!! And congratulations to you on the new house. How fun! I’m sorry it came after a hard season, but it’s probably cool to look back and see how God was working all along…
The “how it happened story.” Well, I attended one of Chip MacGregor’s classes at the Blue Ridge conference in May…because if I’m ever at a conference and he’s teaching, I’m there. I stayed after class to chat with Chip, he gave me his card and a week or so later, I sent him my proposal. A couple weeks after that, he emailed to say he’d like to talk more over the phone. We had a great chat and he let me know Amanda would like to chat, too. So a few days later, we talked…and she offered representation. Fun!!
But here’s a cool sidenote: I originally met Chip a couple years ago at an MBT retreat during which we learned to pitch. (Plug for MBT!!) We actually got to practice pitch to him, and that was such a good experience. (And totally non-scary since Susan May Warren was sitting next to me. 🙂 ) It’s cool to me, being able to look back and see how God cracked the door open quite awhile ago, but took time to keep working in me and helping me grow as a writer before actually scooting me through the door…I think He does that with all of us!
Realized I left a huge piece out of that story…and that’s how I ended up at Blue Ridge in the first place. I really didn’t think I’d be able to go…wanted to, mostly because I think Edie Melson is awesome and since she’s one of the co-directors, of course the conference would be awesome. But I didn’t think there’d be anyway I could afford it…even AFTER I received a scholarship to the conference. Travel expenses and all that. But…I had a really cool conversation with my mom in which she reminded me if God wanted me to go, He’d get me there…and on the day I had told the scholarship person I’d get back to him about whether I could accept or not, two awesome ladies asked if they could donate to my travel expenses. I took it as a sign. 🙂 And from there, everything fell into place–including my mom coming with me, which was such a blast! And that’s where I got the chance to chat with Chip…cool!
LOVE it! That’s what happened with me and ACFW. Love how God works those things out. And I’m so thankful that you were able to be at Blue Ridge and have that experience and also because we got to meet.
I’m so excited for you, friend. As for my dream . . . it’s pretty much to post a very similar blog post and picture very soon.
Blue Ridge was so fun–and getting to hang out with you was a huge part of that. I’m praying you do indeed get to post a similar blog with a similar photo…soon!! 🙂
Your news is pure awesomeness!!! Congratulations and very excited for you!!! 🙂
Thanks bunches, Beth! I still kick myself for not getting to hang out with you more at Blue Ridge! Next year…?? 🙂
Definitely!!! Thanks for sharing your story too–how cool!
Congratulations, Melissa! I got to meet Amanda at a local writers meeting and she is so smart and savvy and funny. Can’t wait to see what doors open for you next! 🙂
I totally agree–she is all those things. I’m so excited to have her representing me!
Woohoo! Congrats, Melissa. So excited for you.
Thanks, Julie!
Melissa, I’m so excited for you – I might have to go break into my own bag of M&M’s! I just read your comments on how it happened and you’re absolutely right about God’s timing and putting all the pieces together so perfectly. While each piece slips into place we can’t see the big picture and I think sometimes we’re so impatient thinking that nothing is happening, but in reality, God is working His wonders and saying: be patient, trust me… I’m especially excited to get to the MBT Storytellers Retreat in October and start working with all the fabulous gals in that bunch – you’ve definitely sold me on that organization!
I hope you did go find some of your own M&Ms. Have you ever had the pretzel ones? So good! Also, I love this: While each piece slips into place we can’t see the big picture and I think sometimes we’re so impatient thinking that nothing is happening, but in reality, God is working His wonders and saying: be patient, trust me..
That’s good stuff, Gabe.
And…I’m sooo thrilled that you’re going to the Storycrafters Retreat. That retreat absolutely changed my writing and my life in general. I loved it.
Ha! Melissa, I was just reading your post as your comment on my blog came through. I’ll have the chance to congratulation you twice 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Such great news! I’m so happy for you.
Totally celebrate with pizza and M&M’s and anything else your heart desires!
My dream…ahh…getting an agent. I have so many stories in my head, I’m excited to get them out there for the world to see!
Thanks for the congrats, Cindy! I might have to break out the M&Ms again tonight. 🙂 I’m going to pray for each dream listed here today, including yours about getting an agent!
Congratulations! I’m so thrilled for you, Melissa! Such awesome news…I love to hear this kind of news. Makes my heart sing for you! Awesome awesome awesome!
I enjoyed reading Extravagant Worship. I picked it up and couldn’t put it down. Thanks again for the book.
Thank you, Loree. Oh, I’m so glad you loved the book. I know it was somewhat directed at music leaders, but it reeeeally inspired me…especially the chapter on dreams.
YAY!! Congratulations!! Welcome to the Mac Lit group 😀 I am so happy for you and just know that this is one huge step bringing you closer to your dreams! So happy for you! Ok and now I have a shirtless Sully in my head. I know you didn’t say shirtless, but that’s just where my mind went, LOL. Enjoy your wonderful accomplishment and praise to God for orchestrating it all.
Thank you, Joanne! MacGregor Literary was absolutely my dream agency, so I’m way excited to be part of the group.
A shirtless Sully…haaa!!
Whoo hoo! Awesome!
Thanks, Marney! So fun to get to meet you at Blue Ridge!
You’re awesome, Melissa!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS! God’s timing is soooo perfect and I can’t wait to see what happens to you next! I’m reading to be reading and promoting YOUR book before you know it. 😀
YOU are awesome, Casey…can’t wait to get to hang out with you more at ACFW. I can’t wait til I get to read/promote your book someday, too. I still remember judging that Frasier entry…being blown away… 🙂
SO glad to be working with you, Melissa. If I wasn’t on this stupid diet, I’d bust out some M&Ms too 🙂
amanda
P.s. Your website looks really great!
Yay! Not for the stupid diet, but for you being my agent. 🙂 I’m so pumped to be working with you…and I know, I’ve said that more times than Disney has made Land Before Time films. But it’s so true. 🙂
Tagg! I’m so excited for you! Celebrating here and praying for more good things to come your way! Fabulous news!
Thank you, Jess, my online friend who I totally credit for convincing me to finally join Twitter. You will one day hand down a legacy not only as a hilarious blog/vlogger, awesome writer and fun friend, but also the person who helped Melissa Tagg get on the ball and tweet.
Hooray!!! Rejoicing with you! “You know, it’s fun to have a big dream. It’s fun to see God pave each step of the way toward the dream.” You are so very right; what a joy to see the Author of our lives unfolding the author inside us.
…and Dr. Quinn was rugged and awesome. But how did that happen to come up in your conversation? Love it!
Wait, Amanda, you mean you don’t talk about Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman in your every day conversations? Hehehe…no, we started talking about it because for some ridiculous reason I mentioned that I’d been watching an old Dr. Quinn episode with my sisters when Amanda called. Who says something like that during a professional phone call?!
Congratulations! And thanks for sharing the how-it-all-happened story. 🙂 Love hearing those.
Thanks, Amanda! Can’t wait to hang out with you at ACFW this year!
Congratulations again, MTagg. So very super excited for you! Praying this is the open door for your new publishing career!
Aww, my first ACFW roomie and one of the sweetest ladies I know…thank you, Lisa. I’m all antsy for your next book in August!!
That’s awesome news, Melissa! I signed with my agent after meeting with her at the ACFW conference last fall…. Seriously, conferences are the way to go! 🙂 God knew what He was doing getting you that scholarship. Oh, it gives me shivers to think how GOOD He is! I’m glad you shared about HOW it all happened.
Totally agree on conferences being the way to go. 🙂 I love ACFW!! Already counting the days ’til this year’s… (Late) Congrats on signing with your agent, too!
Congratulations, Melissa!!!! That’s so exciting! I’m so happy for you. And the picture looks great!
Thank you, Stacy! It was definitely fun news to share. 🙂
I am sooooooooo proud of you!!!!!!!!!!! Yay yay yay!!! Celebrating all the way from the Caribbean. Love you, girlie.
Aww, thank you, Lindsay!! If only I could actually celebrate with you in the Caribbean… 🙂 Hope you’re having lots of fun. Miss and love ya!
YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYY!!! 🙂 So happy for you! And I can’t wait to read your stuff!!!!
Thanks, Jenness!! Will I see you at ACFW this year?
Sqqquuueeeee!!!! I’m so excited for you! And thanks for sharing the “how it happened” in the comments! I love hearing those kinds of stories. It helps me to dream on! 🙂
Thanks, Sherrinda! Yes, I think we should always keep dreaming!!
Wunderbar! Très magnifique! Maravilloso! I’m soooo happy for you, Melissa! I’ll look forward to seeing you again in a few weeks after you’re done soaring in the ionosphere, which my science teacher hubby tells me is even higher than the stratosphere.
Oh thank you, Keli. Guess what…tomorrow I’ve got a big writing day in front of me, but I usually take breaks every couple hours and do a little ellipticaling–and I always read a book while on the elliptical…guess whose book I’m reading tomorrow!! Yay, sooo excited for A Bride Opens Shop…
So happy for you, Melissa! I knew it was just a matter of God’s timing. One prayer request down and two to go…an editor and Tim Tebow…
LOL, Pat. Yes, exactly! Can’t wait to see you at ACFW!!
Melissa!! What great news!! Congratulations!!! And I’m with you and the Dr. Quinn craze! Loved that show and will even admit (sheepishly) that I’ve watched re-runs many, many times! 🙂
Thanks, Lacie. And I’m glad so many people still love Dr. Quinn!! It’s very possible that not one, but two people in my family actually own the full series on dvd. 🙂 So I have ample means for getting my Dr. Quinn fix when I need it now and then.
I just have to add my congratulations!! I’m excited that you’ll be working with MacGregor Literary and Amanda 🙂 So huge.
On an unrelated note, I’m really glad that I wasn’t the only one to splurge on food and drink this week. I allowed myself all kinds of stuff I’m supposed to avoid!
Thanks for the congrats, Charity. It was an awesome week for both of us, wasn’t it?! Congratulations to YOU, too, and you totally deserved the splurge.
Now…it’s a new week…and I’m going to attempt to be healthy again. 🙂