When the thought hit me that I wanted to publish a book, I researched the process and came up with these six simple steps:

Step one: think of an idea
Step two: write a proposal and send query letters to lots of agents
Step three: get an agent
Step four: get a publishing contract
Step five: write a book
Step six: promote the hell out of it

Step one was completed last fall. I've been doing step two slowly over the past several months.

And....

Step three happened last month.

Yep, that's right. I got me an agent.

Her name is Andrea Somber and she works for Harvey Klinger, Inc.

I sent her a letter and the first five pages of my book several weeks ago. She got back to me within that week and asked for more writing samples. So, while the kids watched way too many cartoons, I sent the rest.

She emailed me back a week later and said, "I loved it. Can we talk?"

It is difficult to describe the feeling of having an agent say, "I loved it". I have had seven agents send me impersonal, photocopied rejection letters (or postcards). I had two agents ask for more information and then 'pass'. And then, out of the blue, here is someone saying, "I love it. Can we talk?"

I was quite nervous for the phone call. I figured she would grill me about my platform and the competition and my market plan. I assumed that, unless I wowed her over the phone, this would be another 'pass'.

But she was really, very nice. We talked for almost 30 minutes. She explained what she does and asked me a few questions and then sent me the contract.

I looked over the contract, asked a few questions and signed it.

And now I have an agent.