How to Get an Agent: Dream Version

Wednesday, January 12, 2011


Photo by dotcompals via Flickr


No, I don't mean like a daydream, where you hope that you'll write one query letter to the one perfect agent, and they'll call you right back the very next day, begging you to sign with them. I mean a dream while you're sleeping.

Some time ago, I was reading a lot about how to get an agent, how to make your query really stand out, etc (not so much now, I’m trying to concentrate on revisions), and I guess all that psyching myself out finally seeped into my subconscious.

My dream:

The agent is hosting a birthday party, kind of Great Gatsby style, but the dresses aren’t as fancy and there are pets. Everywhere. Because it’s a “Bring Your Pet Party.” So there are all these cats and dogs, and other furry animals running around knocking the furniture over, but nobody seems to mind. Because they have a goal: to woo the agent.

That’s right. The party consists mostly of writers who are looking for an agent, myself included. So I’m not surprised when I walk into a room and a hoard of admirers is clustering around the agent. She’s sitting in front of a piano, and I can’t see it from all the people, but I know it’s there. (Remember: it’s a dream.) I have no idea how I’m going to make myself stand out or even get her to see me, but I still approach them. And then it gets even more dream-like.

The people decide to wander away, and it’s just me facing the agent one-on-one. It’s my chance! Now or never. And I don’t remember now, but somehow (maybe from a comment I had just overheard before everybody left) I know that the agent has a cat and loves cats. I have a cat, too (see photo). And as I stare at the agent, my elevator pitch totally forgotten, I know one thing: my cat will get me an agent.

That’s it. The key. It’s simple, and quite logical, really. I have a cat. Agent has a cat (a very similar one, too). It’s meant to be. I wave my hands around telling the agent to stay there, and that I would be right back. Because I know she would understand as soon as she saw my cat. Conveniently, I’ve brought it to the party, because it’s a pet party, duh. But as I weave in and out of the crowds, looking for my cat, more hopeful than ever that I will get an agent, my dream fades.

Yup. I just woke up after that. Kind of a bummer, but I was still so elated after the dream, and only half logical that I stayed happy. I mean, dreams like this must be a good sign, right?

Anyways, when I woke up and became my only slightly more logical and realistic self, all I could do was think back of the dream wishfully. A pet party? That’s one cool agent. Pets that get you an agent? Even more awesome.


How about you? What kind of dreams do you have about getting an agent (daydreams included)? Do they involve pets?


18 comments:

Unknown said...

lol...I've dreamt about my book before, but I don't know that I've ever dreamt about the agent aspect. :)

Plamena Schmidt said...

@Karen Akins Yeah, well, I think I really psyched myself out : P

Tana said...

I love your Gastby-esc style dream! I tend to dream big myself. Keep dreaming, eventually they will come true.

Plamena Schmidt said...

@ T. Anne Wow, I can't believe you got all the way down to my comment and checking out my blog--you had so many!

Thanks for the encouragement, and thanks for sharing your journey : ) I'm exercising and still thinking about your story. My resolution to write is stronger than ever.

Jamie Grey said...

Ha! That's awesome! A pet-agent party - you should so throw one of those when you've found your dream agent! :)

I've never actually dreamt about the writing/agent process, but I do have crazy, Movie-like dreams! I actually love them!

Plamena Schmidt said...

I should! Just have to make sure nobody's allergic...

I have really cool movie-like dreams, too! But it's weird, because a lot of them are so different from the way I think when I'm awake--there's always lots of action and running around. It's almost like I tune into a TV channel. Even the manuscript I'm working on started off as a dream.

Susan R. Mills said...

Ha! That's hilarious. If only it were that easy! ;)

Tere Kirkland said...

Oh, man, that sounds exactly like a dream I'd have, searching for the cat to bring to the agent... I'd probably wake up more frustrated, so that must have been a sign of good things to come! Sweet!

P.S., love your new blog!

Nicole McLaughlin said...

I just want to dream about cute boys! :)

WritingNut said...

That's an awesome dream! Never give up on them... as long as you keep believing, they will come true :)

Jade said...

That's an awesome dream! I've been dreaming a lot about snakes and spiders. Eew.

Abby Annis said...

Awesome dream! I have bizarre dreams all the time, but I don't think I've ever dreamt about getting an agent. :)

Lydia Kang said...

You know, I haven't had any agent dreams yet!
Nice to meet you and your blog!

PK HREZO said...

LOL! I love it... the whole dream! A Great Gatsby style party with my cat... what could be better??!!

Matthew MacNish said...

Thanks for the follow Plamena, it's great to meet you!

M Pax said...

That is a fabulous dream. Great to meet you. :)

Plamena Schmidt said...

@ Susan R. Mills—I know, eh? Everyone would go out and buy pets : P

@ Tere Kirkland—Thanks for checking it out! I'm glad you like it : )

@ Nicole MC—LOL!

@ WritingNut—I think half the battle of getting published is staying in the battle, and not giving up.

@ Jade—Snakes and spiders?? That's creepy. I would definitely be disturbed if I had dreams about those.

@ Abby Annis—What can I say, my brain keeps pursuing the publishing even when I'm sleeping. Actually, the Ivory Promise is based on a dream : P

@ Lydia K—You just have to psyche yourself out some more--try reading Query Shark : P It's nice to meet you, too!

@ Pk Hrezo—: P Yup. It was THE party.

@ Matthew Rush—It's nice to meet you, too! You have a really helpful website : )

@ M Pax—It's nice to meet you, too!

prashanth said...

nice to see my picture on your blog. thanks.