Advice from Princess Di

I call her Princess Di. My splendid agent, Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency, has strengthened me to grow as a writer, a woman of God, a person. She helped me birth my first book, Two Scoops of Grace with Chuckles on Top, which released last month. And she's full of wisdom.

In a recent phone conversation where I ranted over a perceived wrong, she spoke soft and warm,
sister-like, "Watch the enemy, Jeanette. He'd like to steal your joy from you in this time you should be celebrating. You want to enjoy the journey. Our flesh says, 'Everything hinges on this first book. But that's not true. We have GOD on our side."

Wow. See why I call her Princess Di? She helps me remember who I belong to, and that with Him, nothing is impossible.

Do you have any princesses or princes in your life? What words of wisdom stand out in your mind that have helped you overcome life's difficulties and Satan's alarms?

Are you Agent Material?

Did you ever wonder if you'd like to be a literary agent? Have you thought, "It would be so much fun to read manuscripts all day long, and help all my writer friends find homes for their books!"?

My lovely agent and dear friend, Diana Flegal of Hartline Literary Agency recently shared what life in her corner of the world is like:

"I thought I might give you a peek at what lies on my desk today. The sort of piles I am shuffling around.

 

Currently under consideration are: (this means on my must make a decision reading list)

1. A YA Fantasy with Fairies under a magical spell 
2. A contemporary women's fiction hitting on real life issues 
3. A non fiction women's study, very unique 
4. A non fiction on the tragic consequences of unhealthy relationships 
5. A fiction court room drama based on a true story 
6. A Bipolar memoir and guide to life with Bi polar  

In the miscellaneous unsolicited stack I am interested in but have placed in the I like these so maybe later stack:

 

     1. A memoir of Bi Polar Disorder- several of these (I have a son with Bi Polar and somehow God send me these to review- I have learned a lot form them even though I must pass on the majority of them.)
     2. A true life memoir of a young daughters murder
     3. A parenting title
     4. A romance written by an unpublished author- word count iffy
     5. A cookbook for Dads
     6. A study for Pastors
 
 Genre's I recently rejected:

1. A New Age sex Guide (really! It is amazing the subject matter we receive- this type of submission shows us the author has not done the research needed.)
2. A memoir of childhood abuse (we receive so many of this type of story- heartbreaking but not an easy sell in the CBA market)  
3. A Screenplay ( I do not represent screenplay's) 
4. A short story about WW ll (No short stories) 
5. A children's picture book (No picture books or children's)   
6. A YA title that was too old fashioned in it's dialogue

There are many submissions in my email box that I have not gotten to. I will do my best but my contracted authors must take priority and I have submissions to make for them today- full manuscripts of theirs to read and some networking that I must research to help them sell the titles that have recently released.

 

I have industry blogs to catch up on and a book review I must write that I have promised an author friend.

 

It was nice chatting with you all today but I must get back to my stacks.

 

Have a terrific day and remember to pray for our Church Leaders, Our Country, it's leaders and for those in our military.

 

From my heart to yours,

 

Diana"

Did this surprise you? Still wanna be an agent?