Hi! Today I am downright ecstatic to announce that I have an agent! Chip MacGregor of MacGregor Literary.
So begins a whole new chapter of my writing career. 🙂 Thank you for following my journey so far and for taking the time to encourage, explain in the most gentle way possible, teach, Snoopy dance on my behalf (you know who you are!) and cheer me on.
This past year has been a roller coaster of ups and downs of learning the writing craft, finishing a complete novel and then the work of revising and editing it.
God’s hand has been upon me the whole time, guiding (sometimes pushing…), guarding and girding me to where I am now.
A look back on the previous year:
Mid-June 2011: Wrote the first line of my story, and then the next and the next.
November 2011: Joined ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers) and the Christian Writers Downunder facebook group.
My first meeting with other Christian writers. 🙂
February 2012: Joined Scribes, the ACFW critique loop and went on a steep learning curve of applying edits and craft rules to my work-in-progress.
April 2012: Decided to attend the biggest writing conference in the world- The ACFW Christian Writers Conference.
May 2012: Joined my critique group and dropped off the big critique loop. I have 5 wonderful critique partners, who I’m sure drink red ink at breakfast time along with slices of grace. They are such a blessing to me. 🙂
June 2012: Finished writing the first draft of my first novel, A Certain Woman of Worth. Came in at about 96,000 words. I was pleased to have written a book in a year.
August 2012: Started my 2nd book, A Certain Woman of Mettle. Wrote 34,000 words in a month. My best ever.
September 2012: Edited like mad… 1st book stands finished at 100,000 words. I flew to Dallas, Texas in the USA to attend the ACFW conference. I met nearly all my critique partners and had an absolute ball with them. Learned lots of things in workshops and met with agents and an editor. Out of three appointments I had two requests for my full manuscript and one request for a proposal. Very humbling and exciting.
October 2012: Both agents liked me and my work and offered to work with me. I chose Chip. He’s funny, brilliant and kind.
So… that’s my writing life up to now. I know this blog post hasn’t offered much in terms of humor or anything writing wise, but I wanted to take the time to thank you for your input into my life and for sharing with me. 🙂
All the best,
Lucy
Balloon Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Lucy Thompson 
Great post, really enjoyed it!
— Georgiana
http://www.bigconceptdesigns.com
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Thanks for stopping by, Georgiana. 🙂 All the best!
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Such a cool story! I have not gone to the conference, joined ACFW in June 2011, don’t have a crit group aside from the main loop yet, but have my full ms (#1) being considered by an agent right now. It’s all in the Lord’s hands and life in the Lord great whatever happens. I am also a home-educating mother – Wisconsin, USA Congrats!!
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G’day Susan, ooh how exciting having your ms under consideration! You’ve hit the mark there-it’s all in the Lord’s hands. 🙂 All the best with your writing. 🙂
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Congratulations, Lucy! It was a pleasure reading the first few chapters of A Woman of Worth on Scribes and fun to meet you at the conference.
-Amy
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Hi Amy! It was lovely to meet you as well. 🙂 Thank you for your help in critiquing my story. I really appreciate the input you gave me, and the time you took to explain details to this VERY new writer. 🙂
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Such amazing news Lucy – congratulations! Make sure you drop a line to the rest of the Out of the Borders Zone and let them know. They’ll be SO excited for you!
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Oh yes! Great idea. I did mention my news on a few spots on facebook, but I forgot the Beyond the Borders (Zone 11) group. I’ll post there as well. Thank you for sharing my excitement! 🙂
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Congratulations! Chip is my agent as well, and he is wonderful to work with.
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Is he? How cool is that! 🙂 We both have good taste. All the best as you write for His glory. 🙂
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Congrats! I love celebrating with fellow ACFW members!
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Hi Julie! Thank you for helping me celebrating. 🙂 The more the merrier! All the best with your own writing journey.
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Three cheers, Lucy! I’m working with Sandra Bishop of MacGregor Literary, so I know your work is in expert hands.
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G’day! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂 Sandra is an excellent agent as well. Lovely to meet someone else from MacGregor Literary. 🙂
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Congratulations, Lucy, on your wonderful news! I’ve heard great things about Chip from some of his other clients and got to hear him speak when he was the keynoter at a local writing conference here in California. I’d say your description of him is spot on: “funny, brilliant and kind.”
Chip also has a keen eye, so the fact that he offered you representation speaks highly of you. I’m so impressed that he did so after you’d written just one book. It takes many years and many books for many of us. You must be one amazing writer!
Enjoy the thrill!
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Hi Keli! Thanks for visiting. 🙂 I was so surprised he offered me representation as well. As I said to my critique partners: somebody hit me with a feather! I’m aware how long if often takes writers to reach representation, let alone an actual sale, so I know this whole journey is God’s doing, not mine! To Him be the glory. 🙂 All the best with your own writing journey.
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I just visited your blog. I just wanted to tell you that I think it looks LOVELY! My breath actually caught in my throat when it the site loaded. 🙂 Cliche, but true. 🙂 Well done on the site design!
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CONGRATULATIONS, LUCY!!! IT WAS SO NICE TO MEET YOU AT ACFW!
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Mary! G’day! It was so lovely also to meet you. I treasure your kind words on my autographed note. 🙂 Meeting you was one of my top highlights of my trip. Right up there with meeting Chip. 😉 I can’t wait to read your next book!
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By dropping off the big list you prevent the rest of us from getting to know you. Think about it.
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Hi Sharon,
I meant that I dropped off the big Scribes loop. Not the ACFW loop. I’m still lurking there. 🙂 Lots of interesting topics come through and lovely people to meet. Thank you for stopping by. 🙂
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Sorry, I have a way of jumping to conclusions like that. Sigh.
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That’s okay. Thank you for caring enough to mention it in the first place. 🙂
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Congratulations! This is terrific news 🙂 Landing an agent is tuff stuff!
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Thanks K.C! Yes, landing an agent seems to involve a whole range of factors that no one can exactly identify. I highly recommend going to conferences. That’s how I met the 2 agents who were interested in me. 🙂
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CONGRATULATIONS, Lucy!
SO EXCITED FOR YOU – I just got your posting as I was gone – TOTALLY OUT OF INTERNET RANGE/NO TV/NO PHONE _wonderful GOD and ME retreat_Just got home and saw your good good news.
BLESSINGS – CAN’T WAIT TO READ THOSE BOOKS!
Love,
Joy
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Hi Joy!
Sounds like you had a lovely vacation with God. 🙂 Thank you for your blessing. All the best as you write for His glory.
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You are easy to share with, have fun with and give input to. I so enjoyed our time in Dallas and continue to enjoy the time we spend emailing. I have learned bunches from you and am so happy your journey is continuing as it is. Congratulations, my friend. 🙂
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Hi Susan, back at ya for the caring and sharing. It’s so fun to be able to share stuff with you. 🙂
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CONGRATULATIONS, LUCY!!! (Insert Snoopy dance here)
The best part of your story to get to this point is the fact that God is in the center of the whole thing. Stay grounded in Him and you won’t go wrong.
Now it’s time to saddle-up and get a move on. 🙂
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Yessir! God is definitely the center. 🙂 He’s the boss! I still need a ten-gallon hat, but I’ll make do with an Aussie Akubra until then. 🙂 Thanks for the Snoopy dance.
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Celebrating with you today, Lucy! You’ve worked hard, and you deserve it. Next, we’ll be celebrating your contract!
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One day, hopefully. 🙂 Thanks for helping me celebrate. 🙂
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I’m so proud, in a good way, to be called your friend. And super, duper excited that you’ve accomplished the next step in the publishing journey. I can’t wait to see what God and Chip have in store for you next.
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I’m proud to be your friend as well. 🙂 I’m still waiting for your email with your good news. 🙂 Until then–write on!
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What a wonderful adventure so far!!! And I’m blessed you first met up with other Christian writers around my kitchen table. Woo Hoo…. 🙂
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Dotti! Thank you for blessing me with your hospitality and friendship. 🙂
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Happy for you.
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Hi Dicky, thank you for your best wishes. All the best with your writing!
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I’ve said it before, super congratulations! Exciting things are ahead of you. Can’t wait to share them with you!
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Hi Christina! Can’t wait to share them with you as well. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
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