The Call…or Rather the Email

Patricia Bradley Faith, Inspirational Fiction, Uncategorized, Writing 35 Comments

TheCallBlogHop

Tonya Kuper had this great idea of creating a Blog Hop  with the authors at The Seymour Agency to share how each of us received our call from either Mary Sue Seymour or Nichole Resciniti for representation. Click on the telephone and scroll down for a link to learn how my fellow agency mates received their call.

I’m giving away two $10 Amazon gift cards. Just leave a comment to be entered. Sign up for my blog, tweet about this post or post on your FaceBook page for additional chances. Just be sure to let me know in your comment along with your email address so I can contact you.

The contest ends Monday evening and the winner will be announced Tuesday, January 15th.

 

Before the Call…

I started out writing short stories. Actually Woman’s World  bought the very first story I ever wrote, a 2,000-word mini-mystery.Then they bought two more, and each time the word count got smaller. Short stories will really teach you how to make every word count. Blood Kin was the last one and the shortest at 1000 words, but the most fun to write.

In 2001, I took a ten year break from fiction to work with kids in the Abstinence Program in Mississippi. I loved that job, but I missed my fiction! So, in 2008 I began working on Shadows of the Past. That year it won the Maggie in the Unpublished Inspirational category. That’s also when I met Mary Sue for the first time. She requested the full manuscript at Moonlight and Magnolias, the Georgia RWA conference in Atlanta.

My only problem? It wasn’t finished. And wouldn’t be until 2012. Slow writer. Although I have gotten faster.

Every time I went to a conference, I would run into Mary Sue, and she’d say, “Send me that manuscript.” And I would go home, fulling intending to send it…as soon as I finished it. The book went through 4 years of revisions. Finally in March of last year, I mailed her the completed manuscript, and in July she emailed me, offering representation.

My feet didn’t hit the floor for two weeks. Here’s a photo of me filling out the contract. Signing with Mary Sue

After The Call:

Since signing with Mary Sue, I’ve landed a three-book deal with Revell. The first book, Shadows of the Past, will debut in February 2014. The second, Shadows of Love, will come out in September, 2014, and the third in July of 2015. It’s an exciting journey, one that God called me to. And, getting to know Mary Sue has been a wonderful experience. Her kindness and encouragement have been such a blessing.

One last thing I’d like to say. Whenever I prayed about getting an agent, God always brought Mary Sue to my mind, so I wasn’t totally surprised when she offered me a contract.

If you want to write a book, keep in mind that it’s your job to write. God will bring His plan for you to pass. And remember publishing is a slow process. In fact, my tag line is: I asked God to teach me patience, and He gave me a book to write. Just don’t give up.

Be sure and leave a comment to be entered. And you’ll receive additional entries for each link to this blog–tweeting and/or posting on FB and/or if you subscribe to my blog. If you’re already subscribed, just mention it in your comment. Hope you found my story interesting.

Comments 35

  1. Tonya Kuper

    You had shorts pubbed in Women’s World? That’s awesome! And I LOVE how you kept running into Mary Sue. And your words to other writers are so encouraging! I’m go glad to get to know you as an agency sibling. : )

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  3. Delores Topliff

    I’m delighted to be subscribed to your blog and love this encouraging story. I’m just about ready for an agent and would love to follow in your good footsteps! Thanks for this encouraging post.

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      P. T. Bradley

      Just keep learning the craft (I learned so much through My Book Therapy-http://www.mybooktherapy.com/) and Don’t.Give.Up! Thanks for stopping by Christina.

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  6. Loree Huebner

    Pat,
    Loved reading your story, Pat! Mary Sue is the best! I’m with Kate on this one – Funny how you kept crossing paths with Mary Sue. Definitely a divine connection going on. Congrats on your book contract!

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      P. T. Bradley

      Yes, definitely a divine connection! God has reaffirmed that time and again. Loved reading how you got “the call”.

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  7. Carole Walker

    I remember Blood Kin, it was a really good short story. Your story shows how patience does pay off in a BIG WAY. I hope my patience pays off as well. Can’t wait to read the final edition of Shadows of the Past. I have read one edition but somehow I think it is totally different now….lol

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      P. T. Bradley

      Oh, Carole, you’ve certainly had enough to try your patience lately. And Yep, Shadows of the Past has changed, even the character’s names. lol

  8. Johnnie Alexander Donley

    “Blood Kin” is an amazing short story! I’m so excited for you, Pat, and can’t wait to hold your book in my hands. You’ve worked so hard, and it’s great to see your patience and persistence and talent being rewarded. Congrats! (Tweeted!)

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      P. T. Bradley

      I’m glad you liked Blood Kin. I had the most fun writing it. You know, you can work out a lot of frustration with writing. lol And thanks for the encouragement. I know Where Treasure Hides is going to be a big hit! For everyone else, be sure and check Johnnie’s out debut book! It is so good!

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  10. Renee O.

    Pat, that was the most encouraging thing I have read in a while, and I suspect you know why. I’m just praying it doesn’t take me four years to complete my manuscript. 🙂

  11. Laura McClellan

    Pat, this post was really encouraging–especially hearing how she remained interested even after all that time had passed. I am close to finishing my first novel, which my dream agent asked for at the 2012 ACFW conference. (I specifically told her I wasn’t pitching because it wasn’t ready, but she asked to read the first few pages and then told me she wanted to see it when it was finished. I almost fell out of the chair.) And here I’ve been feeling bad because it’s been almost 4 months!!

    Thanks for sharing this.

    Laura

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      P. T. Bradley

      Laura, from late September to now is not a long time in the publishing world. Several publishers requested my complete manuscript at the 2010 conference. I returned home, knowing Shadows of the Past was no where ready(it wasn’t even finished!), and emailed each editor and explained that I’d learned a lot at the conference and wanted to work on my ms. Each editor replied back they’d rather have a good manuscript than a hurried one. (paraphrasing here) Did you know close to 90% of authors never follow up on their requests from editors and agents? so get that baby finished and off! And thanks for stopping by.

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    P. T. Bradley

    Renee, I’m so glad this post encouraged you. You are a great writer…so just do what you are called to do!

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