Change keeps reminding us that it’s a constant in our lives. From the weather to our clothes to the television channel, stability is hard to come by. That’s true for our agency as well. Today, I have two changes–entrances and exists, so to speak–to tell you about.
An Entrance
First up, our agency sent out a press release last week announcing the entrance of associate agent Jen Babakhan. Jen is an author, a former teacher, and worked as a marketer and brand developer for an international nonprofit. She already has two clients, both of whom she’s busily working with to ready their projects for submission.
As a current client of ours, Jen came to me and asked if she could serve as an agent intern. We hadn’t had an intern for a good many years, and that person had worked on a specific project for me. So I wasn’t sure what an internship might look like. Jen patiently waited as I pondered the possibility.
Next Steps
Once we agents had put together a job description, we were excited to have someone to help us with numerous agenting tasks. After Jen had reviewed a few projects, the agents were floored by her publishing instincts, not only in terms of what is a good hook for a project but also what would make the manuscript–and author–especially marketable.
Not to mention everyone loved working with Jen. Soon the agents were clambering for me to cut short Jen’s internship and just add her as an agent. But I decided to let the internship run its course to give Jen more experience to ready her for agenting.
Now I have the delightful task of introducing her to you. She’ll be writing her first blog post next week in which she can tell you more about herself as well as the types of projects she’s hoping to acquire.
In the meantime, please welcome Jen to our fold.
An Exit
Speaking of change, I haven’t had to switch our office assistant for 20 years, but all that’s about to shift. My constant companion since 2004, Michelle Ule, has determined it’s time to hit the road to retirement. Her plans are to travel more (she just came back from a month in Australia to give her retirement plans a trial run), spend more time with her speedily growing up grandchildren, and to devote more time to her own writing.
I’m not quite sure how to function without her bright spirit, eagerness to do whatever is needed (bet she never suspected that would include dog sitting!), and insights into how to help writers with vexing situations. Not to mention being our office’s major query reader. Michelle kept track of how many queries she read through February 2102 when she quit counting. At that point, the number was 60,000 queries.
Way back in 2004, I asked Michelle to help out after my assistant simply never showed up for work one day. Michelle said she would help for a month with my most urgent need, to create and send out the 1099s. Neither she nor I ever suspected she would work on 1099s for the following 19 years.
I’ll miss you terribly in the office, Michelle, but am ever so grateful to know you live just a few blocks away. Not to mention that Michelle may use our office’s burgeoning bookshelves of our clients’ published works as her personal, most certainly not public, library.
For those of you who know Michelle, or who have had your queries initially read by her, you may wish her well in the comments.
That’s it for entrances and exits for the agency–for now.
Remember, look for Jen’s blog post next week.
Michelle, you have been a joy, and I’m so grateful I got to meet you. I can’t wait to see and hear about all your future travels!
And congratulations, Jen! This is so exciting for you!
Thank you, Jessica. It’s been a pleasure to serve, to pray, and to encourage. Blessings to you, in all things.
Thank you so much, Jessica!
Welcome, Michelle, to the next chapter of your life story — the adventures of retirement. Enjoy!
Welcome, Jen, to your new chapter — the adventures of a literary agent. I’m looking forward to reading more about you next week.
Congratulations, Michelle! I’m so glad I got to meet you in Savannah. You were right there every time Jim and I needed you—and you might remember how often that was. Enjoy your travels and I pray we meet again.
Welcome Jen! Good agenting to you!
Thanks, Shirlee,
I leave with a tinge of nostalgia, but grateful for all the fine writers–including you–I’ve met or read.
Thank you so much, Shirlee. I’m thrilled to be here!
Blessings to Michelle on the next adventure. I enjoyed sharing a meal with her at a conference many years ago. She read my query a few weeks later. Though we didn’t connect on that project, I appreciated her kind words and useful suggestions.
Blessings to you, as well, Kathy, and to your writing. I remember meeting you. 🙂
So happy for you, Michelle, as you start this new journey in your life, but I’m going to miss you being a mainstay at Books and Such. Hope the years ahead bring you joy with your grandchildren and much success with your writing.
Thank you, Ann, once-upon-a-time roommate on a retreat! I’ll continue watching your gracious writing and words!
Michelle, how we will miss you!
I’ve been blessed to have been able to chat with you at the
wonderful retreats you worked so diligently to help organize.
Enjoy this new chapter in your life.
Shirley Raye Redmond
Thank you, Shirley, and I’ll still be reading your wonderful books!
Congratulations to both Jen and Michelle!
Michelle, you will be missed, but I know you’ll enjoy “retirement.”
Totally, Carrie, and I know you understand! Blessings.
Thank you so much, Carrie!
Michelle, you will be missed for all your years of service. Thank you for all you’ve done for Books and Such authors. You are loved and appreciated. Enjoy this new season!
Thank you, DiAnn, and my best to Dean, too!
Michelle, you’ve been such an asset in every way, and I enjoyed getting to know you and work with you, even if just for a bit. Enjoy your new adventures!
Thank you, Emily!
And I’ll be cheering you on as you write!
Blessings,
M
Oh, Michelle. Let’s stay friends forever. Remember that we have a cozy suite here between the mountains and the sea for you if retirement brings you and your sweetheart wandering this way. Godspeed!
Typing your address into my book! One of my boys lives in WA, part of our hearts will always been in PNW. Blessings and I’ll let your Gordon Setter some day!
Michelle!! I will miss your presence at Books & Such but will eagerly follow your writing through your newsletter. Your integrity as a (an?) historian, your proficiency with business paperwork, and your good cheer have traveled all the way to the East Coast, where I hang out. All the best!
Oh, thank you, Linda. It’s been a privilege to serve you through all the ups and downs.
I know where you live. I’ve got your favorite island marked on my “someday” list.
Blessings, always.
M
The summer tide flows in,
the winter tide flows out,
it remains one sea.
Always lovely to read one of your poems, Andrew.
Blessings, as always.
Oh, Michelle! Enjoy your retirement, and I look forward to reading more about your traveling adventures.
You have been a source of encouragement and inspiration over the years, several times your words renewed my motivation to keep writing. Thank you so much!
Ah, Elizabeth! Keep writing, for sure. Do you have time yet? 🙂
Blessings,
M
I make time as I can, usually 30-45 min in the afternoon on days when the two youngest nap at the same time. It’s a Hallelujah event that happens maybe a few times a week, so progress is slow but steady! 🙂