My Roller Coaster Journey to Finding an Agent

By Sara Brunsvold

Like many aspiring authors, I have dreamed of being a writer since childhood. In 2012, I began to seriously pursue authorhood, investing time and money into honing my skills and learning the industry, all with an eye toward building a sustainable career. A literary agent was a partner I saw as important to help reach my goals.

The starting point in my journey was a coffee date with a local author to seek initial advice. That led to attending a writers conference close to home. Besides fantastic teaching, the conference provided opportunities to pitch book ideas to agents and editors. 

My first pitches were awful. Embarrassing, really. But I gleaned all I could from the professionals’ expertise and started to put it into practice. As often as possible, I returned to that annual conference to continue to network and learn.

Between conferences, I joined a writers group, participated in a critique group, read writing craft books, racked up article publishing credits, and continued to improve as a writer. I completed a novel manuscript and began pitching it to agents both in-person and via query letters. No one bit.

Then, at a 2016 conference, I pitched my manuscript to an agent who said the magic word: “Yes.” We entered into contract shortly after. I was over the moon. Thrilled. Convinced this was it!

Except it wasn’t.

The more I worked with this agent, the clearer it became to both of us we were not a good pairing. Differences in work style, communication style, personality, and goals made collaboration bumpy. I also learned I needed an agent who could offer more support in my specific genre. After a final heart-to-heart conversation, we parted on good terms.

Though it seemed a huge step backward, a saving grace came in the form of a writing friend and mentor figure. She is a veteran novelist and offered to make email introductions to her agency.

Eventually my manuscript landed in the inbox of an agent named Cynthia Ruchti. Although Cynthia turned down the novel, she liked my writing and asked if I would consider nonfiction instead, based on my publishing credentials. In that season, her primary focus was nonfiction. I had a concept we both loved, so she invested time and expertise into me as I developed it. In the end, though, I couldn’t get the project where it needed to be. So, I thanked Cynthia for her help, and we agreed to go our own ways.

Though I was disappointed, the next writers’ conference was only weeks away. I had a new novel manuscript in progress and a random idea for another. One of the agents I pitched to instantly fell in love with my random idea. She implored me to write the book and send it to her when I was finished. 

Over the course of the next year, I took the book from concept to completion, checking in with the agent periodically to keep her abreast of my progress. Each time, she expressed excitement. The day finally came when I could send her the polished manuscript. I could barely contain my excitement as I prepped that email! She and I had meshed so well, and she was passionate about both my novel concept and my genre. I was certain she was the fit I had been seeking.

But she wasn’t. She turned down the book. With no specific feedback as to why.

To say I was gutted would be an understatement. After seven years of so many ups and downs, I was ready to surrender my dream of authorhood altogether. In my hurt, I kept questioning my own abilities and whether this was even the right path for me. (I didn’t know it then, but the roller coaster of encouragement and discouragement is a constant for authors.)

I took two days off from all things writing to regroup and leaned heavily on my faith to discern the next right move.

Cynthia came to mind. It had been well over a year since I last email-conversed with her. She had already turned me down – twice – for two different projects. And she was still primarily acquiring nonfiction authors. I had leads on other agents, but Cynthia’s name would not leave my head. So, even though it seemed like the equivalent of a Hail Mary pass in the final moments of a football game, I sent a quick, informal query asking if she wanted to take a look.

To my surprise, she did.

To my utter shock, she offered representation.

We entered into contract in November 2019. As a veteran novelist herself, she has been an incredible source of support, industry education, wise counsel, and editorial advice. She is truly a partner with me as I lay the foundation of my career and continue to grow as an author. 

My debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, releases on July 5, 2022 – almost exactly 10 years after my coffee date with a local author.

Though my journey has been marked by challenges and setbacks, my agent assures me they are evidence I’m firmly ensconced in “The Writing Life.” I value my battle scars because they help shape the author I am. 

 

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Links:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/sara_brunsvold

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarabrunsvoldauthor

Website: www.sarabrunsvold.com 

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Sara Brunsvold creates stories that speak hope, truth, and life. Her recognitions include the 2020 ACFW Genesis Award for Contemporary Fiction. Find her on Instagram (www.instagram.com/sara_brunsvold) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/sarabrunsvoldauthor). Her debut novel, The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip, released July 5, 2022, from Revell: A Division of Baker Books.

The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip 

Aidyn Kelley is talented, ambitious, and ready for a more serious assignment than the fluff pieces she’s been getting as a cub reporter for the Kansas City Star. In her eagerness, she pushes too hard, earning herself the menial task of writing an obituary for an unremarkable woman who’s just entered hospice care.

But there’s more to Clara Kip than meets the eye. The spirited septuagenarian may be dying, but she’s not quite ready to cash it in yet. Never one to shy away from an assignment herself, she can see that God brought the young reporter into her life for a reason. And if it’s a story Aidyn Kelley wants, that’s just what Mrs. Kip will give her–but she’s going to have to work for it.

Debut author Sara Brunsvold delights with this emotional multigenerational story that shows that the very best life is made up of thousands of little deaths to self. You’ll want to be just like Mrs. Kip when you grow up!

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