Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Make Me a Perfect Match by Diana


Somebody pinch me, I must be dreaming! I often think this to myself as I stop what I am doing and smile – I am a Literary Agent working with the coolest authors and brushing shoulders with editors and other agents. Dear blog reader this is an answer to a prayer breathed a long time ago from under the bedcovers where I was covertly reading the latest Nancy Drew mystery by flashlight so as not to hear my parents yell up the stairs again, “turn off that light and get to sleep!” My heart breathed prayer was, “Lord can I please be paid to read someday?”



A lot of years later I am being paid to read, well for the most part, and I am involved in an industry that promotes and publishes books! I love my job and even though I have jumped into the turbulent waters of the economically stirred publishing pool, I am glad I am swimming around with the others.



I like to think of myself as a ‘Yenta’ or a Matchmaker. Think Fiddler on the Roof. The chorus of the famous song goes like this: “Matchmaker, Matchmaker, make me a match, find me a find, catch me a catch. Matchmaker, Matchmaker look through your book and make me a perfect match.” As a literary agent this is exactly what we do. We compile the names of editors and what they are looking for in our books, meet with them at conferences, email them and try to find a match with a particular author and publishing house that will make for a longstanding relationship. A Publishing house that will recognize an author’s gifts and push them to further excellence. An author that will make that house and their agent proud. This means meeting their deadlines and acting in a professional manner, being reasonable in your demands. All to make for a 'Great Marriage'.


All relationships take work. Marriage does and business relationships require no less work from all parties involved. Respect must be a 2 way street for all and we must all remember that we are different than the world, we desire most importantly to honor and glorify the giver of our gifts and talents and to someday hear those words I myself long for, “Well done Good and Faithful Servant”!


So if you see me and I am humming under my breath, you can be sure I am humming the refrains of Fiddler on the Roof’s, Matchmaker. I am always plotting and planning that perfect match and let’s face it, it takes a little more time for some than others, but as my husband likes to say, ‘There is a lid for every pot’ and all good ‘yenta’s’ keep trying to find that perfect match!


So I must get back to work now, filling my books with the information that just might be the right match for …. ?

Diana Flegel

11 comments:

Wandering Writer said...

Keep on humming, Diana. Enjoy.

Terry Burns said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Whoa, this is great. I love reading/hearing about people who love their jobs. Like Karen said, keep on humming, Diana. :-)

Loree Lough said...

I can't tell you how blessed I feel that, in answering your prayer, God answered mine, too.

You're right when you say the agent/author association requires that both parties roll up their sleeves and work...if they hope to enjoy an enduring, fulfilling, productive relationship....

Working with YOU, Diana, hasn't seemed like *work* at all!

That's because, like a master chef, you've developed a perfect mix of spirituality, business, and friendship.

To (sorta) quote George, *this* pot is honored to have found a lid that fits perfectly: Y-O-U!

Thanks for all you are and all you do!

Loree

Tana said...

It's so wonderful to see your passion and enthusiasm! I knew I liked you.

Jill Kemerer said...

Oh, Nancy Drew! Loved those books. And the Bobbsey Twins, Betsy-Tacy, you name it! Thanks for bringing back happy memories!

Jeanette Levellie said...

What a splendid analogy, Diana! I played the ghost of Fruma Sarah in the musical Fiddler on the Roof when I was in high school.

If you prayed for the opportunity to make money reading I guess it's okay for us to pray we'd get to make money writing, hmmm?

I too am honored beyond words to call you my agent. I pray I'll make you proud. May you always have a hum in your heart,
Jen

Anonymous said...

What a great post (and a great reference!). Thanks for letting me know about the blog - I'm excited to follow it!

Jena said...

What a neat post... and what a neat God, who would honor that prayer breathed all those years ago. I love how His reckless raging fury of love pursues us all, never forgetting a single one of our heart's desires. Thanks for sharing this with us, Diana!

Rita Gerlach said...

Thanks for sharing your heart with us, Diana. It isn't just a job for you. . .it's a calling, and it's about relationships that are more than simply 'business as usual'. We authors need more agents like you in our corner.

Shelba Nivens said...

Thanks for sharing something of yourself with us, Diana, and for letting us know about the blog. I'm so glad I am finally a "follower."