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I completed typing and formatting Journey to 30: Part 1 this week. I also think I’ve found my new literary agent. For now I’ll call them “Agent A.” 

On 08/28 I texted Agent A“I’m your first client” to which they responded “I tried agenting and wasn’t successful.” A literary agent is only as good as the writers they represent. I responded “We’re unfortunately headed towards a third world war.”

Agent A texted back “I used to feel this way in my 30s, and then we made it through. Keep your own energy sphere positive and don’t watch tv or the news. We need to collectively raise up humankind.

Don’t despair. Be a light and find a way to help others to help find meaning if you can. 

Life is hard. No doubt. But also, so precious.”

I texted Agent A “I appreciate your words- I’m going to email you some preliminary ideas as the first client of your new agency.” 

Here is the email I shortly thereafter sent:

“Hi Agent A,

I'm very gracious that you've decided to take me on as a client! We should probably work out the details before moving forward. 

Here's what I'm thinking:

5% of first year book sale profits (sales minus expenses) in exchange for copy editing advisory

-5 hour total time commitment required to receive share of profits

-I don't need you to directly edit, I need someone to talk through my editing process choices

-Don't expect you to read every page or word, time spent reading counts towards the 5 hours

10% on ongoing book sale profits and 15% on ongoing movie profits (revenue minus expenses) in exchange for fulfilling your duty as Agent

-I don't need you to do the research or even the messaging, I need someone to represent me. I'm "Unknown."

-I need to secure funding and the list is short. Top of the list is The Gonzo Foundation. 

-Book gets released 09/29/2025 which is when your duty as Agent ends. Contract can be negotiated at that time. 

-4 hours a month (1 hour a week) availability required to fulfill duty as Agent

-Not all 4 hours a month need to be used, but they need to be available for use

The above arrangement is strictly concerning Journey to 30: Part 1

If interested in representing my other works we can work out separate arrangements. Here is a list of current projects:

- Next collection of poetry, "Human Too." - it's already largely done, just needs to be buttoned up - will publish 1 poetry book every year

-"Mad Man" which is a sporadic, wildly crude novel. For people who aren't easily offended and have short attention spans. Bukowski fans.

-"Gift of Coming Home" boyish adventure -PG and suitable for teen audiences -My Huck Finn

-"Dear America" series of letters to America -Will prove to be a very relevant work later on

Honored to be your first client and am confident that this is the beginning of a very important relationship.”

I know absolutely nothing about literary agent contracts and I spent all of 2 minutes researching it before drafting the above proposal. Some people just need someone to believe in them so that they can believe in themselves. Even if they choose not to accept, they still made it on my website and what will eventually be published under the title “Being Written.”