Great minds are melding today. I woke up with the thought to blog about finding a literary agent from an author’s point of view and learned agent Rachelle Gardner is talking about the same thing, for a slightly different angle over on her blog today.

My agent journey is interesting. My first agent was recommended to me by a friend. My second agent I chose. My third, yes, third and final, God chose.

I wasn’t looking for an agent when an author and friend called after reading the opening chapter of my first chick lit. Wildly enthusiastic, (don’t you love those calls?) she suggested I submit the work to her agent. After learning of the agents reputation and client list, I whole heartily agreed.

Up to this point, I wasn’t confident I was ready for an agent. I had one Heartsong published and wasn’t working on any thing bigger, like a trade book. Until I started writing a chick lit in late ’03.

There’s a tendency to get in a hurry. Seeing other authors pick up agents, sell trade books out the of the gate, win awards. “What, am I wood? Am I standing still?” I didn’t want to be in a hurry.

My prayer was always “Lord, You’re my editor, agent and promoter.”

I signed with that agent in early ’04. She really challenged me to go deeper in my writing and to keep reading and studying.

I sold my first chick lit six months later. I sold another one a year later. In between I wrote two more Heartsongs. I was on a roll.

Yet, by mid 2007, I felt I was loosing some momentum. My sales numbers weren’t what I’d expected or needed. Trapped between faith and doubt, I knew there was a possibility I could be down for the count in the first round. Any published author knows if the number of units sold doesn’t “add up” it’s almost better to be a new author than a C-list author. While it’s obvious you can write and meet deadlines, it’s not obvious you can sell.

At the same time, my publisher was committed to me — I still had more books to write — but I knew I needed help with ideas on how to increase my brand and visibility. Speaking? Writing articles? Joining forces with… someone? At the end of the day, all love aside, publishing is a business. It didn’t help either that I was hearing about authors being dropped from their houses or authors getting rejected on new projects. ACK!

I began to pray about what to do, willing for God to end my writing season, when I came across an agency who seemed to be more about marketing and branding. Maybe that’s what I needed? Could they help with ideas, partnerships, other avenues of promotion? I prayed. Had a dream. Tried to understand all the elements of the dream. (It was a hard one.) Tried not to decide based on worry or jealousy of authors finding more success than me. Tried not to “force” something to happen.

In the meantime, God was moving. He used a couple of people to remind me of His plan for me, saying things to me that were both surprising and profound. One morning I woke up with complete release. “God, I got nothing! No kids, no career. . What do You want to do? I’m one hundred percent available.” It was THE most freeing feeling. “God, You ARE so good, whatever You have me do, I’ll love it.”

Worlds began to collide. My publisher offered the opportunity to write with Sara Evans. The agency who focused on marketing and branding was interested in working with me. I leapt in faith. Let’s do it. I held my breath, closed my eyes and jumped.

It was an interesting year and a half.

But God was on the move again. In another dream, He showed me what was going on with my agent. Don’t you love when God breaks in? And He shouted to me, in the dream, Chip MacGregor! Very weird in a glockenspiel kind of way.

Three weeks later, the dream played out. I prayed. I emailed Chip. We talked over the course of a few days and I knew I’d arrived at my agency home.

I never wanted more than one agent. I never wanted to agent shop or get disgruntled and change for change sake. Yet, I kept my heart and mind open.

Looking back, I so see God’s hand, direction and protection. In my weakness, He was completely strong! I could’ve made a ton of mistakes. In fact, I did make a couple. But He had my back. And He’ll have yours!

Here’s my advice on finding an agent.

1. Pray. Ask God for direction. Even when I closed my eyes and jumped, it was not without prayer and faith, keeping my eyes on Jesus. It was stressful, trust me, and there was an element of “me” in my decision, trying to make something happen for myself, but God carried me.

2. Pray. Ask God to direct you to the right agent. After talking with other writers, and watching the publishing world, it’s possible that some agents are wonderful for launching your career, but another agent will take you the rest of the way. I’m not sure how to recognize this with any particular agent, but go into your agent relationship with full confidence and faith that you’ll be together forever while keeping your ear to the heartbeat of Jesus. He will let you know if change is required. Pray for your relationship with your agent.

3. Pray. Be professional. Do your homework. Follow agent sites like Gardner’s and MacGregor’s. Thomas Nelson CEO, Michael Hyatt gives advice on how to find an agent. Meet with agents at conferences. Talk to other authors about agents or agencies. Look at agent or agencies web sites.

4. Pray. Who does your potential agent represent? Look at their client list. Is this a good “field” for you? That’s not to say you don’t take a chance with a new agent. I did. But there was an organization around her. Nicolas Sparks was his agents first client. Seems that worked out well. But do your research. Does he or she know the industry? Have connections? Publishing or editorial experience?

5. Pray. Be humble. Be teachable. Write a great proposal. Study the craft of fiction. Make sure when you query and/or submit to an agent, you’re just this side of ready-to-be published.

6. Pray. I mentioned this already, but you need to attend conferences where you can meet agents. For me, being able to have some kind of rapport beyond business was important. I wanted an agent I felt like I could talk to honestly, sharing the successes as well disappointments and tears without feeling like I was loosing professional credibility. There are those HARD days and an agent can balance your perspective. Yet, it’s important to keep professional boundaries. Your agent is not your best friend. And it’s not bad to only have a business relationship with your agent, only communicating when a contract or other business is involved. But know you feel comfortable with this person. Your heart’s desire will be in their hands.

7. Pray. Don’t be afraid of hard words, of being told to go back and rework your proposal. Listen to the agent’s advice — if they are offering. Don’t fire back that they don’t know what they are talking about. Be polite and thank them for their time. If they invite you to resubmit. Do it! But first, revamp that proposal!

Finding an agent is fun and interesting, frustrating and hard. But hang in there, be professional, keep watching and praying.