New Best Friend

So now that I technically have a deal waiting in the wings... I need to find someone to finalize that deal for me. i.e a Literary Agent. I need someone who speaks 'book'. Because I'm just a writer and God knows, if we could live off inspiration alone, we'd give up our works for free.

I just need SOMEONE to read my creations! That's how we think. That's why agents were born. So that the days of the 'starving artist' become less and less. Those artists didn't starve because no one appreciated them in their time. I think they starved because they were so bent on getting their work out there, that they took whatever offer was presented to them.

'I'll display your painting for the masses to see and be caught up in the magical realism of what you're trying to create.'
'Excellent. What will you pay me?'
'Pay you? But aren't you just satisfied for them to know your name? Sing your praises as you heal their sore souls with your gift?'
Artist thinks for a second (Milli-second). 'You're right. In fact, it would be wrong to charge people for something that I myself was given for free. God might take the gift away.'

You catch the drift. It's how we think. Art is one of those professions that is so difficult to quantify. Which is beautiful in itself... but has also caused so many people to give up, go out there to find 'real jobs'. Especially if you're from a developing country.

But things are changing. Because everyone wants to hear their story told. And African writers are the tools who are right now, telling African stories. It's still got a ways to go... but at least these days, if you say you're a writer, no one looks at you like you're the next homeless person waiting to happen.

And also... agents were born. And these agents are looking for voices from all over the world. New voices, they say, talking about new interesting, original places.

Africa is calling. And I'm at the other end of that phone.

Off I go then... to find my Rainmaker.

m.