Sweaty Palms & Story Dreams: Meeting a Literary Agent In Person for the First Time

There’s a unique kind of nervous energy that comes with putting your writing out into the world. You brace yourself for rejection, for silence, for “thank you but this isn’t quite right.” But nothing quite prepares you for the moment someone says, “I’d love to meet you in person to talk about your manuscript.” Suddenly, the dream feels real—and terrifying.

As I prepare for my very first face-to-face meeting with a literary agent, I find myself second-guessing everything. What should I wear? Will they expect me to have a polished, rehearsed pitch? What if I ramble or, worse, completely blank? This isn’t a Zoom call I can take in pajama bottoms with a curated bookshelf behind me. This is real-time, real reactions, real pressure. And yet, somewhere beneath the nerves, there’s also excitement. Because this is the kind of moment writers daydream about when we’re hunched over our keyboards, whispering to ourselves, just one yes.

I keep reminding myself that this meeting is happening for a reason. The agent already saw something in my work—something promising enough to warrant a coffee, a conversation, a chance to connect. That alone is worth celebrating. It means the door is already open; I don’t have to kick it down. Still, the anxiety lingers, not because I doubt my story, but because I care so deeply about what happens next. I’ve poured my entire self into these characters. Meeting someone who could become an advocate for them feels like introducing your best friend to someone you hope will love them, too.

I’m trying to give myself permission to be nervous, to show up as I am—sweaty palms, slightly shaky voice, and all. I don’t need to be flawless. I just need to be me. Passionate, thoughtful, and genuine about the work I’ve created. And while I absolutely want this agent to love my book, I’m also walking into this meeting knowing it’s a two-way street. I’m evaluating them, too. Do they get my vision? Do they ask insightful questions? Do I feel comfortable handing over my story’s future to this person? That mindset helps calm the nerves and reframe the experience as a conversation, not an audition.

So as I pack my tote with a printed copy of my query, a notebook full of questions, and probably way too many pens, I’m holding onto this truth: I earned this meeting. I may stumble over a word or two, or reach for my water glass one too many times, but I’ll also light up when I talk about my book. I’ll remember why I started writing in the first place. And with any luck, this will be the beginning of something incredible.

To anyone else preparing for their first agent meeting—you’re not alone in the jitters. Be proud. Be present. And never forget, this is your story. You’ve already taken the biggest step by believing in it enough to share.