So I am sitting next to my agent Janet Reid at the Macavity awards at Bouchercon. Another of Janet's authors, Dana Cameron, is up for a Macavity for her short story The Night Things Changed.

The speaker gets to the short story award and calls out the nominees. With every name I can feel Janet tensing like a spring being wound tight.

"And the winner is...Dana Cameron!"

Everyone else is clapping politely. The over-wound spring beside me has exploded. Janet has shot into the air, cheering loudly and clapping. My ears are ringing. Lots of people are looking our way.

That's the sort of agent you want to have.

Congratulations Dana!