STATUS: Another phone conference in 20 minutes! Must blog quickly.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? LOWDOWN by Boz Scaggs
Blog readers, have I got special treat for you today. If you ever wondered what the editor rejections looked like for a book that has shown every sign of coming out of the gate wildly popular, well today is your lucky day.
Today is the official release day for Kristen Callihan's FIRELIGHT.
I've blogged before about the fact that I almost could not sell this book. And today, Kristen has given me special permission to share her rejections.
But let me preface this.
This debut novel has received two starred reviews (Publishers Weekly and Library Journal) and top pick at any number of romance sites, too many to list here.
When we sent the novel out to already established and successful authors to read with an eye for a possible blurb, we had our fingers crossed that maybe we'd get one or two responses.
Every author on our list read and blurbed it:
"Callihan has a great talent for sexual tension and jaw-dropping plots that weave together brilliantly in the end.”
—Diana Gabaldon, New York Times bestselling author of Outlander
"A sizzling paranormal with dark history and explosive magic! Callihan is an impressive new talent." —Larissa Ione, New York Times bestselling author of Immortal Rider
"Evocative and deeply romantic, Firelight is a beautiful debut. I was fascinated from the first page." —Nalini Singh, New York Times bestselling author of the Guild Hunter Series
“Passionate and sizzling, beautifully written and dark. This unique paranormal twist on the beauty and the beast tale rocks!”
—Elizabeth Amber, author of Bastian The Lords of Satyr
"Kristen Callihan delivers a dark, lush offering to fans of gothic and paranormal romance. With a deliciously tortured hero, an inventive supernatural mystery, and slow-building heat that simmers on each page, Firelight is a sexy, resplendent debut. I can't wait to see what Kristen Callihan comes up with next!"
—Meljean Brook, New York Times bestselling author of The Iron Duke
"This book has everything: sword fights, magic, despair, a heroine with secret strengths, a hero with hidden vulnerability, and best of all, a true love that's hot enough to burn the pages. I couldn't stop reading. This book is utterly phenomenal."
—Courtney Milan, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Unraveled
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By: Kristin Nelson,
on 2/1/2012
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: romance, career, submission, promotion, client books, Add a tag
Blog: Jennifer Represents... (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: client books, book b'day, ilsa j. bick, Add a tag
DROWNING INSTINCT is a fairy tale with teeth: The story of a damaged adolescent and a flawed adult that refuses to firmly fix blame but instead considers the devastating impact of secrets and self-deception.
About DROWNING INSTINCT:
There are stories where the girl gets her prince, and they live happily ever after. (This is not one of those stories.)
There are stories where the monster gets the girl, and everyone cries for his innocent victim. (This is not one of those stories either.)
And there are stories where it's hard to be sure who's a prince and who's a monster, who is a victim and who should live happily ever after. (These are the most interesting stories of all.)
Jenna Lord's first sixteen years were not exactly a fairy tale. Her father is a controlling psycho and her mother is a drunk. She used to count on her older brother--until he shipped off to Iraq. And then, of course, there was the time she almost died in a fire.
Mitch Anderson is many things: A dedicated teacher and coach. A caring husband. A man with a certain...magnetism.
DROWNING INSTINCT is a novel of pain, deception, desperation, and love against the odds--and the rules.
As a child psychiatrist, Ilsa Bick has treated many Jennas and Mr. Andersons, and so she knows: Good intentions make for a damned slippery slope.
Want to buy a copy of the book? Click.
Want to WIN a copy of the book? Click.
Blog: Jennifer Represents... (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: client books, book b'day, Add a tag
This book was not sold by me, but Diane Zahler is a new client... and I LOVE her writing. I'm extremely happy to tell you about her brand-new book from HarperCollins, PRINCESS OF THE WILD SWANS! If you love fairy tale retellings, books like Gail Carson Levine's FAIREST or Juliet Marillier's WILDWOOD DANCING, you should definitely be on the lookout for Diane Zahler's books.
Princess Meriel's brothers have been cursed. A terrible enchantment--cast by their conniving new stepmother--has transformed the handsome princes into swans. They now swim forlornly on a beautiful heart-shaped lake that lies just beyond the castle walls.
Meriel will do whatever it takes to rescue her beloved brothers. But she must act quickly. If Heart Lake freezes, her brothers will be forced to fly south or perish.
With help from her newfound friends Riona and Liam--a pretty half-witch and her clever brother--Meriel vows to finish a seemingly impossible task. If she completes it, her brothers may be saved.
But if she fails . . . all will be lost.
Diane Zahler lives with her husband, son, and dog in New York's Harlem Valley, in an old farmhouse held together by magic spells and duct tape. Diane is the author of The Thirteenth Princess, which was chosen as an ALAN's Pick, praised for its "delicious descriptions" (Kirkus Reviews), and deemed a "graceful and cohesive romantic drama" (Publishers Weekly), and A True Princess, out in paperback today.
She is spending the next six months in Belgium (she left today in fact!) - you can follow her as she blogs about adventures in the land of Beer, Chocolate & Waffles here. Or you can follow her on twitter here: @dianezahler
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 12/1/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: news, reviews, client books, Beginning writer mistakes, Add a tag
STATUS: I wish I was working late tonight but I can't....
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? O HOLY NIGHT by Josh Groban
Marie Lu is not the only author having an exciting release week! Sara's very first agented author book is hitting shelves today. Hard to believe but yes, it really does take that long from sale to publication for this to be the first.
What better way to celebrate than to guest blog? (Okay, I'm making her toast with champagne, too, but you get the picture.) Huge congrats Sara and Miranda!
What did debut author Miranda Kenneally do that's making her book release so exciting? CATCHING JORDAN hits bookshelves today and the buzz surrounding this book is absolutely incredible (ESPN picked up a review of the book yesterday and the Seventeen Magazine online book club is running a feature on it tomorrow).
Here's the secret - Miranda wrote the book of her heart. She did NOT write to some hot trend. What's hot in young adult novels right now? Well, one might agree that fantasy and paranormal and dystopian are hot. Contemporary young adult, conversely, might be hot or might not be hot depending on who you ask (I personally am a huge fan, obviously). And, contemporary young adult sports novels? yikes.
CATCHING JORDAN didn't sell right out of the gate. We DID find the perfect editor for it, but we also had a handfull of editors pass saying, "no one is interested in reading about sports." Yes, the heroine of this book is captain and quarterback of her high school football team. Yes, there are some scenes on the playing field in which the teammates are talking football plays and field positions and stats. When I read this book in the slush pile I fell immediately in love with the characters, the voice, the dialogue and the personality. THAT'S what I saw in it which made me jump up and down with glee. And that's what these tremendous reviews seem to be saying too.
If Miranda had ever asked an agent, "should I write about vampires or about football?" it's likely her first book would have turned out differently. But, as a great credit to her and to our art, she didn't ask that question. Instead she wrote a book that takes a chance on a concept that we haven't seen before. And, it's paying off!
So, if you are looking at publishing and are tempted to ask, "do you think XYZ is hot right now?" stop. Take a deep breath. Yes the market is important but so is writing a book you believe in wholeheartedly. Miranda did just that for CATCHING JORDAN. It wasn't in the hot trend but in a sense, she did keep the market in mind because it has a luscious romantic element. Something we've seen in other successful contemporary YA novels recently. Cheers to an author who took a chance and to the readers (and editors) (and reviewers) (and ESPN) who are loving that gamble!
-Sara
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 10/28/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: auctions, covers, middle grade, editors, client books, funnies, Add a tag
STATUS: This week was defined but what wasn't on fire with gasoline explosions. Seriously, I was coming to work each day with the thought: "Can just one thing not be an issue today? Just one."
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? WE GET TO FEEL IT ALL by Indigo Girls
But I can also define this week by some really cool things.
1. Got a revised cover for an author who had a hideous cover just last week. New cover is awesome! I'm so pleased and relieved.
2. My colleague Sara held a big big auction for a middle grade boy fantasy novel that went in a major deal (THE PECULIAR by Stefan Bachmann). Squee.
And the best thing ever? Today my author's editor had her baby and get this, she named the baby boy after a character in my author's novel for whom she is the editor.
Okay, nothing beats that. That is just "Yes Way" cool.
And because it's Friday, how can I not share with you www.awkwardfamilypetphotos.com? I read the article in PW, had to check it out. Huge Beverage alert. The below photo was hands down my favorite. Oi!
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 10/26/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: covers, editors, client books, publishing contracts, Add a tag
STATUS: Monday it was 80 degrees. Today it's snowing. Tomorrow it will be sunny and in the high 50s. And beautiful again by the weekend. Not sure what shoes to keep out or put into storage.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? CHINA GIRL by David Bowie
So last week, in my status, I mentioned that we had received three covers and nixed three covers. So needless to say, it's been nothing but cover talks, phone calls, and strategy ever since.
For the newer writers out there, an author does not get approval over covers unless he/she is at a very high level as an author. At NLA (and I imagine this is true for most agents), we always put cover consultation in the contract.
However, the definition of "consult" can be very loose. I've had some editors involve the author from the very first illustrative sketch to the final version. I've had some editors send it to the author when complete and simply say here it is. (To me, that's not consult and I argue it.) For most editors, they are really invested in the author liking the cover so they actually allow a lot of input.
I've been lucky this week. The editors were fully supportive, nixed the covers and sent them back to the drawing board.
And then this morning, one of my authors sent me this link to PW's Blog Shelftalker. I immediately read it and felt an overwhelming urge to say "Amen!" and "Keep singing my song!"
In the past weeks I've said everything mentioned here:
1. Misleading cover image that doesn't remotely match the novel's content.
Please, I beg you, for women's fiction, no more pictures of pastoral objects like a bike or a hammock on a lovely sun porch. Debbie Macomber already has that cover thank you.
2. Same Old Cover Designs That Fit The Popular Trend.
I echo Elizabeth, please, no more covers of models in gowns, young women lying down, partial face images. When we got the ARE mailing of the "hot summer books" from a variety of young adult publishers, it was clear that any one title sent in that bunch was going to have trouble standing out. Every single one had a picture of a girl in some kind of dark, mysterious background or in a dark nature setting.
But I would like to add one to the list. No more jarringly ugly covers. I literally got a cover where the colors clashed so badly, I couldn't figure out why somebody thought that color palette was a good idea.
Trust me, I'm not an art major or graphic designer but I am an avid reader and have seen my share of art through the ages. I know ugly when I see it.
In talking to one editor recently, I said, "all I have is my immediate gut reaction and right now, my gut says Oh Please No.
I could have kissed the editor when she said, "no prob; we'll throw it out."
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 9/13/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: queries, agents, genres, submission, agenting, client books, general rants, Add a tag
STATUS: I'm feeling a tad riled up.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? MY HEART BELONGS TO ME by Barbara Streisand
Holy cow! Can't believe I missed this article yesterday. I'm so glad an agent friend forwarded to me. Take a moment to read it and tweet it on but in short, it's an appeal to support literature with gay and lesbian characters and the fact that there are some appalling agents and editors out there who are making requests that the writers make a gay character straight.
Seriously? What year are we in?
I cannot tell you how delighted I was to see a link to a list of YA literature that features gay/lesbian characters and my author Sarah Rees Brennan's THE DEMON'S LEXICON series was on it.
This author of mine is brilliant. It's a wonderful series and her new trilogy that I just sold to Random House also has an absolute kick-a** gay/lesbian main character. The first book UNSPOKEN publishes in fall 2012.
Not to mention, I have a Monica Trasandes' debut adult literary novel coming out in spring 2012 from Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Press. It's called BROKEN LIKE THIS and features three main protagonists: a bisexual character, a gay/lesbian character and a straight male character (had to throw that last one in there-LOL).
A multicultural author to boot. I'll tell you right now it was a tough sell but I loved the novel and I sold it.
So add these to your wish lists if you want to show support via your buying dollars. If I had cover art or anything yet for these two titles, I'd post it here but we are in the middle of the cover design and the buy links aren't available online yet.
And let's not forget the incredibly brilliant, witty, impeccably dressed and extremely powerful Lord Akeldama from Gail Carriger's The Parasol Protectorate series.
I must admit it never occurred to me to add to my agency's submission page that we are open to accepting material with LGBTQ characters because I kind of thought it went without saying but I'm rethinking it now.
Feel free to link to this blog post that it's a-okay with us and I have NEVER asked an author to change a character's ethnic background or orientation.
And because we are talking about multicultural too, check out my author Kimberly Reid's debut YA novel MY OWN WORST FRENEMY. It's an African-American urban Nancy Drew series. I mean, just how cool is that?
Note: LGBTQ stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning.
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By: Kristin Nelson,
on 8/1/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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STATUS: I'm finally back! It definitely took a week longer than I expected but I'm doing great.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? JEOPARDY by Greg Kihn (Of course!)
Late on Friday (July 29) I found out that Jamie Ford was going to be a literature question on that night's TV show of Jeopardy!
Surely you've arrived if you are ubiquitous enough to be a question on a popular game show, right?
Not a single contestant got the answer. LOL!
Yep, take it down a notch Kristin. It still makes me smile though.
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 7/6/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: news, New York Times, young adult, fantasy, romance, USA Today, literary fiction, client books, bestseller lists, Add a tag
STATUS: Even though I look absolutely ridiculous doing a happy dance, I’m doing it anyway! White woman overbite. Here I come.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE LOAD OUT by Jackson Browne
This is just getting impossible. If I keep hitting crazy milestones, what will I have to look forward to? Last year, I had 3 authors on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time.
Then it happened twice in one year. Fabulous. Where to go next?
How about 4 authors on the NYT list at the same time? And 3 of them on the top 150 USA Today Bestseller list at the same time as well.
Yep! That’s the news that hit my inbox about an hour ago. And here they are.
At #19 on the Trade Paperback list and #146 on USA Today
At #9 on the Children's list
At #11 on the Mass Market paperback list and #109 on USA Today
At #13 on the eBook listand #59 on USA Today
Whe
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 7/5/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Awards, romance, client books, RWA, Add a tag
STATUS: First day back in the office after 6 weeks. Slight chaos.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? BRANDY (YOU’RE A FINE GIRL) by Looking Glass
I honestly didn’t think it was possible but obviously it is. *grin*
Huge congrats to Sherry Thomas for winning the RITA-award for Best Historical Romance two years in a row. In 2010, she won for NOT QUITE A HUSBAND. This year, it’s HIS AT NIGHT’s turn!
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 7/1/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: news, movies, young adult, Hollywood, client books, books to film, Add a tag
Status: RWA. Day Final. Tomorrow I go home to Denver. Squee
What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? JOHNNY B. GOODE by Chuck Berry
We’ve known for months but couldn't say anything. I guess if Hollywood Reporter is going blast it out there (with nary a heads up I might add), I’m going to shine a spotlight on it.
Congrats Ally on having Drew Barrymore attached to direct HEIST SOCIETY and even more fabulous?
Having the sequel, UNCOMMON CRIMINALS, debut at #3 on the New York Times Children’s Bestseller list this week!!!
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By: Kristin Nelson,
on 6/15/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: RWA, romance, client books, Add a tag
Status: Whose bright idea was it to schedule meetings from 9 in the morning until 9 in the evening? Oh wait, that was my fault.
What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? I DON’T WANNA FIGHT by Tina Turner.
First off, if you are a Denverite and you have not had a chance to vote for Jamie Ford’s HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET to be the One Book One Denver choice, please pop on today as June 15 is the last day to vote!!
Pretty please. *grin*
As all of you know, I’m here in New York for the whole month of June meeting with a variety of editors. This week, I’ve had a chance to talk with 4 editors who work in the romance and women’s fiction field.
For wm’s fic, it’s still the order of the day to find an upmarket literary voice with a story that has a great hook.
In other words, a good story well told…
In romance, there’s a bit more uncertainty. Editors really don’t have a clear picture on what might work for a debut. Will it be paranormal? Historical Romance? I was hoping Historical Westerns would make a come back (as I do have a soft spot in my heart for them) but editors weren’t showing a lot of enthusiasm.
Now contemporary Western (or set in Texas) seems to be working okay. And yet sales, in general, for contemporary romance is soft.
12 Comments on Romance Anyone?, last added: 6/16/2011
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 6/13/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: agents, client books, electronic books, Add a tag
Status: Best moment in NYC today? Walking over to Central Park and seeing a dude that looked remarkably like Will Smith asking folks if they wanted to do park bike rentals. And in this town, it really could have been him and people didn’t notice. It was a remarkable double…
What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? REAL LOVE by The Doobie Brothers
Today a fellow agent and I were having a discussion about eBook pricing. What should backlist romance titles be priced at and does that poach sales for the current release?
Obviously there are a variety of opinions on this subject but here is mine.
I don't personally believe that a lower eBook price for a backlist title poaches from a current title. I think the romance reader is more likely to then buy both if the backlist title is reasonably priced.
In terms of pricing, most authors are seeing good movement when a backlist title is priced between the $2.99 and $3.99 price range. Higher than that and the sales are flat.
And speaking of reduced pricing for backlist titles, this is a perfect segue albeit for women’s fiction. Need a cheap summer read? HarperCollins is letting you get a taste of NLA client Kristina Riggle for $0.99
Yep, less than a buck. And it’s across all platforms. Here are links for just a few:
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 5/31/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: publishers, client books, royalty statements, electronic books, Add a tag
Status: Most of today I felt like I still had BEA brain. And the Brenda Novak Auction is ending tonight!
What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? ROSEALIA by Better Than Ezra
Many weeks before several authors started making headlines about their choice to self-publish, my author Courtney Milan, with my blessing and support (not that she needed it!), had already made that decision. She walked away from an offer on the table from her publisher Harlequin. There were several reasons for this decision but it will come as no surprise that it mainly hinged on the electronic royalty rate that had been offered. It’s no industry secret that Harlequin is well below what has become the “industry standard.” And it’s also not a secret what I think about Publishers’ current industry standard of 25% of net.
What was secret is that Courtney didn’t announce it—until now. Today she launched this new publishing direction with a novella entitled UNLOCKED in her Turner Brothers series that began with Unveiled & Unclaimed which will release in September.
In four short days, I can already tell you two important things about this digital revolution.
1. Pricing is everything. Pricing a title appropriately will move a great number of books in a short period of time.
2. Publishers are under-reporting electronic book sales in any given period on the royalty statements we are seeing.
That's a fact.
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By: Kristin Nelson,
on 4/19/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: client books, booksignings, promotion, Add a tag
STATUS: Enjoyed a quiet day because of the Passover holiday. I caught up on a lot of emails.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? CUTS LIKE A KNIFE by Bryan Adams
If you have read HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, you’ll know that in the front matter of the book, there is a picture of a Japanese girl circa 1942. She’s wearing a tag on her jacket and it’s implied that she is leaving for the internment camps.
It’s a powerful picture.
The week before last, Jamie was doing a reading/signing at Woodland Reads. He discovered that the young girl in the photo is still alive and lived nearby. So he invited Mae Yanagi to come and be his special secret guest.
And she did! Okay, I got a shiver just looking at the pics so here they are.
She stuck around and signed books with Jamie for the whole evening. How cool is that?
Blog: Jennifer Represents... (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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This way my friends and family won't have to read about my work all the time, and people who want book news won't have to wade through baby pictures and such. ;-)
Yes, big stuff will probably still show up in my personal Facebook, and on this very blog, but The Page will be really specifically a catch-all location. So clients, if you have news to share, let me know and I will post it!
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 2/23/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: client books, electronic books, Add a tag
STATUS: I don’t know what to do with myself! I’m literally caught up on all queries, all sample pages, and I’ve responded to every full we’ve requested. Maybe I should just revel in the moment….
What’s playing on the iPod right now? SEX ON FIRE by Kings Of Leon
We are getting our latest round of royalty statements. Our biggest months are Feb/Aug and April/Oct.
All I can say is whoa. Who turned on the ebook sales? In five years, I’ve never seen numbers like I’m seeing from the past 3 or 4 months. Ereaders were THE gift this holiday season is what I’m thinking. About 6 months ago I said the tipping point was near. I think it’s here.
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/28/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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STATUS: Even though it’s Friday, I’ll probably be a little late in getting out of here tonight.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE GREEN ROOM by Wayne Gratz
Although this isn’t a “funny” per se, it’s more like a cool item. One of NLA’s Australian clients, Cheryl Hingley, had her novel LA CREOLE adapted into a musical.
Here are excerpts from the performance at the Comedy Theater, Melbourne, Australia.
We are also happy to report that Cheryl’s application for a grant from the New Musicals Australia was accepted. How cool is that? Now the musical will go through workshops and a 40-minute fully-funded performance in Sydney this March 2011.
If you live Down Under (and I know I have plenty of readers in that country), you might want to check it out.
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/25/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: young adult, fantasy, career, client books, royalties, Add a tag
STATUS: I think my telephone’s handset is permanently glued to my left ear. Way too much phone time over the last few days.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE LOVECATS by The Cure
Wrapping up the fun facts tonight!
Mari Mancusi—It took me over two years to convince her publisher to buy the fourth book in the Blood Coven Vampire series. Then they did, repackaged the back list with new covers and now the series is doing great and we are up to having recently sold book eight!
Lisa Shearin—who has well over 100,000 copies in print for her Raine Benares series had a ton of passes while on submission for MAGIC LOST, TROUBLE FOUND because the editors didn’t like the “fun voice.” It wasn’t the “norm” in fantasy.
Shanna Swendson—Gets regular royalty checks for her Enchanted Inc. series even though the first book published more than 5 years ago. Talk about evergreen!
And I have a ton of other facts that will probably never see the light of day but this has been fun to recap.
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/20/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: young adult, romance, career, client books, Chutney, Add a tag
STATUS: Today was a whirlwind of good news and I actually knocked 2 things off my To Do List. I’m flying high tonight.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? THE WEDGE by Dick Dale
Courtney Milan—next to Chutney, Courtney has the cutest dog on the planet! Seriously, most of you know that Courtney came my way via a recommend from Sherry Thomas but then I met her in person and the Chicago Romance Writers Conference. I was impressed on many fronts.
Paula Reed—is the only client where I found her! I read an article about teachers and Columbine High School in the Denver Post and she was profiled. In the article, she mentioned she was writing a romance so I reached out to her. Now she writes literary historical fiction.
Sarah Rees Brennan—I was the only agent she queried for The Demon’s Lexicon series. Every day I’m thrilled and amazed that it was so!
Kim Reid—I met Kim at the Pikes Peak Writers conference and I think I physically groaned when she said she had a memoir to pitch (she won’t let me live that down!). Her memoir NO PLACE SAFE is one good reason why I’m proud to be a literary agent.
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/19/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: young adult, career, submission, client books, general rants, Add a tag
STATUS: Hey, winter decided to show up, briefly, in Denver today. It snowed. I already miss out near 60 degree weather already.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? GIVE PEACE A CHANCE by John Lennon
The Gals of Killer Fiction (all former Dorchester authors) are giving away free eBooks because finally, it’s their books to give away. (For the history, click on this link.) Two of my authors, Jana DeLeon and Leslie Thompson are participating. Nothing wrong with the word “free” in this case so you might want to check it out.
And that leads me to back to some more fun facts to share.
Lucienne Diver—was already publishing under a pseudonym when I convinced her to do the Vamped Series in her own name.
Carolyn Jewel—has never missed a deadline (which has me convinced that she has mastered the art of cloning)
Leslie Langtry—was skeptical of literary agents and gave me the most detailed questions I’ve ever received when offering representation. And if you know Leslie, who is probably the author most likely to buy you a beer and hug you, you’d realize just how strange that is!
Marie Lu—was an attendee I met at the Pikes Peak Writers Conference. She submitted sample pages to her first novel which I passed on (sensing a theme here!). Then I took her on for a novel that I wasn’t able to sell. Now her debut YA, LEGEND, is one of Penguin’s big books for this fall. Talk about paying some dues.
Time for bed but more tidbits tomorrow!
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/18/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: career, client books, Titles, general rants, pitch sessions, Add a tag
STATUS: Ack! Can’t believe it’s 5 already. Where did the day go?
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? CALLING ALL ANGELS by Train
Once an author is established, it’s kind of hard to think of them as having a beginning but every successful author has a fun fact about their beginning. I thought it might be fun to share today.
Gail Carriger—Four years before she sent me SOULLESS, I had read a YA novel from her, passed on the manuscript but sent along a letter with feedback. She remembered that fondly and so queried me with SOULLESS.
Ally Carter—I signed Ally for a novel (adult) that we’ve never shopped.
Sara Creasy—(who by the way was just nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award—HUGE!!!) I made her revise SONG OF SCARABAEUS twice before I signed her and then went on to sell it.
Jana DeLeon—For her first book, RUMBLE ON THE BAYOU, had an editor who so wanted to buy her. Got shot down at her house. It sold elsewhere but just recently, this editor asked for every book she’s written since so she would have them on her vaca. Oh yes, we obliged@
Simone Elkeles—had only one offer to buy PERFECT CHEMISTRY. I was afraid I wasn’t going to be able to sell it!
Jamie Ford—When he first submitted HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, he had the manuscript entitled THE PANAMA HOTEL. Sounds like it’s set in Latin American. We went through about 100 titles before settling on the one it was published with before submitting it to editors. Now people can’t imagine any other title for it. One bad suggestion was Burning Silk—after the one scene where Japanese women start burning their wedding Kimonos after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Janice Hardy—Sold me on her manuscript during the 10-minute pitch session at the Surrey Writers Conference. Right after the pitch appt. I called my assistant (Sara at the time) and asked her to send it to me the minute it came in. She did. I read it and immediately offered rep for it. It’s rare to take on a novel from a pitch session but it happens.
More to come tomorrow!
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/17/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: news, conferences, promotion, client books, bestseller lists, Add a tag
STATUS: Today is MLK holiday! I’m only in for the morning and then heading out to do a nice hike as the weather is good here.
What’s playing on the XM or iPod right now? VALENTINE by Kina Grannis
Hey readers. Sorry about the blog silence starting on Wednesday. I had to go out of town unexpectedly for a funeral and there really was not time to write. I actually didn’t even open my computer except on the plane ride to and from.
On a MUCH lighter note. Jamie Ford attended the Pulpwood Book Queens 11th Anniversary Girlfriend Weekend Author Extravaganza!
I pretty much think this picture says it all!
Jamie (on right) with Sam Barry of Rock Bottom Remainders
Need more great shots? Click here.
And if that costume wasn’t enough, we just found out on Friday that Hotel On The Corner Of Bitter and Sweet made the USA Today’s Best-selling Books: The top 100 for 2010 list.
Hotel came in at #84. Huge Congrats Jamie!
For that, I’d put on an Alice and Wonderland costume….
By: Kristin Nelson,
on 1/10/2011
Blog: Pub Rants (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Awards, news, UK, middle grade, client books, Add a tag
Status: Winter finally decided to show up in Denver. Eight inches of snow and boy is it cold.
What’s Playing on the XM or iPod right now? 1983 by Neon Trees
One of the things I love the most about repping titles in the children’s world is the very different expectation children’s editors have for a debut author.
In the adult world, sometimes a new writer is treated via the spaghetti test. Let’s throw it out there and see if it sticks. If it doesn’t, time to move on.
In the Children’s realm especially for middle grade, there is an expectation that most successful mg titles will be through a slow build. With this in mind, the publisher expects to support the title for the long run. Now it’s not to say there aren’t successful titles straight out of the gate. There are and trust me, editors are excited and happy about that.
The difference is that they understand that an instant success is the exception to the rule rather than the norm. And this is what makes today’s news so cool.
A year and a half after initial publication, Janice Hardy’s first book in the Healing Wars series is now starting to get recognition.
Finally we can share some big news out of the UK. THE PAIN MERCHANTS (the US title is The Shifter) has been shortlisted for the 2011 Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize. This is a big deal. We’ve known for 2 months but couldn’t say anything until today.
We also found out that in the U.S., THE SHIFTER is a nominee for the 2011-2012 Truman Readers Award for the state of Missouri.
28 Comments on The Slow Build, last added: 1/14/2011Blog: Jennifer Represents... (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: kate messner, client books, book b'day, Add a tag
Happy book birthday to SUGAR AND ICE by Kate Messner.
Here's what the publisher says:
For Claire Boucher, life is all about skating on the frozen cow pond and in the annual Maple Show right before the big pancake breakfast on her family's farm. But all that changes when a charismatic Russian skating coach offers Claire a scholarship to train with the elite in Lake Placid. Tossed into a world of mean girls on ice, where competition is everything, Claire realizes that her sweet dream come true has sharper edges than she could have imagined. Can she find the strength to stand up to the people who want to see her fail and the courage to decide which dream she wants to follow?
Winter 2010-2011 Kids Indie Next List
Junior Library Guild Selection
Amazon Best Books December 2010
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I pre-ordered this book after reading your blog post on it. It arrived last week on the 25th and was a very good read with some nice twists on some hoary cliches.
Congrats Kristen and Kristin. And what a brave and selfless thing for the author to do :)
I'm curious. Did you guys pull the MS to do revisions? Or did you remain confident the whole time that the book would eventually find its perfect editor match?
Good luck to all involved - hope the book kills. That said, 2 observations:
1) Anyone who thinks editors know everything (or ANYONE knows anything for that matter) in publishing are smoking something. Harry Potter got rejected numerous times as did many others. Perseverance is your best friend in this business. Some editor will 'get it' if it's a good book. It might take years, it might not be the advance you want and it may never earn out, but someone, somewhere is bound to 'get it'.
2) Not to be a downer, but that is about the worst cover I have ever seen! Hope it just didn't come out well as a scan or something. Yuck!
It's good to hear stories like this. Keeps a girl going. :)
Kristen/kristin <---agent lol I had to do that at first I kept mistaken the spelling. What a great ending I can imagine the emotions that were involved during this process.
This was heart warming for me because when I get an agent I too want that individual to believe in my vision, even when doubt grows when hit with rejections.
Although I have somethimes loathed this word Subjective, I have come to terms that when my time comes I will have to be patient and hope someone will be subjective to my novel and actually love it...although I will be prepared for plenty of no we don't love it and other things like you mentioned above that editors may say.
Kristen wishing you plenty of sucess=0)
William Goldman said it best: Nobody knows anything. Loved this post.
SQUEE! Congrats Kristen and Kristin! I remembered seeing your 'Story of An Underdog' post months ago, and when this one popped up on NetGalley I JUMPED on it. I LOVED this book! I think I was expecting something akin to Gail Carriger's Soulless, but no! It's something completely different--and just as fabulous! So, SO pleased this one found a home with an editor who loved it,so I got to read and love it, too!
Thanks so much for sharing this story--it's so encouraging, and inspiring, and I kind of want to hug you both!
Conrats!
Thank you so much for sharing this story. I needed some encouragement today :)
Also thank you to Kristen C. for allowing you to share her story. It takes guts to put that out there. Best of luck!!!
PS: I actually really like the cover, I thought it was quirky and gothy. :)
Thank you for sharing that. I hope the book is a great success!! (btw... I LOVE the cover!) =)
Happy ending to a great story! Congrats to both of you!
Congrats on the release and all the fantastic blurbs, Kristen. I think the cover's gorgeous.
Hearing about this story just makes me so glad to hear about agents who fight for their clients.
This story sounds interesting. I can't wait to read it. :D
Congrats!! It's funny to see editors say they're afraid it won't sell well (but then, I have the luxury of seeing it done with all these great blurbs!). Even I am going to seek this out, and it's not normally what I read.
Special thanks to Kristin for allowing us to see snippets of her rejections. Somehow, that helped a lot - to see what that looks like. Seeing all the comments about the voice makes me very eager to read it and form my own opinion.
(Oh - and I liked the cover, too!)
Thank you for posting about this process. I've been seeing rejections very similar to these on my own book and it's started to get me down. Luckily my agent hasn't let it get her down, and seeing that it is possible to still sell after so many rejections gives me hope I might sell this yet. We just need to find that one right editor.
Congrats on finding that right one and I hope the book does very well.
The list of rejections made me ill. What does a writer do when people can't (don't) see the worth of a submission?
Ah well. I must stop whining and get back to writing now.
*still a little sick but checking on the book :)*
I think it's interesting that these editor rejections sound a lot like agent rejections! Of course, the parallels are real because, as we can see, the reasons an editor will pass on a project are very similar to the reasons an agent will pass. And this only goes to underscore the point that this business is subjective. In the end it's about writing the best novel we can write, and then finding that one agent and that one editor that's right for the book.
I don't know about anyone else, but this encourages me. Thanks!
Kristen, I'm so happy this story had a happy ending! I remember hanging with you at RWA Nationals in Orlando and hearing all you'd been going through with this book at the time. I had my fingers crossed for you and I'm so glad it all worked out! Can't wait to read the book.
Thank you for bravely sharing this list of rejections. It helps!
I think the annoying thing for a writer would be the way that these rejections aren't couched in very subjective language. (That's the annoying thing for this writer, anyway.) Everyone speaks with such absolute and utter authority, like they're using friggin' palantirs or something. I get "I didn't connect with the voice" as an agent's critique, because you'll have to be the book's biggest cheerleader. But an editor should know better than to make his/her subjective tastes equivalent to what will sell. As someone earlier in the thread pointed out, editors did this to Harry Potter and you have to wonder if--and why--they still have jobs.
Congratulations Kristen and Kristin! I'm glad lots of readers will have a chance to enter Miranda's world.
Love the pic--both of them! :-)
Congratulations!
Lucy
I've been fascinated with this book since your first post about it. I'll definitely been picking it up! Thanks for the peek behind the scenes. Once again, it confirms how subjective this business is.
You must feel like a proud mama :-)
Looking forward to reading my copy even more now.
The cup hath spoken! lol! :) I admit, it is very nice to see a Happy Release Day post for Firelight. Thank you, Kristin, for your tenacity and unfailing belief in this book -and me!
I also wanted to add that I agreed to put my rejections up in public, in all their blunt glory, because I thought it might give other writers some comfort. Rejection is a part of our lives, be it during the query stage, submissions, or a negative review. There is no shame in rejection. Opinions are not fact but taste, and we should not let anyone end our dream because of them.
Best of luck to my fellow writers!
So of course i'll read this book. But what in the world is more subjective, apparently, than the world of agents, editors and publishers? Oh, maybe the judging world of ice skating....I don't like her costume, or her lipstick or her too wide hips....oh! you mean I should be judging her skating??? I am sooo grateful for your blog and for showing these rejections. Sounds like the world of children....I don't like the green crayon, or watercolors, or india ink drawings....never mind that there's great work to look at...I feel no shame in rejection. I do admit to shaking my head at the reason. Or reasons. I've chosen to frame and hang my rejections. In the bathroom. Thanks so much for hanging in there with this author and for your dedication to your own belief in her work. It is so encouraging to the rest of us that somebody does believe in something. To all of us who find this weird world daunting: find the laughter, people. Much of it is just a joke to work through to find the one who gets what you're saying.
It's amazing how those editorial rejections all focused on the same two things -- the voice and the lack of connection. I'm not a reader in this genre, but frankly, if I was, I'd rely more on the editor's responses than the responses of the authors, who could be blurbing only out of professional courtesy. Saying that, though, I wish this book and its author all the luck in the world.
RG
Rejections happen, it's all part of the big, subjective picture, and congratulations on having found a home for Kristen's book!
Best,
Rashad.
Perseverance and belief: this is where I see the correlation between being a writer with being an athlete. It's the mental journey that truly distinguishes those that succeed from the rest. Inspiring. Congratulations to you both in receiving your due validations.