So…do you guys remember a week or so ago, when I apologized for being so busy that I couldn’t post on my blog? And remember I said I had a good reason why and that I would tell you why as soon as I could? Well, that day is today!
Some of you may have already seen why, since Publisher’s Marketplace was a tiny bit excited by my news and decided to let everyone know on Saturday instead of today. ; ) So, I won’t make this all long and drawn out like I wanted to. :P
I SOLD MY DEBUT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(*Pauses for applause, bows, blows kisses, wipes the tears from my eyes*)
Yeppers, THAT’S the reason. Pretty good reason, huh? :) I’ve been so busy with getting it ready for submission, the BEING on submission, then keeping my mouth shut AFTER I had an offer that I didn’t blog. Although, to be fair, the keeping my mouth shut after the offer didn’t really keep me too busy to blog. I was just terrified that I’d someone let something slip, I just kept my fingers busy with other things, namely plotting the next book in the series, because it’s a THREE BOOK DEAL!!!!!!!!
See what I did there? Hehe!
And now onto the actual announcement from Publisher’s Marketplace so you can have all the details.
Jessica Souders's RENEGADE, about a female assassin in an underwater Utopia who realizes her memories have been altered and her mind and body aren't under her own control, to Melissa Frain at Tor, in a nice deal, in a three-book deal, by Natalie Fischer at Bradford Literary Agency (World English). Translation: taryn.fagerness@gmail.com
I'm still in a state of shock. The last few weeks I've been pinching myself almost contstantly to see if I'm dreaming. I think the bruises speak for themselves. :D
I’m so excited to be able to work with such an awesome editor and a fantastic publishing house. Heck, I practically GREW UP reading books from Tor (my family is a huge fan of Science Fiction—not all that surprising, huh?)
And, one last thing, I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my awesome crit partners (Liz Czukas, Larissa Hardesty, JaclynDolamore, Leah Crichton, and Anne Sheridan), my numerous beta readers, my family (specifically my husband), and last but certainly not least my fantabolous agent, Natalie Fischer (you are SO getting a hug when I see you in NJ). So, I want to say a heart felt thank you to all of you, it doesn’t even come close to how grateful I am for each one of you (Ha! Since I did a small acknowledgement here, just wait to see what I put in the book’s acknowledgement page! Bwahahaha!)
Well, I could go on forever, but I’ll just wrap this up with a huge…
I know I've already posted this, but I wanted to give it it's own page. I'm pretty sure she deserves it! I've also updated information and added links for you to reach her more easily, should you be interested.
Natalie M. Fischer is a Literary Agent and office assistant at the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. An honors graduate of the University of San Diego, California, Natalie holds a B.A. in Literature/Writing. She started as an intern at the Agency in 2007, after which time she left to write author profiles and book reviews for the San Diego Union Tribune. Finding that journalism was just not for her, she returned to work full-time at the Dijkstra Agency in April 2009, and started building her own client list in September of that same year.
Natalie is actively seeking new clients, and is especially interested in talented, hard-working new authors with a fresh, unique voice and hook. Her specialty is commercial fiction, with an emphasis in children’s literature (from picture book-YA/Teen), romance (contemporary and historical), historical fiction, multi-cultural fiction, paranormal, sci-fi/fantasy in YA or romance only, fairy-tale/legend spin-offs, and “beautiful dark” novels. She will also consider select memoir (has to be really unique) and that amazing project she never even knew she was looking for! She is always drawn to an open and positive attitude in an author, good grammar, and fantastical, engaging and sexy plots.
The Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency is one of the most respected literary agencies in the United States. With over 150 authors based around the world, SDLA represents an impressive client roster, which is both selective and eclectic. Founded in the early 1980's, the Agency has helped guide the illustrious careers of many best-selling authors across a broad spectrum of genres, including Maxine Hong Kingston, Amy Tan, Lisa See, Melinda Long, Janell Cannon, Diane Mott Davidson, Peter Irons, David Landes, Mike Davis, Chalmers Johnson and Susan Faludi, among others.
Read more about the agency on their website, and follow Natalie on Twitter @Natalie_Fischer!
And for kicks, a cheat-sheet of tricky grammar (so you don't blow your submission!).
Bio and picture courtesy of Natalie's website.
JS: How did you become an agent?
NF: By writing and interning. By writing, I learned what the heck an agent was, and by interning at the agency for two years and doing first reads and edits for romance agent Kevan Lyon (now of Marsal Lyon Literary), I learned exactly what an agent does. After starting a position here at the Dijkstra Agency in 2009 and getting the green light in September to start building my own list, I was an agent!
JS: Tell us about a recent project you’ve sold. (You can skip this one if you don’t feel comfortable talking about it.)
NF: Most recent project was a lovely, lovely picture book, called RED IS A CHILI PEPPER (title pending). It’s quite an inspiring story, actually, how this one came about. The manuscript was sent in to the editor last SEPTEMBER, and, only last MARCH did she have time to really read and decide she loved it! It can take quite a while for things to happen in this business (especially in children’s literature), so don’t give up!
JS: Are there any books coming out now that have you excited?
NF: Oy, I just want to catch up with my already-purchased reading before I even think about this question. I have a two-foot pile next to my desk of MUST reads, and a bookshelf of unread books to read…eventually.
JS: What are you looking for right now when tackling the slush pile?
NF: RIGHT NOW at this moment, I’m looking for well-written, steamy romances (I’d love to find a time-travel romance, or a GOOD Regency or Victorian, or something like Jude Deveraux’s TEMPTATION) and REALLY unique fantasy/sci-fi YA. As in, not just a spin off, but in a whole class of its own. Also, well-written, well-plotted historical fiction.
JS: What are you sick of seeing in queries that come across your desk?
NF: Vampire novels, adult chick lit, “this is exclusive” even though we’re a no response if not interested agency, rhetorical questions, typos, a FANTASTIC premise that isn’t well-executed, pictures, abuse memoirs, and really, anything that makes me go “ick.”
JS: Name three things that make you stop reading every time they crop up in a submission.
NF:
1.Word count 100,000 or over
2.Present tense (this is SO hard to do in my opinion)
3.Whiney, bratty, snotty, or rude characters (snarky is ok)
JS: How do you know when you’ve got “the one” sitting in front of you?
NF: If I’ve read it and I want to write back to the author at one o’clock in the morning OMG but have to restrain myself to remain professional.
JS: Will you be at any upcoming writers’ conferences where writers can meet and pitch you?
NF: The next event I have scheduled is a panel at the Ventura Book Festival in July, and after that I’ll be at the Society of Southwestern Authors’ Conference in AZ. Staying pretty local for a while.
JS: Do you have any advice on how writers can maximize their success in this changing industry?
NF: Keep reading. The best way to soak in what you want to write is to read it, see what’s out there and what’s working. Stay tuned to discussions on Twitter, blogs, etc. And keep on persevering.
JS: What is something about you writers would be surprised to hear?
NF: I’m pretty “superstitious,” you might say. Any time I pass a patch of clovers I look for a four-leafed one (my five-leaf clover is taped to my computer). I believe in gut “feelings” and intuition, like to consult the online magic-eight ball on occasion (though, so far, it hasn’t really been all that reliable), and am a through-and-through Cancer. I also keep thinking of these fantastic ideas for novels that I’m never going to write. L
I’d also like to add that I’m pretty approachable. I know most agents and editors scare the bejeebes out of writers, but really, we’re just over-caffeinated book nerds like you. I hate getting calls about submissions, but emailed questions I’m always happy to answer.
And I’m obsessed with SUPERNATURAL. And cats.
JS: Best piece(s) of advice we haven’t talked about yet?
NF: One of my favorite quotes comes from Lady Gaga, speaking to her younger self: “Don’t give up bitch; you’ve got a long way to go.”
JS: How hands-on are you in terms of editing? How much input do you expect to have with your clients’ work?
NF: I’m pretty well known as a hands-on agent. I expect any client I sign to be open to suggestion, and I always discuss this upfront. I don’t expect to re-write a book, and I also expect to have to back off if the writer absolutely feels that what I’m suggesting is not best for their work. I really enjoy a collaborative working relationship.
JS: Best way for writers to submit to you?
NF: Hard copy, unless requested, then by email. Submission guidelines are available at www.dijkstraagency.com (NOTE: Natalie is now accepting email submissions. You can send them to nfsubmissions@dijkstraagency.com ONLY. Please send query, synopsis, and the first 15 pages in the BODY of the email.)
Bonus Question: What is your favorite way to relax on a warm summer’s eve?
NF: Drink wine and play Pictionary with a small group of good friends.
Just a quick post today. Here's what my query letter looked like all put together when I sent it to my agent.
DearNatalie Fischer: (SALUTATION: REMEMBER TO PERSONALIZE THIS HERE. DO NOT MASS EMAIL. SEND TO ONE AGENT AT A TIME!!)
You'd think imagining a handsome stranger in your rearview mirror, crashing through a guardrail, careening into murky waters, and then being rescued by the same imaginary boy--who gives his name as Jackson--would be bad enough. But for seventeen-year-old Lily Baker, that’s just the start of her problems. (HOOK: GRAB THE READERS ATTENTION)
After coming home from the hospital, Jackson starts showing up in reflective surfaces — mirrors, puddles, windows, you name it. Lily, fearing others will think she’s crazy, keeps the visions to herself. After all, they’ll just go away if she ignores them, right? Not if Jackson has anything to say about it. And it isn’t long before he convinces her he’s real. The more time she spends staring into her mirror, the more she realizes she’s falling in love with a boy her family and friends insist is nothing more than shadows in her mirror and the hallucinations of her healing head injury. (SYNOPSIS: EXPLAIN ENOUGH OF THE BOOK TO GET THEIR INTEREST. END ON A HOOK)
MIRROR IMAGE is a science fiction romantic young adult novel, complete at 83,000 words. With a mix of Alice In Wonderland, The Phantom of the Opera, and Romeo & Juliet, this is a story of love that knows no bounds. Time, space, even the very fabric of reality cannot stop it. (BOOK DETAILS)
My young adult book, under the working title FALLEN, has been offered a contract from XXX. We are currently undergoing negotiations. I am a member of the RWA and CFRW. (PERSONAL BIO)
(PERSONALIZATION WOULD NORMALLY GO HERE)
Per your guidelines, I have enclosed a synopsis and the first 50 pages. Thank you for your generous time. I look forward to hearing from you soon. (TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE INCLUDING AND THANK THEM FOR THEIR TIME.)
Sincerely,
(MAKE SURE TO INCLUDE YOUR NAME AND CONTACT INFORMATION.)
"This just in, breaking news from the blog site of JA Souders:"
Okay, so I was going to do another blog on how to avoid being scammed, but I’m going to take a break from our regularly scheduled show to tell you about THE CALL! Yep, you read that right. A few weeks ago I received the call. Some of you already know this, but a lot of you don’t, so I thought I’d share.
Now onto the deets. My “call” was actually an email, because my story is a bit different and a bit long so I'll cut it a bit to get to the good stuff.
Okay, so I sent off my queries to my agents via email with every intention of only hitting the ones who accepted e-queries, but I was on absolute write where I heard about a newer agent that had started her own list. To avoid confusion we'll call her NF. Immediately I felt a little buzz and went to take a look at the site. And became disappointed. Not only did they only accept snail queries, but also they wanted the first 50 pages with it and they only respond if interested. Since money is a limited resource around my house, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to take the chance of sending it off, without even a response if they didn’t like it.
I put it off to the side as a maybe. But I just couldn’t get this agent out of my head. It was almost as bad as when I first met my husband and developed a MAJOR crush on him. This too I thought would never be reciprocated. So I decided to just go for it. I’d just get a delivery confirmation so I know it got there and try to forget about it. What harm could it do? So, I might be out a few bucks if she didn’t like it, but if she did…
In the meantime, I'd kept on querying. And after a really complicated and confused few weeks and another long story got "the call" from a different agent--we'll call her CF--but she needed to approve it through her partner and asked if I'd wait a few days. I agreed and waited until she called back. Which she did, but she still didn't answer. She asked if I'd wait a little longer and I agreed.
The minute I hung up I received an email from NF telling me she had LOVED what I had sent her and would I snail the rest to her? The only thing she asked for was an exclusive.
I didn’t know what to do. I was excited, because she was my “dream agent.” So I decided to snail the full to her and then emailed her to let her know I wasn’t able to grant her the exclusive, but I’d let her know if the other agent offered. She replied immediately thanking me and yes she’d still love to read it.
So, I waited another day or so and CF called back and made an offer. However, now I couldn’t make a decision yet. I asked for a week and immediately emailed NF back to let her know about the offer.
She replied immediately and asked since the snail mail full hadn’t arrived would I please email the rest to her and give her a few days to read and respond? I was floored. I hadn’t been expecting that, so of course, I sent it right off and waited. And waited. LOL. That was the longest 4 days of my life.
Then the unthinkable happened. She LOVED my story and wanted it. She offered representation right then and there. After asking a bazillion questions via email, which only confirmed she was my dream agent, I accepted her offer and emailed the other agent, apologizing and letting her know I was signing with NF.
Now onto the information you all have been waiting for. Who the heck did I sign with that would be so great that I’d be this giddy about it. It’s none other than Natalie Fischer of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency. You know, the agency that represents Amy Tan (Joy Luck Club) and Kate White (Hush)? Yep, that one.
That night Natalie emailed me all her notes and a few days later they sent me the temporary agency agreement to sign and fax back. And then on Tuesday, I received the actual contract and I signed and sent it back the same day.
In the almost 2 weeks I’ve been working with Natalie, I couldn’t be happier in our “relationship.” She is so excited about Mirror Image and she’s always quick to respond and her comments on her notes always crack me up. Not to mention the changes she suggests are usually spot on. The best part is, she “gets” it and is always open to questions.
Personally, I’m looking forward to working with her for many, many years and I hope that the rest of you find an agent that is just as wonderful.
I'm hoping to get her here to do an interview, but I don't know if I'll be able to do it. We shall see. :) In the meantime, I'll keep you all posted on any news that comes my way.
