Anatomy of a Book Deal-a post by Jenny

I thought it might be interesting for people to see how the process of selling a book works, from the time the agent and author first meet to the day that the deal is closed.    I recently sold a wonderful first novel called STARTER HOUSE by Sonja Condit to Morrow in the US and simultaneously to Corvus/Atlantic Books in the UK.  It's a creepy gothic tale about a pregnant woman who moves into her dream home, only to discover she must solve the mystery of a decades old murder to rid herself of a ghostly little boy and save her unborn child.   Here, from start to finish, is how it all went down.

August 30, 2011: I get an email from an old friend and terrific writer Leslie Pietrzyk, inviting me to come speak at the MFA program where she teaches.  This is a great low residency program at Converse College--perfect for authors who can't be in school full time. (Link here)  I enthusiastically accept.

June 5th, 2012:  I have a great time at the program meeting with individual students who pitch me their work.  One of them is Sonja Condit, a writer and musician, who tells me about her novel STARTER HOUSE, a literary ghost story.  I love ghost stories and am immediately intrigued.

June 11th, 2012:  Sonja sends me the novel via email.  I'm excited and resolve to read it quickly.   Summer is a quiet time for me so the timing is perfect for me to sit down and devour it.

June 17th, 2012:  I finish the novel and send Sonja the following email:  Hi Sonja,
Can we talk on the phone this week? I want to offer you representation!  I'm very excited and hope we'll be able to work together. Let me know when you are free...maybe tomorrow afternoon?
Jenny

June 18th, 2012.  I hear nothing.  I am biting my nails.

June 19th, 2012.  A response from Sonja, she is excited too and wants to talk!  We set up a time to talk the following day.

June 20th, 2012.  I am thrilled that Sonja accepts my offer of representation.   I send her my agency agreement which she signs and returns.   I tell her I will get to work on edits for her.

July 22nd, 2012.  I send Sonja a marked up manuscript and and a long editorial letter via email.  We are focusing on pacing and character development.

August 10th, 2012.  Sonja sends the revised manuscript.  Much progress has been made but this process takes time and there are still revisions to be done.

August 29th, 2012.  I sent Sonja another revision letter, still focusing on the characterization and the pacing.  I also send a marked up manuscript.

October 9th, 2012.  Sonja sends a revised manuscript.  Much, much improvement.  It's a joy to read this novel again and I mentally pat myself on the back for signing it up!  Characterization is now solid.   There is *still* some work to be done however, mostly in the form of cuts to work on the pacing. 

November 7th, 2012.  I send the last round of revisions to Sonja, and suggest cuts of about 20,000 words.

November 21, 2012.  Sonja sends the revised manuscript.  We do some last minutes tweaks back and forth, preparing for a submission right after the Thanksgiving break.

November 29, 2012.  I send out the manuscript to a group of US editors and also to a great film agent, Dana Borowitz at UTA, to see if she'd like to represent it for film.

December 5th, 2012.  I hear from Dana Borowitz that she loves it and wants to represent!  Hooray, a great sign.  She will wait until the New Year to start submitting as Hollywood closes down this close to the holidays.

December 6th, 2012.  I'm hearing from a lot of the US editors who love the novel.  I send it to Hellie Odgen, an agent in the UK, to see if she'd like to rep it there.

December 7th, 2012:  Hellie wants to represent it!  Hooray.  She prepares her submission list of UK editors.

December 7th, 2012: We get a first offer from a US editor and decide to go to auction next week.

December 13th, 2012:  Closing date!  And the lucky winner is Morrow--the fabulous Carrie Feron and Tessa Woodward love the book and make the winning bid.  Sonja and I are thrilled.

December 20th, 2012:  I hear from the UK, where Hellie has closed a deal with Corvus/Atlantic Books.  More celebrating!

After this, everything settles down a bit.   Sonja and Carrie talk edits on the phone and Sonja gets to work.  We wait for contracts, which can take a month to arrive, especially this close to the holidays.   Morrow now has a rough pub date of Fall 2013, but this can change as publishing schedules sometimes fluctuate.

What should writers take from this?  I think the biggest thing is that editing takes time!  Even after all the rounds of edits that Sonja and I went through, there were more from Carrie, even.  It's a process

Does It Ever Get Easier? A post by Jenny on having a long career.

The other day I was thinking about agenting and whether or not my job had gotten easier or harder over the years.   Over the course of a fairly long career (I'm not sure if I'm proud or embarrassed to say 22 years), I've gone from being the assistant to a literary agent to running my own agency with eight terrific agents repping a variety of genres. But even with all my new responsibilities, I have to say that in many ways my job has gotten easier, because I just get it so much more than I ever used to. It's still a challenge, don't get me wrong, and I still sometimes make mistakes, of course, but I just understand so much better what kind of book will work in the marketplace and that has made my life as an agent a thousand times easier. And what's hard about it is still kind of exhilarating in a way--it's that you always have to stay current, you always have to learn and challenge yourself and grow.  

And then I started thinking, well, what about writers?   Does it ever get easier for them?   And I decided to ask a few of my long-time and multi-published authors that very question. I figured it would be helpful for the readers of this blog who are possibly just starting out to hear some of their advice and insights.

Here's what I found out.  No, it doesn't really get "easier." It doesn't get easier to write a book and it doesn't necessarily get easier to publish a book.   In fact, it's often harder to sell a second book than a first one, just because if the sales figures for the first weren't good, it's that much harder to sell another one.  But what I did hear from my writers was that the process of being a writer had enriched their lives in such a way that it was still worth it, no matter how hard it was (which is also exactly how I feel about being an agent).

Here are some quotes:

"I think perhaps having a writing "career" gets easier over time. You know more people in that world, you have a track record, with luck you'e got a great agent like Jenny Bent. But what matters to writers most is the writing itself-- and does that ever get easier? I think perhaps it never should. Each blank page is a new territory. And as poet Antonio Machado said, "There is no path. You make the path--in going." 

-Liz Rosenberg, bestselling author of Home Repair and Laws of Gravity and many other books for children including Monster Mama and Tyrannosaurus Dad.

"I think the writing part gets easier in that some of the craft skills have settled in and come more intrinsically. The writing gets more challenging though in that you want each story to be fresh and unique and not be repetitive yet meet reader expectations. The more projects an author has out there or the more she/he has pitched, makes the sting of rejection not hurt so much. Also, being versatile with another idea in the works helps, so if one project doesn't work, you're always ready to move on.

That said, "waiting" to see if an editor likes your work is always stressful and resurrects every insecurity that an author has! I still play mental games, picking apart the project, bouncing between being optimistic and worrying that I'll never sell another book.

Another difficult part is keeping up with the market -- buying trends, genres, publishing, and marketing are ever changing and make selling and being successful a constant learning and growing process. Sometimes your career takes a good turn, then other times it takes a dive through no fault of the author. 

The self publishing route has definitely taken some of the pressure off the author as far as limitations for selling a project. If an editor or house doesn't pick it up, there is an option, whereas ten-fifteen years ago, that book would go under the bed.  Now, the author can still see that project in print."

-Rita Herron, bestselling author of 75 books, including Dying to Tell and Worth Dying For

"Nothing about being a career writer ever gets easier. Some things get more familiar, like remembering to bring pens and swag to book signings, understanding copyedits, racing through a first draft, or learning not to check GoodReads reviews (ever!). But other things, the things at the core of the career, at the intersection of business and art, will never get better. Honestly, they shouldn't. As a writer, you should always worry that your story could have been more complex or your dialogue could have sparkled more or your big reversal at the midpoint could have been more shocking. You should always want a better contract, more publisher support, a bigger readership, a higher sell through, a longer tail. More, bigger, better. No art was ever meant to be the easy path, and if you're not striving for everything then you'll eventually fade to nothing."

-Tera Lynn Childs, bestselling author of fifteen books for teens and adults, including Oh My Gods, Sweet Venom, and Forgive My Fins.

"The writing is harder now.  I ask a lot more of myself and my work than I even knew to ask in the beginning.  Is the business of writing easier?  No.  In some ways, it's harder.  But it all feels easier to me now.  Maybe I handle it better now because my expectations are born of years of experience rather than wrong-headed assumptions like they were in the beginning."

-Julia London, NYT bestselling author of 31 books, including The Trouble with Honor and Return to Homecoming Ranch

"Somethings get easier. You get more confident in your abilities and you learn what kind of stories sell and what don't. But your standards kept going up with your skills, the business aspect of writing grows more complicated, and it becomes really hard to maintain any semblance of a balanced life the longer you're at this. No matter what level you're at, writing is always difficult."

-Lori Wilde, NYT bestselling author of 78 books, including Love With a Perfect Cowboy and Somebody to Love

"I think it does and it doesn't get easier. 

It does because you figure you've proven that you can get through the process at least once without completely embarrassing yourself and your loved ones. On the other hand, there is a significant amount of pressure to write something that will sell as well as the one before it. When that fails to happen, you can lapse into the kind of depression that is beyond Zoloft and even Krispy Kremes."

-Celia Rivenbark, NYT bestselling author of seven books, including Bless Your Heart, Tramp and Rude Bitches Make Me Tired    

"Andre Dubus III described the process beautifully at a conference. He said that each time he writes a book, it’s like climbing an impossibly difficult mountain and each time he runs out of oxygen, his supplies aren’t quite right, he despairs, and he fears that he won’t reach the summit. And then he reaches the summit. And he gets to stay there for about 15 minutes before plunging back down to bottom to start the next book. I completely understood what he was talking about.

One thing that is different is the constancy of writing which is a wonderful part of my life. The writer part of me is ever present in a way that wasn’t possible when I had to support myself in other occupations."

-Jacqueline Sheehan, NYT bestselling author of Lost and Found, Picture This, Now and Then, and The Comet's Tale

How I Found My Agent -- A Guest Post by Ami-Allen Vath

As part of a continuing series on our blog, HOW I FOUND MY AGENT, here is a guest post by Ami Allen-Vath about her querying experience and how she came to be represented by our agency. I’m so thrilled to have her as a client and am looking forward to what I know will be a very successful relationship. You can find out more about Ami at her blog: www.amiallenvath.wordpress.com. -- Victoria

HOW I FOUND MY AGENT

In March of 2013, I began querying my YA Contemporary novel. It was my first completed manuscript. My first query trench visit. Which, for me, meant every rejection, especially in the beginning, was a cause to go absolute bananas for alarm. Should I re-write my beginning, maybe tweak the ending? Or just burn it? Come on, which one? It took me a while to really get what subjectivity meant.

I started reading “How I got my Agent Stories” like nobody’s business. Looking for inspiration and well, just to know “what to expect when you’re expecting to get an agent offer.” It was the same kind of deal when I was trying to get pregnant a few years back. Reading everything I could read, looking for secret handshakes and averages and overall, hope.

Six months after my query journey began, I received an offer. From a publisher. Wait, what? I thought you’re not supposed to submit to publishers and agents simultaneously? Well, at the time, I didn’t know there was any controversy about that. But, I think as long as you’re informed about all the reasons to and not to, (please do your research) then ultimately, it’s your choice. But you should only query and submit to those you’d seriously consider if they make an offer. Don’t send your query off to someone you know you’d never say yes to.

One of the agents who already had my full manuscript was Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency. TBA was at the tippy tippy-top of my list and had been since the beginning of querying. As soon as I read an interview with Victoria on Michelle Hauck’s blog, I put her on my list of agents to research. From there, I was impressed with her experience, aspirations, and the fact that she’d been learning and working alongside the professional, personable, and incredibly successful Jenny Bent. Her wish list also seemed to be very much in line with my novel. When Victoria requested my full manuscript, I was equally nauseous and excited to get it into her hands. Also, since she specializes in digital-first, she was the very first agent I thought of when I received my publication offer. I had a strong feeling that if she were “the one,” I’d be in good hands.

Aside from the full requests already out there, my “OFFER RECEIVED” email to recently queried agents got me two more requests. My inbox oozed of congratulatory, subjectively seeming, and gracious emails, but let’s not sugarcoat it. It was rejection week. One agent said no, but “we encourage you to accept the other offer.” One said no, but with regrets and felt confident it’d be okay since I had another agent offer along with the publisher. Try telling any querying writer not to overthink those emails. I had to explain it to my husband in layman’s terms. “No dude, they’re not being jerks. It’s like a girl dates you and thinks you’re hot but kind of boring. Or she loves hanging out with you but just can’t see herself bringing you home for a lifetime of shenanigans.” Sigh. “It all has to click.”

I tried to act cool, but I was really nervous it wouldn’t click for Victoria or the other agents with my manuscript. I didn’t have one dream agent per se, but I’ll admit this: I’d previously ranked the final agents with my manuscript as number ones on my QueryTracker chart. I was feeling that whole “just an honor to be nominated” kind of thing. Yeah but still: pick me PICK MEEEE! I was honored that my manuscript was in their hands, but also panic attacky as hell. One agent bowed out at the end of the week because even if given another week, it wasn’t enough time for her to get to my manuscript. Which proves that having an offer doesn’t mean that all agents will go nuts to read your book overnight. Agents are really busy so a time crunch is also another reason to say no. (Cue: Queen’s Under Pressure).

The more I thought about my initial offer, I really, really wanted an agent to help me out on this decision. Okay, let me be honest, I needed an agent’s guidance like nobody’s business. Because, once I read over the offer and started doing more research…SURPRISE! I didn’t know anything about rights and royalties and percentages and negotiating additional book options. Turns out I didn’t feel qualified and didn’t really want to take twenty-four crash courses in publishing contracts and hire a lawyer.

There was a lot of soul searching over the week. And a lot of ice cream eating. After an agonizing weekend, Monday morning came and an email from Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency popped up on my screen. She was requesting a call. Wait? Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency? Ack! THIS WAS IT! Is this THE CALL that all querying writers dream of? Yep. I didn’t even have to read the email over a million times or send it to a friend to help me psychoanalyze. After saying she’d love to schedule a call, it literally said “(hint: I’d like to offer representation.)” And there was a smiley face! Whaaaaaat? As many times as I dreamed about seeing this email, it was a total shock. It was clean and clear, and…so positive. There was no “But I just didn’t connect” or “I’m sure another agent will see it differently.”

EEEEEEK. I squealed the news to my toddler and texted my husband at work. Then, I scheduled the call like a pro–after my son got home from school and during my daughter’s nap.

I’d like to say the call was calm and cool while I asked the twenty some questions from the list I made months ago. Not even close. The first time I called, it went right to voicemail. On the second call, I heard every third word until I asked Victoria to call me back because of a bad connection. Listening to “loved—au—erp–representation” when you’ve been dying to hear an agent offer is brutal. When we finally talked for real, my throat was tight, and my voice was all shaky like it was tenth grade again and I was talking to my crush *Jason Murphy. (*pseudo name) It went by fast and I wasn’t in the moment although I wanted to be. I couldn’t think or speak or remember any of my questions even though they were on my lap. I have a theatre background and have led numerous business meetings and client presentations for my past sales job, so I don’t know where this came from. Oh wait, I do. When ever had I been thissuperclose to the start of making the first dream I’ve ever had come true? Never. I can’t even.

Victoria said she loved my book, thought it was funny, authentic and most importantly, she wanted to rep me and my career—not just the one book. And that alone is a dream come true. I accepted Victoria’s offer the next day. Since THE CALL, I’ve had more questions answered (with a less shaky voice), a very lovely welcoming email from the head of the agency, and a phone call that had me high fiving myself afterwards for having such a thoughtful, sharp, and on it agent. The faith and work Victoria has already shown and put into my book has been amazing and humbling. I’m excited for the journey ahead and am confident that this partnership will lead to great successes.