Deal Announcement: Three-book deal for Liora Blake!

I’m so pleased to announce a three-book deal with Simon & Schuster’s Pocket Star for Liora Blake. Her debut True North is the start of a contemporary romance series that will be released in 2015. Liora's prose is nothing short of lyrical and this romance is very, very sexy. I can't wait for you guys to read it!

Here’s the PM announcement:

Digital: Fiction: Women's/Romance

Liora Blake's TRUE NORTH, about a small-town Montana writer as she embarks on sexy relationship with a rock star and discovers he's more than his intimidating on-stage persona, though when a searing expose in a trashy magazine sends her running, it threatens their chances at forever, to Lauren McKenna at Pocket Star, in a nice deal, in a three-book deal, by Victoria Lowes at The Bent Agency.

Help me in congratulating Liora on her brand new twitter. She’s @liorablake. Also, check out her fantastic new website here.

Interview with Robin Stevens and Katy Cannon about their covers – a post by Gemma

In the last few weeks, two of my fantastic clients with May 2014 publication dates have posted their cover reveals -  Robin Stevens for the UK cover of MURDER MOST UNLADYLIKE and Katy Cannon for LOVE, LIES AND LEMON PIES.

Robin and Katy’s publishing journeys have taken place at very much the same time and with milestones falling at similar times, as shown by this lovely photo of them sharing a congratulatory cake at my client retreat.

So I thought it would be fun to interview them both about their thoughts on the covers of their novels.

First up is Katy:

Did you have a cover in your mind after you'd finished the book? 

I really didn’t! I guess after all the baking and pie tasting, I assumed that maybe there’d be some tower of cake or something on the front. But beyond that, I was more than happy to leave it to the professionals! 

How did you feel seeing the first roughs pop into your inbox? 

I was so excited! And just a little bit nervous. It’s weird, seeing how someone else pictures your book. But I got incredibly lucky – the art department at Stripes got the book completely. 

Who did you share it with first? 

My husband, my daughter, my mum and dad and my brothers. Gemma actually got to see it before me as my email didn’t come through at first! 

What do you think of the final cover? 

I adore it. After the proof cover, they set up a special photo shoot to get the picture exactly right, and the details that got added in are just perfect – Lottie’s necklaces, the smudges of flour on the rolling pin, everything.

What was the process like? How much were you involved? 

For me, mostly sitting around and waiting to see what they came up with! I’m not a designer, and since I knew that everyone at Stripes had read the book, I trusted them to come up with the best cover. And they did! 

What's your favourite aspect of the cover? 

I love it all, especially the fonts they chose, but my absolute favourite part has to be my name on the rolling pin! 

What has been the response from friends and family? 

They all wish they could have a book cover so pretty. And one friend actually sent me a wooden rolling pin with my name on it this week, which was very exciting! It’s now sitting on my desk inspiring me to get on with writing the companion novel. 

Love, Lies and Lemon Pies will be published on 5th May 2014. You can find out more about Katy on her website and about her younger series, POOCH PARLOUR, which will be published in March 2014. 

And now to Robin:

NOTE: Robin's cover has changed from the original one posted. I asked her what she thought of the new cover: 


I'm really excited about the changes. The wonderful illustrations and gorgeous title font that I loved in the original are still there - the essence of the cover is absolutely the same - but now I feel like the tweaked design gives the details even more room to shine. The colour's great too - a really bright, lovely blue - and I think that it's going to look wonderful on shelves. I can't wait to see the finished book!

Original interview below:  

Did you have a cover in your mind after you'd finished the book? 

I did! I imagined what was basically a straight-up recreation of a 1930s school story cover. In retrospect, I’m very glad that this didn’t become reality, but at the time I had it in my head so firmly that I couldn’t imagine anything else. 

How did you feel seeing the first roughs pop into your inbox? 

Pure terror, in case I was going to hate it, and then a brain-bending moment as my inner image of my book’s face changed totally. Then I realised that it was so much better than what I’d been imagining, and I’ve been delighted ever since! 

What was the process like? How much were you involved? 

I was told who my cover artist was going to be, and then after her first roughs came in, I was asked to comment on any small alterations I’d like. Interestingly, there was an aspect of the cover that didn’t match what I’d described in the book – but it was the text that ended up being altered, because what Nina (the artist) had created looked so wonderful as it was!

What is your favourite aspect of the finished cover?  

I think it would have to be the way that the I in ‘Unladylike’ is actually a pen. It’s so smart and stylish, and it pleases the writing nerd in me.  

Who did you share it with first? 

My mother and my boyfriend. I sent them an email that just read ‘LOOK AT THIS!!!’ Then I jumped up and went running around the office, waving the print-out above my head in triumph. Since I work for a children’s publisher, I got a lot of interest! My colleagues immediately began talking about what finishes should be used on it, so I knew that they approved. 

What do you think of the final cover? What has been the response from friends and family? 

I unashamedly love it. It’s now the background of my phone and my laptop, and I flash it at everyone I meet like it’s a photo of my firstborn. Everyone else has been just as positive, which is wonderful. My favourite response so far is the friend who told me that it reminds her of ‘a fancy box of chocolates’. She’s absolutely right! It’s delicious. 

Murder Most Unladylike will be getting another cover reveal when the US cover is finalised, so stay tuned for that! 

Murder Most Unladylike will be published in the UK on 8th May 2014. 
It will be published in the US in Spring 2015 by Simon and Schuster. You can find out more about Robin on her website. 

Thanks Robin and Katy for sharing your cover experiences! 

CALLING ALL INTERNS! Open spots for readers of adult fiction!

We’re looking for a few interns, one to focus on thrillers, suspense and mystery; the other to focus on women’s fiction, romance and new adult; and another to tackle adult genre fiction specifically for women.

Here are the details:

· The internships are unpaid and remote, so you can work from anywhere, anytime.

· No publishing experience is necessary but we’re looking for dedicated readers who are passionate about books in these categories.

· You will need to dedicate 8-10 hours a week for this position.

The internship is a great way to learn more about an agent’s work and decision-making process, and is a huge opportunity to connect with a literary agent directly.


To apply, send an email to TBA.reader@gmail.com with the following information:

· Please put “Thrillers/Suspense/Mystery Internship” or “Women’s Fiction/Romance/NA Internship” or "Women's Genres Internship" in the subject line, depending on which position you are applying for.

· Tell us why you’d like the position.

· Include some information about yourself, including any relevant experience you have. Attach a resume if you’d like to, though it’s not necessary.

· List the last 10 books you’ve read in the category you are applying for.

· List your 10 all-time favorite books. (I know this one is hard, and sort of mean, but try!)

We usually receive quite a few applicants and the application period will close fairly quickly; watch this space and twitter for more announcements.

Thank you!

Application Period for MG/YA and Picture Book Internships is Closed

Many thanks for the interest in the internships!  The application period is now closed.  We’re reviewing your materials this week and you should have a reply by Mon, Feb 17.  Remember to stay posted to the blog, as we post new internships here periodically and you're always welcome to re-apply for any position.