My First Sale Story: Getting “The Call”
Wednesday, September 22nd, 2010Yeah. So that’s not what happened at all.
I’d always assumed that my book was a work of epic fantasy. Nevermind that it was historical. Nevermind that it was a journey more suitable to women’s fiction. I figured that since it had magic in it, it had to be fantasy, and pitched to a few spec fic editors who were excited to see the full manuscript, but ultimately decided that I was barking up the wrong genre tree.
At that point, it struck me that if I wasn’t even sure what genre I was writing in, I obviously needed some help. So, I set about getting an agent. Only a few days after I started my search, I received a call from Jennifer Schober of Spencerhill Associates. She excitedly asked to see the full manuscript of what I was then calling Cleopatra’s Daughter.
After reading the full manuscript she called to tell me that she “love love loved” it and wanted to offer me representation. There was no question that I was going to say yes. Jennifer wasn’t just my dream agent, she was also passionate about my work. Even so, I took the time to read over the contract before enthusiastically accepting.
Now, literary agents all know what happened next, right? As soon as you sign a new client, out comes every old manuscript from the trunk. And I had a few. I didn’t want her to think I was a one trick pony, after all. Sure, I wrote historical fiction. But I also wrote fantasy and romance and a few other things besides. I particularly love mythology and I’d just completed a little novella about a gorgon in love. Yes, that’s right. A gorgon.
Jennifer patiently read my stuff and adored the gorgon story which she assured me was perfect for Harlequin’s Nocturne line. I told her that I had an idea for an accompanying novella about a modern day hydra and she loved that idea too. I was excited to work on something as creative as updating Greek monster mythology for modern readers, and things were looking great! I was on cloud nine.
Of course, I had no idea the emotional roller-coaster I was about to take.
You see, an editor who shall remain nameless at a major publishing house, fell in love my big historical about Cleopatra’s Daughter. What’s more, she was taking it to the acquisitions board. My agent was super excited. I was super excited. It was happening! Just as I had hoped, an editor had clutched my manuscript to her heart and sighed with joy…
But then everything came to a screeching halt. There was a problem. You see, another book entitled CLEOPATRA’S DAUGHTER was just about to hit bookshelves. And it had been penned by none other than best-selling author Michelle Moran.
Now, I don’t think it’s possible to overstate my state of shock as my first major sale unravelled. In thirty years, no one had written a book about Cleopatra Selene. But now, somehow, the enormously talented and personable Michelle Moran had done it! I was plunged into despair at the thought that my manuscript was no rare gem. I’d seem like a copy cat! All my publishing hopes and dreams were in smoldering ruins. Ruins, I tell you.
I couldn’t be comforted. It was like the worst break-up I’d ever had. I brooded and listened to maudlin music. I stayed up late watching Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton on DVD. I ate an entire pint of Ben & Jerry’s Chunky Monkey. And I don’t even like Chunky Monkey.
Then I came down with the worst case of stomach flu I’d had in my life. I spent the next few days worshipping the porcelain goddess. When my agent called I was dehydrated, curled up in a shivering heap at the end of my couch in a pair of fuzzy slippers, when my agent called, and struggled not to groan into the phone. I assumed I was delirious when she said that Nocturne editor Tara Gavin had loved my gorgon novella, and loved my outline for the modern day hydra even more. So much so that she wanted me to turn it into a book.
I may have said something very eloquent like, “Wait, what?”
“It’s official,” Jenn told me. “A two book contract for Nocturne. Your first book!”
I sat there in my delirium contemplating this. After years and years of honing my craft and polishing my manuscripts, I had somehow sold my first book–sight-unseen–based on an outline?
There may have been some shrieking and then I may have murmured something like, “I think I have to throw up.”
I called my mom. Then I crawled back into bed. When my husband came home, we celebrated with shots of Pepto Bismol. I tell you, Pink Bismoth has never tasted so fine…
In the next few months, I was on my way to becoming a Harlequin author. My debut novel, POISONED KISSES, turned out to be a story that moved me. It’s one that explored fears of abandonment and the disguises that we all wear, even with those we loved. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of daddy issues a daughter of Ares might have, this is the book for you. And I couldn’t be prouder for it to be my first book sale and part of a longer series that I’m writing for Nocturne.
But there’s also a cherry on my chunky monkey sundae. You see, a few months later, Cindy Hwang of Berkley books read my historical. I don’t know if she clutched it to her breast and sighed with joy, contemplating dreamily about what a literary gem she had found. But she did make an enthusiastic offer, and now LILY OF THE NILE: A NOVEL OF CLEOPATRA’S DAUGHTER will hit bookshelves in January 2011.
It’s a brave new world out there and there are more resources and opportunities for romance writers than ever before. Here are five great sites you may not have known about, but which could help launch your career:
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