YA/MG Agent Series: Hannah Bowman of Liza Dawson Associates

Due to the incredible amount of interest in my interview with literary agent Adriann Ranta, I've decided to do an entire series focussing on YA/MG agents. And you're in for a treat--today's interview is with super-agent Hannah Bowman, who has kindly offered to answer further reader questions, if there are any, in the comments section (Not in real time. She'll pop in later. It is a MONDAY, after all. Girl's gotta work). 

Hannah Bowman is a literary agent with Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency in New York, having joined the agency in 2011. She has a B.A. from Cornell University, summa cum laude in English and magna cum laude in Mathematics, and spent four summers working in particle physics at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory before deciding her interest was books (I’ll say it for you—holy crap! Now that’s a job change!). She briefly interned with agent Weronika Janczuk before joining the team at Liza Dawson Associates. And hold on to your hats, people—she’s on the lookout for young adult fiction, among other genres.

Michelle: Welcome to the blog, Hannah! Thank you so much for agreeing to this interview. My first question, since everyone is thinking it: What made you decide to go from particle physics to literary agenting? Seems like a big leap, career wise, to say the least.

Hannah: I was a science- and math-type (although I always loved, loved, loved to read) through high school. I went to college planning to be a mathematician, but by the end of my freshman year I'd declared a double major: math and English. I missed English classes too much to stop taking them! As I went through college, I ended up more and more interested in books, literary analysis, and the process by which good writing becomes great writing.

After college, I tried my hand at writing and querying a couple of (ultimately unsuccessful and never-to-be-published) novels, then realized I would be happier and more productive on the other side of the desk!

Michelle: What is the best part of being a literary agent, in your opinion?

Hannah: Working with incredible authors! There is nothing more exciting than the feeling of opening a fantastic client's new project and preparing to be swept off your feet.

...But calling an author to tell them an editor loves their book and wants to publish it is a close second!

Michelle: What are you actively looking for right now? In terms of YA fiction, what subgenres do you lean toward?

Hannah: I'm actively looking for basically all types of adult genre fiction and YA. I'm always particularly keen to find science fiction and fantasy (and all subgenres thereof), fantastic women's fiction and contemporary and historical romance (think OUTLANDER!), and possibly cozy mysteries. I'm also looking for some select nonfiction, mostly popular science.

In YA, I'm hot to find a great contemporary, a great thriller, and (always) high fantasy or science fiction with a strong YA voice. 

Michelle: Is there anything you’re sick of seeing in the slush pile?

Hannah: Tricky question--just about anything can work if it's done in a new or great way. That said, it's hard to sell me on anything paranormal right now--vampires, guardian angels, etc.--and I'm really not looking for dystopians (even if they're pitched as science fiction or futuristic!)

Michelle: Do you have any instant turn-offs or pet peeves that will lead you to reject an author?

Hannah: Nothing that will lead to instant rejection--I've signed clients off queries that break some of the so-called ironclad "rules." But in general, if your reason for why your book is why is because it teaches any kind of lesson or because it doesn't have "adult" content in it, I think you're approaching the genre in an unproductive way.

Michelle: When reading a manuscript, how do you decide if you’re going to offer representation?

Hannah: I have to love it. From the first sentence, I have to be hooked and want to keep reading. I have to be disappointed when I get to the end of the partial, and desperate to get the full. (I have been known to check my query inbox every hour or so if I'm waiting for an exciting full to come in.) And as I read the full, I have to keep getting more and more drawn in by the story, so that I growl if anyone makes me put it down. I have to be disappointed to reach the end of the manuscript. And I have to keep thinking about it when I'm not reading it. 

True story: I have one client who queried me on a Friday. I requested the partial, read it on Tuesday, and immediately requested the full. She sent the full Wednesday morning (I was stalking my inbox waiting for it) and I read the whole thing that day and contacted her not five hours later to set up a call.

Of course, it's not always that fast! Sometimes I'm too busy to read the fulls right away, and sometimes it takes a couple of days of thinking about it--of the manuscript just not getting out of my head!--before I'm sure. Sometimes I think the book needs a revision before I can take it on. But ultimately, every client I take on is because I feel that someone out there *needs* to read their book.

Michelle: Is there a project coming out soon that you’ve represented and are excited about?

Hannah: I've sold two books and I'm so excited for both of them!

RED RISING by Pierce Brown is an epic science-fiction novel--think ENDER'S GAME on Mars--coming from Del Rey/Random House in Fall 2013. It's also already sold in the UK and for translation in Spanish, German, and Chinese.

And Rosamund Hodge's SUNDERED, a stunning high-fantasy reimagining of Beauty and the Beast, will be coming from Balzer & Bray/HarperCollins in Winter 2014.

I think both of these books have the potential to be real game changers in their genre.

Michelle: What is the best way for authors to contact you?

Hannah: Query me by email at queryHannah@LizaDawsonAssociates.com. I respond to all queries--usually within a few days, but if you haven't heard from me within a month of sending your query, please resend it.

Michelle: Again, thank you so much for doing this, Hannah! It was an absolute pleasure.


Readers, look out for the next agent interview on Wednesday April 18th!

Query Letter Critique

It’s that time again, folks. Another author has been kind/brave enough to offer me up her query letter for public critique. I'm not in the mood for longwinded introductions, so let's get right to it, shall we?

Original Query Letter

Dear Ms. (Agent):

When it comes to dealing with criminals, the United Federation doesn't mess around.  All convicts are exiled to The Island, a desolate island prison, to duke it out for survival--all of it televised on worldwide TV.

Seventeen year-old Niko considers it a death sentence when he's sent to The Island for a murder he didn't commit.  He quickly aligns with Sabra, a rugged beauty with a knack for armed robbery, and two other "newbies."  Starving and battered by veteran inmates, the foursome's prospects look bleak.  But all bets are off when tech-savvy Niko hacks into a prison guard's lost laptop, giving him complete control of The Island's network and the chance to plan an escape.

Back home in Delphi, Niko's best friend Landry sets out to find the real murderer and clear Niko's name.  Landry's never been known for her brains or her bravery, but if she can uncover the truth within three months, the Federation will set Niko free.  For Landry, who's secretly in love with Niko, the stakes couldn't be higher.  But her devotion to Niko starts to unravel when she sees the televised kiss between him and fellow inmate Sabra.  As her investigation leads her into the city's darkest corners, Landry must decide how far she really will go to prove Niko's innocence.

Complete at 72,000 words, THE ISLAND is a YA thriller with a romantic bent.  Fans of Marie Lu's LEGEND and Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT will enjoy a similar dystopian style in THE ISLAND.  I am a speech teacher by day and an avid writer by night.  Per your submission guidelines, a ten page sample of my manuscript is provided below.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(Redacted)

Query Letter After I Got My Grubby Paws On It

Dear Ms. (Agent):

When it comes to dealing with criminals, the United Federation doesn't mess around. All convicts are exiled to The Island, a desolate island prison, to duke it out for survival--all of it televised on worldwide TV. I make this next point because the author mentioned not getting many agent bites with this query letter: the premise sounds a bit familiar. In The Hunger Games, teens are forced to fight to the death on worldwide TV. Your actual book might share very little resemblance to The Hunger Games, but based on this query there are some pretty big similarities, in my opinion anyway. 

Seventeen year-old<Hyphen between seventeen and year Niko considers it a death sentence when he's sent to The Island for a murder he didn't commit.  He quickly aligns with Sabra, a rugged beauty with a knack for armed robbery, and two other "newbies."  Starving and battered by veteran inmates, the foursome's prospects look bleak.  But all bets are off when tech-savvy Niko hacks into a prison guard's lost laptop, giving him complete control of The Island's network and the chance to plan an escape. This is a great paragraph.

Back home in Delphi, Niko's best friend Landry sets out to find the real murderer and clear Niko's name.  Landry's never been known for her brains or her bravery, but if she can uncover the truth within three months, the Federation will set Niko free.  For Landry, who's secretly in love with Niko, the stakes couldn't be higher. <<Something about the last few sentences doesn’t quite strike the right chord with me. You say the stakes couldn’t be higher—can you tell us what the stakes are instead? What’s at risk for her (Niko dying and Landry losing the love of her life before she’s even had the chance to tell him how she feels, obviously, but laying it out like that packs more punch than making the reader decipher what you mean). But her devotion to Niko starts to unravel when she sees the televised kiss between him and fellow inmate Sabra. <Another similarity to The Hunger Games. Maybe not the biggest deal on its own, but combined with the other major similarity it may turn off an agent. As her investigation leads her into the city's darkest corners, Landry must decide how far she really will go to prove Niko's innocence.

Complete at 72,000 words, THE ISLAND is a YA thriller with a romantic bent.  Fans of Marie Lu's LEGEND and Veronica Roth's DIVERGENT will enjoy a similar dystopian style in THE ISLAND. <Since the author mentioned not getting many bites on this query, my suggestion is to leave out the comparison. Not for the reason readers might think, though (There are differing opinions out there on whether an author should compare their book with other books in the market, and I usually stay out of the argument). The reason I say leave it out is because word around the writing community is that editors aren’t buying many dystopians anymore. Yes, some people are still getting deals, but the market is very saturated already, and so I’m thinking it might be best to just call it a thriller with a romantic bent and leave it at that. Especially since a few different sources from Bologna and other book fairs quoted editors as saying they’re looking for YA thrillers. I am a speech teacher by day and an avid writer by night.  Again, personal opinion here, but I would leave out anything that isn’t directly writing related, as well as the ‘writing at night’ line because it doesn’t really add anything to the strength of the query. Per your submission guidelines, a ten page sample of my manuscript is provided below.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

(Redacted)

This is actually one of the strongest query letters I’ve had the pleasure to read. It’s well written, flows very nicely, and follows the correct format. Plus the plot sounds amazing!! In fact, if the author hadn’t asked me to take a look at it specifically because of her lack of success in querying, I might have given it the thumbs up and not even noticed the similarity to The Hunger Games at all. It’s hard to say. So really my only suggestion is to try to minimize the similarity to The Hunger Games as much as possible and not to mention dystopian. That and I guess the query letter isn’t as ‘voicey’ as it could be, but overall it’s pretty stellar.

Good luck, author, and thanks so much for giving me the chance to have at look at your wonderful query! 

I've been tagged!

YA fantasy and horror author Amaleen Ison has tagged me in a blogging chain game. The idea of the game is to answer the sender's 11 questions, then come up with 11 questions of your own and pass them on to 11 bloggers, who will (hopefully!) answer your questions and link back to your site. Fun!!

(Note: Some of you may have noticed that I've been tagged a couple of times in that Lucky Seven chain game that has been going around the blogs, and yet have failed to participate. Contrary to popular belief, I'm not a crusty old no-fun lady, but am unfortunately not permitted to share any part of my book until it's published, even seven sentences from page 77. But THANK YOU for thinking of me! I'm sorry I can't join in the fun.)

Back to our regular programming.

1. If you could live the life of any book heroine, who would you choose and why?

Well that's easy: Anna from Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Hot boy with an English accent. Nuff said.

Update: My sister was kind enough to point out that Anna is not a heroine. I would disagree. She saved herself from a life of not making out with a hot boy with an English accent. What could be more heroic?

2. Who was your first ever book boyfriend?

I'm not ashamed to say it was Edward Cullen. Oh, Edward! Sigh. Jamie Fraser from Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is my book husband. And here is the actor whom I believe should play Jamie Fraser in the movie:

 Okay fine, he's a model. Let's not split hairs.

3. What ingredients make up your perfect sandwhich?

Another easy one: none. I hate sandwiches. Weird, I know. I've been told it's weird I hate bacon, too.

4. Describe your most embarrassing moment. Yes, the one that makes your insides squirm every time you think about it.

When I was maybe 21 or so, me and my three girlfriends went on a girly trip to Puerto Rico. One day we decided to visit a beach island you could only reach twice a day by ferry. Hardly any tourists had gone out that morning with us because it was raining, but during the evening the rain had cleared up. Of course that was when we had to head back to the city (important clubbing plans, probably). So we waited on the dock in our bikinis, along with the handful of other tourists in their beachwear, for our ferry ride back. The ferry approached, jam-packed with tourists hanging out over the railing to check out the beautiful island. So my friends and I stood up to gather our bags. And doesn't my effing tie-side bikini bottom snap. And fall down. Completely down. Yes, you read me correctly. A ferry of maybe a hundred or more people saw me ass naked. Quite the show indeed. Sadly, that was only one embarrassing story that came out of that trip!

Here's a picture from the trip (No, not a naked picture, you pervs! And not a bikini one either!)

I love my friends :)

Also, yes that's a brace on my hand. A story for another day!

5. Which three books are at the top of your TBR pile?

Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi
The Near Witch by Victoria Schwab

6. Who is your favorite literary villain and why?

I just finished reading Starters by Lissa Price and found the Old Man to be thoroughly creepy.

I also really loved the villain in Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake. I don't want to say too much on that because I don't want to ruin the fun for anyone silly enough to not have read it yet.

7. The world is going to end in 24 hours. How do you spend your time and why?

I'd spend 24 hours kissing and hugging my baby Ben because I love him to bits.

8. What is your favorite movie adaptation of a book?

I just saw The Hunger Games and LOVED it, but I also loved Water for Elephants--very well done.

9. Vampire, werewolf, or other?

Witch!!

10. What is your favorite perfume?

DKNY Be Delicious. Sooooo yummy! Also I confess to loving Britney Spears Fantasy (Try it and then judge!)

11. Describe your ideal holiday destination.

I love travelling to exotic locales. Mexico and Jamaica are nice and all, but if I'm spending my hard-earned money and vacation time to get away, I want to go someplace good. And I'm dying to go so many places!

Let's see. I'd love to go to Japan. The Seychelles. The Czech Repuplic. Peru. Scotland and Ireland. England to visit my crit partner and internet bestie Ruth Lauren Steven. India. Basically anywhere not super touristy and where I won't meet 1000 other Thunder Bayites at the hotel's continental breakfast (Not that I don't love Thunder Bayites--I do! Lots! I just don't want to see you on vacation is all.)

Hope you all enjoyed my answers! Now it's my turn...

I'm going to tag the following bloggers:

1. Ruth Lauren Steven
2. Erin Latimer
3. Rachel
4. Amy Christine Parker
5. Natalie Parker
6. Stephanie Winkelhake
7. Corinne Duyvis
8. Lori M Lee
9. Stefanie Jones
10. Emma Pass
11. Mindy McGinnis

My forwarding questions (Some of which I stole from Amaleen because I liked them!):

1. What are the top three books in your TBR pile?
2. Who is your top book boyfriend, dare I say husband?
3. If you could have written any YA book in history, which book would you choose and why?
4. If you could live the life of any book heroine, who would you choose and why?
5. Choose one: your book is a literary masterpiece with tons of critical acclaim but very, very lacklustre sales, or your book is a blockbuster of a novel with millions upon millions of copies sold but others question its quality and it is nearly universally bashed in the writing community, a la Twilight. There's no in between choice (Nice try!)
6. If you could have a super power of any literary hero/heroine, which would you choose and why?
7. You're stranded on a desert island with just one other person. For life. It's a fellow author. Who is the author and why?
8. You're forced to re-live one day of your life over and over again for eternity. Which day would you choose and why?
9. If you could be invisible for one day, what would you do with your time?
10. If you had to be reincarnated into an animal, which would you choose and why?
11. If you had to rename yourself, which name would you choose? And if you have a pen name, it doesn't count! Pick again.

Have fun, authors! If you participate, don't forget to link back to where you were tagged!

Look! I'm Famous!

I think that's what this interview on the Tangled Up In Words blog means! The little bio at the end made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. 

Check it out !!!

And of course, follow me and the Tangled up ladies, if you haven't already! (You haven't already? What's wrong with you?!) 

Book Review: Starters by Lissa Price

This book review is a special one: Lissa and I happen to share the same editor—Wendy Loggia from Delacorte Press/Random House. I’ll try not to let that fact affect the objectivity of my review (Confession: I’m caressing the book against my cheek at this very moment).

The blurb of Starters, from Goodreads:

‘Callie lost her parents when the Spore Wars wiped out everyone between the ages of twenty and sixty. She and her little brother, Tyler, go on the run, living as squatters with their friend Michael and fighting off renegades who would kill them for a cookie. Callie's only hope is Prime Destinations, a disturbing place in Beverly Hills run by a mysterious figure known as the Old Man.

He hires teens to rent their bodies to Enders—seniors who want to be young again. Callie, desperate for the money that will keep her, Tyler, and Michael alive, agrees to be a donor. But the neurochip they place in Callie's head malfunctions and she wakes up in the life of her renter, living in her mansion, driving her cars, and going out with a senator's grandson. It feels almost like a fairy tale, until Callie discovers that her renter intends to do more than party—and that Prime Destinations' plans are more evil than Callie could ever have imagined. . . .’

My completely objective verdict of Starters is in: this book was AMAZING! (Confession #2: I’m whispering sweet nothings to the beautiful, shiny cover at this very moment).

Now I have to admit, having read a ton of dystopian novels as of late, I was beginning to question just how one could be done in a way that I’d find intriguing. The answer to that below. 

Five reasons Starters intrigued me, despite it being a dystopian in a market saturated with dystopians:

1.     Body renting=creepy. I like creepy.

2.     The crackerjack plot. To say this book was action-packed would be a huge understatement—from murder, to political intrigue, to love triangles, there was constantly something new popping up that kept me turning the pages well into the night. An incredibly exciting read that would translate well to film.

3.     The brave, smart, and resourceful protagonist, Callie Woodland. I never get sick of reading about a kick-ass female.

4.     The whole thought-provoking-without-beating-the-reader-over-the-head-with-a-message aspect. Starters explored themes not common in YA, including our never-ending pursuit of youth and physical perfection, which I found incredibly refreshing, if not alarming, after my recent large purchase at MAC Cosmetics.

5.     It was just plain well written. An impressive debut.

Starters did leave me with a few unanswered questions (mostly backstory stuff regarding the Spore Wars), but that actually didn’t bother me. I don’t require an explanation for everything large and small and will gladly let myself me taken away by a great read. If you’re like me, then you’re in for a treat.

Waiting with bated breath for Enders, the conclusion of the series.

Interview with literary agent Adriann Ranta!!!

Adriann Ranta is a literary agent with Wolf Literary Services, a full-service literary agency based out of New York. She specializes in children’s and young adult literature, and also in Being Amazing.

Adriann is my agent, and I can tell you from first hand experience that any one of my lovely followers would be lucky to have her represent them. Thus, it is my personal mission to help make that happen by giving you all the best Adriann insight possible.

To the interview!

Michelle: Thank you SO MUCH Adriann for agreeing to this! My first question, if you had to pick a favorite client, whom would you chose? Just kidding! But seriously, if you had to pick ten things you love most about me, what would they be? Okay, seriously seriously this time, what made you decide to pursue a career as a literary agent?

Adriann: After working in freelance editing and various internships on the editorial side, my first agenting job was at Anderson Literary. Difficult, exhilarating work that taught me marketable taste in manuscripts, juggling a million tasks at once, subsidiary rights sales, the phantasmagoria of book fairs, etc. etc. etc.! I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Michelle: What is a typical day like for a New York City literary agent? I picture you smoking a cigar, laughing maniacally, and tossing manuscript pages left and right. 

Adriann: I’m actually doing that right now. But on other days, I take meetings with editors and book scouts, update our rights catalog with new pub dates, covers, quotes, and blurbs, maybe spend an hour or two in the (electronic) slush pile, edit short projects (I edit long projects from home), negotiate contracts, and tons of little things that pop up all day. And of course send things out on submission, which is hours of culling contacts, analyzing past deals, tweaking the pitch letter for the millionth time, and finally emailing it out. Then silently freaking out for the next good while.

Michelle: What are you actively looking for right now?

Adriann: I love dark, quirky projects that approach classic themes in new, fresh ways. Like, say, witches, only funny and with cheerleaders. I love ghost stories à la ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD, cool sci-fi/steampunk projects like CINDER, I adore smart boy books like OKAY FOR NOW or anything by David Almond. While I’m always looking out for YA and MG, and the occasional author/illustrator for picture books, I also represent adult fiction and non-fiction and I’d love more narrative non-fiction on quirky subjects.

Michelle: What are you sick of seeing in the slush pile?

Adriann: The market is extremely saturated with memoir, so I kind of dread reading memoir submissions, especially when I love them—I know I won’t be able to sell them. Also, since I’ve mentioned liking dark subjects, some authors send along the darkest, most disturbing books, which makes the slush pile an alarming place sometimes.

Michelle: In terms of the query letter and say, the first ten pages, do you have any pet peeves or instant turn-offs that will mean rejection city for an author?

Adriann: “The book I’ve written defies comparison or genre.” “I’ve invented my own language, in which I’ve written this high fantasy novel. I’ve included a glossary for your convenience.” “Let’s make some money!”

Also, query letters that go on and on about the lessons and moral underpinnings of the book, without saying what the friggin’ book is about.

Michelle: In your opinion, what are the key ingredients that make for a potential breakout novel?

Adriann: A succinctly definable plot and awesome voice. The plot can be edited, but having an engaging, page-turning, entertaining voice is invaluable.

Michelle: Are you willing to overlook many flaws in a manuscript if you see its potential? Say for example there are typos aplenty, or else maybe the plot is good but not quite perfect?

Adriann: If there are a LOT of typos, I can’t overlook it, but some in a manuscript is forgivable—it hasn’t been copyedited yet! If the plot isn’t quite perfect, I go through round(s) of edits if I believe in the voice and concept enough. I’ve had long conversations with potential clients analyzing their invented mythologies, weird character inconsistencies, or unsatisfying endings. After reading so many works in progress, it gets easier to judge when a project is worth spending time on to make better.

Michelle: How do you feel about representing authors who have self-published in the past? Do you suggest an author include this information on a query letter?

Adriann: Being self-published doesn’t win kudos from most agents or editors as it doesn’t really mean anything. It doesn’t necessarily mean anyone else judged your writing worthy enough to disseminate (unless you have 10,000+ sales), but it might mean that your last project was so roundly rejected that you decided to publish yourself. Of course there are always exceptions to the rule: you’re a self-help guru that sells your own books at your conferences, you already have a gigantic platform and network of resources so a traditional publisher wouldn’t help much, etc. But if you just self-published an old novel you struck out on and sold 300 copies, don’t mention it in your query letter.

Michelle: How do you decide if you’re going to offer an author representation?

Adriann: I actually read this in another agent interview once: If I’m already picturing the editors I want to pitch it to while I’m reading, I want to represent it. But in a nutshell, I represent what I love and when you love something you know right away, but that intuition of knowing something is saleable is crucial too.

Another savvy perspective on this comes from a recent interview with Ben Schrank (publisher of Razorbill/Penguin): 

“I think it is this constant mix of looking for work that you’re excited about publishing and then taking yourself out of it and saying, “Will the world be excited to welcome this work?” If a publishing executive just buys things [they] love to please [themselves], certainly for adults working in children’s books, if you can’t find an audience for it, you’re not necessarily doing a service to the author or the publishing house.”

Michelle: Do you have any advice for authors when you, or any agent for that matter, call to offer representation? Is there something an author can do during The Call to make you second-guess your offer?

Adriann: Well, I try to keep things conversational because I understand it can be an intimidating, overwhelming phone call. But knowing what you want from your agent is important to know heading into that phone call: how hands-on are they with revisions, what sorts of houses do they see your manuscript being right for, etc. I don’t think I’ve ever second-guessed my offer—you’d have to be a real whack job (wack job?).

Michelle: Changing topics a bit now: What are your thoughts on writing to trend? Do you think it’s important for authors to pay attention to trends?

Adriann: I don’t think there’s any harm in being aware of trends—I think the primo, numero uno thing to being a good writer is being a good reader—but the unilateral consensus on chasing trends is not to do it. Books that are being published now were bought one or two years ago, so you’re inevitably going to be one or two years behind the trend.

Michelle: How important do you feel social networking is for authors? Does an author need to blog?

Adriann: I’ve heard of editors not making offers on books if the author isn’t online, but I personally haven’t encountered this. But it definitely, definitely helps. You’re only helping by being as involved and connected as you can, via blog, twitter, facebook, and beyond.

Michelle: Okay, now this one’s important: what is your favorite 1990’s American science fiction television series?

Adriann: X-Files, OBVIOUSLY. You set ‘em up, I’ll knock ‘em down.

Michelle: How should authors contact you with their query letter, and what material would you like to see?

Adriann: Email a query letter and the first 50 pages of the manuscript (either copy/pasted in the body of the mail or as an attachment is fine) only to queries@wolflit.com . Guidelines can be found at www.wolflit.com.

Michelle: Thank you SO SO MUCH for participating in this interview, Adriann! You’re a sport (Can I say that if I’m not a grandparent?)

The Moment I Found Out About My Book Deal, Now With 30% More Details!

So this post isn’t particularly helpful to writers, and also smacks a bit of me loving to hear myself talk (type?), but finding out about my book deal was an AMAZING moment in my life and also a bit funny, so I thought I’d share the story with my lovely followers J

Allow me to set the scene:

It was a Monday. Not just any Monday, but the day my agent set up as the final day for offers on THE WITCH HUNTER’S BIBLE. I’d long ago decided to expect rejections all around so that I wouldn’t be upset if/when that happened. So there I was at work in the NICU, obsessively checking my email toiling away with nursing duties, when I received an email from my agent: Two editors passed, BUT DON’T WORRY! Because there are other editors, etc etc.

Womp womp.

So I decided I’d just concentrate on charting and not think about it. Yes, that was a good idea. And I did that, quite successfully, I might add, for another whole twenty minutes before I had to check my email again. And what did I find then but an email from Adriann: Can you call me please?

I almost vomited. Like most people in my life that I share a close relationship with, Adriann and I communicate mostly via email. She wanted me to call? This HAD TO BE IMPORTANT.

Great! Except two nurses were on lunch break and the only ones left were me and a nurse named Carol, who was in an isolation room, and so I couldn’t leave the unit to use my phone…

Also great—I forgot my phone at home, and you can’t dial long distance from the hospital phone without explaining yourself to the operator (Somehow I thought ‘I need to call my literary agent in New York’ wouldn’t suffice as an explanation).

Okay, no big deal. I’d just wait until Carol got out of the isolation room and ask to use her cell phone. No need to panic. Except WHAT THE EFF IS SHE DOING IN THERE? IT’S BEEN FIVE MINUTES!!!! COME ON, CAROL, LET THOSE PARENTS HOLD THEIR BABY, ALREADY! NEW BEDDING NOW? REALLY? WELL THAT’S FINE—OH, OKAY, SO YOU’RE GOING TO TALK TO THE PARENTS, HUH? FREAKING CAROL, ALWAYS GOING THE EXTRA MILE…

Okay, so I was panicking. I even resorted to frantic hand gesturing at the window of the isolation room. Alas, she did not see me. But Carol did FINALLY come out. The minute the door swung open I charged on her and breathlessly begged ‘TfhdakfjdhakjfhkfhadskfDo you have a cell phone here and can I use it to call New Yorkndkasfjadkfvnadvnd?'

Bless her heart, Carol said ‘Sure’ without batting an eyelash. Seriously, who doesn’t inquire further at a question like that? (Carol’s made of awesome. I might even pay her back for the long distance charges some day.)

Anyway, so I took Carol’s phone to the Labor and Delivery waiting room and called Adriann. Of course we know she told me Wendy Loggia from Delacorte/Random House wanted to buy my book, and of course I died—it was years of hard work finally paying off—but I was at work and there were people around, so I couldn’t lose it like I wanted to. And dammit, I really wanted to lose it!  I blame that bottled up emotion for what happened next.

So I got off the phone with Adriann and went to the bathroom, where I took calming breaths so I wouldn’t cry because I had to go back inside the unit and there were parents in there and I had to be professional. After a few minutes I decided I was okay to go back in.

I entered the unit and gave Carol back her cell phone. She casually asked ‘Everything okay?’ And so of course the logical response to that was to break down crying. Yup. Not pretty crying either, like a few tears of joy. I SOBBED. By that time, Kelly, one of the nurses who’d been on lunch break, was back. So Kelly and Carol exchanged a glance that pretty much said ‘Shit, she’s crying—what should we do?’

Carol gave me an awkward hug. Then Kelly gave me an awkward hug.

But I was still crying.

Kelly and Carol looked at each other and exchanged another glance that said ‘Shit, she’s still crying. What now?’

I took that as my cue to go back to the bathroom and properly collect myself. That is until I called my husband and my sister and broke down again.

So there it is. I LOVE THAT STORY! I hope you did too, and I hope you all get to have a moment like that someday, where you realize your dream has come true J (I’ve gone all sappy on you, haven’t I? Go ahead and slap me.)