The Night I Got My Book Deal
I have been so excited to announce my YA thriller SILENT SISTER being published by Delacorte Press in Summer of 2024. Since I’ve been sitting on the news for over five months, I have lots to share!
Background
After six years of writing and two other shelved manuscripts, my third book underwent heavy revisions in Pitch Wars with my mentor, Jamie McHenry. A few weeks after the showcase, Molly Ker Hawn, a dream agent of mine, emailed to set up a call and offer to represent me.
On Sub
After three more months and two rounds of revision, Molly sent my book out on sub. This means she took a list of publishing editors she thought might be interested in my book and sent them a brief, enticing description (like what would be on the back cover of a published book).
When writers go on sub, they can have silence for months. Or it can be filled with rejection after rejection. Or an editor can say they liked it, but would want to see even more revisions before giving an offer (and that’s not a guarantee).
During this waiting period, I threw myself into writing another book, but after only three weeks, just as I was getting ready to leave for a neighborhood book club, Molly sent me an email asking if I had time for a call.
The Call
Immediately, I broke into a sweat. I knew calls usually happened for good news. I furiously typed back “yes,” and texted my book club that I would be late. Molly said she’d call me in fifteen minutes. During that time, I sweat through my shirt and almost saw the chimichanga I had for dinner come back up. Eighteen minutes later (those extra three minutes were excruciating!), Molly called, made brief (but still excruciating) small talk, and then told me she had an offer from Penguin Random House.
For a two book deal.
I couldn’t believe it. Someone wanted to buy my book and whatever I wrote next? Why would they have that much faith in me to do this again? I didn’t have that much faith in me!
I think the only two words I said the entire call were, “Okay” and “Uh-huh.” My brain couldn’t handle any more syllables. She told me she’d email me some details to look over and notify other editors who were still considering.
When I hung up the phone, I looked at my husband, told him the news, and instantly started crying.
But I couldn’t sit at home! I ran over to book club, still in shock and fifteen minutes late, and told them all the news. It was pure giddiness and surprise and fun, as the picture shows.
When I got to look at the details more, I discovered the offering editor was also the editor of another amazing YA thriller writer, Holly Jackson, whose A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series is in my classroom library (you better believe I found the editor’s in the acknowledgements just to stare in wonder and awe).
But the surprises weren’t over yet.
The Next Call
Only two days later, Molly called me again. She said the editor wanted to offer a pre-empt. This means in order to avoid an auction, the editor was willing to make a different deal and increased her offer. Only afterwards did Molly oh-so-helpfully say, “Sorry, I should have told you to sit down first.” Fortunately, I was able to form a few more words this time around including, “Yes, let’s set up a call!”
When the three of us all met on a Zoom, I was charmed by the editor’s sweet disposition and clear ideas. The call itself wasn’t very long, but I felt very at ease afterwards. Without any hesitations, I happily told Molly to accept the deal!
So much has happened since then, and I can’t wait to tell you more in February!
