sarahantz

You heard it here first..... actually, probably last because blogger has been down for maintenance and I couldn't get on to post. Anyway, big news........ I've sold my YA, and I know I'm not dreaming because this morning my fabbo, wonderful agent Sara posted it on Publishers Marketplace:

Sara Hantz's debut THE SECOND VIRGINITY OF SUZY GREEN, about a girl who joins a virginity club in her new town to try to make a new start, to Andrew Karre at Flux, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (world).

Is that cool, or is that cool????

People have been asking for my call story, so here it is. I'll try not to ramble and if you've heard it before then you have my permission to sign off, or drop off (don't worry I'll wake you later):

As some of you know, I've been writing chick-lit and hen-lit for a couple of years. Last November I decided to try a teen-lit becauseYoung Adult is so HOT at the moment. After writing 3 chapters I did what you're not meant to do and started to send it to agents, to test the water. Ooops!!! That'll teach me. The story seemed to hit the right nerve because straight away I was asked for 5 fulls and 6 partials - from some mega agents. I sent the partials and said to those requesting the full that it still needed some tweaking (aka writing) and I'd send when ready. In only a few days one of the agents had read the partial and asked for the full (and she was my dream agent, top of my wish list....).

I managed to finish the full by January and send to all those who requested it..... most of them asked for it by email which was an added bonus..... and 10 days later the agent above (as in, Sara) phoned and offered representation. I said yes pretty much straight away (I know you're meant to wait blah blah but I knew she was right for me. And this after having a bad agent experience - we parted company mid-way through last year, another story). I then let all the other agents know and withdrew the ms. So, by February I'd done some revisions for Sara and she sent it out to lots of publishers. Andrew, the editor from Flux, phoned asking if I'd be prepared to do some revisions. I said yes (obviously!!!) and he sent me a very detailed letter. I did them. He was happy and then asked me to do some more, saying if they were ok he'd take it to the acquisitions committee. And the rest is history..... I'm with with Flux, who have some FAB covers - I can't wait to see mine - and Andrew, who is great to work with.

So, in publishing terms it all happened quickly: November-July (8 months) from starting to write to sale. BUT in many respects it seemed like 8 years - just ask my poor long suffering CPs!!

So much for trying not to ramble, lol.