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Wednesday, July 12, 2006

SOLD!

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.

Comments:
Many many congratulations on your sale!! I'm so thrilled for you - and so happy to have another published 'ex-virgin'! What an appropriate title;-) Thank you for letting Amanda give me the news at the RNA COnference - it made it really special and we were able to raise a glass - or two - to your success . I hope this is just the first of many

Congaratulations again

Hugs

Kate
 
Kate, it's so cool to see you here. Yes, another 'virgin' bites the dust - are you putting something in the water?

I heard the RNA conference was totally fab and I was really jealous of Giovanna who managed to get over from NZ to attend.

Hope to see you soon!
Sara
 
Sara HUGE congrats! This is so exciting, I'm thrilled to bits! and yes, I was asleep again at all vital points of the process which is mega annoying, but seems to be my MO just lately!

Can't wait to hold the book in my hands!
 
Oh hooray.Amanda did let it slip and I was so pleased for you!!!
Nowe I can say congrats!
Doing the happy dance.
 
I've already said it on Amanda's blog but I wanted to say it here as well - CONGRATULATIONS, Sara. And yes, I am another one from the RNA conference to whom Amanda let the news slip! I must remember never to tell that woman anything I don't want to share with the whole world!
 
Hehe, yep I knew from Amanda too!!! Congratulations, I can't wait to read it!
 
Er, lucky I did mention that I wasn't Zipper Lips Ashby! But at least it meant we all got to celebrate your sale twice. Nothing wrong with that!!!!!
 
What a great story! And, of course, made a zillion times better by the fact that it's true!

CONGRATULATIONS!
 
Thanks for all the congrats. I'm so sad that I've kept the PM page open all day and keep taking a quick peep, to make sure it's still there....... should I be admitting this?????

I didn't mind old Zippy-Lips letting the secret out the bag... I wish I could have been there to do it myself.

I'm in UK next year, mid-June. But too early for RNA I think.
 
Found you through Diana Peterfreund's blog. Congratulations! I saw your mention on PW, and your book sounds very cool and interesting.

I'm so jealous of people who can write so fast. I go through a gazillion personal revisions and rewrites and start-overs...
 
Thanks Alyssa..... I can write fast... trouble is I don't have the ideas to back it up.....
 
I didn't know you had a blog! So here I am with CONGRATULATIONS again!!! I love the title!
 
Hi Sara,

I saw this deal posted...and now I know the gal behind it. I thought it sounded great when I read about it. Major congrats! Thanks for stopping by my blog today - I'll add your link!

Allison
 
Hey, Nalini and Allison. Thanks for the congrats. It still seems totally weird, especially as the contract still hasn't arrived and I've had no contact with my editor......
 
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