Have you ever wondered how authors get their start?
How do they get agents?
How do they get published?
Is it luck? Talent? Drive?
This segment is an attempt to satisfy my immense curiosity...to answer the one question I'm dying to ask every author out there:
How did your book become a book?
Enjoy.
Kat Ross
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| www.katrossbooks.com |
SOME FINE DAY
A generation ago, continent-sized storms called hypercanes caused the Earth to flood. The survivors were forced to retreat deep underground and build a new society.
This is the story that sixteen-year-old Jansin Nordqvist has heard all of her life.
Jansin grew up in a civilization far below the Earth’s surface. She’s spent the last eight years in military intelligence training. So when her parents surprise her with a coveted yet treacherous trip above ground, she’s prepared for anything. She’s especially thrilled to feel the fresh air, see the sun, and view the wide-open skies and the ocean for herself.
But when raiders attack Jansin’s camp and take her prisoner, she is forced to question everything she’s been taught. What do her captors want? How will she get back underground? And if she ever does, will she want to stay after learning the truth?
AGENTS
Do you have an agent?
Yes,
Jeff Ourvan of Jennifer Lyons.
How many queries did you send?
Believe
it or not, none. He was a friend of a friend and I was able to send him my
first three chapters straight off. He signed me after reading the full
manuscript (which didn't sell, by the way).
If represented, how long did it take to get your
agent?
He
was my first try – so not a typical experience!
PUBLISHING
Are you traditionally published or self-published?
Traditionally published.
How did you (or your agent) find your publisher?
The traditional submissions process. We had quite a few turndowns, but it finally sold!
How long did it take to find a publisher?
I think it was about 3-4 months.
What do you like about your publisher?
The team is personally very nice and accessible, and they do a good job of cycling in promotions every few months, not just when the book launches.
What do you dislike about your publisher?
Skyscape won't give you ARCs for reviews, which is really a drag.
Did you or your agent hit any snags along the way, and if so how did you overcome them?
My first publisher folded about a month before the book was supposed to come out, but my agent rescued the rights and resold it almost immediately to Skyscape.
Did traditional publishing get your book(s) in Barnes & Noble or other bookstores?
Nope! I never got a hardcover, and the timing of the launch was kinda strange – first ebook, then paperback months later.
Did your publisher produce a hardcover of your book or just paperback?
Just paperback.
Did your publisher create an audiobook for you?
Yep!
Looking back would you do anything differently?
SO many things. I'm still not crazy about the cover, and I think that does hurt the book a lot. For my new series, I plan to self-pub and take back some control over cover, marketing, blurb, promotion – the whole enchilada.
How did you (or your agent) find your publisher?
The traditional submissions process. We had quite a few turndowns, but it finally sold!
How long did it take to find a publisher?
I think it was about 3-4 months.
What do you like about your publisher?
The team is personally very nice and accessible, and they do a good job of cycling in promotions every few months, not just when the book launches.
What do you dislike about your publisher?
Skyscape won't give you ARCs for reviews, which is really a drag.
Did you or your agent hit any snags along the way, and if so how did you overcome them?
My first publisher folded about a month before the book was supposed to come out, but my agent rescued the rights and resold it almost immediately to Skyscape.
Did traditional publishing get your book(s) in Barnes & Noble or other bookstores?
Nope! I never got a hardcover, and the timing of the launch was kinda strange – first ebook, then paperback months later.
Did your publisher produce a hardcover of your book or just paperback?
Just paperback.
Did your publisher create an audiobook for you?
Yep!
Looking back would you do anything differently?
SO many things. I'm still not crazy about the cover, and I think that does hurt the book a lot. For my new series, I plan to self-pub and take back some control over cover, marketing, blurb, promotion – the whole enchilada.
ADVICE
What lessons have you learned? Any advice for
those about to go down your path?
No matter what happens, there is always the next book! Keep writing and don't let the inevitable disappointments get you down. Being an author is a long-term game.
Can you provide any names and/or contacts?
Agent: Jeff Ourvan
Publisher: Skyscape
No matter what happens, there is always the next book! Keep writing and don't let the inevitable disappointments get you down. Being an author is a long-term game.
Can you provide any names and/or contacts?
Agent: Jeff Ourvan
Publisher: Skyscape
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| GOODREADS |
This is the story that sixteen-year-old Jansin Nordqvist has heard all of her life.
Jansin grew up in a civilization far below the Earth’s surface. She’s spent the last eight years in military intelligence training. So when her parents surprise her with a coveted yet treacherous trip above ground, she’s prepared for anything. She’s especially thrilled to feel the fresh air, see the sun, and view the wide-open skies and the ocean for herself.
But when raiders attack Jansin’s camp and take her prisoner, she is forced to question everything she’s been taught. What do her captors want? How will she get back underground? And if she ever does, will she want to stay after learning the truth?
Bummer you don't get any review copies. At least your publisher is willing to do promotions on and off. Mine also does that and it helps keep the books fresh in people's minds.
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