The “Dirt” on THE DIRT DIARY by Anna Staniszewski

*A big thanks to Anna for stopping by to tell us about her writing process for soon-to-be-released The Dirt Diary!* Add it to Goodreads here.

And now, a few words from Anna . . .

I don’t know about you, but when I was in eighth grade, I pretty much existed in a state of constant embarrassment. No matter how hard I tried, everything I said, did, wore, and even ate was wrong wrong wrong.

Many, many years after I (thankfully) left the land of eighth grade behind, I was listening to a story on NPR about teen mortification. The program mentioned a girl working for her mom’s cleaning business and having to clean the houses of some of her popular classmates. When I heard that, a thought popped into my head:

The natural embarrassment of eighth grade + The total nightmare of scrubbing toilets = Story Magic

As I sat down to play with the idea, Rachel’s voice jumped off the page. Not only did she crack me up with her weird sayings (“Oh my goldfish!”) but she started telling me about the other problems going on in her life (her parents getting divorced, the guy she liked dating her nemesis, etc). It turned out cleaning houses was the least of her worries.

Rachel certainly had a lot of woes, but she also told me about the things she loved to do like bake pastries and act goofy with her best friend Marisol. I’m usually a plot-based writer when I start a project, but when it came to writing The Dirt Diary, Rachel’s character was really the thing that kept me going.

Now, you might wonder why I would make a character endure even worse torture than I did in eighth grade. Isn’t that just cruel? Maybe. But I think the fact that I could empathize with Rachel’s plight made her story that much more important for me to write. After all, as a recovering eighth-grader, I know that when your life is in a perpetual state of wrongness, it helps to know you’re not alone.

A little bit about Anna . . .

Born in Poland and raised in the United States, Anna Staniszewski grew up loving stories in both Polish and English. When she’s not writing, Anna spends her time teaching, reading, and challenging unicorns to games of hopscotch. She is the author of the My Very UnFairy Tale Life series, published by Sourcebooks Jabberwocky. Look for the first book in Anna’s next tween series, The Dirt Diary, in January 2014, and visit her at www.annastan.com.

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Posted December 2013

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Anne Blankman

Anne is the author of Prisoner of Night and Fog, available April 2014 from Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins! She is represented by Tracey Adams of Adams Literary.

 

Connect with and learn more about Anne . . .

Website
Twitter
Goodreads

 

 

 

Now for Anne’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What advice would you give to querying writers?

Don't give up! Rejection can feel personal, but it isn't. If an agent doesn't make you an offer of representation, that doesn't mean you're a terrible writer--it just means that particular agent isn't the right match for you.

And keep moving! Don't send out a batch of queries and check your email account every five minutes, hoping for good news. Start working on something else right away. The key word here is "else". It might be tempting to work on the sequel to the manuscript you're currently querying, but guess what? If nobody's interested in the first book, then nobody will be interested in the second book and you've just wasted a lot of time. So jump into a new project. Have fun with it.

What are some important things for querying writers to consider when researching agents?

Follow the agency's submission guidelines. This might sound obvious, but if you disregard the guidelines and send your entire manuscript to an agent who asks for the first three chapters, chances are she won't read it.

Remember that your agent represents you and your work. She's the person who submits manuscripts to publishers, negotiates offers, and checks contracts. So she needs to be someone who's reputable, trustworthy, and communicates well with you.

What was your method for querying? Small batches? Query widely? Wait for feedback?

While I finished up revisions on my first book, PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG, I started researching agents. I organized them into groups of ten--the first group being my top choices, the second group my second choices, and so on. I compiled information on about thirty to forty agents, and wrote a paragraph on each person, noting what she was looking for, which authors she represented, and any anecdotes I'd learned. I planned on sending out queries in batches of ten and starting a new ms while waiting to hear back.

But I decided to wait before I queried PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG since I was attending the SCBWI Mid-Atlantic Conference in a couple of weeks. My dream agent, Tracey Adams of Adams Literary, was going to be there, and I'd been lucky enough to snag a fifteen-minute critique session with her. Of course, I hoped that she'd fall in love with my ms, but I knew, at the least, I'd get great editorial advice from her, which I could use to polish PRISONER before sending it out.

What happened next was every writer's dream: Tracey loved the first chapter and requested a full exclusive submission. I signed with her about a week later. Obviously, I was incredibly lucky! But I also had a plan, in case Tracey hadn't been interested.

SIGN

Did you sign as a client of a career agent or on a book-by-book basis?

Career agent. I wanted an agent who believed in my writing, not just one project.

Once a writer has signed with an agent, what’s the next step?

That depends on your agent. She might want you to revise your manuscript first or she might send it out on submission right away. Either option is exciting because it means you're really getting started!

Do you have input on the pitch to editors or does your agent take care of that?

Nope, and I don't want to. Tracey's a professional, and I trust her completely. Selling books isn't just her job; it's her passion, and I don't want to get in her way!

SUBMIT

What is the next step if an editor shows interest?

That depends. Terrible answer, I know! But it really does vary. Sometimes an editor will ask you to revise and resubmit. Sometimes she'll take your manuscript directly to her publishing team. A lot of people need to get onboard before you get an offer, and often editorial and acquisitions meetings happen a week apart or more. There's a lot of waiting involved.

In my case, I spoke by phone with the editors who were interested. I really hit it off with the woman who has since become my editor, and we ended up talking for almost two hours. Having the opportunity to speak with an editor BEFORE you work together is an amazing gift, so if you get the chance, take it!

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Write SOMETHING ELSE. Not a sequel, not a companion novel, but something new. Don't obsessively check your phone every time your email alert rings. Go for long walks. Spend time with friends. Eat chocolate. Be kind to yourself because being on sub is stressful. Do the activities that make you happiest. I found coloring with my three-year-old to be very calming. Find whatever works.

How much contact do you have with your agent when you are out on submission?

I've only been on sub once so far and everything happened very fast. I think I heard from my agent at least once a day, sometimes more! On the day that PRISONER OF NIGHT AND FOG went to auction, we spoke several times, and by our last conversation we had a three-book deal.

Thanks so much for having me, Dee!

We’re thrilled you joined us, Anne!

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Posted December 2013

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Jaye Robin Brown

Jaye is a young adult author and her debut No Place to Fall releases from Harper Teen in fall 2014! She is represented by Alexandra Machinist of Janklow & Nesbit.

Connect with and learn more about Jaye . . .

Website
Blog
Twitter
Goodreads

 

 

Now for Jaye’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What are some important things for querying writers to consider when researching agents?

I’d say have a clear understanding of what you want and need. Are you someone that needs a once weekly check-in e-mail? Do you want someone pushing you editorially? Or do you just want someone to handle the business end of it and leave you alone with your writing? It’s important that your needs mesh with your agent’s style to insure a long and happy relationship together.

What resources and websites did you use when querying?

I loved Querytracker.net and it was well worth the $25 to upgrade. It kept me really sane (and a tad insane) as you could keep track of when agents were responding to queries. Also Literaryrambles.com was a great site to read agent interviews to get a feel for who you were querying.

What do you wish you’d known back when you were in the query trenches?

Not to query until your manuscript is truly ready. And to start small enough that if you receive nothing but standard rejections or no responses, you haven’t burned all your bridges and can head back to readers and revisions.

SIGN

Did you sign as a client of a career agent or on a book-by-book basis?

My agent’s agency contract is for book-by-book, however we have a verbal understanding that this is for my career. That being said, if I write a book she doesn’t think is up to par, she may not sign a new contract for that book. I trust her knowledge of the business, implicitly so I’m okay with that. But it also gives me some choice as well.

Once a writer has signed with an agent, what’s the next step?

In my case, it was to do a few minor revisions and then the waiting game. I didn’t want to know anything. I basically said, “Don’t call me till we have an offer or super good news.” Though I broke my own rule when my editor followed me on Twitter and I DM’ed my agent all blubbery and “whaa??, whaa?? OMG!”

Do you have input on the pitch to editors or does your agent take care of that?

My agent takes care of it, but I’m sure if I had strong feelings on how to approach she’d hear me out. That said, I’m in the writing business. She’s in the pitching business. And that’s why I have an agent!

Do you send sample chapters to your agent or do you wait until the manuscript is finished?

At this point I’ve done both. But my personal preference is full manuscript. Things change so much as I write that I’m not sure a partial would be an accurate representation of what I’m doing. Plus I pretty much always rewrite the first third of my book once I’ve gotten to know the characters a bit better. I don’t think it really matters to my agent. She’s savvy enough to deal with it either way :0).

SUBMIT

What is the next step if an editor shows interest?

In my case my editor got additional reads in her department. When those went well, it went to an editorial meeting where it passed once again, then on to acquisitions where marketing looked at sales projections, etc and gave it the go ahead. Then, offer! Then your agent negotiates. My particular case only took around 3 or 4 weeks, but I know this can be longer, or shorter if it’s an auction situation.

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Fahgitaboutit! Yeah, right. So, try to write. Always write. Writing is why you’re in this, the thing that keeps you sane, and the thing that will keep you on submission. Also do some fun stuff. Go see some movies. Have drinks with friends. I was at an SCBWI conference the day I was in acquisitions and if I’d not been surrounded by writer friends, I surely would have gone insane with the waiting.

Can you check in with your agent if there hasn’t been any news in a while?

Absolutely. But I’m also respectful of the fact that I’m not her only client. I don’t bug her and I try to wait to e-mail until I have several thoughts or questions to be addressed.

Thanks for joining us, Jaye!

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Posted December 2013

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Query.Sign.Submit. with Hannah Bowman

Hannah specializes in commercial fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy, women's fiction, cozy mysteries, romance and young adult. Hannah is also interested in nonfiction, particularly in the areas of mathematics, science and religion (especially history and sociology of Christianity). She responds to all queries.

To connect with and learn more about Hannah . . .

Liza Dawson Associates Literary Agency
Twitter
Tumblr Blog

Now for Hannah’s insight on querying, signing with an agent, and going on submission!

QUERY

What WOWs you in a query?

Fantastic writing. A query is another form of storytelling, and if you tell a fabulous story in 250 words, I’ll be hooked.

Is it okay for a writer to nudge concerning queries or partial/full requests?

It’s fine to nudge after a reasonable amount of time (like 30 days, or longer for a full). Just be polite, and don’t be surprised if your nudge doesn’t get an immediate response – often I’m waiting to respond until I’ve read the project I’ve just been reminded about.

Do you ever offer a Revise & Resubmit? When would you do so?

I offer an R&R if I absolutely love something in the writing and see real potential in it, but there are issues with the story that are so big that they would require a substantial rewrite. I’m happy to do smaller edits with clients – and edit all of my clients’ books – but if the rewrite will really make it a different book, I’ll ask for an R&R if I just can’t bear to let it slip away.

What does it take for you to offer representation?

I have to simply love a project and want to tell everyone about how great it is.

What would you love to find in the slush pile?

Good adult science fiction, always. I’m also on the lookout for adult historical fantasy and YA high fantasy.

SIGN

How editorial are you?

I’m a very editorial agent (our whole agency is very hands-on, in fact). I will almost always do at least one round of revisions with clients before sending a project on submission, and sometimes many more. If I can see potential in a project, I’m willing to work with a writer for as long as it takes to create the strongest book that I can sell.

How do you get to know editors and what they’re looking for?

I meet frequently with editors when I’m in New York to learn more about their lists and what they’re looking for. I also meet editors at conferences and other genre-specific events. I’m also active on Twitter, which I’ve found to be a surprisingly helpful way to connect with editors, especially in conjunction with face-to-face meetings. When I’m putting together a list to submit a new project to, I’m looking at my own contacts as well as suggestions from editors my colleagues know (so my clients have the whole breadth of knowledge of our agency behind them) as well as editors who I think will be a good fit based on previous books they edited.

At what point would a client share new story ideas with you?

I’m always happy to discuss new ideas with my clients! In general, I like to see pitches of new projects when clients begin working on them, so I always have a sense of what’s in the works. It’s useful to know what direction the author wants to go and what projects they’d love to write as early in the process as possible, so we can be strategic in planning what will be the best next book for their career.

Do you want to see sample chapters as a client writes or do you prefer to wait until the manuscript is finished? Or is it up to the client?

I almost always ask to see the first 100 pages or so of new projects (on books under contract as well as new unsold projects). I think it’s useful for the author to get feedback at that point, when the story is already coming together but before all the plot is set in stone. It also makes it possible for the author to have readers at different points: I’ll read every 100 pages as the book is being written, their editor will only read it once it’s complete, etc., so we have multiple perspectives to make it the best possible book.

SUBMIT

Can a client make suggestions or share a wish list when it comes to editors/imprints to submit to?

Yes, although I may disagree with the suggestions and share why. But I’m always happy to discuss it.

Do you forward editor feedback to writers?

I generally forward editor feedback that has helpful comments. I always let writers know when editors respond to me.

At what point might you suggest making more revisions?

I’ll suggest further revisions if an editor makes editorial comments that I think are right for the manuscript and will make it a stronger book.

What do you suggest a writer does while out on submission?

Write a new book! The most important thing while on submission is to distract yourself and keep writing. The submission process is out of your hands and is about the market, not the quality of your work. The best thing you can do is work on a new project.

How much contact do you have with a client when he/she is out on submission? Do you send weekly updates or update as responses come in?

I update as responses come in.

Is it okay for a client to check in if there hasn’t been any news in a while?

It is always okay for my clients to contact me if they have any questions at all, about anything.

Thank you, Hannah!

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Posted December 2013 – Always check for current info and guidelines.

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