STATUS: I’m fully recovered from jet lag! Today I offered representation to a new client (very exciting). I worked on a contract, and I handled some outstanding issues. All in a good day’s work.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? BEGIN THE BEGIN by R. E. M.
Do you remember when I was posting all those late night blogs about a week or so before I went on vacation? I mentioned that a lot of exciting things were happening at the agency but I couldn’t really talk about them.
Well, I can finally talk about the two auctions that happened back to back in the first weeks of August. Both were several day auctions as well and so during the work day, I did nothing but handle the bidding etc. Then I would work on everything else that should have been done (especially since vacation was approaching) until about 11 o’clock at night. Then I blogged—hence some late night entries and that midnight oil.
So here are my two exciting deals in Publishers Marketplace Deal Lunch terms.
FICTION: DEBUT
Jamie Ford’s HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET, a story set in Seattle and told in alternating time periods, when a Chinese boy falls in love with a Japanese girl during the Japanese internment in 1942, and later in 1986 when the belongings of Japanese families are discovered in the basement of a condemned hotel and he must confront the memories and choices he made years ago, to Jane von Mehren at Ballantine, in a good deal, at auction.
CHILDREN’S: YOUNG ADULT
Sarah Rees Brennan’s debut urban fantasy trilogy starting with THE DEMON’S LEXICON, about two brothers hunted throughout England by a powerful magician’s circle after their mother steals a charm and when the eldest is marked by a demon, the younger uses swords and dark arts in an effort to save him but unwittingly uncovers the darkest of secrets, to Karen Wojtyla at Margaret K. McElderry, in a major deal, at auction.
The sweetest words in every issue of PL are “major deal”.
I am very happy for you. And your client. Wow.
Holy crap.
Congrats!
You go girl.
I know Jamie’s jazzed, and I’m sure Sarah is, as well. As agent, I’m assuming you’re doubly jazzed.
….what a great way to begin a vacation…congrats.
Kristin, I didn’t get to meet you at the RWNZ conference but wanted to congratulate you (and your authors) on those good and major deals. It must be exhilarating representing people and product you’re passionate about.
Good to hear you’ve recovered so swiftly from the dreaded jet lag. I always find the trip from the US back to NZ shattering as far as body clocks go.
Congrats to all. I can’t wait to get that “call”. I haven’t submitted any of my work yet. I hope to send in my work by this spring.
OOOH! I’m hoping that YA will be on the shelves in swift order. it sounds like exactly the kind of book my son loves to read!
I’m a lurker but I just had to post and say wow! A new client and two deals?? And a vacation to boot!
I bet you’re on cloud nine (as well as your authors). Congratulations 🙂
I have said it before and I will say it a million times – you are Wonder Woman.
– Sarah
Congrats to both your authors and to you! The news is wonderful and exciting.
Two auctions, new clients, a contract offered, and vacation. August seems to be a good month for you and your people. 🙂
Congrats! I’d seen that YA deal in PM and looked her up … her blog is a hoot, I’ll bet those will be terrific reads!
Isn’t it wonderful when hard work and late nights pay off? Jane and Sarah must be ecstatic. Way to go.
Big congrats to the authors, and to you as well, Kristen. I’d heard at RWA national that demons were one of the ‘in’ elements these days, and low and behold you have proven that right. Perhaps I should work on that demon hunter story I have sitting around here.
JDuncan
http://www.jimnduncan.com
There are many reasons for Kristin and her clients to be excited about these deals – congratulations! My favorite part of these sales is the fact they’re both debuts. It dispells the idea that agents don’t take on new writers, that editors aren’t looking for new voices.
You did a great job for Jamie, Kristin. 🙂
Welcome back!
Those books sound great. Congrats.
-Katie
Congrats! Thats great! Both look like great finds, esp the YA. There can never be too much Urban Fantasy out there.
How wonderful!
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet … what a great title! What a great premise. I can’t wait to read it! When will it be released? Congratulations Jamie Ford!
Kudos to Kristin!
I’m glad everyone likes the title. We went over dozens of alternatives. I think that was the second title I came up with. Around title #28, we went back to it. I’m glad we did! Kristin’s input in was pivotal.
Release date is tentatively Spring/Summer 2009.
All this and a fab vaca to NZ?
Congrats!
Stephanie
Every time I check this blog, you’ve got something exciting going on. Good for you, Kristin! And congrats. 🙂
I’ve been reading Sarah’s writing for years through her blog. She’s beyond fantastic. You’re lucky to have her.
One question: how long until Sarah’s book can be shipped to Australia? I am obscenely excited, about this. I’ve been reading her blog for years, and just love her writings. Congrats!