Pub Rants

Brenda Novak Auction to Start and Final London Wrap Up

by Kristin Nelson

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STATUS: Getting ready to head out the office door. I do plan to do reading tonight from home.

What’s playing on the iPod right now? LUSH LIFE by Natalie Cole

It’s that time of year again! Time for the Annual Online Auction to Benefit Diabetes Research by the indomitable force of nature and wonderful author, Brenda Novak.

And I’m here to highlight that Nelson Literary Agency really stepped up to the plate this year and is offering a WHOLE page of items to be auctioned off.

Just to whet your appetite, I’m giving away breakfast with me at RWA and a writing critique with a 24-hour turnaround time. I will spend several hours on this critique—editing it just like I would a client’s manuscript.

Sara is offering a query-free submission.

NYT Bestselling author Jamie Ford is answering 10 Questions.

Sherry Thomas, query writer extraordinaire, is offering to help you whip your query into shape.

Mari Mancusi and Courtney Milan are offering opening chapters critiques.

Hank Ryan has her own page of good stuff!

And that’s just a brief glimpse of what is available. You might want to check it out.

But back to my London list as promised. I’m skimming through my notes and typing up what I see.

Germany
Looking for upmarket commercial fiction—not too literary
Crime fiction
Exotic and/or generational saga
Boy meets Girl with a literary voice
Commercial historical fiction

Finland Children’s
Literary fic as the market is strong
Fantasy
Science fiction is working

France
Fantasy
Chick lit
Historical romance
Historical fiction

UK
Romantic comedy with lit voice
Jackie Collins type novel
Literary vampires—like the Abraham Lincoln Vampire hunter or literary zombies
Books good for reading groups
Commercial women’s fiction
Mystery that is slightly cozy but has a dark edge
Urban fantasy
Paranormal romance
Horror (must be sophisticated)
Big historical fiction
Literary thriller

That’s all else she wrote.

14 Responses

  1. Lucy said:

    I fear there’s something Pavlovian in my conditioning as a writer. The words “query-free submission” appear on the screen, and I begin to drool. 🙂

  2. HeatherM said:

    I’ve got to check out the auction, sounds great! Kudos to everyone at the agency for supporting such a great cause. And the list is encouraging, thanks for posting it!

  3. Matthew O'Brien said:

    In what these countries are looking for…are they really so specific? For example, I don’t see an ounce of science fiction or fantasy, yet the number of those readers hasn’t diminished. I guess what I’m saying is, are the publishers determining the market or are the readers?

  4. Naomi said:

    I’d love to know which UK agencies and publishers are looking for Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance – from what I’ve seen, most don’t touch it!

  5. Anonymous said:

    As a nurse and a diabetic, I thank all involved – those donating items for auction and those who bid. You’re wonderful people to support research for this cause.

  6. Marianne Mancusi said:

    So many great things to bid on – I’m going to be POOR after this auction ends! But so great to see everyone coming together for such a great cause.

  7. Anne said:

    I’m not sure what to do with the info from UK . . . “book good for reading group.” Is this a general statement for all agents/publishers in UK, or is this a specific agent/publisher’s request? If the latter, can you give contact info?