STATUS: I actually stayed at home sick today. I’m feeling a lot better though so I think I’ll make it into the office tomorrow.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? BEFORE HE CHEATS by Carrie Underwood
There is so much dreary news as of late that one has to wonder if anyone is buying books. Well, they must be because today I found out that two of my authors’ books have gone back for their fifth reprinting this week!
And both have love stories at the core. Hum…
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STATUS: I awoke this morning with what must be the start of a cold. My head feels like it’s stuffed with cotton.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? GRACELAND by Paul Simon
Every day on Media Bistro, I read some new tidbit on the problems in the newspaper industry. Lay-offs, new advertising on the front page, struggling papers trying to find ways to become more viable in this changing economy and evolving reading medium.
Today it hit home particularly. I awoke to the radio news that The Rocky Mountain Newspaper, publishing since 1859, is running its last edition this morning. Officially as of today, the paper is no more. They closed the doors.
The Denver Post is now the only newspaper in town.
STATUS: If you’re happy and you know it, clap your hands.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? IN THE MOOD by Glen Miller Orchestra
Congratulations Jamie on now being a New York Times bestselling author—debuting at #30 on the extended hardcover list.
We here at the Nelson Agency are just thrilled to pieces for you! Go knock ‘em dead in Milwaukee tonight.
STATUS: I wrapped up a contract negotiation—which always feels like a nice accomplishment. A big check mark on the to-do list.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? BE OUR GUEST from Beauty and the Beast
Today just saddened me I have to admit. When ALA Midwinter was here in Denver, I threw a shindig with fellow Denver agent Kate Schafer Testerman for the visiting editors and librarians at Cru Wine Bar in Larimer Square. We wanted to welcome everyone to our cow town.
Well, one of the guests was the very lovely Brenda Bowen of Bowen Press (HarperCollins) but Bowen Press is no longer as of today.
Here’s the link to the story. She formed her imprint literally only a year ago. In fact, she was launching her debut list at ALA Midwinter. I can’t imagine how any of the authors on that list feel—to be suddenly without imprint and editor. [Now do you understand how important an agent might be? This might be your only static person in this whirling maelstrom!]
Every day when I get my Publishers Marketplace email or PW Daily, I cringe every time I open the email. What bad news awaits me this week? What ax has fallen? Who else is now going to be listed under PW’s Comings & Goings with newly hatched gmail addresses?
In the same article, PW stated that HarperCollins was keeping its newly minted Balzer & Bray imprint. Thank goodness as I have an author on that launch list whose debut comes out this fall. Talk about a panic moment as I waited for the full article to pop up on screen.
And yet, despite the news, I plan to move forward agenting as I always have. Being deliberate and picky about what we take on but we are still looking for a great project.
And speaking of looking, Sara has her new page up at PM. Now isn’t that good news? Not only did I promote my assistant, we hired a new assistant to help us both. We are welcoming back our intern Julie who is now in her first year of college and a paid employee.
Hey, I’ve done my part for the economy!
STATUS: I’ve been working contracts this week so now I’m weeding through the 178 emails that need attention.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? SMOOTH OPERATOR by Sade
Note from Kristin: My wonderful assistant for three years, Sara Megibow, is now an acquiring agent! She is actively looking for great projects and here she is in her own words.
Three years ago my baby boy turned one and I told my husband, “Yes, I will go back to work but only if the job is PERFECT!” About two weeks later, I interviewed with Kristin at her original office in Denver. When I came home from that interview I was breathless and I told Mark, “My gosh, that is the coolest industry in the entire world – I love what she does and I want to be a part of it!” Thus, history was made.
I am happy to announce that Kristin has recently honored me with a generous promotion. My new title is Associate Literary Agent and YUP – that means I am now able to take on projects of my own!!! Thank you Kristin!
So for all you writers out there I am here to say – there is one more hungry agent in the hunt!! I have the backing of the Nelson Literary Agency – complete with fabulous training and support, a network of powerhouse co-agents and a history of publishing successful books (95 sold as of most recent count!) And I have three years of experience reading query letters, sample pages and full manuscripts with an eye toward picking that which will sell (and sell big). I helped Kristin choose PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS by Sherry Thomas (named one of Publishers Weekly’s top books of 2008) and HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET by Jamie Ford (released this month to HUGE accolades).
Going forward, here are some of my personal preferences and favorites:
Science Fiction and Fantasy = This is probably my all time favorite genre. For me, it is important to create a vivid, intense world that is incorporated seamlessly into an engaging story with complex characters. No big deal, right? Here are some recent reads which I feel capture these qualities: OLD MAN’S WAR by John Scalzi, THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA by Scott Lynch and HIS MAJESTY’S DRAGON by Naomi Novik. I also love everything written by Robin McKinley and Carol Berg.
Romance = I know I’ve said it before, but I love super sexy, intelligent romances. My favorite authors are Sherry Thomas (I know, I know, I’m biased) and Pamela Clare (everything she’s written). I also adored MOON CALLED by Patricia Briggs and Carolyn Jewel’s recent release SCANDAL. I’m a romantic, so about any subgenre works for me (except inspirational) as long as the writing is superior and the characters are solid.
Young Adult and Middle Grade = I have to admit, vampires and werewolves are not top on my list right now. I know it can still be done, but I am secretly on the look-out for books set in the real world (with a multicultural spin or a historical spin would be great). I loved UNDONE by Brooke Taylor and AN ABUNDANCE OF KATHERINES by John Green.
Finally, that all-encompassing genre of commercial fiction. For me, just about anything goes as long as it’s well written. I couldn’t put down MISTRESS OF THE ART OF DEATH by Arianne Franklin. Bring on the historicals and the multiculturals in this area too.
Happy writing to you all – I can’t wait to read more proposals! And thank you again to Kristin for this wonderful opportunity!
STATUS: If I can have the rest of the week be as productive as today, then I might finally be caught up. Did I jinx myself by saying that?
What’s playing on the iPod right now? THINK I’M IN LOVE by Eddie Money
As much as I hate to say it, there is a lot of dreck that is published in the genre of romance.—and I’m a huge fan! But there has been many a time when I’ve started a novel just to get frustrated within the first 60 pages on the shallowness of the characterization, on the unoriginal plot structures, and just the sheer dumbness of some of them. I’ll put the novel down and not pick it up again. And I’m very suspect of that author’s next romance.
I’m not a fan to keep reading an author just because I might have really loved something they’ve done in the past. If disappointed one too many times, I’ll stop buying that writer. [A fact I wish more romance readers would do when already established writers aren’t living up to their past writing prowess]
So I have to say that it’s with delight when an established writer WOWs me with her tenth novel but that’s exactly what Eloisa James did for me in Desperate Duchess.
But he’s not the hero that she really needs to fall for and marry.
Love it!
The main character doesn’t particularly care for children. Holy cow! Can she get away with it? And she does.
Love it because I’ve never, ever ever seen that before in a novel and she pulls it off. At least for me, I still really liked the heroine (and yes, she softens her stance as the novel progresses but still!)
A secondary story line that has nothing to do with romance but yet has everything to do with the plot unfolding.
Masterful!
So I could rave on and on about Eloisa James but what I’m trying to highlight here is that I’m really picky when it comes to reading historical romance. I want it to be complex, emotionally pulling, and hot! That’s why I represent Sherry Thomas who has been called one of the best historical romance authors writing today. That’s why I represent Courtney Milan who hasn’t debuted yet but I think is in the same category.
And that’s why I’m also so proud to be representing Carolyn Jewel’s fourth historical romance that hits the shelves today—SCANDAL.
I personally think this work is a tour de force. The best thing she has ever done. And don’t just take my word for it, hear what the Smart Bitches had to say about this novel.
Now Carolyn also writes paranormal romance and in this realm, she writes very gritty, lots of language, and hot bordering on erotica. If that’s not your thing, that’s okay. You can still pick up her historical romance which is a whole different ball game. In the HR realm, in my opinion, she’s writing up there with Eloisa and Sherry and if you like those authors, SCANDAL will not disappoint!
Happy Launch Day Carolyn!
STATUS: Just a little sad.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? I turned off the music.
I have to say that I had a whole blog entry planned for today. Right before I was planning to do my entry, I was reading PW’s Children’s Bookshelf—which is a weekly electronic email mailing.
I read this news article on two librarians, Kathy Krasniewicz and Kelly McClelland, and I was so horrified by the news that they were killed on the way to Denver International Airport right after ALA Midwinter had wrapped up on Wednesday morning that I just couldn’t think or write about anything else.
I just want to do a moment of silence for two ladies, two strong advocates of reading, who dedicated their lives to children and books.
STATUS: It’s almost 7 pm. I’m ready to leave the office.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? DON’T TREAT ME NO GOOD NO MORE by Sonia Dada
I have to say it’s rather rare to have two books release on the same day. I didn’t want Jana to think that I had forgotten about her so also hitting shelves as of today and yesterday is TROUBLE IN MUDBUG by Jana DeLeon.
I have to say that I love the concept for this novel and so does Hollywood. We’ve had some nice interest that we can only hope will evolve into something.
Meanwhile, if you like your mystery with a zany southern Louisiana flavor, then the first book in the Ghost-in-Law series will be right up your alley.
TROUBLE IN MUDBUG
A Ghost-in-Law Mystery Romance
by JANA DeLEON, Author of Unlucky
“Original, smart and comedic writing.” —RT BOOKreviews
Maryse Robicheaux can’t help heaving a sigh of relief at the news that her not-so-beloved mother-in-law has kicked the bucket. The woman was rude, manipulative and loved lording over everyone as the richest citizen of Mudbug, Louisiana. Unfortunately, death doesn’t slow Helena Henry down one bit.
“Jana DeLeon is very good at writing zany comedy as well as spicy romance.”
—Affaire de Coeur
Being haunted—or more like harried—by Helena’s ghost isn’t even the worst of Maryse’s problems. Close to making a huge medical breakthrough, she’s suddenly been given an officemate, and the only thing bigger than Luc LeJuene’s ego is his sex appeal. Maryse would bet her life the hot half-Creole is hiding something. Especially because it seems someone’s out to kill her. But getting Luc to spill his secrets while avoiding Helena’s histrionics and staying alive herself will be the ultimate bayou balancing act.
“DeLeon has an excellent knack at weaving…the right amount of mystery and suspense with plenty of romance and lots of laughter.” —Once Upon a Romance
STATUS: Very excited for this book to hit shelves today.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? BLUE by The Jayhawks
February 2009 Costco Pennie’s Pick
An IndieBound NEXT List selection for February
Borders Original Voices Pick
Pulpwood Queens Bonus Book Pick
Barnes & Noble March New Reads Book Club Pick
HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET is the story of Henry Lee, a Chinese boy in Seattle who falls in love (although it is forbidden) with a Japanese girl named Keiko right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It is also the story of Henry Lee as a middle-aged man forty years later who, when passing by Seattle’s old Japantown’s Panama Hotel, stumbles into a news conference on the hotel steps where the new owner has discovered in the basement the untouched belongings of thirty interned Japanese families. When the owner unfolds, for the news cameras, a Japanese bamboo parasol with a bright orange koi painted on it, Henry instantly recognizes it as Keiko’s. In that moment, he can no longer suppress his familiar and never forgotten longing and he must confront the memories and the choices he did or did not make all those years ago.
“Mesmerizing and evocative, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet is a tale of conflicted loyalties, devotion, as well as a vibrant portrait of Seattle’s Nihonmachi district in its heyday.”
–Sara Gruen, New York Times Bestselling author of Water for Elephants
“Jamie Ford’s first novel explores the age-old conflicts between father and son, the beauty and sadness of what happened to Japanese Americans in the Seattle area during World War II, and the depths and longing of deep-heart love. An impressive, bitter, and sweet debut.” – Lisa See, bestselling author of Snow Flower And The Secret Fan
“A tender and satisfying novel set in a time and a place lost forever, Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet gives us a glimpse of the damage that is caused by war–not the sweeping damage of the battlefield, but the cold, cruel damage to the hearts and humanity of individual people. Especially relevant in today’s world, this is a beautifully written book that will make you think. And, more importantly, it will make you feel.”
–Garth Stein, New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain
The Panama Hotel
Several years ago, the owner of the Panama Hotel did discover the belongings of Japanese interned families in the basement. Jamie read about this discovery and it became the starting framework for his novel. Jamie’s father had also related a story of his wearing an “I Am Chinese” button right after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, a historically accurate tidbit that plays a key role in HOTEL ON THE CORNER OF BITTER AND SWEET.
An Interview with Jamie Ford where he discusses the writing of HOTEL:
A walking tour of Seattle narrated by Jamie. In this video clip, Jamie explores the history of all the real places mentioned in HOTEL:
But despite all the historical places and historical accuracies, the story of Henry and Keiko existed only in Jamie’s mind and now on the pages of his novel. HOTEL is a work of fiction.
Enjoy!
STATUS: This was a terrific day. What a way to kick off the year.
What’s playing on the iPod right now? A KISS TO BUILD A DREAM ON by Louis Armstrong
On hitting the New York Times Bestseller List yet again. Coming in at #2 no less for the week of January 18, 2009.
Most richly deserved!
For those of you who might not have your copy as of yet, let me inform you that Barnes & Noble did a special trade paperback edition, only carried at their stores, that includes special bonus material of Cammie and company’s very first day at the Gallagher Academy. Click here to get your hands on this exclusive copy. Once sold, they are gone!