Just sold my mystery novel. Ask me anything. nt

[smoogatz]

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. Good for you!

What's the plot?

[smoogatz]

6. Ha!

Can't tell you. It's real-estate realted; set in a New England resort town.

[redwitch]

2. Do you feel elated?

:-) Congratulations!

[smoogatz]

7. Yes!!!

It's been a long haul.

[LSparkle]

3. How'd you get an agent?

My boyfriend is trying to sell a mystery/fantasy novel and is having a heckuva (!) time getting representation.

[smoogatz]

11. It's tough.

After almost a year and numerous rejections, I managed to hook up with a woman who was representing a friend of mine (the friend told her about me/my book). So I guess if there's a lesson, it's "connections help". But you knew that. The next question is, how do you develop connections? It takes time--I've been a publishing poet for over 15 years, and have done the fellowship/colony circuit for a good chunk of that--so I know a lot of people.

[LSparkle]

26. Thanks -- he has friends who have published

and are putting in good words for him but it's still been around 2 years and no bites. I must admit it's kind of an eclectic piece, though, and the market is so fragmented (should that be "segmented"?) that it's going to take a very special person to shop it. Congratulations on your accomplishment! (From someone close to one who's trying to do the same, I appreciate how big an achievement this is!)

[smoogatz]

33. Yeah. If you're doing something that's unconventional

it can be really hard to find an agent who gets it; ditto an editor. My book is kind of a conventional frame with out of the box characters and setting, so the rejections have been pretty interesting. "Too literary" one day, "too genre" the next. What can you do?

[Catamount]

38. I know you don't need and editor right now....but for anyone else

who does I can recommend someone very highly.
Just reply to my post and I'll get it out here!
:toast:

[wtmusic]

4. Congratulations! Is it any good?

j/k, we'll be looking for you on the NYT list! :thumbsup:

[smoogatz]

12. Thanks!

It IS good. The writing is, if I do say so myself, much better than your average airport mystery.

[babylonsister]

Congratulations, smoogatz! Good for you!

That's quite an achievement!:toast:

[smoogatz]

13. Thank you. We're very pleased--it's been a project. n/t

[MADem]

5. Are you as rich as a Roosevelt now???

Any hope for film rights??? What was the process like? Did you have an agent??

[smoogatz]

18. No--in fact, the advance is pretty modest/small/lame.

But it's with a good publisher (St Martin's/Minotaur), and it'll get decent publicity and distribution, so there's money to be made on the back end, as they say. There's always hope for film rights, although it's still too early to really think about that. The process of selling the thing? Greulling and awful. Get out your rhino-hide drawers, because there's rejection waiting at every turn. I do have an agent--and I'm very pleased with her at the moment.

[MADem]

22. Well, you are to be commended!!!

Let us know when it comes out, I'll buy one for my relative who is a mystery buff!

[shraby]

8. What's the title?

[Alleycat]

9. What the title?

And when does it go on the shelves? I am always into a mystery.

[Sequoia]

10. Don't tease us, what's the title?

Who's the publisher, who's the character, what's the villan like, how'd you get an agent.

[smoogatz]

21. The title is "High Season"

The publisher is St Martin's/Minotaur. Can't get into details about plot/character just yet--but it falls into the soft-boiled detective category, if that means anything to you. Got my agent through a friend--that seems to be how it works, mostly. Tried sending queries out for almost a year with scarcely a nibble.

[Sequoia]

35. Congrats then.

[hwmnbn]

14. What does the last page say?

just kidding, congrats.

[smoogatz]

30. "The End." What else?

Ha!

[hwmnbn]

39. You ARE a mystery writer!!!!

:toast:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

15. congrats! I have been working several of them.

of course, i continue to tweak, rewrite and improve (I hope)

[smoogatz]

23. Good for you.

Don't give up!

[MissMarple]

16. So....when can we expect to read it?

:applause:

[smoogatz]

25. No timeline yet--

but assuming the revision process goes well, I'm guessing next summer.

[Sequoia]

43. Next summer!!! You mean 2007?!!!

What's the first sentance?

[bluerum]

17. Cheers!

[jody]

19. Congratulations. I assume this is your first but it won't be your last.

Please don't forget your DU pals when you're rich and famous! :hi:

[smoogatz]

27. No worries--DU is a big part of my routine.

Got to get my daily fix. And in fact, you're right--this is a two-book deal. I sold the debut (already written) and a sequel, for which I've only written a proposal so far.

[Catamount]

20. Congrats....wonderful!

I know how hard and frustrating it is. I've been trying to get an agent for my novel too, perhaps your luck will rub off on me!

[smoogatz]

28. I hope so! Good luck to you, Catamount.

What kind of novel are you trying to sell?

[Catamount]

37. Unconventional - Action/adventure....about a cougar-cub....

growing up with humans, some of whom are very wild, while others are very cool. Some is told from the cougars POV too. It's fairly complex and controversial about 'human encroachment on the 'wild.
I've been working with an editor and have had a few 'nibbles' from agents.
I published a few copies on Cafe-press, but withdrew it as my editor told me that it's even harder to find an agent, once you've done anything like that.
Anyhow, I'll just keep on trying.
It's so good to know you've succeeded...I hope you got a fantastic deal!

[eleny]

24. "No results match your search for "smoogatz" in Amazon.com."

Okay, now give with the title so we can find it! :silly:

Congratulations on your publishing. This is really great. I love mystery novels!

[smoogatz]

29. See above. I'll give a big shout-out when it's actually in print.

Probably next year.

[central scrutinizer]

31. Did the butler do it?

[smoogatz]

32. Do what?

[wryter2000]

34. Congratulations!

Will you buy the :beer:?

[smoogatz]

36. Hell yes.

Let's all go down to the Joynt and get hammered.

[valerief]

40. Bravo! Best of luck with it. n/t

[Arkham House]

41. Congrats! I'm jealous--

--have been trying to sell my mystery novel for awhile now...it is tough...but I have a lot of faith in it, so one of these days I'll be announcing *my* novel's publication here...

[Adelante]

42. That is so wonderful

Terrific news. My best, best wishes :toast:

[Thirtieschild]

44. Congratulations and best of luck.