Category: deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Lisa DeSelm, YA Fantasy

  Posted at 2:13 pm by Laura, on September 26, 2019

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to share the news that Lisa DeSelm’s The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice will be hitting shelves in Fall 2020!

  Lauren Knowles at Page Street acquired Lisa DeSelm’s YA fantasy, The Puppetmaster’s Apprentice, a gender-swapped retelling of Pinocchio meets Frankenstein. Pirouette is tasked to build an assassin for the tyrant of Tavia, but when she realizes his schemes dabble in dark magic, she aims to take control of the strings before the next blue moon. Publication is set for fall 2020; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world rights.

  Once upon a time…

  In the fall of 2017 I received a query about a rather twisted tale, brimming with dark, gothic vibes. In fact, what drew my attention most was Lisa’s twist on a Pinocchio retelling. Most fairytale twists I receive in my inbox take on princess tales––Beauty and the Beast, Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, to name the most common––so she stood out among the rest for tackling a unique tale, twisting it, and tossing in the Frankenstein vibes. Yes, please.

  YA fantasies are popular, and the market is flooded with them. There’s some special spark necessary in order to win a prized spot on a publisher’s list. We were so close to selling this novel multiple times over the next…gosh, almost two years! But just like dating, you have to find the exact right editor in order to really make the project shine. We needed someone who devours twisted tales, who luxuriates in the gothic, who isn’t afraid to tap into moral and emotional dilemmas, who finds the humor and bright spots of the novel and sees that hope at the end for a better world. We needed someone who loves beautifully constructed sentences and thoughtful dialogue, who feels immersed in the world and understands it from the first page, who realizes that teens want adventure and depth to their choice books just like adults.

  Lauren is it. One phone call with her, and Lisa and I knew Lauren would be the perfect one to usher Piro and her crew onto shelves.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Lisa! You’re going to be a published author!

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 3 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 10:29 am by Laura, on July 19, 2019

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m excited to share that Nina Moreno (Don’t Date Rosa Santos) is coming out with a new novel, Our Way Back to Always! 

  Hannah Allaman at Disney-Hyperion has acquired Don’t Date Rosa Santos author Nina Moreno‘s new novel, Our Way Back to Always. Pitched as When Harry Met Sally by way of Sarah Dessen, the contemporary YA romance follows two next-door neighbors and ex-best friends—gamer, fanfic-writer Luisa (call her Lou) and drummer, golden boy Sam—whose paths collide during senior year of high school when they rediscover their childhood bucket list and set out to complete it before graduation. Publication is planned for spring 2021; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.

  Last time I announced a deal for Nina, I mentioned there was a drummer main character. Well, your favorite drummer from Rosa is here to star in his own novel with Luisa!

  Sam and Lou have the weight of the world on their shoulders for different reasons, and also have a shared history. Their divergence before high school, and collision during senior year, allow for them to have their second chance and a new meet cute (y’all, these opening scenes had me cracking up). I fell in love with them the way I fell in love with Alex and Rosa, and I can’t wait for you to come back to Port Coral and do the same!

  Though this isn’t a series (companions! friends!), you should read Rosa nonetheless because it’ll give you all the feels as you wait [with great anticipation] for Always! 

  Congratulations, Nina! 

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 0 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Heather Walter, Fantasy

  Posted at 3:19 pm by Laura, on July 16, 2019

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to share the announcement of the publication of Heather Walter‘s Malice and its sequel! 

  Heather Walter’s MALICE, pitched as a queer reimagining of “Sleeping Beauty” in which Alyce, a sorceress whose dark gifts earn her the hatred of a realm, finds an unexpected bond with the last surviving heir whose curse can only be lifted by true love’s kiss — or perhaps by the sorceress herself, to Tricia Narwani at Del Rey, in a good deal, in a pre-empt, in a two-book deal, for publication in spring 2021, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (world).

  Once upon a time…

  Back in January 2018 I received a Snow White villain retelling/prologue that I quickly requested…and then life happened. It wasn’t until May that I sat down, read it in one fell swoop, fell in love even though Heather crushed my soul and blew my mind with the ending, and immediately offered representation. We edited and refined the project before sending it out on submission. One editor in particular, Tricia Narwani at Del Rey, provided such long, wonderful, beautiful, detailed feedback — which is near unheard of when an editor is passing on a project, by the way — that Heather took it to heart, was super inspired, and decided to write a whole new villain retelling story while we were on submission with Snow White.

  When Heather sent me her Sleeping Beauty villain retelling Malice the following January, I was blown away. Here was a fairytale fantasy that explored what society deemed a monstrous creature, a lesbian fantasy that explored friendship and love, an epic fantasy built from the ground up. I just wanted to hug Alyce and tell her she was great and beautiful and just had a stroke of bad luck, it would be okay, I promise! We went through edits back and forth for a few months to really dig into the world Heather created, to fill those holes and intensify the true villains of the story.

  Then we took a deep breath, and jumped into submission. Tricia was at the top of our list. “Let’s make Malice a Del Rey book.”

  Come July 2, we did.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Heather! You’re going to be a published author! 

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 1 Comment | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Chloe Gong, YA Fantasy

  Posted at 12:13 pm by Laura, on February 22, 2019

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m so excited to announce the publication of Chloe Gong‘s These Violent Delights!

  Tricia Lin at Simon Pulse has acquired, at auction, Chloe Gong‘s debut YA fantasy These Violent Delights, pitched as a Romeo and Juliet retelling by way of The Godfather. A monster has awakened in 1920s Shanghai, killing off citizens and stirring trouble between two feuding gangs. The rival heirs, Roma Montagov and Juliette Cai, must work together before the monster destroys all they hold dear, even while the Chinese Civil War breaks out around them. Publication is planned for fall 2020; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency did the two-book deal for North American rights. 

  Once upon a time…

  In early summer 2018, I received an intricate, complicated, multi-layered, no-way-she’s-a-rising-sophomore query for a gorgeous, thrilling, and dark manuscript that was a blend of historical science fiction fantasy. I was immensely intrigued and requested to read 50 pages…and a week later requested to read the full…and a week after that (which was about two weeks before I left for Greece) I offered representation. I was so blown away by Chloe’s writing, enthusiasm, skill, and intelligence (she’s going to rule the world one day, mark my words) and I knew I had to represent her! Her acceptance was the last email I read before flying out of the country!

  Before diving into edits we needed to clear up some matters. I wanted to be sure nothing bad would happen to her academically or legally if we were to publish her work, as she is a student in the US from New Zealand. We spoke with her academic and international advisors to make sure every rule was followed, as well as making sure none of this would complicate her studies. With the green light, we were able to dive into edits, polish this up, and present this to editors across YA and Adult markets. (I mean seriously, it’s that good.)

  It was so important that the editor not only connected to the writing and story, but also to the Chinese experiences, to the history of Russia’s pogroms, to the deep understanding of Shanghai’s tumultuous history, to the complicated matters of generational and cultural diaspora. Tricia Lin hustled for this project, and I’m so thrilled she and Chloe will be bringing These Violent Delights into the world! 

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Chloe! You’re going to be a published author! 

   

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 6 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: KayLynn Flanders, YA Fantasy

  Posted at 9:25 am by Laura, on October 12, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to announce the publication of KayLynn Flanders‘s Shielded!

  Monica Jean at Delacorte has preempted debut author KayLynn Flanders’s Shielded, a YA fantasy about a princess hiding a magical secret in a kingdom ravaged by war. The key to saving not only those closest to her, but the kingdom itself, is also the very secret that could destroy her. Publication for the first book is scheduled for summer 2020; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS brokered the deal for world English rights.

  Once upon a time…

  In spring 2017, I read an enchanting, classic fantasy about a princess in disguise, whose repressed magic would guide her through the wild lands and into enemy territory, where she could then pretend to be someone else for the royal family and find a way to stop a ruthless mage from wrecking havoc across the land. This wasn’t an assassin princess, this wasn’t a princess with killer magical skills from the beginning––she’s instead an endearing, wonderfully relatable young woman who just wants what’s best for her family and kingdom, while still struggling to come to terms with who she is and what she’s capable of.

  KayLynn and I are editorial people, and let me tell you, it was an experience and an absolute joy to highlight, color-code, comment thread––and yes, even crash Word––as we worked to polish this up for submission. I do this with all of my clients, but since KayLynn is a freelance editor herself we could really dig into the meaty bits. It’s so special to both of us, and we wanted to get it just right.

  We submitted the manuscript on KayLynn’s birthday, and one year later we found the absolute perfect editor for Shielded––again, on KayLynn’s birthday. Everything came full circle.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, KayLynn! You’re going to be a published author!

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 4 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Clarissa Harwood, Historical Fiction

  Posted at 5:07 pm by Laura, on May 16, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m excited to announce the publication of Clarissa Harwood‘s next novel, Bear No Malice!

  Impossible Saints author Clarissa Harwood’s next historical novel BEAR NO MALICE, pitched as Grantchester meets Great Expectations, about a clergyman with a painful past and an artist trapped by her own secrets, to Katie McGuire at Pegasus, in a nice deal, for publication in Winter 2019, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (NA).

  Last time I announced a deal for Clarissa, I mentioned a manuscript that she shared with me that never made it to submission because she wanted me to submit what became Impossible Saints first. Well…this is that novel!

  For fans of Impossible Saints, you’ll be excited to know that Bear No Malice will be a companion. Paul’s nemesis, Tom Cross, is the star of this book, and believe me when I tell you you will fall in love with him just like you fell for Paul. Clarissa’s writing is stunning and hauntingly beautiful, and I can’t wait for you to read her sophomore novel!

  Congratulations, Clarissa!

   

  Posted in deal announcement | 0 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, Fantasy

  Posted at 9:10 am by Laura, on February 17, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to announce the publication of Tasha Suri’s Empire of Sand!

  Hachette Book Group associate editor Sarah Guan acquired world English rights to a debut fantasy novel by Tasha Suri. According to HBG, Suri was inspired to write Empire of Sandby Mughal-Indian history. The novel, HBG said, “is the story of a nobleman’s illegitimate daughter and a vow-bound mystic who both possess the rare ability to compel the dreams of sleeping gods.” Suri was born in the U.K., but toured India during childhood holidays. She is now a librarian in London, and studied English and creative writing at Warwick University. Laura Crockett of TriadaUS brokered the deal. Empire of Sand will be released in the fall under HBG’s Orbit Books imprint.

  Once upon a time…

  It was late June when I received a query for a 15th-century Mughal-Indian-inspired fantasy. The query was beautifully written, and the sample provided opened with an interesting scene and premise, setting the stage for what I hoped to be a gorgeous fantasy. I needed more.

  One early August afternoon, I finished reading the gorgeous fantasy. Natasha’s writing was lush and stunning, and I couldn’t help thinking her style was a perfect blend of traditional atmospheric fantasy a la Juliet Marillier and Roshani Chokshi. The magic was unique yet familiar, rooted in tradition and lore, and the romance was so achingly beautiful and classic I couldn’t help but sigh over the two. I had to call and offer. Immediately. And she accepted!

  There was something about this project that made me think it would sell quickly, too. Agents always think their clients’ work will sell quickly — we believe in them, we love their stories — but it really comes down to wowing editors. Her project felt right for crossover audiences, so I sent it out with a bang all over the board. It was a month between offering representation and putting it on submission, and another month till we received a very enthusiastic offer from a publisher.

  The offer prompted an auction. On Diwali. Do you realize how important and amazing that was for Tasha and her family? And by the end of the day, we knew exactly where EMPIRE OF SAND would find a home.

  This was a huge deal for everyone involved. My first auction, landing a deal on Diwali for Tasha, and announcing the deal on Lunar New Year for Sarah. What a trio!

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Tasha! You’re going to be a published author!

  EDIT: For more information about EMPIRE OF SAND, check out the acquisition announcement from Orbit!

   

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement | 4 Comments | Tagged deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 7:10 pm by Laura, on January 4, 2018

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m thrilled to announce the publication of Nina Moreno’s Saint Rosa of the Sea!

  Hannah Allaman at Disney has bought Nina Moreno‘s debut YA contemporary novel, Saint Rosa of the Sea, pitched as Gilmore Girls meets Practical Magic, in a preempt. The women in Rosa’s family are cursed: her abuela is exiled from Cuba, her mother is reckless, and Rosa is forbidden to go to the sea. Rosa dreams of finally seeing their island, but her study abroad plans crumble amid political changes just as she crashes into a quiet boy from the docks. Publication is planned for summer 2019; Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency negotiated the deal for world English rights.

  Once upon a time…

  ‘Twas the afternoon before offices closed and all through the inbox, not an email was pinging, not even a — wait a minute! Is that an offer?!

  Nina Moreno is one of the very first clients I took on a couple years ago, and I fell in love with an incredibly doomed, romantic YA contemporary set in an orange grove. We loved this manuscript to pieces, but unfortunately there were no bites.

  While I was submitting that manuscript, Nina’s brain was cooking up a new project, about a drummer in a small town. But soon that project developed into something more, making the drummer the BFF to the real protagonist of this small town’s story: Rosa, an artistic soul with a passion and determination to visit her family’s country, a country forbidden legally and by her own family to visit in any capacity. Toss in the cultural elements, the diaspora, the lyrical language, and a whole lot of delicious pastries, and I was a goner. This manuscript was gorgeous.

  We submitted it several months later to several editors (after many revisions), halted further submission (for more revisions), was about to submit again (but was asked to not because Nina wanted to revise some more), and then finally sent off what we felt was the strongest possible draft. Not two weeks later, Disney came in with an offer we couldn’t refuse.

  Merry Christmas, indeed!

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Nina! You’re going to be a published author!

   

  Posted in deal announcement | 3 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Clarissa Harwood, Historical Fiction

  Posted at 9:14 am by Laura, on March 24, 2017

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m excited to announce the publication of Clarissa Harwood‘s Impossible Saints!

  Clarissa Harwood’s IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS, the story of an English suffragette torn between her political ambitions and her love for a young clergyman, to Katie McGuire at Pegasus, for publication in Winter 2018, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (World English).

  Every author experiences a different publishing journey. Some sell work immediately, some take a year or two, and some take a few years and a couple manuscripts later. That’s just how publishing works! And when you have historical fiction, oooooh boy. It’s tough. But Clarissa persevered, and she’s been such a dream to work with! Let’s go back to the beginning…

  Once upon a time…

  One late September day at the beginning of my agenting career, I received a query from Clarissa. It was clean, professional, impressive, and so well-written, I had to read the manuscript. It was a retelling/expansion of two of my favorite classics, and she won me over. I offered representation!

  But that manuscript is not this deal.

  A year later, Clarissa sent me a fantastic Grantchester-like project to read and prepare for submission. We discussed the pitch, edited first through the synopsis then chapter by chapter, really tightening the story and making it powerful. We had a long discussion about the title, and put together a submission list…

  That manuscript is not this deal.

  Because a few months after I was initially sent the Grantchester-like manuscript, Clarissa sent me another. (What a prolific writer and historian — I’m so lucky!) She said this was the one she really wanted to put out there. I read the pitch, devoured the manuscript, edited the draft (I believe a minor plot-line AND a character died in this process — RIP Grace), created another submission list, and began the submission process. We were so fired up about suffragettes and had such great support from the Historical Novel Society community.

  Then an offer from Katie appeared in my inbox.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Clarissa! You’re going to be a published author!

  Posted in deal announcement | 12 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Jared Reck, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 4:21 pm by Laura, on April 26, 2016

  

  Deal Announcements feature my most recent deal as an agent and the story behind it. Writers and readers should experience how an agent knows when they’ve struck gold and sign an author, the beginning of the journey to publication.

  I’m excited to announce the publication of Jared Reck’s You’re the Nerds!

  Erin Clarke at Knopf has preempted two YA novels by debut writer Jared Reck. The first of two stand-alone titles, You’re the Nerds, tells the story of JV basketball player Matthew Wainright and what happens when he falls for his childhood best friend, Tabby. Publication is scheduled for fall 2017; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS negotiated the six-figure deal for world rights and Uwe Stender will handle film rights.

  Once upon a time…

  One mid-January day, I received a query from Jared. He jumped right into the heart of the book, not wasting any time to capture my attention. I could hear the protagonist’s voice already, and I wanted to read more! Especially after reading that Matt’s “sabotaged by the overdramatic movie director in his head.” I couldn’t help but think of those Expectation vs Reality panels from (500) Days of Summer, laughed a bit, and asked for 50 pages.

  A week later I was able to sit down and read those 50 pages — and I couldn’t stop laughing! I begged for the full and finished it that night. Matt is driven and determined, struggles to maintain a solid friendship, and learns how to come to terms with grief. I laughed and laughed and cried and laughed some more. In short, Jared can write a compelling voice. Two days later, I offered representation. I needed this manuscript. I needed Jared!

  Whirlwind already, right? Well. Jared and I were not prepared for the following whirlwind…

  After about a month of reviewing the manuscript and going through some final polishing, I sent the manuscript off to editors. One week later — one week later — I received a call from Erin Clarke at Knopf, detailing the offer.

  I couldn’t believe it. Neither could my boss, Uwe. It was a dream offer from a dream editor, begging us for this dream book. And she called me on April Fools Day.

  But this was no joke.

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Jared! You’re going to be a published author!

  Posted in deal announcement | 1 Comment | Tagged agenting, deal announcement

• 

• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent and librarian, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I have a passion for Victorian culture, Gothic lit, and music. I have a fluffy black cat named Rossetti, I love to knit, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm obsessed with popcorn. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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