Category: deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Kaitlyn Hill, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 5:14 pm by Laura, on July 21, 2020

  

  I’m excited to share the announcement of the publication of Kaitlyn Hill’s YA foodie feminist romcom, Love From Scratch!

  Hannah Allaman at Delacorte has acquired Love from Scratch by debut author Kaitlyn Hill. The feminist YA rom-com follows rival interns Reese and Benny, whose chemistry sizzles when they fill in for a video shoot on a popular online cooking channel. But will exploding internet fame and a heated competition for the fall internship keep romance on the back burner? Publication is slated for spring 2022; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency handled the deal for world rights.

  Once upon a time…

  February of this year, I participated in Pitch Wars. I do this every year, and am quite particular about which projects I request. When I came across Kaitlyn’s, I had a feeling it would be something perfect. But I wasn’t fast about it––it took Kaitlyn informing me she had an offer of representation on the table to kick my butt into gear. I dropped everything to read it, fell in love with Reese instantly, and needed to throw my hat into the ring. I crossed my fingers and toes and hoped beyond hope she’d choose me to be her agent––she was going to let me know on my birthday, and wouldn’t that have been the absolute perfect gift?

  It was. It was so great. I was OOO on my birthday but frequently checked my email throughout the day hoping she’d come back to me with a YES––and she DID! (Side note: we live in neighboring states, my colleague Brent lives in the same city, so there were lots of connections we felt personally to Reese and her experiences and upbringing. I was over-the-moon happy to represent Kaitlyn in all these ways!)

  Meanwhile, Hannah was moving from Disney to Delacorte (Hannah of Don’t Date Rosa Santos fame) and I had a feeling this would be perfect for her.

  Kaitlyn and I worked on some tweaks here and there for submission…and then COVID happened. Was that going to stop us? No. No, because editors wanted something fun and distracting and perfect for their COVID bread-baking activities. This manuscript was perfect for that!

  So on Hannah’s first week in her new job, Kaitlyn and I shared Love From Scratch. Flash forward a few weeks, and she presented an offer the week Kaitlyn needed the best kind of good news, and also on my one-month-mark of full-time agenting. This is the dream team. Good things keep happening for the three of us!

  And the rest…is history.

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

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

• Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, YA Historical

  Posted at 2:32 pm by Laura, on May 3, 2020

  

  I’m thrilled to share that Tasha Suri (Empire of Sand, Realm of Ash, and new trilogy beginning with The Jasmine Throne) is coming out with her debut young adult historical novel, a reclaimed retelling of Wuthering Heights!

  Author of EMPIRE OF SAND, REALM OF ASH, and upcoming THE JASMINE THRONE Tasha Suri’s untitled Wuthering Heights retelling, a debut YA historical that draws on the history of lascar sailors and the mixed race children of East India Company officers, to Emily Settle at Feiwel and Friends, in a nice deal, for publication in summer 2022, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (world).

  In Publishers Weekly: Children’s Bookshelf, there was a full story covering the exciting news. Tasha is one of four authors so far in this reclaimed classics series––other tales include Treasure Island (drawing upon Chinese maritime history), Robin Hood (drawing upon the Muslim side of the Crusades), and Little Women (drawing upon the Freedmen’s Colony of Roanoke Island during the Civil War). I’m so excited about all of these narratives, and cannot thank Emily enough for reaching out to Tasha for this particularly exciting opportunity!

  Tasha is going to rely upon lots of historical research and focus on lines from Emily Brontë’s classic that haunted her since her school days. What if Heathcliff and Cathy were both half-Indian? What if they were white-passing enough to be taken back to England, but not enough to be welcomed into this white, elitist society? What if the “gibberish” language Nelly says they spoke to each other was just another language, the language from home?

  When Tasha’s idea began to take shape, my own mind was blown. Everything I knew about this narrative in my academia was blown to pieces, and I cannot wait for her to blow your mind too!

  Congratulations, Tasha!

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

• Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, Fantasy

  Posted at 12:48 pm by Laura, on January 17, 2020

  

  I’m excited to share that Tasha Suri (Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash) is coming out with a brand new epic fantasy trilogy beginning with The Jasmine Throne in 2021!

  [From Orbit’s blog] Inspired by the history and epics of India, THE JASMINE THRONE follows a captive princess and a servant in possession of forbidden magic as they become unlikely allies on a dark journey to save their empire from a tyrant king. With her signature “lyrical prose, intricate world building, beautifully imagined characters, and compelling immersive folklore,” (Booklist) Suri has created a sweeping tale about powerful women looking to claim their rightful inheritances, replete with grand and ancient magic, and set in a world where lush forests and crumbling temples have secrets at their hearts. We are so excited for you to read it next year!

  Last time I announced a deal for Tasha, I’d offered rep in August 2017. Flash forward two years and two books later to August 2019. Tasha submitted her option materials to Orbit, with plans to continue The Books of Ambha, but Orbit saw something more. This story can’t be contained in one book, they said. This story needs to stand on its own. This story, they said, is powerful.

  Of course I believe in Tasha’s ability to write grand stories so gut-wrenchingly beautiful it makes my heart ache. But hearing Orbit say that about her option materials for what was meant to be one novel spoke volumes: Tasha’s publisher believed in her too.

  When I shared the news to Tasha, it’s safe to say we were both astonished and overwhelmed in the best way. There was a moment of stunned silence, and then Tasha said, “Okay…I could definitely do that. What if…” and the brainstorming began. A whole trilogy grew before our eyes, grand and beautiful and dark and epic and complicated and emotional. She resubmitted her option materials, and Orbit said yes. Yes, this trilogy is it.

  If you loved Empire of Sand and Realm of Ash, get ready. You just got a droplet of Tasha’s ocean of brilliance. Add The Jasmine Throne on your Goodreads TBR and start preparing yourselves now.

  Congratulations, Tasha!

  Posted in deal announcement | 0 Comments | Tagged agenting, 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 | 4 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

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• Hello, I’m Laura!

  I'm a bookish bookworm and book hoarder. By day I'm a literary agent, and by night I'm forever rearranging my bookshelves. I could talk your ear off about Gothic literature, and in my past life people thought I'd become a professional musician. 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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