Tag: deal announcement

• Deal Announcement: Tesia Tsai, YA Fantasy

  Posted at 8:23 pm by Laura, on May 28, 2024

  

  I am so happy to share the news (albeit a little belated!) that debut author Tesia Tsai YA fantasy, Deathly Fates, will be published! 

  Vanessa Aguirre at Wednesday Books has bought, in a preempt, debut author and Pitch Wars alum Tesia Tsai’s Deathly Fates. Siying, a priestess who reanimates the dead to shepherd them home, accepts a risky job guiding a prince’s corpse from a battlefield––only to find that he awakens more alive than dead. But as they work together to strengthen and preserve what life he has left, the truth of his death becomes a threat to the fate of the entire kingdom. Publication is slated for winter 2026; Laura Crockett at Triada US did the two-book deal for North American rights.

  Once upon a time…

  Way back in February 2021, back when Pitch Wars was still a thing (RIP), I requested a project titled THE ART OF DEATH. In a handful of days Tesia had received offers of rep and I was scurrying to read and throw my hat into the ring too. I do not know how many other agents offered, nor do I care––but I was over-the-moon thrilled that she chose me!

  What followed in our submission journey were all of these revision requests from editors. Changing the name of the protagonist, changing the perspective from third to first, adding in more horror, adding in more romance. Tesia toiled away on this project, polishing it bit by bit. It’s been an extraordinary journey, and we knew we were finally, surely, getting close to that perfect editor match. 

  I’m so glad we continued to persevere! Because we found the perfect person with Vanessa Aguirre. She adored the manuscript to pieces, she really understood Tesia’s intentions with the narrative on grand and minute scales. So much of publishing is more than hard work and revision––it’s also luck too. 

  The stars aligned!

  And the rest…is history.

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

   

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

• Deal Announcement: Tasha Suri, Fantasy

  Posted at 3:49 pm by Laura, on March 11, 2024

  

  I’m so happy to finally share the news that Tasha Suri (Books of Ambha duology and The Burning Kingdoms trilogy) is coming out with two brand new fantasy standalones!

  World Fantasy Award-winning author Tasha Suri’s next standalone fantasy novel about a knight and a witch who must change the fate of magic and the world by altering the end of their story, pitched as Green Knight meets The Starless Sea with reincarnation, to Priyanka Krishnan while at Orbit, with Tiana Coven editing, in a two-book deal, for publication in fall 2025, by Laura Crockett at Triada US Literary Agency (world).

  We’ve been waiting to share this news for a whole year. One whole year. It’s been agony to not speak of it, to generate buzz, to discuss research and tales and myths. It’s been so long, I’m not even sure what to say about it other than it’s sapphic, it turns Arthurian tales on its head, it makes you see British history through a different lens, it’s magical and whimsical, it’s dark and painful, and above all it’s so beautifully written it makes you weep.

  And that’s just one of the novels! I still can’t talk about the second standalone! *cackles*

  Congratulations, Tasha!!!

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• Deal Announcement: Annie Cardi, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 2:47 pm by Laura, on December 8, 2022

  

  I am so overwhelmingly thrilled to share the news that Annie Cardi is coming out with a new book, tentatively titled Red! 

  Ardi Alspach at Union Square Kids has bought, in a preempt, YA contemporary novel Red by Annie Cardi (The Chance You Won’t Return). Pitched as a nod to The Scarlet Letter in the #MeToo era, for readers of Speak and Grown, Red follows teenager Tess as her very personal decision goes public and, rejected and harassed, she seeks solace in music and uses her voice to end the cycle of abuse in her small town. Publication is planned for January 2024; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS did the deal for world rights.

  Once upon a time…

  Annie is such a perfect example of resilience and determination in this industry. She debuted in 2014 with The Chance You Won’t Return, represented by another agency. When she was querying for new representation, I read a sweet and fun manuscript of hers back in November 2017. I offered rep, and we’ve been working together since February 2018! We went on submission with two other projects over the years, all the while Annie was brewing a passion project…

  When I first read a sample of Red in summer 2019, I cried. I urged Annie to continue with it, and I was able to read a full manuscript in December 2020. Tess came alive, and Annie was touching upon deep issues that resonate with teens and adults across generations––the healing power of music and community, the toxicity of extremism and propaganda, the comfort and the struggles of religious faith, and (biggest of all) the physical and emotional impact of gaslighting and grooming. It was as if Annie read my soul and was also writing my dream passion project all at once. 

  Submission for this kind of project is extremely difficult. It taps into very heated topics of religion and politics, so I had to be careful with the submission and not take it personally if someone passed. But Ardi read the pitch, read the manuscript, and said to me: Wow. This was incredibly powerful and moving. She and Union Square Kids saw the same depth we did, felt the same gut-punch, and gave us an offer we couldn’t––and wouldn’t!––refuse. 

  And the rest…is history.

  Congratulations, Annie! Everyone, go add Red to your TBR! This is one you don’t want to miss. You will see yourself, a friend, a family member, in Tess. Keep an eye on this one…great things are in store for Annie and Red!

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• Deal Announcement: Molly Horan, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 2:04 pm by Laura, on November 15, 2022

  

  I’m thrilled to share that Molly Horan, author of Epically Earnest, has a new book coming out in Fall 2024!

  Lily Kessinger at Clarion has acquired an untitled book by Molly Horan (Epically Earnest), a contemporary YA novel in which 17-year-old Mia accidentally finds herself at the center of her classmates’ drama when her role as the theater club’s unofficial counselor goes public and her advice on life and love becomes a hot commodity, to mixed results. Publication is scheduled for fall 2024; Laura Crockett at Triada US negotiated the deal for world rights.

  As you can see, this is not Molly’s first book nor is it her first with Triada––but it is our first together! Molly’s agent last year was Elle Thompson, and when Elle left to pursue a career in law (we’re all rooting for her!) I offered to represent Molly’s incredibly voicey YA. I feel very lucky to work with her!

  And boy is this next book full of voice and humor and wit and character (and ace rep!)! Molly’s writing is so snappy and thoughtful and well-paced. I found myself laughing out loud in the opening chapters and nodding along. Swap the drama department for the music department (artsy kids, am I right?), and it’s like being back in high school. There’s a great undercurrent of raw teen emotion…I honestly feel like I’m sixteen again when I read her writing. I feel like I’m Mia.

  Keep your eyes peeled for a cover and title reveal! 

  Congrats, Molly! A second novel is on its way to publication!

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• Deal Announcement: Ana Holguin, Romcom

  Posted at 3:49 pm by Laura, on November 8, 2022

  

  I’m over-the-moon excited to share the announcement for the publication of two of Ana Holguin’s novels: a romcom currently titled The Upside to Being Wrong, and a romantic women’s fiction currently titled Music People!

  Ana Holguin’s THE UPSIDE TO BEING WRONG, an enemies-to-lovers romcom about a Latinx Peloton/SoulCycle-esque spin instructor and a skeptical journalist hoping to dig up some dirt for his cover story on her rise to fame; and MUSIC PEOPLE, a romantic women’s fiction about a Latinx film composer who finally gets the her chance to break the industry’s glass ceiling but only if she agrees to work alongside her old music school rival, to Sam Brody at Forever, for publication in spring 2025, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (world English).

  Once upon a time…

  When Ana queried The Upside to Being Wrong, I knew I stumbled upon the next Abby Jimenez. Though it’s a play on the Peloton/SoulCycle hype, I could definitely get behind it because I’m in a barre studio, and there’s something so wonderfully powerful and exciting being a part of a group like that and quasi-influencer trainers supporting you and leading the way. Throw in a grumpy journalist digging for dirt? Yes please. I was so deeply in love with her adult romance voice that I made an offer of rep for Upside. We had a great conversation on the call and via email about her writing, where she sees herself in the future, what her dream career would look like, and where my own strengths and interests overlap as well.

  And so began our journey into romance submissions. The market is so hard to break into, and many editors were saying they were overwhelmed with romcom submissions so it would take some time. To keep her mind off the submission wheel, Ana then wrote another manuscript. I swear, it was like she took a peek into my head and wrote it just for me, because Music People is such a me-book! Female composers, film/TV composers, the difficulty of a career in music (let alone one within Hollywood), combined with big feels, a large, warm family, and misunderstandings/hate-to-love? Yes yes yes.

  Ana has such a great, engaging voice in her writing, but Upside and Music had two different tones to the narratives. I put that on submission too, pitching it as more women’s fiction. While this was a little tricky to navigate, in the end it all worked out. Sam Brody is the perfect editor to bring Ana’s voicey romances to the world, and Forever is the perfect home for Ana’s books!

  And the rest…is history.

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

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• Deal Announcement: Kaitlyn Hill, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 2:51 pm by Laura, on October 7, 2022

  

  I’m so pleased to share that Kaitlyn Hill will be coming out with two more books!

  Hannah Hill at Delacorte Press has bought Wild About You and a second untitled novel by Love from Scratch author Kaitlyn Hill (no relation). In this grumpy-sunshine YA romance, indoorsy theater girl Natalie must team up with surly nature-lover Finn in an Amazing Race-style reality competition show set in the Appalachian wilderness that could earn them a huge college scholarship—if they don’t kill (or kiss) each other first. Publication is planned for summer 2024; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency did the deal for world rights.

  With the successful launch of her first book, Love From Scratch, and now six months till book two’s release, Not Here to Stay Friends, Kaitlyn is so excited to round out her “reality TV trilogy” by revisiting a beloved secondary character from LFS and then––gasp!––possibly pivoting and writing other YA contemporary!

  Wild About You is so funny, filled with Kaitlyn’s classic charm and humor, but it also handles mental health extremely well. For me, Natalie is like reuniting with a best friend…or even just a glimpse into my brain and all the ways it hamster-wheels when things don’t turn out the way we expect or hope them to. Toss in Finn, and you’ve got my favorite couple trope: grumpy-sunshine!

  Debut released, another book on its way to publication, and now two more in the pipeline! Congratulations, Kaitlyn!

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• Deal Announcement: Nina Moreno, MG Contemporary

  Posted at 9:37 am by Laura, on August 22, 2022

  

  I’m thrilled to share the news that Nina’s Join the Club, Maggie Diaz was so loved, Scholastic asked for another book!

  Author of JOIN THE CLUB, MAGGIE DIAZ Nina Moreno’s PACK YOUR BAGS, MAGGIE DIAZ, which follows a seventh grader as she prepares for the school’s spring break trip, while her friends are more excited for the dance and navigating first crushes, illustrated by Courtney Lovett, to Shelly Romero while at Scholastic, with Tiffany Colon editing, in a nice deal, for publication in spring 2023, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency for the author, and by Jemiscoe Chambers-Black at Andrea Brown Literary Agency for the illustrator (world).

  We’re so excited to team up with Courtney Lovett again for this next Maggie adventure! Keep your eyes peeled for Pack Your Bags, Maggie Diaz in Scholastic book fairs very early next year, and on shelves in spring 2023!

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• Deal Announcement: Abbey Nash, YA Contemporary

  Posted at 11:11 am by Laura, on July 22, 2022

  

  I’m excited to share the announcement of the publication of Abbey Nash’s YA contemporary romance, Breathing Underwater!

  Della Farrell at Holiday House has acquired Breathing Underwater by Abbey Nash, a YA novel about a competitive swimmer whose carefully planned future is threatened by an epilepsy diagnosis just before a national meet. As she struggles with change and uncertainty, an unexpected romance shows her there may be more to life than making plans. Publication is slated for summer 2024; Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency sold world rights.

  Once upon a time…

  This deal came about in a rather curious and untraditional (for me, at least) way.

  Earlier in 2021, Abbey queried me this compelling and unique project. My husband’s younger sister is a competitive swimmer, and I latched onto this Type A, driven, accomplished character immediately. I felt there was a lot of potential here and requested a revision to address the pacing. Abbey was incredible and edited like a queen, really making the pages turn and the plot propel forward, while keeping the characters engaging and full of depth, warmth, and heart.

  But (shame on me) I was slow to get my butt moving on submissions due to other factors in the industry. And so (kuddos to Abbey) Abbey submitted the manuscript to an open call at Holiday House. Holiday House came back with an offer, and Abbey approached me asking for my thoughts and feedback on the revision and, ultimately, representation and assistance on negotiating the offer. I was excited to dive back into Breathing Underwater, and Abbey and I hopped on the phone to discuss her other project ideas. I want to represent a person for their career, and after chatting with Abbey I knew I wanted to champion her current and future work––YA, adult, contemporary, romcoms, women’s fiction, the whole spectrum, no question!

  So once she signed with me, I began negotiating her offer with Holiday House. And now we have a deal!

  And the rest…is history.

  Abbey’s journey to publication is an incredibly special one! I’m excited to see where it takes us, and I can’t wait for you to meet Tess and Charlie in summer 2024!

  Congratulations, Abbey!

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• Deal Announcement: Heather Walter, Fantasy

  Posted at 11:18 am by Laura, on February 16, 2022

  

  I’m beyond thrilled to share that Heather Walter’s CRIMSON CROWN will finally be in readers’ hands!

  Author of MALICE and the forthcoming MISRULE Heather Walter’s CRIMSON CROWN, pitched as a Tudor-inspired retelling of the rise of Snow White’s Evil Queen, in which a witch hunted by a zealous king infiltrates the religious faction that seeks to eradicate her kind, and must choose between loyalty to her coven or her heart, to Tricia Narwani at Del Rey, in a good deal, in a two-book deal, for publication in spring 2024, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (world).

  In Heather’s deal announcement post for MALICE, I shared a story about going on submission with Heather’s first project, a Snow White prologue/villain origin story. One editor in particular (spoiler, it was Tricia) resonated with the story, but not enough to make an offer. 

  When MALICE sold to Del Rey, we set CRIMSON aside. But all through edits, launch, writing MISRULE, and MISRULE’s edits, Heather and I kept going back to CRIMSON. It was such a special project for us, and we really wanted to share the Evil Queen’s story someday. What could be done to make it better? What could be done that would make Tricia say yes! again?

  And then Heather emailed me a big what if: what if…this was Anne Boleyn’s story?

  Everything fell into place after that. Reimagining Tudor England into a whole new world was easy with this queer Snow White villain origin tale. I want to gush about literally everything that made this mash-up so perfect, but I don’t want to spoil it for readers. You’ll just have to take my word for it.

  Heather’s editorial experience with her previous books helped reshape our original project together. When I say to clients that books are never shelved completely, this is why. The first manuscript didn’t sell––it simply wasn’t ready––but this sparkling, bloody, witchy, wicked tale that CRIMSON CROWN became, after a few years in a drawer, did. The heart of her remains present, yet I am in awe of how much more elevated and heart-poundingly wonderful it has become!

  Congratulations, Heather!!

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• Deal Announcement: Chloe Gong, Adult Fantasy

  Posted at 1:13 pm by Laura, on November 19, 2021

  

  I’m so happy to finally share the news that Chloe Gong (These Violent Delights / Our Violent Ends, Foul Lady Fortune / FLF2) will have a debut adult fantasy trilogy hitting shelves in Summer 2023, beginning with IMMORTAL LONGINGS!

  NYT-bestselling YA author Chloe Gong’s IMMORTAL LONGINGS, pitched as an epic fantasy inspired by Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra and the historical Kowloon Walled City, following two lovers in a deadly contest through the crowded streets of San-Er, where people have the ability to take control of one another’s bodies, to Amara Hoshijo at Saga Press, in a pre-empt, in a three-book deal, for publication in summer 2023, by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency (NA).

  As announced on Publishers Marketplace. For full details and public access, read io9’s feature!

  Last time I shared a deal announcement for Chloe, I discussed option materials and how publishers get first dibs to look at an author’s new project.

  Well this time things were a little different, because Chloe wrote an adult project––which meant she needed to have a full manuscript prepared before we could take it out on wide submission in the adult SFF sector of publishing. That being said, at this point These Violent Delights made the NYT bestseller list for several weeks, and Chloe was tweeting about an adult fantasy––which meant every time she mentioned it on her social media, an editor from adult SFF would email me. (“Is it ready yet?” “Please keep me in mind for this!” “Please submit this to me when it’s ready!”) I joked with Chloe I knew when she was talking about her adult SFF manuscript on social because my inbox would flood with requests.

  It was ready to go on sub mid-summer, and one day––one day––after submission, Amara at Saga (the adult SFF imprint of S&S, the parent company to Chloe’s YA projects) emailed me and said Saga would be making an offer. It was a very busy week, a flurry of emails with everyone everywhere, and at the end of the week Chloe and Amara hopped on a Zoom call. I cannot even begin to describe to you how magical it was to witness their interaction. It was as if the universe just clicked––Amara is the perfect editor for Chloe, the perfect editor for IMMORTAL LONGINGS. The way the two of them got on and understood one another and the manuscript and the trilogy’s trajectory was just…wow. Simply magical!

  And the rest is history.

  Congratulations, Chloe!

  Posted in agenting, 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 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 travel, tea is my drink of choice, British TV is the best, and I'm always down for chips-and-queso nights. Welcome to Scribbles & Wanderlust! Grab your favorite hot beverage and let's chat books!

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