Tag: 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

• Deal Announcement: Tara Sim, YA Historical Fantasy

  Posted at 9:24 am by Laura, on June 20, 2015

  

   

  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 finally announce the publication of Tara Sim‘s Timekeeper trilogy!

  In a deal at Skyhorse Publishing’s children’s imprint, Sky Pony Press, Alison Weiss bought world rights to Tara Sim’s debut LGBTQ steampunk trilogy, the Timekeeper. The three-book deal was brokered by Laura Crockett at TriadaUS Literary Agency. The series, set in an alternate Victorian era in which time in each city is controlled by a clock tower, follows teenage prodigy clock tower mechanic Danny. Hoping to save his father, who is trapped in a town outside of London, Danny is also battling a force seeking to destroy all of the towers and stop time. The first book in the series is slated for fall 2016.

  Tara’s story is much longer than mine, but I’m still compelled to share it. It’s not only the first deal I’ve made in my career as an agent, but I also think writers should see an agent’s side of the story. Writers should want an agent to cheer them on 100% from the very beginning.

  Once upon a time . . .

  One early November day, I received Tara’s query. I quickly deduced what kind of book it was — historical fantasy — without her having to state the genre repeatedly: “Set in an alternate Victorian era” (historical fiction, steampunk vibes) and “[Danny’s] apprentice was not a boy but the clock spirit” (gay romance). But what intrigued me was the concept of time. Clocks control time? Literally? Okay. Sure. Let’s see what she’s got.

  Guys, I was sucked in.

  I begged for her to send me the full manuscript, as my requested sample chapters weren’t enough. It was Thanksgiving Day when I read it, and I didn’t want to stop and catch up with my family. No, I wanted to read about Danny and his predicament, about his forbidden relationship with Colton, about the mysterious and heart-pounding bombings across England, making their way to Enfield / Colton’s tower. It was all I could talk about at the dinner table, this manuscript I was reading by this brilliant writer.

  I talked about it so much that day it left an impression. Come Christmas my family asked about the book again. “Did you sign her? Is she your author now?” Believe me, everyone, I was ecstatic to say yes, Tara was my author. She called me a few days prior to accept my offer of representation, so you can say it was a great Christmas gift.

  And the rest . . . is history.

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

  Posted in agenting, deal announcement, Update Post | 5 Comments | Tagged agenting, deal announcement, genre: fantasy, genre: historical fiction, genre: romance, genre: young adult, personal, Tara Sim

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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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