P.J. Hoover's Blog, page 25

How it all went down

Happy Monday!

1) First, thank you all so much for all the support! I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of supporters both through the Internet and in real life. I want to give away gobs of books off my bookshelves in thanks. Any suggestions?

2) Second, I've had lots of questions about the books, the deals, and how it all went down.

3) Third, I've had people ask if SOLSTICE will be the exact same as the previously indie-published version.

4) Fourth, people have asked if the cover will change for SOLSTICE.

The short answer to (3) above is "NO", but that's a post for a different day! The short answer to (4) is "PROBABLY", but only the oracle at Delphi could answer at this time.

For this post, I offer up my answer to (2) with a timeline of how I managed to sell two books to Tor Children's.

***

May 4th, 2011 - I indie-publish SOLSTICE with the help of my amazing agent, Laura Rennert at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency. All is good. I am selling books. People are reading SOLSTICE. People are liking SOLSTICE. It has a pretty cover and it makes me happy. And I think this is it for SOLSTICE. Yes, maybe I will write a sequel for SOLSTICE someday soon, but until then, I move on...

Sometime after May 4th, 2011 - I again begin revisions for my all-time-favorite-novel-I've-ever-written, my MG fantasy story, TUT, about King Tut who's really just this sarcastic, immortal, 14-year-old kid who's living in DC with his one-eyed cat, trying to find the afterworld while avoiding getting his heart ripped out. I love this story. I want it to sell! Go, TUT, go!

Sometime just after Labor Day, 2011 - TUT goes on submission! Whoo hoo! Let's repeat it. Go, TUT, go!

October 1st, 2011 - Oooh, Susan Chang at Tor is interested in TUT! She thinks it has potential. She thinks I am talented. And she wonders what else I've written. Laura tells her about SOLSTICE. Susan is interested. Susan likes mythology. Laura sends it her way! Wait!!!! Suddenly SOLSTICE is on submission. How exactly did that happen? But all of a sudden I am dying for it to sell. Yes, I know it is already published, but...Tor! SOLSTICE! Go, SOLSTICE, go! GO, TUT, go!

November 8th, 2011, 11:00 am - Laura calls. I sell foreign rights for SOLSTICE to Brazil. I get a happy smile on my face.
November 8th, 2011, 3:30 pm - Laura calls again. But this time she's in the middle of her agency meeting, checking her email, and she's received an email from Susan Chang at Tor. She calls me on speakerphone so all agents at the meeting can hear. I get an offer from Tor!!!!! Yes, Tor, the very best SFF publisher ever, wants to publish words I have written. My happy smile turns ridiculously big.

Okay, insert author's note here: Let November 8th forever be remembered as "the day it all turned around." I admit it. I was losing the faith. I had waited like forever. And then forever after that. But then November 8th came, and it all turned around. 
I think November 8th would make a very nice holiday.

...insert a month of negotiations...
December 8th, 2011 - This is it. It's final. Susan Chang at Tor has made offers for both TUT and SOLSTICE, and I have accepted! Yay, book sales! Yay, SOLSTICE! Yay, TUT!


If you wait long enough, it really will ring. 
Some days even twice!

RUNNING WIDE OPEN Winner!

Thank you to those who entered to win this book! The winner of...

RUNNING WIDE OPEN by Lisa Nowak (Webfoot Publishing, June 2011)



is...

LIZZE!

My Official Thank you!

I'll be the first to point out that I am horrible about sending thank you notes. And when it comes to buying presents...I couldn't even figure out what to get for my son's 11th birthday. I'm not one for buying knick-knacks and trinkets, and you can only buy Rubik's Cubes for people so many times before even that gets old (I know, hard to believe, right?). But...

...I am so very thankful for so many things, and this is my official post of thanks to the top four people who made me selling two books to Tor Children's possible!*

Okay, silly, I know, but first, I'll start with myself (because I always wanted a trading card). Seriously, I am so thankful I stuck with these projects even when the writing and the editing and the submissions got hard. I'll be honest. It was frustrating beyond anything I've ever done before. But yay, success! If I can do this, anyone can do this! So here is my official AUTHOR TRADING CARD!

 

Next, there is my agent, Laura Rennert! Laura stuck with me and had so much incredible patience, I can't even begin to describe it. She puts up with my all-over-the-place writing and my kind of pathetic title suggestions and always has a kind word. Laura, here is your official AGENT TRADING CARD!




Next is Lara Perkins. Lara is an assistant agent with Laura Rennert at Andrea Brown. Without Lara's amazing suggestions, my stories never would have been what they are today! The thought of ever revising anything without her scares me. Lara, you, too, get an official AGENT TRADING CARD!



And finally, there is Susan Chang! Susan is the amazing editor at Tor Children's who saw the beauty in my stories. After meeting Susan a couple of times now, I find we have so much in common. I am thrilled to be working with her. Susan, here is your official EDITOR TRADING CARD!



* And yeah, I am totally thankful to like a million more people, too, and your post will be coming soon! I promise!

THE EMERALD TABLET is now in Paperback!

THE EMERALD TABLET is officially in paperback! Whoo hoo!
I've spent the better part of this week and have plans to spend most of next doing school visits (17 presentations in total!), talking about THE EMERALD TABLET, and doing so has reminded me how much I absolutely love this book. It has everything in it that I wanted to read as a kid...Hidden worlds, Powers of the mind, Atlantis, Mythology, Xanadu, Chess. There are nods to Star Trek, the Rubik's Cube, Samuel Coleridge, and Pluto just to name a few.


As my first book, I'm so excited to have this awesome chance for it to reach so many more readers, especially with its beautiful new cover! For those who don't know about THE EMERALD TABLET, it's the first in my middle grade Forgotten Worlds Trilogy aimed at Harry Potter and Percy Jackson fans. You can read tons more about it on my books for kids page!

If you're interested in a signed copy, you can buy signed copies of any of my books from either The Book Spot or BookPeople in Austin, TX.  It's also available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Indiebound.


Benjamin and his best friend Andy are different from normal. They love being able to read each other's minds and use telekinesis to play tricks on other kids. In fact, they are getting all set to spend their entire summer doing just that when Benjamin's mirror starts talking. Suddenly, Benjamin's looking at eight weeks of summer school someplace which can only be reached by a teleporter inside the ugly picture in his hallway.

And that's the most normal thing he does all summer.


Thank you for your support and for reading!

Former Debut: Jenn Hubbard, Class of 2k10

I am thrilled to feature Jenn Hubbard today as my Former Debut author! Jenn is two years younger than me when it comes to debut, so I never got the chance to know her as well and I wanted. But now's my chance to see what she's been up to! So let's get to it :)

***

Name: Jennifer R. Hubbard
Debut Group: Class of 2k10
Debut novel: The Secret Year


THE SECRET YEAR by Jennifer R. Hubbard (Speak, December 23, 2010)

PJH: Okay, so it’s been 2 years since you graduated from your debut class. Personally, I miss the heck out of knowing what my classmates are up to. So give us the low-down. What have you been up to in the last few years? New books? New degrees? New pets? What has been going on, and what do we have to look forward to from you in the future?

Jenn H: In the past two years, I've had short stories published in Hunger Mountain, Cricket magazine, and an anthology called Truth & Dare (Running Press, 2011). My second novel, Try Not to Breathe , just came out in January. It's the story of a sixteen-year old boy who's recovering from a suicide attempt. He befriends a girl who’s visiting psychics to try to reach her dead father.

TRY NOT TO BREATHE by Jennifer R. Hubbard (Viking, January 19, 2012)

PJH: If you could summarize to a debut novelist the best part of being a member of an author group like the “Class of” groups, what would you say?

Jenn H: Debut-author groups have been enormously helpful to me. There's the practical information we share: where to order bookmarks, how to get an author photo taken, when to expect ARCs, etc. There's the networking: the conferences I heard about because of 2k10, the group signings I became part of. But most of all, there's the emotional support, the sense of community from knowing people who are going through the same things you are, at the same time. There's so much uncertainty in publishing. There are so many ups and downs. It's important for new authors to know how common these feelings are, to know they're not alone.


PJH: Though I absolutely loved being a debut author, I’m really thrilled with all the experience I’ve gained since. What advice would you give to those who are debuting now? What do you wish you had known when you started out?

Jenn H: So much of navigating the post-publication world is trial and error. What works for one person may not work for another author (or even for that same author with a different book). I guess I would just say: Find your way, trust your gut, try new things (understanding that not everything will work), and don't forget to relax and have fun.


PJH: In addition to writing the next mega-million bestselling novel, what do you want to accomplish in the next five years? Do you want to write five more books? Get your black belt in Kung Fu? Walk the Great Wall of China? Let’s hear it.

Jenn H: Publishing is changing so fast that I honestly don't even know how to set goals that far in advance. I want to finish the book I'm now revising and then go back to another project I've started, where I'm playing with format and POV. I'd like to do more of that, experimenting with the way I tell stories. In the personal arena, I'd like to have more free time and more writing time. I've been looking at how I might manage that in a year or two.


PJH: Anything else you want to add? Five reasons to read your book? A picture of your writing space? How you celebrated when you signed your contract? Your choice!

Jenn H: Strangely enough, these open-ended questions are always the hardest. So here's a random picture of my cat, Scout (attached).


PJH: Thank you so much for being here! And good luck with everything in the future!

Jenn H: Thank you for hosting me!



About Jenn: Jennifer R. Hubbard lives and writes near Philadelphia. She is a night person who believes that mornings were meant to be slept through, a chocolate lover, and a hiker. She has written short fiction as well as the contemporary young-adult novels The Secret Year and Try Not to Breathe.

***

Thanks for helping me celebrate former debuts! And if you are a former debut and are interested in being featured, check out this post here!

ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons

Even before I became a Tor author (squee!), I always loved Tor books. I'm so happy to blast good words about them every chance I get, but now that I'm part of the family, it makes it that much more special :)

With that in mind, I'm excited to talk about this great new book from Tor Teen...

ARTICLE 5 by Kristen Simmons (Tor Teen, January 31, 2012)


As seems to be my style, here are five reason you might like or should read ARTICLE 5!

1) I love the fact that in this book, the main character, Ember, was alive when things were not so bad. In so many dystopian stories of today, things have always been bad. It has been how the main character grew up and they really don't know what they are missing. Not so in ARTICLE 5. Ember wishes things were how they used to be. She wants a normal life for her mom and her (a life they used to have). And yet, she knows that she never will (because isn't entering any dystopian world sort of a doorway of no return?).

2) Like secrets? ARTICLE 5 has them. I mean, I thought I knew who I could trust, and Ember thought so too. And then the author does such an amazing job of twisting everything I thought I could believe. Bring on the secrets!

3) I'm not one for wasting time, and I am so pleased with the way we jump right into the story in ARTICLE 5. The world is introduced, and then things start to happen. It's nice that the author trusts the reader enough to make the jump, and you know what? I've read enough dystopian fiction that I really appreciated not being spoon-fed the world and how horrible things were one piece at a time.

4) It's like the perfect example of torturing your characters. Everything that can possibly go wrong for the characters does. So when you're reading (and you should), and you are sitting there thinking "please don't let that happen," it does and it's worse than you can even imagine. And really, isn't this what makes flipping the pages forward so much fun?

5) Looking for book comparisons? This book is perfect for those who loved ENCLAVE by Ann Aguirre and ASHES by Mike Mullin, It has that whole end-of-the-world road trip feel.

In short, this book is great for those looking for dystopian fiction (and I know there are a bunch out there). It's tight, engaging writing and story you won't put down once you pick up.

Add it to your Goodreads TBR list now!
(okay, and because I am shameless, you can add SOLSTICE & TUT to your Goodreads TBR list, too!)
From Amazon:

New York, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C., have been abandoned. The Bill of Rights has been revoked, and replaced with the Moral Statutes. There are no more police—instead, there are soldiers. There are no more fines for bad behavior—instead, there are arrests, trials, and maybe worse. People who get arrested usually don't come back. Seventeen-year-old Ember Miller is old enough to remember that things weren’t always this way. Living with her rebellious single mother, it’s hard for her to forget that people weren’t always arrested for reading the wrong books or staying out after dark. It’s hard to forget that life in the United States used to be different. Ember has perfected the art of keeping a low profile. She knows how to get the things she needs, like food stamps and hand-me-down clothes, and how to pass the random home inspections by the military. Her life is as close to peaceful as circumstances allow. That is, until her mother is arrested for noncompliance with Article 5 of the Moral Statutes. And one of the arresting officers is none other than Chase Jennings…the only boy Ember has ever loved.

Random Act of Kindness BLITZ

A smile. An encouraging word. A thoughtful gesture. Each day people interact with us, help, and make our day a bit brighter and full. This is especially true in the Writing Community. 

Take a second to think about writers you know, like the critique partner who works with you to improve your manuscript. The writing friend who listens, supports and keeps you strong when times are tough. The author who generously offers council, advice and inspiration when asked.

So many people take the time to make us feel special, don't they? They comment on our blogs, re-tweet our posts, chat with us on forums and wish us Happy Birthday on Facebook.


Kindness ROCKS!
To commemorate the release of their book The Emotion Thesaurus, Becca and Angela at The Bookshelf Muse are hosting a TITANIC Random Act Of Kindness BLITZ. And because I think KINDNESS is contagious, I'm participating too!

***There are so many people who make my writing world a whole lot brighter! I want to choose you all! But in the spirit of keeping it simple, I am going to go back to some of my very first online roots! And I can't pick just one, so I'm going with two.

Christine Marciniak, one of my very first online critique partners. Christine is always willing to drop anything and read chapters anytime I send them. 
Kim Baccellia, another of my online critique partners. Kim has been so completely supportive in my writing career, and has always been first in line to review my books!
It's hard to decide what to give, so in the spirit of giving something I'd like to receive, I'm sending both Christine and Kim Starbucks gift cards.***


Do you know someone special that you'd like to randomly acknowledge? Don't be shy--come join us and celebrate! Send them an email, give them a shout out, or show your appreciation in another way. Kindness makes the world go round. :)

Becca and Angela have a special RAOK gift waiting for you as well, so hop on over to The Bookshelf Muse to pick it up.

Have you ever participated in or been the recipient of a Random Act Of Kindness?  Let me know in the comments!

Best Writing Advice Ever!

Hope your words are flowing great!

Middle Grade vs. YA Fiction

I recorded this a year ago, and I noticed it finally got uploaded! This has to be the worst thumbnail possible, but here I am talking about writing middle grade, young adult, and mythology.




Hope your weekend is going great!

Writing from THE PLACE: Top Ten Ways to Celebrate a Book Deal!

Happy Book Deals!

Yes, this is a huge! The way I view books is that each book that gets published is like a small miracle. There is so much involved in actually selling a book, and any and every sale should be celebrated. But wait...once it finally happens, what is the best way to celebrate a book deal?

We here at THE PLACE (at least the ones who contributed!), being Cory Putman Oakes,  Jessica Lee Anderson, Bethany Hegedus, Madeline Smoot, Stephanie Pellegrin, Kari Anne Holt, and ME, have chimed in with ideas on the best ways to celebrate when you finally make that sale!

We give you...

THE TOP TEN WAYS TO CELEBRATE A BOOK DEAL!  (which, we realize, is a bit more than 10)

From Tricia (me):

1. Buy Official Book-Deal Boots


2. Receive presents from your friends inspired by your books

 Thank you, Jessica, for the Scarab Heart necklace! *love*
3. Pop a bottle of bubbly aptly named after your main character!


4. Get a new author photo
5. Mob your new editor at ALA Midwinter and TLA and take smiley, happy pictures with her

Me with Susan Chang. Don't we look so happy together! :)
6. Get a massage.
7. Cascarones! No book deal is complete without them!






From Bethany:

For real:
1. Cartwheels and confetti
2. Buy something to commemorate the book’s theme
3. Cook your family (or rather have them cook you) your main character’s favorite meal
4. Begin working on the next book—it’s all about the process
5. Pop open the champagne and toast your hard work

For giggles:
1. Speak as your main character for the entire day, including your daily run to the grocery store. When you get strange looks—ignore them.
2. Have your kids throw you a parade. Authors never get parades—or tickertape.
3. Rest on your laurels—now that this book has sold the movie deal is just around the corner.
4. Pick out your dress for the Newbery or Printz Awards. Scratch that—make it the Pulitzer.
5. Practice being interviewed for the Today Show for after the Newbery/Printz/Pulitzer is awarded to you. With your talent, they will totally bring back non-celebrity children’s author’s being given a three minute segment on the couch with Curry.




From Cory:

1. MARGARITAS, Baby!!
2. Pull out all of your old rejection letters and snicker at the short-sightedness of those who missed out on this awesome book!





From Kari:

1. Buy cowboy boots (Kari knew about the boots!)
2. Go to the candy store!
3. Show it to the waitress at the coffee shop so she will finally know you're important enough to deserve food service
4. Not just wine - but wine that's not from a box
5. Run up and down the street shouting "I GOT A BOOK DEAL! I GOT A BOOK DEAL!"
6. Make a t-shirt: "Ask me about my book deal"
7. Send a present to your agent. Maybe some of the candy you bought at the candy store.




From Madeline (who went for the practical):

1. Splurge your advance on bookmarks. 2. Buy you future book a domain.



From Jessica:

1. Take your family out to a nice dinner to thank them for their support.  An-all-you-can-eat pizza buffet totally counts as a nice dinner unless you get a bazillion dollar advance.  In that case, you should take your family to Disneyworld. (Yes!!!!! Disney!!!!!)
2. Dress in attire inspired by your protagonist when you sign the contract.(Not sure if my Skeletor t-shirt counts)

From Stephanie:1. Buy pants. (because, she thinks, from the above list I will have eaten too much candy :))

Thank you, guys!