The Driver’s Seat (cont.)

  • By: Jessica Faust | Date: Aug 18 2006

To continue from yesterday’s post, once Christine and I agreed to work together, I immediately set to work to get her manuscript in front of as many editors as I could.

My first job as Christine’s agent was to make sure that the offering editor knew I was now handling contract negotiations. My second job was to get her book in front of as many editors as possible. It was Friday morning, in the summer, which meant I only had a few hours (most publishers quit early on Fridays in the summer) to talk to editors and get the manuscript in their hands. Keeping Christine in the loop at all times, I emailed the manuscript to a number of editors, with the caveat that they would let me know Monday morning whether or not they were interested in making an offer, or at least planning to get second reads.

Well, we had great news. Come Monday afternoon we had two offers to choose from and a number of editors who really loved her work (and will probably keep an eye on her career). And even more exciting news came just a few weeks later when Christine won the Golden Heart for this exact title.

Keep an eye out for Christine’s deal in Publishers Lunch to see what Christine finally decided.

—Jessica

4 responses to “The Driver’s Seat (cont.)”

  1. Anonymous says:
    August 18, 2006 at 3:28 pm

    All the BookEnds posts are incredibly informative. Thank you! My understanding is, several folks at a publishing house must read and approve a ms before an offer is made. Since Christine’s book was such a hot prospect, did it still go through a committee? (I’m wondering how a group of people can get their act together quick enough on a Friday afternoon to present an offer on a Monday morning.)

    I would love to know more about how the acquisition process works.

  2. Kate Douglas says:
    August 19, 2006 at 4:27 am

    Sheesh, I feel like I’m watching one of those old Saturday morning serials with the cliff-hanger ending! (Okay, so I’m giving away my age and yes, I’m OLD!) but this is such fun stuff to read!

  3. Kay Richardson says:
    August 20, 2006 at 10:14 am

    Blimey. This is all exciting. I’m going for a lie-down now.

  4. Christine Wells says:
    August 20, 2006 at 10:58 am

    Yes, I agree, Kate. Great hook, Jessica! Ever thought of becoming a writer?

    Thanks for the congrats, FYOW and good luck with your writing.