A Client's Publishing Success and an Encouraging Lesson
“Something big happened. In mid-February (on my birthday), I signed with a small literary agency.
This summer, my agent negotiated a five-book deal with a publisher.
Now, she has sold the audio rights for all five books.
ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!
Keep on working your magic, Patrick.”
—client Susan Armstrong (pen name Anna St. John)
Well, I can’t take all the credit for this very exciting news, as earlier I remarked that it’s “got the making of a worthy and endearing series’ protagonist.” And plenty of confident charm. Susan came to me late last summer to do a comprehensive line edit and critique plus query letter review for her debut mystery novel, Doomed by Blooms. Now I couldn’t be happier for whatever part I played in the final result. Because I love and appreciate my clients. And together we turn up their “voice” and shape the best book possible.
But there’s an extra lesson here. This was her second project I worked on. The first was an entirely separate genre. This time she felt compelled to try something completely different, which I encouraged. And the “lightness” was freeing—both in the writing and its commercial viability.
FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT. NEVER GIVE UP. AND SOMETIMES IT’S WISE (PLUS FUN) TO SHAKE THINGS UP.
A shelved project only makes room for your next (even better?) idea. Congrats, Susan!
