Kelly's Tip
Many authors comment on perseverance—so many that I wasn’t certain I should make it the subject of my author’s tip. But when I thought about it, I realized that perseverance has been one of the biggest lessons I have learned (and had to relearn) as an author. When those in the writing community tell you that it takes just one “yes” to get the ball rolling on a project, their words aren’t empty talk. My latest project, PHANTOM HEART, a modern YA retelling of Gaston Leroux’s The Phantom of the Opera, is proof of that. This book started with one yes. That yes led me to write opening chapters, which I shared with my critique group. Some members enjoyed the concept, and some were on the fence. One member, however, loved the characters and the idea. She encouraged me to try again with the notes I received and to keep going. So, I did. Around a year later, I queried a few agents with a partial. One agent loved my writing, but she doubted she could sell the book. Again, I began to question the project and its marketability. Literally one minute after I read the rejection, a separate beta reader appeared to tell me how much she enjoyed the chapters I shared. When I told her about the rejection, she urged me to forge ahead. After I completed the manuscript, I again queried. More rejections followed—but then I received an offer of representation from the Knight Agency! I revised PHANTOM HEART with my agent’s notes and we went on submission. For two years. I remember we were on the last set of editors we were going to submit to, and I was about to have a drawer novel. And then, Viking said yes. Strangely enough, my agent and I received the offer on the same day my Phantom character is stuck in—December 21st. PHANTOM HEART taught me the same lesson my previous books (the Nevermore Trilogy) taught me. Press forward. At the end of the day, you are the creator and the artist. You are your book’s first advocate. Markets shift, readers’ tastes change, and your queries simply might not have yet reached an agent or editor with a taste for your topic or writing style. Still, you are always the sun in your own world of creation. As such, you must pour your energy into what sings to you. And it really does just take one yes. Along with a few “keep goings.” But remember, the first yes always comes from you. Will you write the book? Will you finish it? Will you revise it? Will you revise again? Will you submit it? Will you submit it again? Will you revise it again? Again? One more time? Just kidding, one more time? Will you believe in yourself? Will you persevere? I said yes. Even when the going got tough. Even when it got really tough. I hope you will, too. | 
Life’s 
- TJ Klune's THE HOUSE IN THE CERULEAN SEA, to Simon Chuang at Spring International (Taiwan) in a nice pre-empt, by Clare Chi at The Grayhawk Agency on behalf of Elaine Spencer 
- Liselle Sambury's BLOOD LIKE MAGIC, to Popcorn (Russian Federation), by Nova Littera on behalf of Elaine Spencer
