Friday, June 03, 2011

Friday Five: Book Deal Style!

I have some amazing news: CREWEL has sold!  We went out on submission last weekend, and I'm pleased to report after a whirlwind week, I accepted a contract this morning.


Here's the official Publisher's Marketplace announcement:
Gen Albin's CREWEL, the first in a trilogy that is equal parts science fiction, adventure, and romance, this debut novel takes place in a world where women known as "spinsters" are able to "weave" the very fabric of existence, to Janine O'Malley at Farrar, Straus Children's, in a major deal, in a three-book deal, by Mollie Glick at Foundry Literary + Media (North America).
And the really awesome press release from my publishers at Farrar, Straus Children's, which is an imprint of MacMillan:
FSG has won a hotly contested auction for North American rights to an extraordinary debut teen novel: CREWEL, by Gen Albin. 
Equal parts science fiction, adventure, romance, and novel of ideas, CREWEL takes place in a world where women — known as “spinsters” -- are able to “weave” time, matter, and the very fabric of existence.  Being selected as a spinster means power, privilege, and beauty—but it also means entering a world of secrets and lethal intrigue.  CREWEL has a smart, resourceful, and rebellious heroine in 16-year-old Adelice Lewys, selected to become a spinster but gifted with a unique power that holds the key to her world’s future.  It mixes elements of The Hunger Games, The Handmaid’s Tale, Elsewhere, Uglies, and Mad Men — and is completely original and compelling.  “I devoured it over the Memorial Day weekend,” says FSG Senior Editor Janine O’Malley, who acquired the property. “I knew it was a project I couldn’t live without—a perfect blend of sci-fi, romance, and thrilling suspense—not to mention poetic writing and amazing characters.” 
Author Gen Albin has a Masters degree in English from the University of Missouri, where she was an editor for Pleaides and The Missouri Review. She’s the founder of the popular parenting blog Theconnectedmom.com and blogs about writing at http://blog.genniferalbin.com
CREWEL sold fast: it was submitted on the Friday before Memorial Day weekend and there were several pre-empts offered by Tuesday.  FSG emerged as the winning bidder among five this Friday morning.  The book was represented by Mollie Glick at Foundry Media.
So my Friday Five:
1.  It was a little less than a year ago that my mother-in-law demanded that  I write a book.  So, first of all, thank you, Mom!


2.  I only did it, because I have an amazing husband who made sure I had 15-20 hours to work each week after he got home from his full-time job.  He read my abandoned WIP and made it a top priority to get me writing time.  Last night, he told me that as happy as he was about the deal that he was more proud when I finished the book and he got to read it.  He's also currently making me dinner.  I have the.best.husband.ever.
 2 1/2.  Because I get to make up things today: My critique partners who gave me feedback, let me vent, and were always up for a brainstorming session - thank you Bethany and Robyn!


3.  I seriously love my agent.  Mollie is a savvy, amazing agent who gives every aspect of the publishing process her all.  I'm so excited to keep moving forward with her.


4.  I drank a lot of champagne last night!


5.  The first book is planned for Fall 2012!  I'm going to be an Apocalypsie!


Thank you for continuing on this journey with me and for all your support!

38 comments:

  1. Hee! I'm grinning so big right now, you don't even know.

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  2. Oh man, what incredible news!!! That is AMAZINGLY fast! So happy to hear this, and very much looking forward to reading it :)

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  3. Congratulations! OMG that went so fast--and your book sounds fabulous :)

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  4. WOW, Gennifer, that happened SO FAST!! Congratulations! Can't wait to read it!!!

    —Kayla Olson (@olsonkayla)

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  5. Huge congratulations. What incredible news!

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  6. WOW! Just ... awe and WOW. Congrats! And I know since this sold so fast that it's INCREDIBLE. Can't wait to read it!

    Kudos to Kalen for herding me over here with his super fantastic post about you! Nice to meet you, and congratulations again on your FAB news! :)

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  7. Yayay! Congrats! I can't wait to read it in a little over a year!

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  8. Holy crap, I thought the sale was fast, but-- you started writing it LESS THAN A YEAR AGO??? That is ninja-fast!

    It must be completely amazing! Congratulations! Hope you're doing something special to celebrate all that work and the superduper deal.

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  9. Wow that's amazing and it sounds incredible! Congratulations!!!

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  10. Congratulations! I can't believe how fast your book sold! Can't wait to read it!!!

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  11. Oh my goodness, all so quickly! Congrts Gen! I hope you got the good champagne!

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  12. Kathyrn, the good champagne has to wait for the first advance check!

    Thanks everyone!

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  13. WOW!!! Super congratulations, that's amazing!

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  14. Congratulations! Your books sounds amazing.

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  15. YOU GO MISS SPINSTER! Good job weaving your destiny: perfect husband, perfect story, perfect home for your novel...

    WOW! You are truly inspirational!

    CONGRATS! CONGRATS! AND KNOCK 'EM DEAD!

    :D

    McFrosty

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  16. YAY! Not surprised by this at all. HUGE congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  17. CONGRATULATIONS!! So excited for you!

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  18. Congratulations! That's really, really amazing!

    I think I remember reading your query on WriteOnCon, and thought it was very interesting. I can't wait to read the book itself. :)

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  19. Wow, HUGE congrats!! I've been lurking on the QT forum for the last month or so to follow your progress and I think 'WOW' is not even close to summing up how amazing this is!

    You're such an inspiration! :) Cannot wait to read Crewel! :D

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  20. Wow, that is so awesome! So many congratulations to you!!! :)

    Hugs,

    Rach

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  21. Congrats Jen! So excited for you. Hope you'll let me interview you at Literary Rambles when you debut.

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  22. Can't wait to read Crewel. So happy for you! Congrats!

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  23. Fantastic! Your journey from QT to this has been so fun to read about. Enjoy--can't wait to read the book!

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  24. WOOOO! I love successes like this. The book sounds amazing. Way to go. Can't wait to read it.

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  25. Wow! That is so amazing! Congratulations.

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  26. What awesome news! HUGE congrats! Your book sounds amazing; can't wait to read it. :D

    (P.S. we are agency sisters! I'm represented by Hannah Gordon at Foundy.) :)

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  27. Congratulations! The book sounds awesome. And I'm so excited you'll be an Apocalypsie, Gen! Welcome :)

    Emily

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  28. These are the most amazing news ever. Congratulations.

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  29. Heard about this through Jamie and Shannon. Congrats!!! Very happy for you. =D

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  30. Wow, Congrats!!! How exciting! I'm so happy for you! And I can't wait to buy a copy and devour it in one weekend, too.

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  31. WOW. You give fast track a whole new meaning. Wonderful for you! *shakes pom poms* Your story sounds incredible. Can't wait to read it.

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  32. I remember seeing your query on AgentQuery Connect. (Totally called this. :P) A million congrats! What a fantastic and inspiring journey!

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  33. Congrats, Gennifer! Awesome news!

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  34. Wow, this book sounds awesome! Congratulations on epic success! Can't wait to read!

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