There have been so many announcements already …
On Saturday there was an announcement released by the Horror Writers Association, which listed The Night Weaver on the nomination list for a Bram Stoker Award® in the “Superior Achievement in a Young Adult Novel” category. Days may have passed, but I’m still in a daze about being mentioned alongside such magnificent authors, and to see my book listed beside such amazing works. It’s been a pretty unreal experience, to be honest. Unreal, but utterly glorious.
The good news, however, doesn’t end there.
Today, I am delighted to announce that I have signed with the wonderful Italia Gandolfo from Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management!
In other words, I finally have representation!
It’s such a load off knowing someone has my back in the business, you know? I mean, yeah, I was doing okay on my own—as okay as an unrepresented author can do on their own—but I’m fully aware that I would never have been able to reach my career goals without someone in my corner.
Every day from now on means I’m actually receiving help from a team of experts who knows every part of the business. For example: Marketing, my foe, will now be handled by marketers. Believe it or not, but that alone is enough to make me smile non-stop.
What Exactly Does This Announcement Mean?
Well, if you’re at all familiar with the industry, you’ll know that every author has a variety of rights (book rights, film rights, graphic novel rights, etc.), and those rights need to be sold off for them to be transformed into books, movies, graphic novels, whatever. The problem is, most companies don’t accept unsolicited submissions from authors, which means many of those rights are never utilized by authors. This is where having an agent helps: They go out and market the hell out of your stuff, sell the rights to the highest bidder, and voila, you have some spare change in your bank account.
Sometimes, those rights are just sold off and nothing happens to them.
Sometimes, those rights are never sold…
But if you’re an extraordinarily lucky author, your book gets turned into a movie or TV show. Maybe your book is translated into 64 languages. Sometimes you go big in Japan—in my opinion, this is how you know you’ve made it.
Okay, But What Does This Mean For Shadow Grove?
Shadow Grove is getting a name change. It will from now on be known as Harrowsgate. Apart from maybe some minor tweaks to The Night Weaver, nothing is changing in the story. My publishing schedule is going to have to be amended a bit, true, but this series is going to be completed come hell or high water. This will not change. 🙂
What’s Next Then?
As far as my announcements go here, I’m finishing up with the sequel of The Night Weaver. I’m happy to tell you that the cover art is basically done (I hear there will be some tweaks to the final cover, too, but the main idea is staying, and it is glorious). Also, the title is chosen (The Bone Carver).
As soon as I’m done with the sequel, I’m starting on the third book.
And that’s about it.
Secondly, I need to amend my FAQ page… If you have any questions you’d like to ask, now’s the time. Leave a comment below if you’re aching to know something. Alternatively, you’re welcome to contact me on social media. Don’t worry, I don’t bite…hard. 😉
Lastly, I’ll keep making announcements on what’s new and happening when more information comes my way, so don’t fret. I doubt 2019 will see The Bone Carver’s release, but it’s in the works, along with the rest of the series.
Until next time, folks!
