Tags
Andrea Somberg, Behind the Scenes, book deal, CPlove, Patricia Riley, Spencer Hill Contemporary, The Writer's Voice
In November 2011, I decided to do NaNoWriMo for the first time. I wrote 50,000 words of a book called BEHIND THE SCENES, finished it in December, and sent it to two utterly magnificent people – Christopher Koehler and Arielle Kane – who, with many, many notes, helped me turn it from a draft into a manuscript I actually had faith in.
A year ago, I used this blog to post my entry for The Writer’s Voice contest, hosted by Cupid, Brenda Drake, Krista van Dolzer (who just announced her own book deal!!), and Monica BW. I knew about the contest because I followed Cupid on Twitter, and she was the only judge I knew at the time, and SHE IS A ROCK STAR. I prayed she’d pick me, and lo and behold, she did 🙂
Then I got a vote from an agent, who requested a full the next day, and I prayed that she’d rep me, and lo and behold, she did 🙂
And then it got a tiiiiiiny little bit less neat.
Being on submission is hard, man. You get rejections that completely disagree with each other and you’re like, “WTF do I even do with that????” Or you get rejections that make you say, “Dude, I could fix that in five minutes. GIVE ME THE CHANCE.” But most importantly for this particular story, sometimes really awesome, weird, serendipitous things happen.
11/19/12 – I ask my agent if we can go to Spencer Hill Contemporary, which has just launched, only they haven’t just launched and they aren’t actually taking submissions yet. Whoops.
11/28/12 – I get a little impatient about SHC.
January 2013ish *note: I had no idea until like a week ago, obviously* – Patricia Riley and I become friends on Twitter and she promptly invites my agent to send her things for SHC because she wants BEHIND THE SCENES.
March 2013ish – Patricia asks if I would like to come work at SHC as a copy editor and I say DUH OBVIOUSLY IT IS BASICALLY MY DREAM WHAT AND WHERE DO I SIGN
April 2013 – I add a “Wait… can I still send you things? Like, submit you stuff? Or is that super weird and awkward? YOU CAN TOTALLY SAY NO.”
(She does not say no. In fact, she says yes quite emphatically, after which she makes above January confession. I send her BEHIND THE SCENES BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY.)
Me: “No, but really, you can toooootalllllly say no. No pressure!”
Patricia: “Yes, I know I can say no. I have actually done that a billion times because I do this professionally.” (OK, it wasn’t exactly those words but it should’ve been because I am whiny and dumb.)
Two(?) days later:
Patricia: I NEED TO HAVE THIS IMMEDIATELY.
Dahlia: I ALSO NEED YOU TO HAVE THIS IMMEDIATELY.
Or something like that. But a lot more professional. Really.
What followed was a talk about an imaginary sequel that’s no longer so imaginary, and then more talk about doing yet another book together, because obviously.
Anyway, long story short (hahahahahaha), Andrea is AWESOME. Patricia is AWESOME. I am a very lucky writer. And I’ll be publishing 3 books with Spencer Hill Contemporary, beginning in 2014 🙂
(Pause for musical interlude dedicated to Andrea Somberg and Patricia Riley… NOW)
Of course, I need to mention a few other people who are awesome, because I’d be nothing, nobody, nowhere without:
1) My family, especially my husband, who is the most patient and supportive Godsend on the planet, and also, he bakes. I may write for myself, but that it makes them proud is the best reason on Earth to keep going.
2) My CPs. Have I mentioned how much I love my CPs? I love my CPs. I cannot even tell you how much. There aren’t any words. They make my work better, they support the crap out of me, and they listen to OH MY GOD SO MUCH WHINING. Marieke, Maggie, Gina, Erica, and Valerie, thank you. For everything. Words aren’t actually enough. But Liam’s abs… they are grateful. Endlessly, endlessly grateful. They are flexing with their gratitude.
3) Everyone else who read BtS (especially Melanie, who was my very first Twitter friend beta!) or held my hand during a freakout or endured the sub process with me and everything that goes with it. Extra-special shoutouts to the YA Misfits; Rick Lipman, aka my fellow schmagent, aka the yang to yang my yang, who has made many a day that much more bearable and GIFtastic; the lovely Heidi Schulz, who should’ve punched me in the face at least once but totally never would; my sub buddy and fellow writer of Hollywood YA, Jen Malone; and Dee Romito, for always trying to keep us both on that positive train.
4) Everyone who read MY NAME IS EVERETT, back when I thought it was “The One,” even though it wasn’t, especially Christopher Koehler, Dani Leeds-Kim, Suzanne Hynes, and Rebecca Trachtman-Friedman, who kept me going and helped me learn the art of working your butt off for a manuscript you love.
5) Everyone at Spencer Hill Contemporary who read BtS, supported its acquisition, and will be working on it and its buddies for the next couple of years – I can’t wait to work with you!
And to you, lovely person who reads my blog, maybe follows me on Twitter, generally engages in making my day better, my life more fun, and picking me up when I’m down. You, lovely person who may or may not have left comments on this blog before, or helped me out as a Perpetual WIP, or inspired me by working for what you want and getting it, or by not getting it yet but continuing to try.
To everyone who makes the writing community a great place to be, and who delights in others’ successes, and strives to help make other people better, stronger, and happier – thank you.
Now go ahead and buy my book 😉
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Leslie S. Rose said:
Popped over from Gina’s blog to raise the roof with congratulations for you. Whoo-hoo. Loved your post too.
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Leslie!
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Anonymous said:
congrats, so happy for you! can’t wait to read it.
Alison Miller said:
Congratulations!!! I look forward to snatching this one off the shelf (or pounding BUY from Amazon) 🙂 Best wishes to you!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Alison!! Both of those work 😉
Bethany Myers said:
Holy cannoli! How did I miss this!?!?! CONGRATULATIONS.
I’m so happy to hear success stories that follow a submission that’s longer than 3 weeks. Thanks for the hope.
BEHIND THE SCENES sounds amazing. Totally the kind of book I’d want to spend the weekend with…well, you know what I mean.
Dahlia Adler said:
I don’t know, but I’m glad you’re all caught up!!! Thank you so much!!! And yes, it was a great week for success stories for books that have been out in the wild for quiet a while 😉
So glad it sounds like your kind of book! Can’t wait to see what you think next year!
Tina Evans said:
OMG. Yay! Congratulations 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
Whee, thank you!!
Rosalyn said:
Hooray! What a great story–you’ve done so much to help and promote other writers (here, on twitter), that it seems only fitting that the universe be generous in return.
Dahlia Adler said:
Aw, thank you, Rosalyn!!
Rebecca said:
Your book sounds AMAZING. I can’t wait to read it and add it to my to-read list! Huge congratulations on your fabulous news!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thank you so much!!!
mesummer said:
OMG, Dahlia, this is so freaking AWESOME. :-DDDDD I’m so incredibly thrilled for you!!! And what you said about submission: truth. Can’t wait to read your book!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much!!! SUBMISSION EMPATHY FTW. Can’t wait for *yours*, and to hear its new title!
Sarah Beth Durst said:
Congratulations, Dahlia! So happy for you!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Sarah Beth!! So sweet of you to stop by!
cmbaker said:
Congratulations!!!! I love this blog and have been reading avidly and I finally couldn’t help but comment! This is wonderful! Can’t want to read!
Dahlia Adler said:
You’re so sweet, thanks so much!!
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Sarah M. (@sfBirdie) said:
Congrats, Dahl!!! I knew this would happen someday (because you’re that flipping good) and I am SO freaking excited for you. Could not happen to a more talented, and ah-mah-zing writer/person/friend. Really proud to know you. I can’t wait to go into a bookstore and say “YUP, THAT’S MY FRIEND.”
Congratulations again, you deserve ALL the high fives right now. xoxo
Sarah M. (@sfBirdie) said:
P.S. Andrew says “THAT’S AWESOME! Congratulations! That’s so exciting!”
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, both of you!!!! SO MUCH LOVE!!!
Melanie said:
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!! I swear, every other day I would wonder WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG TO HEAR NEWS OF THIS BOOK because I KNEW it would be published. I’m so excited for you and BtS and I feel honored that I got to read it. I can’t wait till it’s sitting on my bookshelf!
Dahlia Adler said:
Hahaha slow and steady, I guess?? Thanks so much for being there from/at the very beginning!!!
vitlit said:
Congrats on the book deal. I said it on twitter but wanted to congratulate you here too!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much!!
Joanne Rock said:
First sale stories are the HEAs of the writing world, because no matter what happens from here, you DID it. And isn’t that so awesome?! Congratulations and I can’t wait to meet you and cheer with you in person. Plus, I can’t wait to read and support a book that I know must be fabulous since I trust Patricia’s judgment totally!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
SO AWESOME!! So excited to meet you too, and thank you!!
Suzi said:
So excited for you! Congratulations!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Suzi!!
Kimberly Gabriel said:
I have been WAITING for this to happen!!! You are such a talented writer Dahlia! I feel lucky enough to have read BTS. I can’t wait to buy it and reread it in book form. How wonderful and fabulous and everything you deserve. There are BIG BIG things ahead for you, my dear. This is only the tipping point. I can’t wait to tell people “I knew her when…” CONGRATS! CONGRATS! CONGRATS!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thank you so much, Kimberly!!!!
Jaime Morrow said:
This is FANTASTIC! Congrats, Dahlia! 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Jaime!!
Kaye M. (@gildedspine) said:
Ahhh! Congratulations! ❤
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Kaye!!
Triona said:
How cool!!! This story is way inspiring, and just what I needed to read on this Tuesday morning. Congratulations!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Triona!! Definitely nice to hear that!!
Michelle I. Mason said:
Absolutely I’ll buy it! And promote the heck out of it. So excited for you! Congrats again!
Dahlia Adler said:
Aaaah, you’re awesome, thank you!!
Lindsay said:
CONGRATULATIONS, DAHLIA!!!
I am so thrilled you’ll be working with Patricia 😀 Now to beg and plead and cajole her into letting me take a pass at your book… it sounds utterly amazing!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Lindsay!!! I would love that!! Slash be totally terrified by it, but I think that’s what I signed up for!
Temre Beltz said:
Congratulations Dahlia! I am so very happy for you!! I loved reading this post and hearing about your journey – so amazing and thank you for the inspiration!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Temre!!!
Gina Ciocca said:
CONGRATS DAHL!!!! You know I could not be more ridiculously and spastically happy for you! You have earned and deserve every minute of your success and I’m so excited to watch your career unfold! <3333
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, G!!!! And thank you times a BILLION for your fantastic post and just generally being fantastic!! You have been so awesome to go through this with and I’m so excited for many more manuscripts and sales and GIFs together!
Naomi Hughes said:
CONGRATS!!! So excited for you. 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Naomi!!
Kimberly Sabatini (@KimSabatini) said:
Way to go!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Kim!!
Brenda Drake (@brendadrake) said:
I will SO buy your book! Congratulations! WOOT! WOOT!
Dahlia Adler said:
Yaaaaay, thanks, Brenda!!
Janet Johnson said:
Holy cow, how did I miss this??? Congratulations!!! I love stories like these. It makes my little heart flutter with happiness for dreams come true. 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
It definitely had weird timing, but you didn’t miss a thing 🙂 Thanks so much, Janet!!
Jamie Grey said:
DAHLIA! This is the BEST NEWS EVER!! I AM SOO SOOO Happy for you! I can’t think of someone who deserves this more!!! <333 Can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this one!!!
CONGRATS!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thank you so much, Jamie!!!!
Jaye Robin Brown (@JayeRobinBrown) said:
I can’t think of a more deserving author. Dharma baby. Dharma.
Dahlia Adler said:
<333 I can think of one but you already got there months ago 😉
Cassandra Page said:
Congrats – I am SO HAPPY for you! 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Cassandra!!
Marieke said:
JOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSH *ahem*
I’M SO RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED FOR YOU AND BTS AND AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH IT’S GOING TO BE ON MY SHELVES AND I’M SO HAPPY! You totally deserve this and I can’t wait for the whole world to fall in love with Ally and Van and Liam! And you, of course, but that’s a no-brainer. ❤
Dahlia Adler said:
Hahahaha you are going to get SO MUCH JOSH and you had better still love him!!!! Thank you so much for EVERYTHING and general wonderfulness and posting on YAMF and Goodreads the freaking second you woke up this morning. I LOVE YOU!!!
caitgreer said:
DAHL!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I don’t know how I missed this tonight (ok, yes, I do. Book + packing/moving = brain dead), but I’m so happy for you!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Cait! Especially since I know you’ve got crazytimes goin’ on!!
Bridget said:
Yayyyyyy this is so exciting!!!! Congrats!!! 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Bridget!!
Ru said:
Congrats!! Do you know when in 2014 it’s coming out?
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks! I don’t yet, but you’ll know as soon as I do!
Veronica said:
OMFG!!!! More exclamation points!!!!!
This is what happens when I leave to go to a conference for a week and don’t check twitter or stalk your blog as usual. AMAZING things! So happy for you! Huzzah!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Ha, you’re actually totally on time – it was just a really weirdly late-at-night posting on PM! Who even knew they posted things at 9:30 p.m.?? And thank you!! ❤ Still waiting to hear details on the conference!!
amylovesya said:
Congratulations! Saw all the Twitter congrats and had to stop by and see the news! As a currently querying writer, I can’t say how much I appreciate Twitter as a writer resource, and your story is proof of that!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Amy!! If you’re looking for more querying resources, I’ve heard this blog is actually pretty handy 😉 But yes, it’s true! I’d be freaking nobody without the whole YA writing community!
Maggie Hall (@MaggieEHall) said:
I am so, SO happy for you. You and BtS deserve this times a million, and I am so lucky to have been a part of the journey! I love you, Dahl!
Dahlia Adler said:
<333 I'm the freaking lucky one – thank you for being the greatest CP EVER and staying up to celebrate with me tonight!! And for your awesome notes on BtS and everything else! And for daily e-mails that make my life!! So, basically, everything ever.
Elodie said:
YAY YAY YAY 😀 😀 😀 Can´t wait to read ALL of them! Congrats Dahlia!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Elodie!!
Anonymous said:
Congratulations! Wishing you much success!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Ella!!
Valerie Cole (@ValerieFM80) said:
Oh. My. God! So excited for you, Dahlia! Can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of BtS and have you sign it!
Congrats a million times! I’m so happy to see you find a great home for your books and to see what you write next 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
I will sign it over cupcakes and IT WILL BE GLORIOUS! ❤ Thank you, my love!
Zoë said:
Such amazing news so well-deserved after so much work. Incredibly excited for you and can’t wait to buy Behind the Scenes, NEXT YEAR! Congraulations!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Zoe!! I’m excited for you to buy it too!
lisa_writes said:
Congratulations on your success and such an inspiring post 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Lisa!
Alexis Bass (@alexisbasswrite) said:
Yay!! Congrats!!! I can’t wait to read your stuff! Here’s to 2014 🙂 xo
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Alexis!! I’m obviously already planning to use this comment for ARC-trading purposes in 2014 because I need your book immediately, so.
Alexis Bass (@alexisbasswrite) said:
ARC-trading – YES ABSOLUTELY! 🙂 🙂
Lori M. Lee said:
Hooray! CONGRATS! You always write the best blog posts, but I think this one takes the cake 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Lori! I think this one was probably my favorite too 🙂
Alison Bliss said:
Wow!! That’s awesome news!! Congrats, Dahlia! Couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl. Can’t wait to read your book…then meet you…then make you sign it…
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Alison!! I will super happily sign whatever you like! XOXO, Dahlia Bliss
Alison Bliss said:
Hah! You totally made my night by changing your last name! Now, not only are we agent-sisters, but we’re sisters by name. Can’t get rid of me now! 🙂
Marisa Reichardt said:
Huge congrats, Dahlia! So well-deserved. I am so excited for you!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Marisa!!
Kate Michael said:
Congratulations!!! You’re truly an inspiration for those of us who dream in words. Thanks for always sharing!
Dahlia Adler said:
That’s so nice, Kate, thank you!!
Veronica Bartles (@vbartles) said:
Wow! Congratulations! Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
You’re so sweet, thank you! Much love from your favorite non-agent on Twitter 😉
quix689 said:
Congratulations! The only surprise in all of this is only that it didn’t happen sooner. You know so much about publishing and writing that it took me a minute to remember that you didn’t already have a publishing deal with someone! Haha. Anyway – congrats! 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
Ha, thank you!! I like to think the slight delay was just to make things work out this way 😉
bookishblurb said:
I cannot wait to read! Congratulations!! 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
I can’t wait for you to read either! Thanks, love!!
Erica M. Chapman said:
SQUEEEEEEEEE!!!! DAHLIA!!!! I’M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!!!!!!! YOU DESERVE THIS!!! I LOVE BTS!! SO PROUD TO BE YOUR CP <33333333
Dahlia Adler said:
I AM SO PROUD YOU ARE MY CP!! Thank you so much for everything, especially lunchtime check-ins!!
Michael Seese (@MSeeseTweets) said:
That is GREAT news!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Michael! I think so too!
mittensmorgul said:
Wonderful! Fantastic! Amazing! I think everyone else already said those things, but YAY! CONGRATS!
Dahlia Adler said:
Haha they may have been said a few times, but it’s always nice to hear 😉 Thank you!
Kate Larkindale said:
Congratulations! Seriously, the internet is bursting with good news today!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Kate!! It’s true!! And lots more good news to come, I know!
Angi Black said:
AHH! AHH! AHH! I’M SO EXCITED THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CAPSLOCK EVER, EVER TO EXPRESS HOW HAPPY I AM FOR YOU!!!! You deserve this so much and I’m so…I want to squeeze you forever! Shine up that tiara, darling. You’re going to need for all those book signings. xoxoxoxo
Dahlia Adler said:
I LOOOOOVE YOU, thank you so much, my darling!!!! Tell the children Princess Dahl loves them and they can read her books when they are muuuuch older!
lindabudz said:
Aaaaaahhhhhh! Yay, you!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Meeeeeeeee!!!! (Um, I mean, thanks, Linda!)
Rachel said:
Am I surprised by this post? Yes. Am I REALLY surprised? No. Your patience and perseverance for BEHIND THE SCENES (and, really, all the novels you write) is such an admirable thing that I am not at all shocked it got a deal. Even if I would’ve liked a little warning 😉 But, seriously, I cannot wait to read about Ally and Liam and Van. It’s been a pleasure watching your journey and I can’t wait to see the final results (you know, a BOOK. IN MY HANDS!!!!). I’m so thrilled and excited for you. Mazel tov, again, Dahl! xoxo
Dahlia Adler said:
So sweet, thank you so much!! I’m excited for you to meet everybody!!
Tara Dairman said:
ZOMG! Congratulations, Dahlia! One day, we will celebrate in New York with macarons, yes? Hooray!
Dahlia Adler said:
YES, OBVIOUSLY. Best celebration plan ever!!! ❤
Michelle said:
Congrats!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Michelle!
Ghenet Myrthil said:
Yay yay yay!!! I’m SO excited for you and I can’t wait to read BEHIND THE SCENES!!! Congratulations!! 😀 😀 😀
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks so much, Ghenet!!!
writeforapples said:
This post makes me so happy. 🙂 CONGRATULATIONS!!!! The positive train is chugging along again!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thanks, Dee!! Yes, this should definitely put us back on the positivity train for a while!!
Rachel O'Laughlin said:
Awesomest. Newsies. Ever!
I’m so excited, I’m kinda flipping out right now. I GET TO READ YOUR WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dahlia Adler said:
Thank you!!!!! And yes, you do!!!! If you actually call me, we can tooootally talk about it 😉
Rachel O'Laughlin said:
Wheeeee!!!! I will call <333
Sara Biren said:
Congratulations on your wonderful, amazing news! I’m thrilled for you. You are so kind and supportive and I can’t imagine what this community of writers would be like without you and your generous spirit – you are so deserving of this and all good things! Wishing you the very best!
Dahlia Adler said:
Sweetest comment ever – thank you, Sara!!
Lydia Sharp said:
3 books?!! You are the trifecta of AMAZING.
Dahlia Adler said:
No YOU ARE!!! (And thaaank you!)