Thursday, July 17, 2008

Off to Deal

Now that you guys went and put Twlight Fall on the Times list for two weeks straight -- Valentin & co came in at #33 on the extended list -- I'm in trouble. Specifically, the folks in NY want to talk to me. Right now. They don't know exactly where I live, but they have all my phone numbers, and they're not afraid to use them.

I have to get myself mentally prepared for these deal-or-no-deal conversations, too, or I'll agree to things I don't want to do, like write a novel every ten minutes. No matter how much money they wave at me, it still takes twenty. Anyway, I'm going to bail on your guys so I can get ready and then make the calls. First I need to meditate, center myself and repeat my professional mantras:

I will be kind and sensitive, and not make those jokes about retiring. When I retire, I will send them a postcard from whatever tropical beach I'm going to sit on for the rest of my existence.

I will not use this as an opportunity to air every single grievance I have had with Publishing dating back my first mean rejection letter in 1975. No matter how much they freaking deserve to sit there and listen to it.

I will not drop hints about how much I want Robin's cover artist to do every cover I have from now until the end of time.

No matter how tempted I am, I will not ask them for a pony just to see how they'd react.


See you all later, hopefully with some good news.

37 comments:

  1. Good luck. :) Personally, I'd go for the pony. ;)

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  2. Go, Lynn!
    Never mind the pony, ask for a Ferrari!

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  3. Congratulations Lynn.

    You are worth it and your books are worth it.

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  4. Oh go on, ask for the pony! We want to know how they'd react too!

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  5. Good luck, Lynn!
    Fingers (and toes etc.) crossed for you.

    =^..^=

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  6. I'd ask for enough money to buy the pony. *g*

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  7. Bout damn time the sat up and took notice.

    Go with the pony.

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  8. Ooooh good luck! I had some major good luck yesterday myself, so I think I have some left to share. *sprinkles lucky dust*

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  9. I'd ask for books. Books for my personal reading free for the remainder of my life. Much better than a pony.

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  10. Anonymous8:35 AM

    Ooh, ooh, Lynn, ask for the pony! Ask for the pony! Your daughter would love it! Also, take a picture of their faces when you do. They say a picture is worth a thousand words!

    They may have your phone numbers, but they can't buy your heart. . . .well unless there's a few million dollars involved so you can afford to buy your own tropical island. Make sure the island comes with a margarita stand!

    Take care and good luck!

    Tami
    Jacksonville

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  11. ROFL - I think we all want to ask for the pony.

    Good luck. :)

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  12. Good luck. Everything is crossed for you. (And I think you should ask for the pony too.)

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  13. I hope you already have a clause in your contract that says you earn a bonus every time one of your books hits the NYT list. Other authors do. So should you!

    Congratulations!

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  14. I think you should ask for the pony and all the books you can read for the rest of your life!

    Good luck Lynn!

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  15. You're in good deal-making position now.
    Robin's cover artist is a good starting point . . .

    Fingers crossed. Wishing real hard for you.

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  16. I'm so for the pony. (And the skates and the bicycle.) Go for it!!

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  17. I'll add to the chorus urging you to go for the pony. Who knows when you may have another opportunity to get a pony?

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  18. Anonymous11:34 AM

    Good Luck Lynn, and remember we are here for you!!!

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  19. Congrats, good luck, and go for the pony (heck ask for a whole stable of ponies and sponsor your own polo team).
    P.S. I'm reading TF right now, and just had to say- you renamed my school! I thought that was too funny. Thanks for the laugh.

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  20. My youngest sister never wanted a pony. She always asked for an elephant. So maybe you should mix it up some.

    It's a negotiation, right? So start big so you have somewhere to go. If you start out asking for the pony, you might get a gerbil.

    Best wishes and I'm super happy for you!

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  21. lol. The pony! Get the pony! Good luck, PBW-- although I think you're in a position where luck won't need to come in play. ;-)

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  22. Longtime lurker, first time commenter.

    These are the kind of problems I wish I had. *sigh* But why wouldn't you ask for a pony? I'm sure those publishers could use a good laugh (with you rather than at you).

    Good luck!

    P.S. What's up with the quotation at the bottom of the page, about a "me against the world" position? Did you put that there?

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  23. I love how every stressful situation is material for humor. That's why I enjoy reading your blog.

    ...And if you don't want to air your greviances about publishing, could you air mine?

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  24. Fan-ta-bu-lous! Go get 'em, Lynn.

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  25. I'm SOOO for the pony!!!

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  26. Anonymous3:08 PM

    The pony's not bad, but don't forget to ask for the stabling, feed, and care for it as well.

    As for Robin's cover artist - that should be mandatory!

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  27. Twenty minutes? Wow, I take my hat off to you.

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  28. A pony driving a '54 cherry condition Corvette ... Just a thought.

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  29. Pony, island, margarita machine, AND cabana boy/stable hand ;)
    Good luck hon!

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  30. Anonymous4:50 PM

    I say be greedy and ask for two ponies. You're totally worth it.

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  31. Happy Belated Birthday!

    And I couldn't be happier for all of your success. Go, Lynn! Even though I haven't read Twilight Fall yet, I know I'm going to love it. And of course I had to buy it as soon as I saw it on the shelf.

    Go knock 'em dead! And yes, please, please, please have the person who did this cover come back. Valentin looks delicious. ;)

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  32. Lady I am SO HAPPY for you! Good luck!!!

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  33. Does this mean more Darkyn books? I mean if they offer millions you could write us a few more, right? : ) I hope you get Robin's cover artist, a big bucks contract for multiple books and something with lots of horse power and the pony---whatever your heart desires. Good luck or is this one of those break a leg things? I don't want to jinx you. : )

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  34. Ooh...now what about a 1967 Mustang? Convertible? Yes...

    Congrats!

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  35. Damn, you've been outed as a successful and entertaining writer!

    Now we'll have to share you with others. Play nice now, maybe the pony will actually be a Triple Crown winning racehorse!

    Good luck, and don't let 'em bully you: a book every thirty minutes is fine with us.

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  36. Awesome news. Good luck with the negotiations.

    Jennybrat
    http://bratsweetnothings.blogspot.com

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