The final puzzle piece.

Or, put another way, how an author goes from having an agent to having an actual book. This author, specifically.

But first, a plug for a fellow prosecutor, blogger, and author. Her name is Allison Leotta and her second novel comes out in July. Her first, Law of Attraction, is released today in paperback. Today, how timely is that?! She's already on my blogroll so check her out, maybe see if there's room on your shelves for a new paperback. Oh, and here's the cover (since I can't show you mine yet):


Now then, back to me. We established in the previous segment that it took about six months to snag my agent. Well, it took a lot longer to snag a publisher. The business move at molasses pace and agents typically submit to publishers in groupings, three to five, at which point you sit and wait for responses. I got some good ones from some of the biggest publishers in the business, including:

• this is a very well-written, sophisticated murder mystery and no one can argue with the fabulous setting. Pryor does a very nice job setting up the suspense and keeping the narrative moving swiftly.
• the writing was good and I found it to be wonderfully evocative in its description of Paris and what makes the city so interesting and beautiful.

But ultimately they all passed and Ann went on the hunt once more. I think from the time I signed with her, it took almost two years to find a publisher for The Bookseller. But what's cool is that she found one who really, really likes my books. Not only did he want The Bookseller, but also the sequel (The Crypt Thief) and the third, which I have yet to finish.

That is even better, to me, than having a one-book deal with a huge publishing house because I know that whatever happens, however the first one sells, two more will hit the shelves. A lot of authors get dropped if their first book doesn't do well but it looks to me like Seventh Street Books is in it for the long haul. I am eternally grateful, and eternally optimistic.

As for the process, well, what happens after you sign is that the wheels of production begin to turn, and each revolution feels to me (and to other authors I've spoken to) like the turn of Ferris Wheel - incremental, but incredibly exciting. After each contact with a copy-editor, marketing whiz, or art person I think, "Wow, this is really happening!" Yeah, I know, a grizzled prosecutor turns into a giddy schoolgirl. But you know what? I'm happy to do so.

As of now, we're finalizing the cover, the marketing blurb is being tweaked, and I'm joining International Thriller Writers, Inc.

Release date looks like being in the fall of this year, nothing set in stone as yet. But don't worry, when I get a firm date you'll be among the first to know. But of course.