Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

I have good news!! I have sold two more books to Nocturne. :) They are both part of the same world as Unbound. The first is about the bartender/Garm (wolf-shape-shifter) and twin sister from Unbound. The second is going to be the hero from Unbound’s son’s story. (is my punctuation totally off with that possesive? I get so confused by that.) Both will be 2008 releases.

So, how cool is that?

As I told my dad, all is good in Mudville. (or more accurately Snowville)

…has officially begun. I say in my query that it is a multiple, but select submission–which it is. I picked six agents I thought would be a good match to my goals. And how did I decide they would be a possible match, you ask? Well, the Internet, of course. Where would we be without it? So, I started with the site I mentioned here the other day, came up with a big list (okay, not that big), then Googled each of those. From that I came up with six names to start with.

It’s funny how your perspective changes. I first started agent hunting four year ago with my first manuscript, an amateur sleuth mystery. I sweated over details, like if the envelopes were a good weight. I am (thank heavens) past that–but the whole thing is still nerve-wracking. You want to find not only a “good” agent, but one that gets you, one you can stay with for a long time. I know switching agents is common, but so is divorce, and I don’t think anyone goes into a marriage expecting one. And certainly not hoping for one.

So there you have it–I just want a nice (or not so nice) agent who gets what I write and wants to help me build my career. How about you? What do you want in an agent?

Did you all see this? Five grand and a publishing contract for a one chapter contest–as my daughter would say…sweet. :)

Really, it does. I finished my AAs for Unbound this weekend. I just have to make copies and mail them off–AND I wrote my query letter. I had already selected a small group (5 to 6) agents that I think match my book and hopefully, goals. Now, I just have to “tweak” the proposal–especially the synopsis. I’m hoping when I read through everything I will be surprisingly shocked at how ready it is–it can go either way. Sometimes you read something you haven’t looked at in a while and you are like “wow, who wrote this–this is good” and sometimes you think “OMG, what was I thinking?”.  I do love this story though so I’m sure it will be the first one–right? :)

So, anyway, I thought I’d share a site I discovered that really helped me come up with my list– http://www.agentquery.com It is a great site where you can search by about anything. I searched for agents who repped both fantasy and romance. Then from there I wrote down the top suspects and googled them. I found some great interviews and mentions that way that helped me nail down who I wanted to target first. And at least a couple of them I just knew from their client list and general chatter.

Next step–see who wants just a query and who wants pages with it. Then read, revise, and send.

Have you read his “I Have a Dream” speech? If not, do it today or watch a video of his speech through this same link.

Here’s your chance–Who Wants to be a Superhero is looking for its next line up of contestants. Check it out.

And here’s an impromptu contest–Prize What a Woman Needs by Caroline Linden! Post your best idea for a Superhero that somehow involves romances-writing or reading. Name yourself (superhero name that is) then describe your costume and powers!! A winner will be picked at the end of this month. :)

Lori

Have you all read or seen The Devil Wears Prada? I just finished the movie last night–well kind of, the disc was cracked and stopped RIGHT at the end (but that’s another story). Anyway, how great was Miranda? I mean really–did you love her or hate her or both? Lauren Weisberger created one complicated (and thus real) character there–didn’t she? It would have been so easy to cop out and just make her bad, but instead she gave us peeks at her humanity, and we’d think, Oh, she’s going to be good, but then, in the end she totally held to who she was.

I do have to say that seeing Anne Hathaway go through the whole make-over thing yet again, was a bit of a drag in a been-there-done-that kind of way, but it really is a great movie–and I’m sure a great book although I haven’t read it. (I own it though–that TBR pile is totally out of control.)

Anyway, if you are ever wondering how to make your characters real or get comments that your characters are cardboard, cliche, etc. (especially your villains) watch The Devil Wears Prada.

First Happy New Year! We just got back from a week in Missouri. Nothing like coming home to Christmas decorations still up–kind of sad. Oh, and piles of laundry.

My news is that my agent and I have parted ways. Long story–lots of reason, but bottom-line I think it is the best move for everyone involved. Things change, etc., etc. Today I am doing last minute tweaks to my option proposal for Nocturne and shipping it off to my editor. Oh, and starting next week I’m starting the agent hunt–almost as painful as shopping for jeans which I spent a lot of time doing last week. The fun just never stops does it?

Anyway, I’m planning on posting various things about the agent hunt here on my blog as I go through them–so stay tuned.

Also, while catching up on blogdome, I came across this link to Kelley Armstrong’s site. She is offering a free graphic novella on her site. Fun, idea, don’t you think?

Till next time–stick to those resolutions!!

Lori