Mari: First my agent called each editor and asked if they’d be interested in reading the manuscript. Then she wrote up a pitch letter that was loosely based on my original query and sent that out with the manuscript and synopsis to each of the seven editors. Then I believe she followed up by another phone call some time later.

That’s one strange thing about having an agent. Suddenly, the submission process is completely out of your hands! While previously you got some satisfaction out of self-addressing envelopes and affixing stamps, now all you can do is sit back and wait.

Shalla: Did the publisher request a pre-empt? (Pre-empt or pulling the manuscript from other houses for exclusive negotiations with one)

Mari:No.

Shalla: What’s your take on pre-empts? The good, the bad, the ugly?

Mari:I’ve never had one offered to me, but I don’t think they’re a bad thing. It means the publisher is very interested in you and willing to put their money where their mouth is and make a big commitment to buying your book.

That said, with a pre-empt, you won’t get a chance to hear what the other publishing houses are willing to offer you so it’s possible you’re missing out on another great opportunity.

Shalla: Did you meet your editor in person before signing? If so, did your agent come along?

Mari:I met my editor, Kate Seaver, a few months after signing, during a trip I took with my in-laws to New York. She gave me a tour of the editorial offices of Dorchester and then we went to lunch at a nice French restaurant down the street.

Kate’s around my age and really nice and fun, so it wasn’t scary or stressful at all. I think sometimes people forget that editors are just normal people who happen to have powerful jobs. But Kate’s really down to earth. And we like the same desserts, which is a major bonus! ?

During lunch we hashed out some ideas for the Connecticut Fashionista sequels (It’s meant to be a three part series.) and it was real helpful to brainstorm face-to-face.

My agent didn’t attend the lunch, but I headed over to her offices afterwards. We hit Starbucks and discussed what Kate and I had talked about.

Shalla: What was the timeline on revisions?

Mari: I was very lucky and had only a few revisions. Very few, in fact, and they only took me about an hour or so to do. The galleys were more of a challenge. They wanted those back in a week and the week they arrived was a real busy one at work. But I really wanted to go over the manuscript with a fine toothed comb because I hate reading books with a lot of typos, so I made the time.

Shalla: If you can change anything about your journey, what would it be? (ie. I should’ve gotten a blog sooner, etc.)

Mari: I would have written the type of book I wanted to write earlier. My first book was based on what I thought would sell, not staying true to my real writer’s voice. And it didn’t turn out well at all and will forever be known as the book under the bed.

When I started CT Fashionista, many people thought I’d have difficulty selling it because it was too different. But it was the story I wanted to tell and I wrote it the way I wanted to write it. And I think that made a big difference.

Shalla: Okay, last couple of questions then we’ll wrap it up. Is there a way we can attend your workshop “Romancing the Media” besides going to a conference? Do you do online workshops?

Mari: I haven’t looked into giving the workshop online, but that’s something to consider for the future. However, the New England conference audiotapes all sessions so if you’d like to hear it, you can order a tape after the conference.

Shalla: On your website, you have a Press Kit. What are Press Kits exactly? Why would a writer need one? What’s in it? Do you discriminate on who to send it to or allow to use it? Or can anyone, like a fan, get one?

Mari: A press kit is a marketing tool used to introduce the media to your work. It contains a headshot, press release, bio, and possibly a review copy of the book itself. Most of it, besides the review copy, is also available online so I’d refer an interested reader to my website before sending out a press kit.

Shalla: Thanks so much! For more on Mari Mancusi, please visit her website http://www.marimancusi.com/

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Featuring: Dorchester author, Tess Mallory; Artscape author, Frederick Ramsay; Hallie Ephron; Shara Lanel; Margaret L. Carter; Gena Showalter; Judie Aitken; NY Times Best Selling author, Barry Eisler; Chick-Lit author, Sonia Singh; Brett Battles; Michele Scott; multiple Emmy Award winning TV news producer & author Mari Mancusi; Terry Spear; Andrea Wilder; Tina Gerow; Seamus Cashman; NY Times Bestselling author, Bob Mayer; Patricia M. Terrell and more!

Produced and Directed by Shalla DeGuzman
www.shalladeguzman.com