Comments on: My First Sale by Therese Walsh

By: Sara J. Henry

Sara J. Henry — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:22:17 +0000

Therese – Great to read this – almost exactly the same thing happened to me. I rewrote like mad until I felt I had a marketable book, then Important Agent told me it needed many changes. I hung up the phone, decided he was wrong, and sent out new queries – several agents promptly offered, and it sold in a two-book deal soon after. To your own publisher, coincidentally. Sometimes you just have to trust your instincts and believe in your own work.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:07:32 +0000

This is an awesome story and so worthy of the happy ending. Just because you don’t fit in one person’s perception of should be, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be. It just means that might be the wrong person.

By: Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 23:49:53 +0000

Thanks for the support, everyone, and to the two Ja(y)nes for having me here –FTC advisory or not!

Maddie, good point. For me, any critique, regardless of who’s offering the two cents, has to pass the gut-test. Deidre’s advice definitely passed that test.

Janine, I can’t wait to read your review next week.

Thank you, Ann!

Kate, you’re right: Deidre is awesome.

By: Kate Pearce

Kate Pearce — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:12:13 +0000

What a great story! And kudos for you to listening to your gut and taking the advice that worked for you (gotta love Deidre :)) and sticking with your vision of the story. I’m not sure I would’ve been strong enough to do that.

By: Edie

Edie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 20:31:53 +0000

Wonderful story! It reminds me of the scene in Julie & Julia where the administrator of a cordon bleu culinary school in France tells Julia Child (Meryl Streep) she'll never be a chef. When she leaves the room, Julia gives her the raspberry. Though I’m sure you didn’t do that to the Important Agent, she probably had the same gut feeling about herself, too.

Can’t wait to read your book! Very soon now.

By: Ann Aguirre

Ann Aguirre — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:58:58 +0000

I was lucky enough to get an arc of this and it’s really an amazing book.

By: SonomaLass

SonomaLass — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:19:35 +0000

Square pegs are some of my favorite books! Things that cross genre lines, defy convention, are hard to categorize — all that can mean unique and special. I look forward to this book knowing that.

And yes, Jane, please keep having fun with the disclaimers!

By: Janine

Janine — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:19:00 +0000

Terrific first sale story. The Last Will of Moira Leahy made me cry too. A lot. Review to come next week.

FTC Advisory Warning: Therese Walsh's book was provided to the blog by someone (I can't remember who sent it to us) either the author or publisher.

I believe it was Ms. Walsh who sent it to us. There was a note from her tucked into the ARC when I received the free copy.

By: Susan/DC

Susan/DC — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 18:25:55 +0000

Loved that the book made the assistant cry, loved that the Important Agent treated you with courtesy and respect, and loved that you listened to your inner voice. Keep up the good work, and I’ll definitely look for this in the book store on the 13th (which I’ve always believed is actually a lucky number).

By: AnnB

AnnB — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 16:25:11 +0000

Good for you for listening to both your gut and your husband. I’m putting your book on my wish list. Good luck!

By: Carolyn Jewel

Carolyn Jewel — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:25:14 +0000

What a wonderful story! Good for you for believing that voice that said your story was ready. You had ample evidence (crying assistant) that you were right. Congratulations on your sale.

By: Heather Massey

Heather Massey — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:18:30 +0000

What a great story of persistence. Thanks for sharing.

By: Nadia Lee

Nadia Lee — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:56:59 +0000

I love this story. Thanks for sharing, Therese. I’m so glad you didn’t give up! *hugs*

By: maddie

maddie — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:45:46 +0000

Loved this “My First Sale” story, but I have to question how many other authors had great books that an agent told them to change out, which they did, and how many of those books we the reader picked up and questioned why the author wrote the story that way.

Should a writer listen to her gut or to an agent?

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ETA:

The book sound really great and will be checking it out.

By: Karen Mahoney

Karen Mahoney — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 14:08:10 +0000

Love the FTC Advisory warning…. Haha!! :)

By: vanessa jaye

vanessa jaye — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:46:25 +0000

Great, great, first sale story!

By: MicheleKS

MicheleKS — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:56:08 +0000

I love these first sale stories. And I also like the FTC postings. Maybe those sticks-in-the-mud will develope a sense of humor or common sense though I think the first one has a better chance.

By: Melissa Senate

Melissa Senate — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:41:39 +0000

I love this (true) story! Love the evolution of the manuscript, love that it made the assistant cry–and that at least Busy Important Agent knew that meant something Big–and love that Therese knew that her story was as it was meant to be and sent if off to someone else. Lots of great lessons here about when to listen and consider and reconsider, and when to listen to yourself. Can’t wait to read the novel.