Category Archives: Agents

Why Jane Austen and Cats?

PAMELA JANE
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I have no idea why or how I came up with idea of Pride and Prejudice and Kitties – a thoroughly ridiculous idea at best!  But then, Jane herself has an appreciation of the ridiculous.  And I like having fantasies about my cat’s  pursuits and preoccupations.  Isn’t that what cat-lovers do, have fantasies about their cats?  Dog-lovers don’t have fantasies because dogs act out everything and leave no room for the imagined. When our book came out, my coauthor, Debbie and I, were roundly accused of copying Pride and Prejudice and Zombies..  But the (unhappy) truth was we’d had been working on our concept and honing our query for over six years. Not to mention that it took almost eighty agents before we found one who sold the book. Originally the publisher asked for 100,000 words to go with the photos – almost as many words as in Pride and Prejudice itself!  We got them down to 30,000 but even now … Read on

Pamela Jane is the author of over thirty books from board books to memoir. She is also a writing coach, freelance writer, and public speaker. Learn more about her by booking a school visit, perusing her blog, or reading her memoir, An Incredible Talent for Existing: A Writer's Story.

How our “Pride and Prejudice and Kitties” Query Survived 75 Agents

PAMELA JANE
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Until now, we’ve generally referred to the query letter that sold our book, Pride and Prejudice and Kitties, as having been sent to “X” number of agents.  But now, thanks to Galley Cat at Media Bistro, the word is out that our query letter was rejected by 75 agents  well – 74 because we did finally sell the book.  You can read our query here. Actually, during the submission process we did manage to capture the attention of several agents.  The problem was that most were daunted by the logistics of taking 100 funny photographs of cats in Regency settings.  Also, to be honest, it took Debbie and me several years to clarify and define our concept for the book. … Read on

Pamela Jane is the author of over thirty books from board books to memoir. She is also a writing coach, freelance writer, and public speaker. Learn more about her by booking a school visit, perusing her blog, or reading her memoir, An Incredible Talent for Existing: A Writer's Story.