New Contract and a Behind the Scenes Look
Yesterday, I was officially offered a new four book contract for Presents! I knew that I was going back to contract after the sale of Coffee Magnate (which now has an official title, ONE NIGHT IN PARADISE) but we had the bright shiny official phone call yesterday. 🙂
When I start a new contract, my editor likes to get some brief outlines from me to know what I’m going to be doing on the contract. They aren’t set in stone, but it gives her an idea of the ‘type’ of books I’m thinking of doing.
For this contract, I’m planning on doing a duet. I’ve done them before unofficially (An Accidental Birthright & The Inherited Bride, Marriage Made on Paper & The Petrov Proposal) but there was no branding to sigify that they were linked, and with these books, the plan is for scheduling to be close together, and for there to be an easy way for readers to tell that the books go together. (The books are about a fictional Greek principality, and royals, of course!)
So, the first two books on the contract are planned, and now I need to figure out what the last two will be. I don’t always stick to the outlines I send, One Night in Paradise was pitched as an enemies to lovers book, and by the time I got to it, it became a friends to lovers, but the basic settings and characters stayed the same.
And my editor had an idea for what the tone of the book would be. I like to do lighter stuff, with comedy and I enjoy really dark dark books as well. I try to do a mix of both on every contract. It’s nice variety for me, and hopefully for readers as well.
I also like having everything planned (loosely even) right from the outset. When I know what books comes next, I find myself really excited to dive in and begin the next project, rather than struggling to decide on a project at the end of the last one. I do a LOT of brainstorming at the beginning of each contract and then I’m free to keep the momentum of writing up after each MS is complete.
So now I have dates set for when each proposal needs to be in, and dates for each full, all set and scheduled.
I’m working on the first book in my Kyonos Royals Duet, having fun tormenting my hero…bwahaha.
So that was my little inside look at how getting started on a new contract works for me!
Comments
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YEA!!
So does this mean we’ll finally get some US releases before UK? 😉
lol Congrats on the new contract! XD
🙂 Thanks Jess!!
Now, the trouble with the US/UK thing is that the UK has more slots. And I have a pretty big backlog in the UK. :/ By February, when my next US comes out, I’ll have had three more out in the UK. So, hopefully we’ll catch up one of these days!
Congrats of you 4 book contract Maisey. Have fun thinking of all those great stories we are (eventually) going to enjoy! Caroline x
Congratulations! Yay! We get to read more books with the unique ‘Maisey Brand!’
HUGE Congrats on your new contracts and exciting ideas MAisey 🙂
I love behind-the-scenes posts! Congrats on your new contract, Maisey. I can’t wait to read your duet.
Congratulations on your contract. You really are an inspiration!!
Nina x
Congradulations on the new contract Maisey! So happy for you.
Would also like to thank you for all the great advice you put on your website. It’s really helpful for struggling writers (like myself). Can’t wait for One Night in Paradise to be released. I’ve been following your posts about it and I’m looking forward to reading it 🙂
Aww, thank you, Caroline!
Thank you, Nas! Always glad to be unique. 😉
Thanks, Rach! Looking forward to getting all of my ideas brainstormed. 😉
Lacey, thank you! I’m loving, loving the first book right now (that could change, depending on how well my hero behaves!!) and looking forward to the second…
Nina, thank you.
Aimee, thank you! I’m always happy if my advice helps in any way. It helps me to write it all out like this. It helps me make sense of my process in a lot of ways. 😉
Sounds like you’ll be busy for a while yet. Have my eye on the Highest Price to Pay. Just waiting to get a new Kindle. Wishing you success with your newest project and that the words just flow from brain to fingertips.
Way to go, Maisey. Who do you brainstorm your ideas with, your editor or friends?
JL, Thank you!
Margaret, I do a bit of both. I tend to bug writing friends with little details, and go over concepts with my editor. When I’m working on revisions, I always ask my editor to call me and then we get down to talking details, what worked, what didn’t, why, and how I can get the emotion on the page that I wanted there in the first place! I’m very lucky. She’s a fab support system.