I was offered my first book deal at the Park Hyatt hotel in Toronto over a yummy lunch with a highly regarded editor at Random House. “Can I have the Cobb salad with extra chicken and no blue cheese but blue cheese dressing on the side, please?” (Yes, I remember what I ordered for lunch years ago but not what I ate for dinner last night.) 

Nine book deals followed — from memoirs, non-fiction books, YA novels and an adult chick lit novel, to co-writing a children’s book with Erica Ehm — and let's just say there are various ways to sell a manuscript or book proposal to get that seemingly elusive book deal.

I thought it would be sort of fun (and juicy) to spill the tea on how I got a book deal for each of my books. (If my memory serves correctly! I’m suffering, like almost everyone I know, with brain fog x 1,000! Do you happen to know my kids’ names?)

Here are the many different ways my books were acquired (and also some juicy tidbits about what can happen even after someone acquires your book! It ain't always pretty!)

Knocked Up: Confessions of a Modern Mother-to-be 

Only the fondest of fond memories of my first book deal! I was nearly three months pregnant with my first-born, but I hadn't really told anyone. At the time, I was a columnist at the National Post, which had 325,000 subscribers. The editor-in-chief once told me, after they held focus groups, that I was the third-most-read columnist, to which, honestly, I really didn't have any reaction. (What is wrong with me? I never seem to enjoy my successes as they are happening, only after the fact. Don't be like me!  Celebrate your successes as they are happening.)

I truly had no idea why an incredibly well-respected editor at Random House reached out asking to meet with me. She even asked where I wanted to meet. I told her I liked the Cobb salad at the Park Hyatt — to this day, I believe she probably thinks this was one of the quirkiest and most specific requests. She had read my columns and knew people always talked about them (and I’m guessing having more than 300,000 potential readers certainly helped!). Over lunch, she asked me if I had ever thought of writing a book or if I had a book idea. Guess what? I had not and did not. I did, however, say something like, “The only thing I’m thinking about right now is the fact I'm three months pregnant and not one f**king book out there tells the truth of what it is really like to be pregnant!” 

She loved the idea and wanted a memoir on the truth of what it's like to be pregnant for those long nine months…like, ASAP! And so, I scrambled to find an agent, which I did — I think through her, too! — and thus, my first book baby, Knocked Up, was “born.”  (Sorry, couldn't help myself!) Maybe this editor really liked my chatty, conversational columns, but it certainly helped that I had a large platform via writing for a daily national newspaper. (Next week, I’ll tell you about the importance of having or creating an “audience” — these days, even before, or as, you’re writing your book.)

Wiped! Life with a Pint-Size Dictator and Toddlers Gone Wild 

These two? My agent, who handled my first book contract, pitched them to publishing houses — as a two-book deal — from a proposal I wrote with a couple of sample chapters after the success of Knocked Up, which went on to sell in, I think, 10 other territories. And each territory made its own offer, which is why I made a sh*tload of money off that book (at least in the world of publishing). But...but...but...I do not know, to this day, why Random House didn’t make an offer, although they would later publish other books of mine. 

Another mid-size publisher was “delighted” that this two-book proposal “landed on his desk.” (His wife was a fan of my writing!) He made an offer immediately. So, while one publishing house may pass on your book, another publishing house may love it! (Or some editor’s spouse may love it! Which is why I believe I got this two-book deal, with a nice advance to boot. Thank you, spouse.) These two went on to also sell in multiple countries/territories.

Rotten Apple and Apple’s Angst

This is kind of a cool, candid and interesting experience to share! Based, I guess, on the success of my previous books — but don’t get too excited because this doesn't have the happiest of endings — I believe Random House US actually bought the rights to my first young adult books. It was another two-book deal, based on sample chapters my agent sent. I wanted to try writing YA, because even as an adult, I like reading YA novels. 

Then, Canada jumped on board and bought the rights. Or was it the other way around? In any case, it was a two-book deal — publishers do like to know if authors can produce more than one book, and they do want to have long-lasting relationships with their authors, especially if their books are hugely successful — and so the Americans made me an offer and the Canadians made me an offer, so I immediately got two advances! 

I still love the premise of these books. But, alas, I was met with a string of bad luck, which many authors have also faced. While writing my first draft and while in the editing phases, at least three editors left to go on maternity leave, including the most important editor — the one who bought the rights to these books. I “lost” my “champion” and “cheerleader” within the publishing house, which is oh-so-very important, as I learned. So basically, these two YA books kind of just got “lost," or “shuffled,” amongst many editors and other books they were publicizing; thus, these books didn't get a ton of press and thus didn’t make a ton of sales. Was I frustrated? Beyond! (But can you really get that mad at editors who go on maternity leave?)

How to Raise a Boyfriend: The Definitive Manual for Educating Your Man 

I actually picked up the phone and called an editor at Random House and set up my own meeting — yes, yes, I did! And you can too! — even though I had one of the best and most respected book agents. I didn’t even tell my agent I was going in to pitch this idea. At that pretty short (and sweet!) meeting, I told the editors and sales team in the room — yes, plural! — about my idea: “I’ll show women everywhere that while they're busy offering not-so-casual advice and reprimands to the men in their life, they've lost sight of an important fact: they're not dating a boyfriend, they're raising a boyfriend!” I got an immediate “YES!” which is crazy, looking back. 

Only after, as I was walking out of their offices, did I call my agent and say something like, “I just pitched an idea to Random House. They want to make an offer. Can you call them and get as much of an advance as possible?” (She did! Personally? I hate arguing over what's in my contracts and paperwork in general. I'm only too happy to give away 15 to 20 per cent on all my advances, while many authors would rather make their own deals, keeping the 15 to 20 per cent cut an agent usually takes, and instead, using entertainment lawyers to look over their contract for a one-time flat fee of less than $500.)

The Mischievous Mom at the Art Gallery

This one is super fun! Erica Ehm and I have been friends for years. A long time ago, our daughters took the same Saturday dance classes. During those classes, we decided to co-write a children’s book. I called a mid-size publishing house to set up a meeting with an editor. (Again, so many authors are so afraid to just call or email editors or agents. Just do it! You have nothing to lose and only everything to gain!) Erica, who was the first female MuchMusic VJ, actually read the book out loud to the editor during our meeting. Erica really has a soothing voice, which is perfect for a children’s book! 

They made an offer, probably because of our “names,” but really? I think it was Erica’s voice that sealed the deal! Co-writing with Erica was a breeze. We even agreed, immediately, on the same illustrator when we were presented with a list of about 12 of them. We both had to sign contracts with the publishing house and one with each other, and we split the advance and following sales 50/50. I've heard rumours about this book being turned into a play? But shh!

The Lucky Sperm Club

You’ll absolutely love this. It is truly unbelievable. This idea was sent by my agent to a publishing house that is now defunct — because it went bankrupt. In fact, I believe this was the last book it ever published. Because the company went bankrupt, there was no one to sell it to stores and no one to publicize it. There were no employees! So what did I do? I bought the 3,000 published copies, at a discounted rate, had them shipped to my house and emailed Heather Reisman, the founder of Indigo, writing, “I have 3,000 copies of my latest book in my living room in boxes stacked everywhere. I just want them in stores! Can you help?” 

Um, I did not know Heather Reisman personally. We had never met! But she responded immediately and even bought them from me! I swear. The very next day, someone from Indigo picked them all up! So, yes, they were in her stores, and I made money off the advance and then also from my pal Heather, who bought all 3,000 copies — she is not really my pal, but I adore her! She is a woman who supports women, or why else would she have done this for me? 

Due to, again, a lack of publicity, I don't think it made all that many sales. But at least I made some dough, from the advance, and then from Heather, and then from selling the audio rights! Also, this was optioned for a television show.

The Mommy Mob: Inside the Outrageous World of Mommy Blogging

I had been blogging weekly about “parenting” for a very controversial yet fun American website called Mommyish. The number of comments I received was as insane as, well, the insane comments! (Has anyone suggested that they wished your child would get “eaten by an alligator”? That was a nice comment.) At this time, “independent” publishers, now known as “vanity presses” or “hybrid” publishers, were just starting to pop up. With these, you pay to get your book published, but you also get to keep a much larger share of all sales. 

I thought it would be timely to write about this subject — there were four million self-described “mommy bloggers” at the time, so I felt there was an audience — and I wanted to try this new way of publishing and get it out fast! So if you’re impatient, like I sometimes am — You want me to watch a five-second ad on YouTube? Yes, I'm annoyed! — it's not the worst idea to self-publish or work with a "vanity press.”

Heads up: You need to be extremely careful with the millions of “self-publishing” services and companies out there. They will charge you an arm and a leg and your kid’s entire university savings if you don't do your research. I just got a message last week from one of these companies offering “a deal” to publish my book for a minimum of $65,000(!). Unless you are uber wealthy or really, really, really want to publish your book — literally at all costs — I can’t see why anyone would, or should, have to pay tens of thousands of dollars to get a book published. (No judgement! It’s your money. Do with it as you will. But, there is a reason for the term “starving artist.”) Many authors today are now throwing their books up on Amazon for almost nothing. And, yes, I do buy books by self-published authors on Amazon!

While I didn’t receive an advance for this book, I did get 50 or 60 per cent of each sale. And I made some more money when the audio rights were sold years later. Truthfully? I didn’t love the experience — they kept adding on more costs not mentioned up front — but I was impressed with the editing, the proofreading and especially the designer. The finished book looked exactly like any other published book, from larger and traditional publishing houses, and was sold in major bookstores. I don’t have a problem with self-publishing, but I do have a problem with some of these companies, who will try to suck every cent out of you because they prey on many who, again, just really, really want to get their books published. (So do your research, please, please, please!)

Blissfully Blended Bullshit: The Uncomfortable Truth of Blending Families

This one went out via a new agent based on a proposal with a few “sample” chapters and a list of chapters and what I planned to tackle. The BIG PUBLISHING houses turned this down. Apparently, Joe Biden’s wife was writing a book about blended families at the same time? But Dundurn Press, a mid-size publisher, was super excited about this proposal! I will say, I never received as warm a welcome as when I first met the team — the editor, the publicist, the designer, the marketing/sales team — who would be working on this book. As soon as I walked into their offices, I was met with a framed photograph of myself with the words, “Welcome to Dundurn, Rebecca!” It made me feel really special! So, yes, it really is okay to be a “big fish” in a mid-size publishing pond. Sometimes, even better!

So, there are many ways and reasons a book gets acquired, published and into bookstores. My biggest piece of advice? Reach out to agents and editors at publishing houses. Authors really do need to be their own best advocates, so show your moxie, fake it until you make it and start reaching out! And don’t be snobby about self-publishing or paying a hybrid or vanity press to publish your book for a reasonable price! (I mean, I emailed Heather Reisman and somehow convinced her to buy 3,000 copies of my book. If I can do it, so can you! So can you!)

Next week, I’m going to tackle the importance of gaining an audience and having a platform and followers, even before you shop your book or as you’re writing. Most publishers and acquiring editors want to know your “numbers” these days so the sales team can guesstimate how many potential books an author will sell upon publication. The good news? If you hate social media (cue gasps!) and don’t have a lot of “followers,” don’t fret! After talking to someone at a BIG PUBLISHING HOUSE who acquires books all the time and has for years, you don’t always need to have a huge social following. I’ll save that for next week!

Until then, flip your hair and flip the page!

xo Rebecca