I think you should do that. But I haven't finished a novel yet.

Susan, I think the "I wish I could..." handling is gorgeous, but also that it's going to depend on how you lead up to it.

But I feel, very strongly, that you ought to lead with, or at least stress, the fact that it's a character-driven book, a la Austen. Let them know it's sexy, but not a bodice-ripper. From what Marlene tells me, PHD-Regency is a whole 'nother case of beer.

You know what, I can ask her how to pitch it. Want me to?

Oh, crikey. Shoot me. I've joined the Dark Side.

I just emailed my editor and my publicist, asking if "Weaver" would be a suitable book for "Reading With Ripa".

You know what, I can ask her how to pitch it. Want me to?

Sure!

Susan, I'll give her a call later on. Best to do this sort of thing by phone, rather than email.

asking if "Weaver" would be a suitable book for "Reading With Ripa".

First reaction, swear to doG? "Kelly can read?"

I have to say, looking at the website, her choices do seem like they're pure fluff, not that there's anything wrong with that. It's just too bad there's not some well-publicized happy medium between Ripa books and Oprah books.

Bang. All better. "I want to see my lawyer right now."

JohnS, I've never actually laid eyes on the woman. But hell, if she can push me into best-seller-dom? Hell yes.

Susan, total agreement. Oprah is nauseatingly pi for my tastes.

SUSAN, from Marlene, who put it all down in writing for me:

Tell her to chill. (Ask her who the agent is...I may know him/her.) Write out her pitch on a little index card, so she feels in control, but she shouldn't read from it...can peek and refer to it. (Practice her pitch out loud and/or to a writer friend so she can see if she likes the sound.) Make it as "high concept" as she can, i.e., four lines or less. They eat that stuff up.Don't tell the whole story. Come in, shake hands, introduce herself.

I think if it's a one on one, she might feel more comfortable just telling the agent she's got a regency historical and asking questions of the agent...then the agent will ask questions of her to get some story details and she will pitch without having to formally present. I love the question approach...get them talking and they think you're brilliant.

Bottom line. She will be asked to send a partial. EVERYONE IS ASKED TO SEND A PARTIAL. So she should relax and know her work will speak for her. These people are just that..people-- and they know you're nervous.

When leaving, she should hand the agent her business card (with the title written on the back), make sure she gets a card from the agent, say thank you and go home and get that partial in the mail.

xxxm

So, there speaketh the agent to whom you will be sending your novel, and if you have the name of the agent you're meeting, let me know so I can pass it along. If Marlene knows her/him, you could get some early help.

And I hope this helps.