Fresh Fiction Blog | Gina Lamm | How I 'geeked' my heroine

I'm very glad to be here at Fresh Fiction today! I thought I'd take a minute of your time and tell you how THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL went from an idea, to a manuscript, to a real, live book.

As I was thinking about this, holy cow, it just occurred to me when this whole thing started. In the summer of 2011, I decided to attend my first writer's conference. The only book I had ready at the time was out on submission, and I was hoping for a "yes" that never came. I wanted to hedge my bets, so even though there was barely two months before the conference, I started writing THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL.

I wrote quickly, and I poured myself into the story. I've never written that feverishly. But the holy grail of a face-to-face with real live editors and agents was a powerful motivator, and I got the story done. It wasn't polished as perfectly as I liked, but it was done, and it was enough to be able to pitch it. I did lots of research about pitching. I came up with a one sheet, sort of a single-page flyer about my book concept with some eye-catching images and my bio. I had index cards and a plan. I was ready.

I drew two appointments with two different editors. I pitched to an agent first, who just happened to have an extra slot free. She was very encouraging, and I took that partial request with a gleeful heart. Someone liked my concept! This might actually work! And then, I sat down with Leah Hultenschmidt, Senior Editor for Sourcebooks Publishing. I smiled, I introduced myself, handed my one sheet, and opened my mouth to begin my pitch. But Leah stopped me.

"Is this your title?" The top of the one sheet said "Geek Girls Don't Wear Petticoats," which was the working title of the story. "This is so great!"

I never got the chance to pitch to her. My carefully crafted speech went by the wayside as she asked me enthusiastic questions about my characters, my story, and my world. Several minutes after my allotted time was up, we were run out of the room by volunteers who ushered the editors out to lunch, but we kept talking for a ways down the hall. Leah loved my story idea. She loved my characters. And, I really think, she liked me. She asked for a full. And then she asked for some revisions, which I happily did. And then she offered me a contract.

Almost 18 months later, I've been to four bookstores in the past week, just to see my story on the "New Release" shelf. I've signed copies for family, friends, and total strangers. When I attended that writer's conference, I had nothing to show for myself but a short story contract and a novella contract. I had no previous publication credits other than promises other places had given me. But it didn't matter, in the end. The story was the thing. And now it's alive.

THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL is out now, and I couldn't be more thrilled that I took the chance.

Comments

Congratulations! I read the book blurb for THE GEEK GIRL AND THE SCANDALOUS EARL - sounds like a fun read and have added it to my list.
(Mary C 11:34am March 14, 2013)

Wow! And the title is amazing - a definite must read. Your first one might have not been picked up, but the truth of you and your spirit of writing this in a couple months - amazing!
(Carla Carlson 12:27pm March 14, 2013)

Totally like the cover !
The Title somehow suits the characters on the cover:)
Congrats on the Debut,I totally agree with you that story is the foundation.
Wish you great success and best wishes,
Sydney W
(Sydney W 1:21pm March 14, 2013)

Wonderful news. Congratulations and best wishes. Great cover
artwork.
(Sharon Berger 1:47pm March 14, 2013)

Congrats... love the cover... your book sounds like one I would enjoy!!!
(Colleen Conklin 2:23pm March 14, 2013)

Thanks for sharing a bit about your writing and publishing process. Congratulations!! Keep following your dream.
(Kathleen Yohanna 2:40pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations on the book! the cover is interesting! Never read about a geeky girl and an
Earl before, but it sounds good.
(Lazydrag0n Puff 4:20pm March 14, 2013)

CONGRATULATION!!!! I LOVE YOUR BOOKS THEY ARE MARVELOUS. I
READ THEM ALL THE TIME. LOVE TO WIN CONTESTS IT WOULD BE
AWESOME!!!
(Shelly Caggiano 4:59pm March 14, 2013)

This book sounds great! I like the idea of a 'geek girl' !
(Joanne Schultz 5:29pm March 14, 2013)

Gina,
What a great catchy title for your debut book! Love it and the book cover too! Much success with it, and it sounds like a great time-travel novel, and I'm anxious to read it! It must have some good humor just by looking at the cover.
(Linda Luinstra 7:04pm March 14, 2013)

Congrats! love the story of the story. Good Luck!
(Beth Elder 7:15pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulation!! I love discovering new books and authors to read and
would love to win book to expand repertoire of books as my funds are a
little low right now!!
(Melonie Kydd 8:45pm March 14, 2013)

First of all, let me congratulate you on perfect timing, and a job well done!! I also have to commend you on a great cover. Don't think I didn't notice the castle in the corner!! LOL I am serious about the cover, though. I think it was playful, colorful, and really professional. I'm looking forward to reading your book, and think it's the perfect read to usher in Spring. It's the perfect book for the perfect time of year!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:02pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations! I hope when my son is ready to take the big leap he finds someone as encouraging as your editor was. Right now though he's just happy letting friends and family enjoy his work. I hope you have a long and fufilling career.
(Janis Milford 9:13pm March 14, 2013)

wow this sounds like a great idea ... congratulations on the release... :-)
(Marilyn Lopez 9:17pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations on the book deal! This book sounds fun.
(Janie McGaugh 9:18pm March 14, 2013)

This book sounds really good and I have added it to my tbr list.
(Kelly Mann 9:22pm March 14, 2013)

Wow! What a good experience. I'm going to request that my library gets this book too!
(Laura Gullickson 9:26pm March 14, 2013)

Congrats on your book! How exciting! I cannot wait to read this. Added to my list!
(Sue Galuska 9:31pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations!
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 10:19pm March 14, 2013)

I'm so happy for you that everything worked out! I am so excited to read your novel!
(Chelsea Brooks 10:25pm March 14, 2013)

Sounds like a fun book. Thanks for giving me a chance to win it.
(Linda Hall 10:56pm March 14, 2013)

Loving this story line! Can't wait to read it...
I've added it to my list...
(Sonja Warmath 11:19pm March 14, 2013)

What a great title!! I can hardly wait to read the book.
(Sue Farrell 11:42pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations on your release! I just checked out the blurb
and it sounds fantastic. I love reading these kind of romance
stories and I'm looking forward to reading this one.
(Tina Rucci 11:45pm March 14, 2013)

I am glad you did not give up and I say: "Congratulations!"
(Gladys Paradowski 11:50pm March 14, 2013)

Congrats on your Release.sound like a real fun read.Can't wait
to read it someday.
(Stacey Smith 11:51pm March 14, 2013)

Congratulations, Gina. The fact that the story pretty much sold itself is
something to be proud of. I enjoy time travel books and this one sounds like a
lot of fun. I look forward to reading it and seeing just what happens to your
Geek Girl and her Earl.
Best of luck with your writing career.
(Patricia Barraclough 12:00pm March 15, 2013)

I love reading book with geeks (that because I have been a geek back in junior high and high school). I was still awkward in college but I grew out of it with some help from my college roommates. Thanks for writing books about geeks.
(Kai Wong 12:31pm March 15, 2013)

Congratuations!! This sounds like so much fun!
(Cate Sparks 3:59am March 15, 2013)

How very encouraging for you. It must have been quite amazing.
(Mary Preston 8:44am March 15, 2013)

How exciting! It must be so much fun to see your books on the
shelves!
(Rebecca Whitehead-Schwarz 10:29am March 15, 2013)

This book sounds like so much fun. As a geek myself, my kids like to tease
me when my geek starts to show, I can't imagine loosing my tech toys.
Congratulations on getting your book published, it must be wonderful
seeing it on the book shelves.
(Ann Sheiring 1:43pm March 15, 2013)

I read a blurb about this book on another blog, and it really caught my eye!
I've added it to my TBR list. It looks really cute.
(Debbie Burdeen 4:53pm March 15, 2013)

What a great story. Gives hope to writers everywhere. :)
(Penny Mettert 3:36am March 16, 2013)

Smart girls have fun too! Who needs dumb girls?
I'm sure bright men have long since worked that one out!
(Clare O'Beara 11:05am March 16, 2013)

This sounds like a fun read. Jamie, geek girl, has quite an adventure ahead of her with Micah, Earl of Dunnington! Time travel (romance or historical) is so interesting to read. You've written a great one and something very different too. Great job and much success with it!
(Rich Cook 3:29pm March 17, 2013)

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