What Happens When Your Book “Goes to Auction”
Heather Lazare
Editorial and Publishing Consultant
Co-Founder of Northern California Writers’ Retreat
All editors—in NYC or elsewhere—look for a great story (or for nonfiction, an author with a big platform and a good story/solid advice). They want to be entertained, engrossed, excited. They want to feel a spark that will have them eager to share your book with colleagues and the wider world. While there is no magic formula to catch the editor’s interest other than a story new and different that can’t be put down, writers will be interested to hear how a book is sold, from literary agent to editor. Heather Lazare will help to demystify what happens behind the scenes if your manuscript goes to auction in the publishing world.
About the speaker:
Having worked as Senior Editor or Editor with Simon & Schuster and Random House, Heather has unique insights. She currently works as an editorial and publishing consultant specializing in adult and young adult fiction, historical fiction, women’s fiction, literary fiction, and thrillers. Heather helped to found the Northern California Writers’ retreat with Literary Agent Chesea Lindman and has edited numerous high-profile books. Some of the works she helped “perfect” include Madame Toussaud, Cleopatra’s Daughter, Jasmine Nights, Astor Place Heritage, Mermaid, The Fairest of them All, Three Maids for a Crown, Yoga Cures, Female Nomad and Friends, Lighthouse Bay, Royal Mistress, The Chalice, Destiny’s Divas, The Enough Moment, Landing Gear, Happily Ever After.
Takeaways:
- What an editor from a “Big Five” house (Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette, Macmillan) is looking for and the steps taken before acquiring a book.
- What role the author plays in the auction process.
- Why being clear about your pitch and audience even before you find your agent is so important.
11 AM–1:00 PM
Pre-session: 10:15 Talk & Share –Shut Up & Write: What It Is and How to Do It
(offered by Dakota Coe and Pete Cruz)
$25 Non-Members
$15 Members (40% discount)
Lunch included with meeting. Price includes pre-session.
Click here for pre-payment by credit card. Please bring your printed receipt with you.*
Cattlemens Restaurant
12409 Folsom Blvd
Rancho Cordova, CA 95670
* Ticket good only for the luncheon immediately following the date on the receipt.
Luncheon Information
- Monthly Luncheons are open to the public
- Cost is $15 for members, $25 for nonmembers
- The meeting fee includes speaker, lunch and beverage
- Cattlemens Restaurant, 12409 Folsom Blvd., Rancho Cordova, CA
The restaurant is located just east of Hazel Ave. at the northeast end of the Nimbus Winery complex along Highway 50. Cattlemens offers CWC a spacious meeting room with free WiFi, quality AV equipment, free off street parking and excellent food.