How I Got My Book Deal

I'm finally telling the story of how I got my book deal! I talk about everything from getting my agent, to going on submission, and then getting the actual offer. Now, I filmed this in August and am posting it a month later (whoops!) so it mentions Money Month coming in September--it's already happening! Links below :D
And October is going to feature videos all about traditional publishing and submission!
Want to know more about my book? Find out more in my video: • About my book, BRIGHTL...
My Agent Story: • My Agent Story
Publishing Money 101: • Traditional Publishing...
Publishing Money Taboos & Deal Terms to Know: • Money Taboos in Publis...
Don't Quit Your Day Job: • AUTHORS! Don't Quit Yo...
Pre-Order BRIGHTLY BURNING: www.amazon.com...
Goodreads:
/ brightly-burning
Twitter:
/ alexadonne
Instagram:
/ alexadonne
Newsletter Sign-Up:
alexadonne.com/...
Website:
alexadonne.com/
Wattpad:
www.wattpad.co...

[@001SpecialAgent]

You're so underrated. SO SO Much better and more REAL and more HELPFUL than so much clickbait bs on KZbin

[@curiosophy4241]

Agree. :)

[@m.stokes8058]

What a back-handed compliment. Underrated!

[@001SpecialAgent]

@@m.stokes8058 Thanks! I didn't realize I had already been subscribed to her channel for over a year until seeing this! Glad to see her channel has grown exponentially since. (Still underrated)

[@fkdjdjcmckdjdjf3728]

@@m.stokes8058 underrated isnt backhanded at all?? it's saying that someone isnt appreciated as much as they deserve to

[@KatvonSparrow]

I wanted to thank you for going into so much detail and being so open about your book journey, including the struggles. I know you like to refer to it as "crushing dreams" at times, but I like to get all the facts so that I can make an informed decision. Congratulations on your book deal!

[@Nayukuo]

This is strange, but I was watching this video while very tired and I got kind of emotional on your behalf when you finally got offered a deal. Congratulations!!!

[@ashleyjohnson9170]

So inspiring! I got teary when you were talking about finally getting the deal! Love your videos! You have a new subscriber! :)

[@KimChance1]

So exciting! I can't wait to read Brightly Burning! :)

[@NataliaLeigh]

I am absolutely loving your videos Alexa! Thank you for sharing your experiences with us!

[@AlexaDonne]

I'm so glad it's helpful! I enjoy making them :)

[@maddychurchhouse4556]

This is the most exciting story ever??? I would LOVE to hear more about this process and contracts and money or anything tbh.

[@nb5588]

Thank you for always being so honest and candid in your videos! It's so refreshing considering the usual cagey-ness of the industry as a whole.

[@AlexaDonne]

Thank you! I honestly think that speaking more candidly about the publishing industry is the right thing to do. It's not about spilling secrets (nothing I said is secret!) but arming writers with real information so they can align their expectations and plan for a career.

[@sunsetxsong]

Alexa, I can't thank you enough for making this video series about writing and publishing novels. They're so helpful and they give me a bigger picture of the whole process.

[@amyslifejourney1715]

Oh my god!! I hope I can get published eventually! I love your story on how you got published. So real and honest!!

[@AlexaDonne]

It can take a long time and there are ups & downs, but it is worth it! Best of luck to you :)

[@LettySharpeWrites]

Hey Alexa! I've been binge-watching your videos for the past week or so, and I love your channel so much. Everything you post ends up being so informative!

[@inspired2fly919]

I am so obsessed with your videos. You always have so much knowledge to share about writing and I love feeling like I'm on this journey with you. I'm planning to query next year and hope all my works pays off like yours has. :)

[@tjjacobs13]

Came to a stump in my writing and came across your videos. It is an absolute DREAM of mine to be traditionally published. Your story inspired me. Thanks for sharing!

[@Aria_charlotte87]

This is super exciting. I want to go this route with my next novel. I self published my first two books, which are those typical trash first novels. I'm gonna work on something new because I got those out of the way. I'm confident i can write something new and amazing.

[@JonTanOsb]

Congrats on the book deal. I forgot how excited a young author can get. Even though I don't write in your genre, I enjoy listening to your enthusiasm. I started in sci-fi. My first book was under consideration for a year, the second held for six months. A new editor took over and dumped everything on his desk into the round file. I was so devastated, I tried to quit writing. Impossible, of course, but life got in the way and my output waned. Now that I'm retired, I'm returning to my first love, and hoping to get a crime fiction series going. Jon in rural BC, Canada

[@SayconTalks]

I’ve been binging your content and I’m so enjoying your delivery and descriptions! Your lovely fresh makeup and personality! You’re a friend in my head!

[@Hannahacarmona]

I am loving your videos. Thank you for telling us about a side of the industry so many of us are curious about!

[@AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor]

That was fantastic! You shared so many nitty-gritty details with us. I'm sure most people, just like me, were thrilled for you by the end of this video. Thanks for sharing your journey to publication. Btw, I love the title.

[@kimberlybartley7694]

Extraordinary story! The whole process seems so overwhelming. I’ve self published two novels and am considering querying on another project. Thank you for the info you provide. Congratulations on your book deal!

[@ryahmesch]

I just wanna say that I enjoyed watching this sooo much! I was squealing along with you the whole time. I can't wait to read your book!

[@alinasartcafe]

First off, congrats on your book deal. I am so thrilled to hear about sci-fi books being accepted and published. I am a huge fan and I do think super successful series like Red Rising are helping some. That said, I have heard how sci-fi is a hard sell for a long time. Even in gay fiction where readers are a bit more experimental, sci-fi was hard to even promote to book bloggers. I've noticed it gaining more traction over the past few years and my own gay scifi release did a lot better than I'd expected it to. So cheers to more sci-fi, I can't wait for your book to go live (now that I've pre-ordered it). Oh, and if you get a chance, please check your YT messages.

[@23daughters]

I'm so excited to watch more of your videos, your channel seems like a goldmine.

[@dear_totheheart]

This was so helpful and insightful, I appreciate how your videos actually discuss practicality, professionalism, and also do not waste your time or your audiences. It makes me want to get out and write and dream again, thanks so much for your work and congratulations on your accomplishments!

[@suearoo]

I love how honest this is!

[@RJLeigh]

Your videos are so good! Listening to your story has gotten me so motivated to write today which I really needed, so thank you! I cannot wait to read your book! :D

[@AlexaDonne]

Yay I'm so glad it worked! I also find watching these sorts of channels/videos motivating :D

[@RJLeigh]

They're the best :D Please never stop making videos!

[@MagicMetalBird]

Thanks for sharing your publishing journey and struggles. There's definitely a movement to be more open and transparent about rates and salaries in the comics and animation industries with the goal of having people remunerated more fairly. I'm honestly surprised that this isn't more of a thing in traditional publishing.

[@jessicafroberg2347]

I love your book deal story! Thank you so much for sharing.

[@euphylee6221]

OMG this video was released on my 18th birthday last year...!!! *fangirl scream* I enjoyed the story of your book deal because you were able to have that flattering book deal after a series of rejections, and it already happened long ago but still congratulations on finally having the book deal that you deserve!

[@ayla4586]

I found your channel this morning. You're such a sweet and helpful person, and I look forward buying your book. And of course, I'm also one of those writers-wannabes lol. 😂 But I'm also a reader who loves YA sci-fi. Your videos are really helpful. Thank you for them. 💗 I'm confident in the story I want to tell, but I live abroad and I have no english degree. No platform. No english speaking friends who could help me. 🙀

[@AlexaDonne]

Check out Author Mentor Match! It's a mentoring program I run... even if you don't have a book ready to submit, you can join the community discussions looking at the hashtags #AMMfam and #AMMParty--I bet you could find some great writer friends there!

[@ayla4586]

Sounds great. Thank you! 💗

[@TheEccentricRaven]

Thank you for sharing your story. I like seeing Claudia Gray's Defy the Stars in the background ❤ one of my 😍 🥰

[@JeffFieldsMcCormack]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, and congratulations on your success! I will have to look for your book! As an aspiring author, it is incredibly exciting to hear these success stories! (I am currently about 1/4 of the way through writing my debut novel). One question that I do have is regarding your agent. She sounds like such a huge part of your success and such a great friend! While there are many videos about the submissions themselves, I have seen few (if any) videos that have been able to help explain how to actually get an agent to be willing to help your on your literary journey. Is there any way that you could address this in a future video if you have not already done so? (I just subscribed, so I will go see if you have already uploaded a video on this topic). Thank you so much for sharing this, and I look forward to your future videos!

[@DarkPrinceOfClowns]

Thank you for sharing your story. It is really good to know how to go about getting publish, once you have a finished books to publish. And I think it is actually a good thing to be rejected the first round...as long as you make absolutly sure that your agent extracts as much constructive critisism as possible. I seriously doubt even the great names like Stephen King or J.K. Rowling got published on their first try. I know for a fact that Lovecraft struggled for years to get some of his books published. Some of his now most beloved books were nearly not published at all. (Audible have some wonderful stories on their Omnibus collection.) And I would never want to publish a book that isn't great, just to have it published. No matter how great -I- think it is. Being rejected and critisised is actually a great oppertunity to learn and become better. Especially from people whom has been publishing thousands of books and thus knows what people like and what they don't. So again... Thank you for all your wonderful advice. ^^

[@georgiaxoxoxo1]

This story sounds like my dream. Warmest congratulations

[@EDDIELANE]

Hi! I have watched this so many times- it’s my dream to be published and I am vicariously feeling your feelings. Good job!!!!

[@DMNV23]

Congrats on all your books!!! You are amazing!!! Thank you for this video, it made me hopeful :)

[@Azriel884]

Congrats!!!! Very excited for you!!!

[@hauteswan2541]

Great job. I hope and pray it all works out for you!

[@concreteturtle4197]

Congrats! Fun story.

[@heathercampbell6059]

This is so enlightening. Thank you.

[@chibichocofairy]

This is so helpful, thank you so much Alexa!

[@johnbremer5233]

Do authors have more obstacles than heroes?

[@strawberri2425]

Wait...her agent works with Kiera Cass? That is so amazingly cool.

[@NeoGaara3]

Hello, I just discovered your channel so I'm not sure if you already talked about this but I have a doubt. When you try to publish a book, how do you know that the people you send your book won't steal it? I mean, what your rights are as an author before publishing? I like your content by the way. Note: my English isn't perfect so I'm sorry if I did some mistakes.

[@jc6086]

How many agents is it acceptable to query at the same time?

[@sandratrew3104]

Hey Alexa do you think it’s cheeky to ask a literature agent to sign a disclosure before handing over your full manuscript?

[@amyfoster2958]

I just found you and Im loving these videos! Lots of great information. Do you have a video on how to write a query letter?

[@ibetruckintv3758]

Question, can you get a book deal with an unfinished novel?

[@Gbutler777]

Thank you for sharing!!!!

[@moonstone-dreamer6512]

time to buy your book on my kindle...i have no more room for books lol

[@bntour178]

Hi...i want an advice its more than a year since I signed the book deal...there was no response until today...can I enter into another contract with another. Publishing firm for the same book??

[@piscena8990]

Congratulations!!! 🍾 I’m a new author & I’m hoping for a deal too. ☺️☺️

[@CrabRavesMusic]

Hear is a question for Alexa Donne. What happens next after you get a editor?

[@madimiss]

How do you find a legitimate agent?

[@bhsprinkle]

Want to get books published as well. You give such helpful advice and though it seems overwhelming maybe I could make it too. Do you think it's best to work on multiple stories at a time?

[@adampyke4037]

is brightly burning going to have a audiobook form

[@VictoriaKhaze]

im looking for an agent for academic works, any suggestions on where to look? seems like everything is for novels.

[@geebee1514]

Thank you so much for your videos..very informative..My question to you is how much did you have to pay out for the whole process? What publishing company did you go with and how can I get your agent to help me publish my book/movie.😍.📚📽

[@bettybane9915]

You make me feel like I can do this

[@cheriehill531]

Do you have any videos on why the editors approval was important to get a book deal?

[@AlexaDonne]

Do you mean when I went to second reads? At most publishers you have to get the entire team on board (editorial, sales, marketing, publicity), and especially if it's a junior editor wanting to acquire, their senior editor/mentor will often have to read and sign off.

[@cheriehill531]

@@AlexaDonne okay. That’s make sense. I was wondering why you had to get a editor to approve it first. I’m tracking now however if you have a particular video on that please share.

[@johnpauldagondong2720]

Is it possible to get a book deal like in the US if I live in another country and is not a US citizen?

[@DiariesofaDisabledmom]

Where do u go to look for an agent?

[@rileyackison4495]

I’m curious do you write at all while you are on submission? Do you work on the current one or start a second book? Obviously if you get rejections from everyone then you would either need to revise but would you ever start a separate book in between? I’m hoping to get your thoughts on this Alexa.

[@andressuarez6427]

How did you reacted to changing the title?? D:

[@neonskyline2206]

Hey Alexa, I have a question before you get your book deal do have to type out the WHOLE book or do you type it along the way? Idk this kinda seems like a dumb question but oh well. 😁

[@MicrocosmPublishing]

Here's a video we made about understanding all of the various parts of a contract: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6OwqoOAfsiIe8k

[@yelloworangered]

I'm curious what was the nature of the rewrites that you did during the month before your second round of submissions? I guess they had to be focused (and you worked very hard!) to get them finished in such a short amount of time. :)

[@AlexaDonne]

I have an entire video on that! You can search for Brightly Burning edits. I did an extensive post mortem on every single round of edits I did, from first draft to final.

[@joannepadmore1514]

I have a book to publish want to help

[@javierferdinandbongs.263]

I’m inspired from your words.☹️❣️

[@joannepadmore1514]

Want to help????

[@reclaimedandrested]

Are you a Virgo?

[@serrinamalone3173]

I would love to get in touch with you I have kids by my sister's first baby daddies and my mom's husband so if you could like get in touch with me I would really appreciate it

[@alexandraroselyn]

Alexa! I had a quick question. So I knew you needed an agent and then they pitched to a publishing house, but from what I gathered from your video is that wrong?? Do they actually pitch to an editor in a subdivision of a publishing house??? Bc that is so crazy and I had no idea.

[@AlexaDonne]

Yep! Every publishing house has multiple divisions, called imprints, and several editors at each imprint. So your agent's job is to know who all the editors are/where they work/how things work at that imprint/publisher, and then submit to the right people. I have a video on submission, if you're interested!

[@Ravenousyouth]

I thought agents weren't strictly needed ?

[@AlexaDonne]

They are if you want to be traditionally published by any major/reputable publisher. Most Big 5/major/respected small publishers require an agent to submit material. And with the few exceptions that do accept direct submissions, like Tor or Swoon Reads, it is in the writer's best interest to have an agent for contract negotiation because publishers can take advantage of an unagented writer. So, for example, you cannot even be considered by Scholastic, Bloomsbury, HarperCollins, Simon & Shuster, etc. etc. etc. if you don't have an agent.

[@wiltrudfriesch6781]

@@AlexaDonne how much costs an Agent? What if you don't have the money for an agent? Can you not send a pitch/plot by yourselfe to publishers?

[@williamribardo3736]

Wrote a few books through several publishers. Find the right literary agent. Agents send a pitch to other clients. Clients drive to different queries or pitch sending the full manuscript to an editor. Short list fit into a caliper of one or two. Three list actual short list second or third or fifth round. Agents have four editors or sell first round a mix a the big five major publisher or high caliper twelve publisher. First manuscript was rejected than we review and edit into another submition into another round. Major publishers with cotacts send us out with more agents rejections. Aquisition meeting marketing, publishers and clients get together to approve or not approve. william.ribardo @verycolorfulencyclopedia.com

[@richardwilson8427]

Will publishers require a book be copy edited, line edited, or content edited before they publish it? What if you can’t afford it?

[@AlexaDonne]

Any legitimate publisher will ALWAYS bear the cost of editing themselves. This is the point of being traditionally published: money will always flow TO the author, never away from. If a publisher asks you to bear these costs, it is a scam, or a vanity publisher.

[@richardwilson8427]

Alexa Donne okay. Thank you Alexa

[@apope06]

You got a book deal as an influencer

[@AlexaDonne]

Literally got my book deal before I had a KZbin channel ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[@coreyoz]

*hurdler lol

[@uroborosjose6572]

why don't you go independent? its so easy these days publishing any books

[@user-mp1is6ys7m]

She has made videos about it