Selling a Book to a Big 5 at Auction! | Book Submission Storytime

[@aleathamonae9357]

This video is amazing. You’re really demystifying the whole process and making being published seem more attainable.

[@virginiaweir-hj1rt]

My fave author vlogger!

[@akossiwak]

YES! **Slides in with drink and popcorn** MY BODY IS READY FOR THIS! 😍😂 Whew... The rollercoaster! 😁

[@heatheru3089]

ALEXA, I bought both of your other books, and I can see your development as a writer. I can't wait for this one to experience your writing now! I'm confident I will like it and that it will do so well! ❤

[@GetWriteOnIn]

Oh, my goodness, you were going through submission when you lost your mother? I'm so sorry to hear that. This is an incredible and really relatable story, thanks for sharing. It's nice to hear a detailed account of your experience like this.

[@AlexaDonne]

She died right after I finished my first draft, so submission came about 4 months later, but it's all pretty intertwined nonetheless.

[@GetWriteOnIn]

Alexa Donne I’m sorry to hear that either way. I appreciate the vulnerability you shared in this video

[@mojop5408]

I've never heard the expression 'Champagne Problem" but I love it. Loved hearing about your experience too!

[@MeredithPhillipsWrites]

Oh man, I can totally get how that four day period of waiting to talk to the publisher must have felt! I would have been a ball of anxiety, haha! But this is so exciting. Congratulations (again!) 😊

[@DianaUrban]

LOVED this video! So fascinating to hear about how your auction went down. Thanks for sharing the details!!

[@bunbacheso]

I got so excited seeing this title! I was clicking over to your channel like "I hope Alexa has a new video". Turns out you have one on a really cool topic. I've watched your first book deal story (from way back in 2018 lol) a few times. It's inspiring.

[@Josh-nv3qs]

Your deserve it Alexa!!! Crown, wow... you're in line with Gillian Flynn 🙌🏼

[@mariaoglesby4003]

This was so informative and interesting!

[@dorian5876]

You are rekindling my childhood dreams of being an author even though I know my ADD would make that near impossible. Nontheless, I love your videos on the publishing process and writing tips!

[@tessa3474]

I am seriously so excited to see how your writing had changed and grown. And to get to see it in a thriller????? I AM SO STOKED AHHH 😍 Your emotions are so relatable 🤣 thank you for sharing that whole process with us!

[@swaralideshmukh6001]

I absolutely adore your relationship with your agent! I hope to have something like that with whoever I sign later on!

[@rachelbrown8174]

When the book is released and some time has passed, will you do a video on the old ending?! I'd love to know!

[@AlexaDonne]

The topline idea of it is: the original had a "happy" ending where the most beloved characters ended up in pretty settled places and everyone makes nice. ie: a typical YA happy, hopeful ending. The new ending... shit goes down and the worst people don't necessarily face the consequences they should, and the "good" ones... end up in surprising places.

[@rachelbrown8174]

@@AlexaDonne I like the sound of the new one! Congratulations, can't wait to read it!

[@jpch8814]

To have people fight over your book ! that's a dream. congrats Miss :D

[@kekayoewa]

I’m just so happy for you🤍

[@user-wc7mo2io9z]

This was so wonderfully thorough - thank you for sharing your experience!

[@caripete3]

I love LOVE LOVE your videos. So insightful and interesting! And I love and appreciate how you take the time to section the videos too. You're awesome!!

[@suraalabdali4191]

Great video! I can’t wait to see the cover!!! Any idea when you’ll reveal it?

[@AlexaDonne]

My publisher is planning on mid-to-late October I believe so soon!

[@suraalabdali4191]

😍 yes!!!! Can’t wait to see it!!!

[@didideity3100]

Eeeek! I dropped everything to watch this, I’m so excited to hear about your experience~

[@carolyntaraoneil8789]

So happy for you!! Great story!

[@libbywilliams]

this video was such a good watch, I'm so happy for you and even more excited for The Ivies now!

[@madmadame1508]

I've been on submission since May 2, had an editor call on the 12, have been waiting to hear about acquisition ever since. For those stumbling across my comment, this rollercoaster is in fact, as hellish as it sounds.😭

[@Emma-dh7by]

Can't wait to buy the book!

[@forwhy8723]

This is so fascinating. You explained it so well

[@hannahk8620]

So happy for you queen 👏👸 also I know I'm late to the game , but I just bought Brightly Burning and read it in 24 hours, literally could not put it down! Perfection ❤ cant wait to read your other books !

[@alexamozelle8327]

Super interesting, thanks for sharing with us!

[@rainsmom]

Thanks for sharing this story. It was fascinating! I jumped into the query trenches on Sunday -- my first step in following in your footsteps.

[@everydaysam3547]

congratulations, girl! you are such an inspiration :D

[@aarchi89]

Congrats Alexa! Can't wait to finally see the book 😁

[@21stCenturyWriter]

This is amazing news - congratulations! :)

[@WhileMirandaWrote]

I've always wondered how exactly this process works. Can't wait to read The Ivies!

[@diannaparis]

I am DEFINITELY reading the Ivies (not sure how to spell it). It sounds SOOO interesting 😁

[@yowahana]

This makes me so excited to read your book! Thanks for sharing your journey with us Alexa!

[@realchris]

very cool inside info! thank you

[@Blueyedmetaphore]

Wow this is fantastic! I am excited for you!!

[@georgiaxoxoxo1]

I'm so so sorry about your mum :( Thank you so much for all your videos - I'm obsessed with them! I'm nearly half way through the second draft of my novel and your channel never fails to inspire and motivate me. I hope to one day be able to write to you to say it's being published xxx

[@vocenaoviuisso]

Good to finally understand a book auction. Thank you!

[@jefflangholz]

super helpful, thanks for sharing!

[@JoeyPaulOnline]

Congrats, so happy for you!! It sounds like a stressful time mingled with that joy of getting to the end!

[@effiesuttonthomas]

i was so invested in this whole story lmao - and congratulations lovely! i cant wait to dig into this thriller

[@pierreluc]

Just got out of a meeting with Pub 2 and it I’ll go with them. Editor 2 gave me advices that where SO great that I can’t believe I miss those points! Your editor is so important!

[@christinad.4447]

This is awesome! I am so happy for you. :) I can't wait to read it!

[@ebru2582]

You make me believe in myself and my work. Thank you for that ❤️ and I am so excited to read the Ivies!

[@imanbell]

Congratulations Alexa!!

[@RhyleeKJones]

Congrats! That's such a cool story and I can't wait to read your book!

[@jenniferhernandez4639]

Wow, great job and great video overall. The detail was on point.

[@laurenpardue5109]

just pre-ordered the book

[@AnnaRobbinsWrites]

Thank you for sharing your experience!! So generous and valuable!!!

[@amy-suewisniewski6451]

Wow, I love hearing these stories and getting insights. So helpful, thanks for sharing! I know you have a million ideas and don't need our input, but would you ever consider doing a video on how many books you're allowed to traditionally publish a year? I've heard you and Liselle mention it briefly, but it would be great to get the details on what is standard. I know it's one book a year, but can it be more? Why is it only one? When can you go over, and how? I've been super impressed that you've managed a book year since Brightly Burning. I hope you and Liselle are able to do a book a year going forward (assuming that's your goal too!).

[@diontaesimmons598]

Im so happy for you!!

[@Bigbluemarblee]

Yay!!! Congratulations 🎉🎊

[@sherrylalonde5719]

What a roller coaster, but you weathered with class! Did you pitch any comp titles for the book? YA thrillers have become so much more sophisticated and readable for adults, I'm really looking forward to this coming out:)

[@kaymcbride3321]

Excited for you!

[@SensibleSoulHealing]

I am so so so happy for you!!!!❤❤❤

[@LauraWrites]

This was super interesting and helpful!

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

Ouu yay! I've been waiting for this one! 🍿

[@Katlyn_Duncan]

I'm so impressed with all the information, Alexa. I've never heard the behind the scenes of any auction and while I'm sorry you went through so much turmoil during the process, I enjoyed listening to how you made your choice based on different factors aside from money. Can't wait for the cover!😌

[@rebeccatrusty7003]

Thank you for this! If you’re ever looking for video ideas, I’d love to hear your thoughts on balancing a full time job with your writing career!

[@loslibrosdecarangi]

I can't wait to buy this book. I love hearing you talking, I can't wait to see how to do with my fave genre! Ps: you should really do a Q&A :)

[@michellepitzer9774]

So sorry for your loss. ❤️

[@fluffyspunsugar]

Thank you for the insight.

[@Matchalover2003]

I am so sorry for your loss

[@DrVVVinK]

Because the book is a completely different genre was their any talk from your agent or any of the publishers to publish under a different name? Rebranding? Like Stacey Abrams - Selena Montgomery. I am assuming if the answer is "yes", then past sales and numbers wouldn't matter, unless people knew it was you. I also know you mention in the past about how you use a penname and might consider publishing some work under your IRL.

[@AlexaDonne]

It never came up for me in large part because of this channel. I have very strong branding and loyal readers, plus I've vlogged this thriller writing process on the channel. It would only come up, possibly, if I jumped to a very different adult genre like romance. And with my real name, I'd considered that for non-fiction only rather than fiction.

[@DrVVVinK]

@@AlexaDonne That makes a lot of sense. BTW I can't wait to buy the book and give it a read.

[@violetfolgi]

loved this video!!!

[@mclovin13ify]

Please do a live with your Editor😊

[@catherinesbookisland4159]

How did you pick your agent??

[@ameenoahmad]

Your agent is awesome

[@ladonnatutt7851]

Kudos to you for pushing through your mom’s passing to finish your manuscript. You mention “auctions”, what is the purpose of an auction for a book?

[@Tarasreadingnook]

Congratulations 😁

[@RoseKindred]

I would never be able to handle this. I have full panic attacks for the stupidest reasons, my body just betrays me, and waiting on responses and making such an important decision. I guess that is why I don't think I would make it as a traditional author.

[@frost-grove]

oh dear, here i am looking for publishers and awful at phone calls... great

[@platoniczombie]

So... does this mean you're not doing the major edits?

[@AlexaDonne]

No, I already did them in the spring. I chose the publisher who wanted the edits and did them!

[@platoniczombie]

@@AlexaDonne Nice! I figured your weighing on having to rewrite the end really hinged on either you being completely done with the book emotionally/intellectually or not. I believe, as a writer, most people, if they did not feel burned out on the book, would choose the publisher/editor that asked for a rewrite on the ending, believing themselves to be up for the challenge to rewrite just to get that added validation. Because what writer doesn't want to feel that? Haha!

[@TheGoofy1932]

I would think that they would obviously look at your previous work and their sales. They're in the business to make 💰. It would be irresponsible for them not to. I'm not sure why things are so mystifying. Particularly, as you have a contract. What sort of lawyer do you have that is not ensuring you're aware of all the terms, including your rights and responsibilities as well as theirs to you? I'm hoping you have a lawyer that represents your interests and that you're not just relying on an agent who works for an agency, that is. As an agent will clearly have divided loyalty. Also, the time frame was very quick as far as a business deal goes. Again, I'm just not sure why your agent and lawyer aren't explaining all this to you. I'm glad that you seem to have done a little better on the third title, but my question is why was your agent not shopping around for you from the start?!? I'm sure your agent wouldn't want to receive say 10% instead of the normal 15% so why wasn't there a full effort on your behalf? My ♥ breaks for you as I just feel like you're just overly grateful for the barest of effort on your behalf from your agent. Multiple editor calls and such should also be an expectation not something you feel grateful for. This effort should be EXPECTED from your Agent from go. The "nitty gritty" things though are what is most important. Those things are exactly why you should have a personal lawyer representing you too. Someone who doesn't have a conflict of interest, like your agent does. Please don't think your agent is your friend. Obviously, be cordial and professional to all parties involved, but make sure you have a knowledgeable professional looking out for your interests Alone.

[@karenamyx2205]

As far as the being grateful thing.. I think it's fair to cut a little slack. The mark in the road where you went from "I think I wanna be an author" to "holy crap, I'm a professional author" is probably overwhelming and sure to be filled with gratitude.