That Time I Signed A New Book Contract With Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins Christian Publishing

At long last I HAVE NEWS FOR YOU!!

 

Prepare yourself for several Fiddler on the Roof GIFs (can only be seen in the web browser–not in the email. So if you’re reading this in your e-mail click though to the blog for maximum GIF enjoyment). It is my favorite movie, after all, and with news like this it seems appropriate for me to do whatever I want. (Because that’s how the world works.) 

I’m sure you’ve suspected this sort of announcement for a while. And, in fact, I’ve been hinting at it for the past several months. But NO LONGER!

Are you getting impatient yet?

 

Well, no need to rush me. If you read the blog post title then you know where I’m heading with this blog post. I’ll get right  to it:

 

I

.

HAVE

.

SIGNED

.

A

.

NEW

 

BOOK

.

CONTRACT!!

 

(I’m sorry. I had to. ? Even though this is my least favorite song of the movie.)

Okay, you’ll be wanting details:

WHAT? WHO?

I’ve been offered a two-book contract for my next two Young Adult novels. *squeal!*

“So who is it, Nadine?”

Well, it’s not Enclave Publishing (though I adore them.)

“Okay, then who? WHO?”

 

Hold your horses! I’ll be joining the YA (Young Adult fiction) team over at Thomas Nelson/HarperCollins Christian Publishing–my top choice publisher!

I’m thrilled (beyond thrilled) to join the TN/HCCP team particularly because of their vision for YA fiction. While Enclave was a perfect fit for my Out of Time Series, TN/HCCP is a perfect fit for the next steps I have planned in my author journey. God’s been throwing open a lot of doors and I can’t wait to see what He’s going to do!

Naturally, I signed the contract without reading it. JUST KIDDING! Never do that. 😛 After combing through all the contract jargon, and then my agent combing through the contract jargon, and then my agent’s boss combing through the contract jargon…the 15-page contract was signed. And this has been my face every day since that moment.

 

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT?

I don’t have a back-cover blurb for you yet. I do have a title, but it’s not time to share it yet (I know, I’m so crueeeeel!) But I will tell you this:

My new book is a YA fantasy retelling of the Gunpowder Plot.

Maybe that doesn’t mean anything to you, so let me help you out: Think 17th century London, midnight duels, Guy Fawkes, intrigue, treason, V for Vendetta, masquerades…that sort of thing. (Tweet this) Mwahaha. Still not visualizing it? Maybe this little snapshot from my uber secret Pinterest board will help you out.

 

If you don’t know what the Gunpowder Plot is, Wikipedia will solve that mystery for you–but I’m warning you: if you start reading up on the plot, you may unearth spoilers. Tread carefully (this is a historical, you know. But it’s also fantasy…which means I can do whatever I want.)

This book is a standalone (aka: not a series. It’s one-and-done. )

It’s been quite different to write and a huge learning process. (Wait, you mean I have to introduce everything and wrap everything up in one. book?!) I can’t wait to share it with you. But first, I must edit it… *runs off to edit*

WHEN DO WE GET IT?

This book will release in 2018. The exact date is not yet confirmed. I’ll be announcing everything as I get more information via my newsletter, so make sure you’re signed up!

I’m beyond thrilled to join fellow lovely YA authors like Mary Weber, Sara Ella, Shannon Dittemore, Melanie Dickerson, etc.

 

WHAT ABOUT THE SECOND BOOK?

Ah, yes, I said a two book contract, right? Well all you get to know about that one is that it will be a standalone, too! So…no more cliffhanger endings! Aren’t you proud of me? This is my way of apologizing (though I’m not sorry) for the terrible cliffhangers I put you through in the Out of Time Series.

WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG?

A Time to Rise released almost a year ago. And since then I’ve received the “What’s next?” question that plagues all authors. Are you never satisfied, readers? 😉 It’s okay, neither are we. Too many stories to tell.

But a little insight into the publishing world:

I had completed my contract with Enclave Publishing, so once A Time to Rise was out, I had no deadline and no book I was committed to write.

It was a nice feeling, actually. And I took some time off to brush up on my craft, to breathe, oh yeah–and to move across the country. No biggie. Then once I was ready with my new idea, this is what happened:

  • I put together a gigantic proposal. That took me several months.
  • Then my agent pitched it. That takes several months.
  • Then–if the publisher is interested–they send it to committee. That can take several months.
  • Then if everybody agrees that they want it, they send me a contract to sign. That can take several months.

Are you seeing a trend here?

After several months x 4, all was finally concluded, I was offered the contract, and I’m now allowed to share the news with you! Now you know why it took so long.

 


Stay tuned via my newsletter for future title reveals, cover reveals, blurb reveals, secret snippets…you know the drill.

 

So…who’s excited?

What else do you want to know? I’ll answer what I can. 🙂

 



 

About Nadine Brandes

NADINE BRANDES once spent four days as a sea cook in the name of book research. She is the author of the award-winning ROMANOV, FAWKES, and the Out of Time Series. Her inner fangirl perks up at the mention of soul-talk, Quidditch, bookstagram, and Oreos. When she's not busy writing novels about bold living, she's adventuring through Middle Earth or taste-testing a new chai. She and her Auror husband are building a Tiny House on wheels with their Halfling children. Current mission: paint the world in shalom.
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51 Comments

  1. Ooh Congratulations. I’m excited to hear more and it sounds exciting.

    I saw a school play of fiddler on the roof last month so I understand where those gifs come from. Loved the play too.

    • Thank you!

      I got to see the play, too, at a high school when I was a kid. I think that’s another reason I love it so much. I’d love to see it on stage again someday!

  2. Alice Farrelly

    I can’t wait to hear more about it! Soo excited Nadine!

    I am glad you got to publish with your first choice!

  3. Carrie Anne Gould

    Congrats, again! I cannot wait to read your next book!

  4. Ahhhhhhhhh! Mrs. Brandes, that is so exciting!!! Eeep!!!

    It sounds absolutely amazing and I really, really want to read it already. I mean… The gunpowder plot + fantasy. Just… YES. PLEASE. ❤

    *runs away flailing*

  5. EEEEPPPP! I’M JUST SQUEALING OVER HERE! My cat is trying very hard to get my attention while I am trying to convey to him that I’m reading this epic blog post!! (I don’t think he gets it.)

    EEEEPPPP!

    I must know, is this book written in first person the way the Out of Time Series was? That’s not too much of a spoiler is it? 🙂

    • Ha! Tell your cat hi. 😉

      Not a spoiler at all (I don’t think) — yes, it’s written in first person! But this time it’s past tense instead of present tense. A minor difference. 🙂 I actually tried writing it in third person first, but some books just demand first person. 🙂

  6. So excited for you!!! Congratulations!! 😀 Really excited to learn more about your new book/s. ^_^

  7. FREAKING OUT JUST A LITTLE OVER HERE?? 😀 Soooo excited to hear news regarding all the tantalizing tidbits of story you’ve been sharing during NaNo. 😉

    And Fiddler on the Roof is awesome. I need to watch it again soon. *nods*

  8. Happy, HAPPY heart, my friend!! Happy, HAPPY feet! And, proud of you!

  9. ACK EEP ONE YEAR AND THEN ANOTHER NADINE BOOK. *squeals endlessly* I’M SO EXCIIIIITED. *flails*

  10. So awesome! Congratulations! You gave me wonderful news, and I am also hankering to watch Fiddler on the Roof. Nicely done. Haha!

    I shared on Pinterest, FB, and Google+. Yayyy!

    CC

  11. Congratulations!!!!! This is such exciting news. : ) : ) : )

  12. Nadine, that is spectacular! Congratulations ♡♡♡. I can’t wait to hear more!!!

  13. Congratulations! Selfishly, I’m excited because more Nadine books to read!! Seriously, I am so happy for you!

  14. Wow! Such exciting news! Congratulations and can’t wait to read your new books.

  15. what is the second book about?

  16. Very exciting. Congrats!

  17. *loud shrieking and blow-the-roof-off levels of excitement* OH MY GOOD GRACIOUS – you got a contract with THOMAS NELSON?! (they’ve always been the people hope to be published by some day – hey, a girl can dream! xD) That’s SO COOL – I literally almost screamed when I saw the title of your post! I can’t WAIT to get my hands on another Nadine-book!! Best of luck to you with this new publishing venture! <3 <3 I'm practically going to be counting down the days until you're new book comes out! 😉

  18. brandonscottmiller

    YAY! I am very excited for you! Congratulations! Also, a standalone to boot. (Too of them!) Thank you very much.
    Now I just have to kill time until 2018. College is more than likely to help with that.

  19. Congratulations! That is awesome! I can’t wait to read this new book–it sounds so cool!

  20. Yay! Congrats!! Can’t wait to read it. 🙂

  21. This. Is. Amazing. 😀

    Now, I knew about this already, because of secret Ninja ways, but… o.o I am no less excited today. Historical + fantasy is an epic idea, one that’s not explored often enough.

    Gahh, I’m so excited! 0.0

  22. CONGRATULATIONS, NADINE!!!!! *sets off sparkle grenades* This must be so exciting for you!

    *googles Gunpowder Plot* OooooooOOOOOOOOoooooooh! And you’re doing a fantasy retelling? I WANNA READ IT RIGHT NOW BUT I HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR WHYYYYY?! *weeps* Can’t wait for the snippets! 😉

    • Sorry! That was rather incoherent (and my keyboard pressed “submit” of its own accord… oops). But anywhozens, the jest of what I was going to say is this:

      CONGRATULATIONS, NADINE!!!! *throws confetti, passes out chocolate and glasses of strawberry lemonade*

      I’m so excited for your new book! And I wish you all the best on this new venture!! <3

      ~Liv
      livkfisher.blogspot.com

  23. Yay! Congratulations, Nadine! Wow, this new book sounds AMAZING. Looking forward to reading it! 😀

  24. Congrats, girl! So excited to read more from you!

  25. Congratulations!! I’m so excited!!!

    (also, my little sister is insisting that I tell you that she played Tzietel in her school’s production of Fiddler. It was her first play!)

  26. Congratulations!! You know I love historical fantasy 😉 Looking forward to it…

  27. Okay, well, I’m beyond thrilled! (and those gifs xD xD) Congrats!

    lisa
    thisinkwell.blogspot.com

  28. YES! I CAN’T WAIT FOR THIS!!! 😀 I have been eagerly awaiting news of another book of yours coming and NOW THE NEWS IS HERE!

  29. Wooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

  30. AAHHH I’M SO EXCITED. I actually recently started writing a historical fantasy novel myself and I was just wondering where on earth I could find some good historical fantasy novels. NOW I KNOW. xD You just need to get the official release date out so I can count down the days…

  31. Polaris Northstar

    SOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CANNOT WAIT TO FIND OUT MOOOOOOOREEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! (& yes, I know I’m screaming online… BUT I DON’T CARE! THIS IS TOOOOO COOL TO NOT USE CAPES!!!!!)

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