Author Success Story - Sarah Wylie

This week is the Week of Authorly Journeys, brainchild of Elana Johnson. To quote Elana:

This week I'm bringing in the big guns: People who've traveled down this long and winding road toward publication. Some of them already have book deals. Some have agents. Some have both. They've "made" it.

I want to spotlight someone each day this week to hopefully inspire you, provide a beam of hope along your way, and really prove that you CAN succeed in this crazy business. You CAN go from slush-pile-nothing to agented to published author. Yes, I'm looking at you. YOU.

But I'm not the only one on-board this positivity wagon. Join us this week for 75 (yes 75!) success stories! Then dream big. Go forth and query. Conquer.

Today I'd like to introduce you to my agent-buddy and friend Sarah Wylie.

1. Tell us about your book. (Publication Date, Publisher, One or two sentence description.)

ALL THESE LIVES is my contemporary YA debut (FSG, 2012) about a girl who believes she has multiple lives.

2. Can you tell us a little bit about your road to publication?

I’ve been writing for as long as I can remember – angsty poetry, looong emails, and fan-fiction for my favorite (bad) TV shows. I finished my first novel about two and a half years ago, and wrote a few more “practice” novels. Then, in 2009, I wrote ALL THESE LIVES. It was the novel that landed me my fabulous agent, Suzie Townsend. We revised, went on sub in December, and sold at the end of February 2010.

3. Was there ever a time you felt like giving up? Why didn't you?

For me, the biggest challenge so far has been self-doubt. I think writers are freaking brave – every time we sit down and open up a blank document, we’re admitting that we think we have something worthwhile or unique to say. When I think about it too long, it’s totally intimidating and scary.

I didn’t give up because I’m more in love with writing than I am afraid of it, but also because I’m really lucky to have awesome cheerleaders behind me. Johnny Depp has had my back through this whole thing. Okay, maybe not the real Johnny Depp, but a girl can dream. :)

Thanks for having me, Suzette!

Here are links to Sarah on the web:

Sarah With A Chance

Sarah on Twitter

To read all of today's Authorly Journey interviews, click below:

Elana Johnson

Lisa and Laura Roecker

Beth Revis

Leah Clifford

Victoria Schwab

Kirsten Hubbard

Carrie Harris

Kim Harrington

Amy Holder

Kathy McCullough

Tiffany Schmidt

Susan Adrian

Dawn Metcalf

Gretchen McNeil