Monday, March 29, 2010

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:


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



30 comments:

Michelle McLean said...

I'm loving all these interviews :) So fun to find awesome new authors to follow or catch up with old friends. :)

Christine Fonseca said...

Great interviews guys!

Christina Lee said...

I loving reading all of these! Thanks for sharing your story Sarah!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Elana is such a genius. Thanks for introducing us to Sarah!

Lydia Kang said...

Cool interviews. THanks!

Liza said...

Yea Sarah! Funny your interview was in such a different voice that I didn't realize, until the Johnny Depp comment that it was "Sarah with a Chance!" Kudos for your ongoing victory.

Danyelle L. said...

This is a fabulous idea, and a great interview!

Shannon O'Donnell said...

I'm loving these interviews! Thanks, Bethany, Suzette, and wonderful Sarah. Great interview. :-)

Unknown said...

Thanks to Sarah for sharing her story and to Suzette for bringing us such a fun success story! I love Pay It Forward week! :)

Slamdunk said...

Great stuff. It is interesting to see the theme of self-confidence appear so frequently.

Elana Johnson said...

Great stuff, Sarah! I love how you say your love of writing overshadows your fears. That is sheer genius. :)

Sarah Wylie said...

Elana rocks! I'm going around reading all the interviews.

Thanks again, Suzette! :)

Bethany Wiggins said...

Awesome interview! Thanks.

Nicole Settle said...

Great interview. ALL THESE LIVES sounds so interesting!

Unknown said...

I love reading author stories like this. Thanks for sharing :D

Anonymous said...

This idea is AWESOMESAUCE! I'm totally checking every one out. =]

Amy Holder said...

Ooooh - I can't wait to read ALL THESE LIVES! I love anything having to do with reincarnation/past lives. It sounds great!

Bish Denham said...

That sounds like a really neat premise. And these interviews are wonderful. Thanks!

Matthew MacNish said...

Hi Suzette (and Bethany, and Sarah), I just wanted to let you know that your blog is so awesome that I felt I had to link to it from my own. Great interview as well.

Please don't think that you have to return the favor - your blog is way too high profile and I'm not sure I could handle all the comments.

Jemi Fraser said...

Seriously great idea!!

The book sounds intriguing - just from your short intro I have several questions I'd really like answered! Can't wait until it's pubbed :)

ChristaCarol Jones said...

What a great idea, and very inspiring. Thanks!!

Tiffany Schmidt said...

I love your line "I'm more in love with writing than I am afraid of it." That's going in my quote book!

Great interview!

Shelli (srjohannes) said...

awesome interview guys! :)

Shannon Messenger said...

Yay for Sarah! You absolutely must do more interviews. Although next time I think we need to insist on a picture! ;) (oh mans, she's going to be so mad at me for that!)

Great interview! And um, I don't know HOW I missed your blog all this time, but I'm following you now! (dun dun dunnnnnnnnnn)

Little Ms J said...

I can't wait to read the book that was cooked up by the mind of Sarah With A Chance!

Linda G. said...

Oooh, I do love a good multiple lives story--can't wait! :)

Angie said...

Great interview. Congrats to Sarah. These stories are so inspirational!

suzie townsend said...

Great interview! :)

lisa and laura said...

YAY Sarah--how did I miss this? Oh, yeah, I'M SO BEHIND IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY! Can't wait to hold this book. You're amazing.

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