Tuesday, July 16, 2013

New Book Deal - YA Romance SOLVING FOR EX!

Hey, sweet readers! 

Whew! Can't believe it was six months ago that I was announcing my first book deal. It looked a little something like this (in my head:)

Leigh Ann Kopans's ONE, about a girl with only half a superpower and her struggle to make herself whole, to Her Own Bad Self, in a freaking sweet deal, in a two-book deal, for publication beginning June 2013. This deal was brokered by wine, ice cream, and the best friends on the planet.

So, you know, that deal did, indeed, end up being "freaking sweet," true to promise. ONE has been out for one month and five days, and just yesterday earned back all the money I invested in it. I'm really excited for TWO to be out in October (and you can see its cover revealed over at Hafsah's site today!)

Today, I'm really excited to announce a NEW book deal! Here's the (in-my-head) announcement:

Leigh Ann Kopans's SOLVING FOR EX, a Young Adult romance that remixes Jane Austen's classic Mansfield Park as Clueless meets Mean Girls in a crazy mix of high school society, mathletic competition, and teenage romance, to Her Own Bad Self, in an incredibly awesome deal, for publication in February 2014, the 200th anniversary of Mansfield Park's publication. This deal was brokered by supportive friends, more wine, and a genuine love for self-publishing.

And here's the full blurb: 

Ashley Price doesn't have much in life after being bullied so hard she had to leave her old school to live with her aunt and uncle in Pittsburgh. But the camera she borrowed from her best friend and secret crush Brendan, and her off the charts math abilities, make things a lot more bearable. Plus, since Brendan is the captain, making the school Mathletes team should be easy. 


But when gorgeous new girl Sofia rolls in and steals Brendan, Ashley's place on the team, and her fragile foothold on the Mansfield Park Prep social totem pole, it’s on. Sofia is everything Ashley left her old school to escape. The only thing Ashley didn't count on is Sophia’s sexy twin brother Vincent.

Vincent is not only the hottest boy in school, he’s charming, sweet, and he’s got his eye on Ashley. He’s also not taking no for an answer. There's no real reason Ashley shouldn't like Vincent, but with the
battle lines being drawn between her and Sofia, Ashley’s not sure which side he’s on. Or which side she wants him to be on.

She does know Sophia is trouble with a capital T, and she’s determined to make Brendan see it.

Go ahead and add it on Goodreads right here! 

Now, since I know you're wondering, traditional publication was not an option for SOLVING FOR EX for a couple reasons:

1. I'm pretty set on the book publishing in 2014, since it marks the 200-year anniversary of publication for MANSFIELD PARK, the Jane Austen classic on which it's based. I love the original, and this book is like my love letter to one of my greatest literary heroes, thanking her for all she's done. 

Even if my agent were able to sell it tomorrow, it most likely would not publish until 2015 - and I'm sentimental. 

2. Another, completely adorable-looking Mansfield Park redux came out this past Spring, and since there's already one on the market, we wouldn't have high hopes for this one being acquired by a big house.

But, hey. It really doesn't matter to me HOW this book is published, especially since I feel even more confident about the whole self-publishing gig now. 

Most importantly, I'm SO excited for SOLVING FOR EX to come out and for you all to (hopefully) read it! Thanks for reading, my loves! 

12 comments:

  1. Eee! I am so excited for SOLVING FOR EX. Congrats on the book deal, Leigh Ann. You are going to rock this.

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  2. Congratulations!!! That is awesome ;)
    Love the cover for TWO also <3

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  3. Damn - now I want to read this! I mean, I'd give it to my daughter, after I've finished. Love your writing, Leigh Ann.

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  4. Just added it to my TBR list! And I'm not a big fan of contemporary, but anything that is a reminiscent of Jane Austen is a must!

    You rock the self-publishing gig lady!!

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  5. Congrats Leigh Ann! This book sounds awesome! I can't wait! :D

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  6. I really liked your posts about ONE's publishing journey, and it's great to hear that it paid off. Good luck with TWO and SOLVING FOR EX!

    Also, PM should hire you to write their book deal announcements.

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  7. Congratulations, Leigh Ann! So exciting! And really pleased to see ONE is doing well - I am still using it as an example of how to self-pub right in my writing workshops. You deserve every success with your wonderful books!

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  8. Congrats Leigh Ann! I agree, you should be in charge of writing deal announcements. Totally.

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  9. Yay!
    yoo RITE!!
    Gotta lotta
    explosive,
    explicit,
    extraordinary
    exponential
    exactly.
    Wannum?

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