Intro by Dame Kaz
Chloe Neill’s fabulous debut novel officially hits shelves on Tuesday 7th April. If you’d like to read more about it, please head over to my personal blog for a review. SOME GIRLS BITE has a fresh take on vampire mythology, and Merit’s induction into the ‘Chicagoland Vampires’ is a lot of fun. But how did Chloe Neill make it onto the shelves? Over to you, Chloe! 
From slush pile to store shelves
by Chloe Neill
I was in the airport, on my way to New York, when I got the call.
Six months earlier (June 2007), I’d submitted the first three chapters of the manuscript for SOME GIRLS BITE to Roc, a Penguin imprint. Why Roc? I picked an author whose work I thought was similar to mine–urban fantasy plot, kicky heroine, underpinning of romance–and did the research on the label. I checked the imprint’s web site, figured out what kind of manuscripts they were interested in, made sure my word count was appropriate, and–per their instructions–sent an outline and the first three chapters to the address they provided.
About three months after I submitted the book (late September 2007), I received an email from my current editor asking to see the entire manuscript. I was at FedEx a couple of hours later, a box of paper in hand. I was thrilled that she’d found SGB in the slush pile, thrilled that she’d liked what she’d seen, but not terribly optimistic that anything would happen from there.
Notably, SGB was my second manuscript submission. I’d sent a manuscript of the first book I’d written (approximately two years before all this SGB business took place) to another paranormal romance editor and got a very terse rejection letter stating that the book wasn’t a good fit for the company. I figured if J.K. Rowling got eight (or some such ridiculous number) of rejections before Scholastic bought Harry Potter, it was going to take me a dozen before I got an offer.
I was set to travel to New York City in January 2008 for a work conference. By December 2007, I hadn’t heard anything from the editor who’d asked to see the manuscript, but I thought the trip offered an opportunity to check in and see if she was interested in chatting. I sent her an email, and I think we exchanged a message or two regarding my trip.
I’d just cleared security and dumped my stuff at a cafe table at the airport when I thought to check my cell phone to see if I’d missed any calls during my trip through security. Sure enough, I had a voicemail message from my editor. She explained that she had enjoyed SGB and had passed it around to other editors.
Since I was in the middle of an airport, times being what they are, I had to force myself to stay calm. But I barely contained my excitement. Sure, it wasn’t an offer. But an editor from Penguin called me. ME!
The editor and I had a short (but incredibly thrilling, and completely mind-blowing chat), then played phone tag as I tried to reach her to let her know that I was in town and what my schedule looked like. It took 24 hours for us to connect. By that time, I was in Manhattan, strolling through Kate’s Paperie. The phone rang, and I spoke with my editor, expecting to arrange a time to meet her at Penguin’s offices.
Instead, I got this: “Hi. This is Editor X. I’ve spoken with the publisher, and we’d like to offer you a deal for two Merit books.”
I did a dance in Kate’s Paperie, and I will always remember that call.
So there’s my fairy tale. Those kind of things do happen; regular people get those kind of calls. Now, having said all that, what are the take-aways? Here are some thoughts:
1. Don’t stop writing.
You will get a rejection letter. It happens. Keep writing.
2. Target your submissions.
Find an author whose work is like yours. In other words, if you’ve written an urban fantasy about a kickass heroine, figure out who your favorite authors (who write urban fantasies with kickass heroines) publish with. Identify their editors and, if you want to go this route, their agents. (The book’s acknowledgment page is a great cheat sheet.) Check the publisher’s/agent’s web site and figure out if that publisher/editor/agent is accepting the kind of manuscript you’ve written and, if so, how the manuscript should be sent. Follow those directions to the letter. You don’t want your baby to end up in the never-read pile because you sent three chapter when the editor wanted a manuscript, or vice versa.
3. Agent or no agent?
It is possible to get a contract without an agent. That’s how it worked for me. Of course, I used the fact that I had a contract under my belt as evidence of my marketability when I did send out queries. I assume it helped, although a couple of agents I sent queries to were apparently unimpressed.
But, I got my first choice, so it all worked out for the best. (Yay, Lucienne!)
Personally, I got a better contract for my second series because of her work (and I wouldn’t have gotten a poke about the series at all if it hadn’t been for her). Although I’d done my research, and have connections to the legal field, she was able to negotiate the nuances of the contract to obtain much-improved terms.
You, of course, have to weigh the costs and benefits on your own. Agent quality probably varies, and you have to be willing to give up the commission. For me, totally worth it.
4. Yes, it is a job.
You’ve no doubt heard this before, but it’s so true. Writing professionally–and I’m including the drafting, the editing, the marketing, the booksigning, the guest blogging, conferring with your agent, conferring with your editors, title picking, web site updating, slogging to coffeehouses to drop off booksigning advert postcards, and ordering marketing materials–takes a lot of time. It’s not a sprint (see above re: 16 months). It’s a marathon. It takes time, and dedication, and a slow, continuous effort to get from Point A to Point B. But it can be done.
We’ll find out in a couple of days if the rewards are worth it.
* * *
Thanks very much, Chloe! Now for the contest. Yep, I said contest. Us Dames are apparently going contest crazy this weekend… 
If you’d like to win a signed copy of SOME GIRLS BITE (and I think Chloe is going to throw in a couple of extras to the winner: bookmark & pen, etc.), just leave a comment telling us who your favourite vampire is in the many great urban fantasy/paranormal romance series out there. Contest closes at midnight PST on Tuesday 7th April, and I’ll announce the winner during my regular Dames post some time on that day.
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Tags: Contests, Dame for a Day, Karen Mahoney
I’m sorry, but my favourite vampire would probably have to be Stephenie Meyer’s Edward Cullen. What can I say? I love him.
Cool contest, by the way and nice post, Chloe!
Great job, Chloe. I love success stories!
I really enjoyed Silas in Neil Gaiman’s THE GRAVEYARD BOOK. But, since you asked for series, I’ll have to go with Thomas Raith in Jim Buthcer’s DRESDEN FILES series. He manages to be broody and remorseful without being too annoying.
I’d have to say my favorite vamp of the moment is Thomas, Harry Dresden’s half-brother. One must love a straight sex vampire pretending to be a gay human hairdresser. Especially when, in one short story, he ends up being a straight sex vampire pretending to be a gay human hairdresser pretending to be a straight vampire (for a LARP). Hilarious.
Hmmmm…. He’s probably not my favourite nor is it *exactly* a UF/PR novel but the vampire that has branded my heart ’til the day I die is Lestat. What can I say, I started reading the Vampire Chronicles when I was twelve. It does make an imprint on a girl’s brain.
It’s probably a tie between Ivy from Kim Harrison’s Hallow series and Dante from Adrian Phoenix’s Maker Song series. Is it odd that it’s a tie for me between a living vampire and a rock-star vampire?
Oh and congrats to you, Chloe!
I think my first choice would be Dante from Adrian Phoenix’s Maker Song series, but Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series runs a close second!
There are so many I like, to be honest, because each one is different. But I love Bones from Jeaniene Frost, Kisten from Kim Harrison, and Eric and Pam from Charlaine Harris. They all have their quirks, and I love them.
I’m not sure I have a favorite. I read so many wonderful books and love each and every one for the hours of enjoyment they bring me. I adore all the different takes on the paranormal world and always look forward to seeing what a new author has to say.
Thanks for sharing your story Chloe. Sounds like you are an author to watch and read.
My favorite vampire is Zsadist from J.R. Ward’s Lover Awakened. He is just an intriguing character to me. I loved reading his story.
At this moment I would have a 2 way tie for favorite. Dame Keri’s Quinn is awesome, then there is Eric from Charlanine Harris. Although, I have to admit i could go on and on about the different vampires and their qualities such as funny vs. sexy vs. smart, etc. Gotta love this genre.
I think that my favorite…okay, I cannot choose just one…definitely Dante from Adrain Phoenix’s Maker’s Song series, Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s series, and Zsadist and Vischous from J.R. Ward’s series.
Chloe~ Some Girls Bite sounds great and I am looking forward to its release.
I feel like my favorite vampire changes almost every time I read a book with a new vampire character they become my favorite so i will go with Lucius from Jessica’s Guide To Dating On The Dark Side because it is the last one I read
I think it’s a tie between Stephenie Meyer’s Edward, young, gallant, and oh so sweet, and Keri Arthur’s hot, sexy, bad boy, Quinn. *blush*
I am going with a classic – the long suffering Jean Claude from the Anita Blake series.
Great story — thanks, Chloe
My favorite vampire is probably Bones, from Jeaniene Frost’s books.
Great story, Chloe.
I have to say Eric from J.F. Lewis’s “Staked” and “Revamped” is my current favorite.
That’s a great little story, Chloe. I can just imagine another writer doing some people watching in the airport when you got that call
I don’t know that I have a favorite vamp overall, so I’ll go with my most recent favorite and say Kim Harrison’s Ivy.
I’ll have to go with Lestat as well. Nothing like the classics!
Thanks for sharing your story, Chloe!
I’m going to have to say that my favourite vampire in an urban fantasy or paranormal romance series is Thomas Raith from the Dresden Files. Hee!
My favorite vampire would have to be Ivy fromthe Hollows series by Kim Harrison.
I love the title of this book!
My favorite vampire of the moment is Simon, from Cassandra Clare’s fabulous Mortal Instruments series. Okay, he’s not a vampire in Book 1, but by City of Glass (which I just finished this week) he’s pretty kick-ass. He’s no Edward, but give him a few hundred years.
Looking forward to reading your take on vampires!
I love Ivy in the Hollows series by Kim Harrison. I don’t love them or anything, but I think Ilona Andrews version of vampires is AWESOME in her Kate series.
I loved your post, Chloe! It’s refreshing to hear such a great success story
There are so many that I like, but I think my favorite is Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s series.
Some Girls Bite sounds like a great book. I cant wait to get the chance to read it. I lived in Chicago for years and I am drawn towards stories set there and when you combine it with vampires its even better.
Well I love a huge amount of books with vampires and there all fun. Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series is fun, he reminds me of Spike from Buffy at times, who was unbelievable!
Why I love Bones and tons of other, I have to say that I really love Patricia Briggs’ Stefan from her Mercy Thompson Novels. He is a huge Scooby Doo fan, he even has an old VW bus that has the Mystery Machine’s paint job and I love Scooby Doo just as much as I love vampires.
So in answer to the question my #1 vampire (guy) is Stefan from Patrica Briggs. He and me are Scooby people!!
Really enjoyed your post. My all time favorite vampire (mainly because of my age) is Lestat, but I do like Ivy in Kim Harrison’s books.
Judy (magnolias_1@msn.com)
I’d have to say mine’s Victor Argeneau from The Accidental Vampire by Lynsay Sands. It’s one of my favorite vamp series!
I think my answer is going to be the most unusual since there really aren’t that many female vampires out there! My favorite vampire is Sarah Dearly from Michelle Rowen’s Immortality Bites Series. Sarah is a newly turned vampire who became one after being bitten by a blind date. She drinks B-Positive blood because she thinks it will make her ”be positive” about the situation! Sarah’s character is absolutely hilarious, sweet, and not your typical vamp. That’s why she’s my favorite.
My favorite vampire is Stefan from the Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs. He is the Scooby Doo Mystery Machine driving vampire! Sometimes he even acts like he is from Scooby Doo.
He makes me laugh!
I’m gonna throw out some different vampires than the ones already listed. I’m stuck between Henry Fitzroy (Tanya Huff), Jack Flemming (PN Elrod) and Kisten (Kim Harrison), and because nobody’s mentioned any female vamps- Zoey Redbird (PC & Kristen Cast). Because so few people have met Drew Wraith, I can’t throw him in the mix. I’m sure there’s somebody I missed.
I would have to say either of these: Ivy from Kim Harrison’s The Hollows series, or Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s series. There are a few more but it’s so hard to choose.
My two favorite vampires are Patricia Briggs’ Stefan and Charlaine Harris’ Bubba.
I love Stefan because he is such a good friend to Mercy, and because he drives a mystery machine.
I love Bubba because he never fails to bring a smile to my face when I’m reading a scene he’s in.
I love all the vampires, shapeshifters, demons and all the otherworldly creatures in Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker and now the Shadowdewlers series.
I will have to be old fashioned and show my age.
I still like the granddaddy of them all the most !
DRACULA RULES ! ! ! !
And Christopher Lee is still the movies best vampire.
Congrats Keri!
I’d have to pick Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series. I am a true to the end Eric-o-phile.
However, there are so many scrumptious vampires out there, how’s a girl to choose!?
My favorite vampire is a 3 way tie. I love Kim Harrison’s Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank’s vamps from her Nightwalker series and Spike from Buffy( yes I know its not a book but it is a series).
Hi, I like the sound of this story and it is one of my favorite genre’s (Urban Fantasy). Definitly have this on my tbr list now.
Dawn R.
Oops forgot to say that my favorite vampire is Kim Harrison’s Ivy & JR Ward’s Brotherhood boys as well. So many awesome vamps. Add in Ms. Frank’s Vampires from the Nightwalkers and I am in heaven.
Dawn R.
My favorite vampire is Constantine from Sunshine (by Robin McKinley).
its hard to just pick one.Zsadist from J.R.Ward BDB series. and Kisten from Kim Harrison’s Hollows books are the top two.
Congrats Chloe!
Lestat is the one who started it all for me as an adult, but really it all started with Count von Count from the Muppets. He was the first vampire for me.
But of course there is also Jean-Claude with an Asher chaser please.
Lestat. Always been my favorite and first literary love. More recently though I like Dante in Adrian Pheonix’s books. There’s so many to choose from. But I’ll go with Lestat every time
Lestat has always been my favorite and first literary love. More recently though I like Dante in Adrian Pheonix’s books. There’s so many to choose from. But I’ll go with Lestat every time
Awesome book! Definitely going to be a sell out (hopefully anyway)! Anyway, my favorite vampire that I can think of in the great urban fantasy/paranormal romance series would be Bones from Jeanine Frost’s Vampire Huntress series. Bones is legendary, literally and sexually, lol; said to much. *zipping lips*
Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!
Merit is, of course, my favorite vamp.
(Although Jean Claude probably ran a close second, at least in the early novels. We’ve kind of lost touch.)
Hi Chloe! Congrats on SGB, I love the cover and can’t wait to read it.
Oh! And I like Thomas from the Dresden Files. I wish I could read stuff from his POV but I still totally love Dresden.
That would be Lestat. I never though of Vampires as sexy till Lestat came along.
ONE of my favorite vampires in all the books I’ve read is:
Nicolas De La Cruz or really any of Christine Feehan’s Carpathian Series
Favorite vampire? Tough call, but I’m going to have to go with Mira from Jocelynn Drake’s Dark Days series.
I love hot and sexy Sinclair from the Undead and Unwed series, but also Edward from Twilight. I imagine that Sinclair is Edward with his libido unleashed.
Jean-Claude, or not Jean-Claude, that is the question… yeah I’m going to have to go with Requiem from the Anite Blake series. I’m love an under-dog.
My favorite female vampire has to be, Mira, in Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake. One of my favorites!
And my newest favorite is Malik in The Sweet Scent of Blood by Suzanne McLeod.
I would definitely have a hard time picking one but if I did it would be Bones from Jeaniene Frost.
Hmmmm……favorite vamp. Very hard to choose as I have a few favorites for different reasons.
I think that my top two would be Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s St. Germain and Asher from Laurell Hamilton’s Anita Blake series.
bones from Jeannine Frost series. He rocks.
So I read all the comments and actually had read almost all of the books (yeah me!)–and the ones I haven’t read are now on my TBR list! I cannot choose a favorite, though–who could love Edward (as great as he is) more than Bones, or Kisten (aw, Kisten!) more than Eric (Bill who?)? Jean-Claude, Asher–and let’s not forget poor Damien, London, Wicked/Truth, and the rest–are all just as lovable as Stefan (if in very different ways). No wonder vampires are so popular! I’m sure I’ll love SGB, Chloe!
Eric for sure on the Sookie Stackhouse books!
My fav vampires are…Constantine from Sunshine, Zillah from Lost Souls by Poppy Z. Brite, and Micheal from The Morganville Vampires series.
Edward from Twilght—- congrats on your book
Eric from Charlaine Harris is my absolute favorite vampire (Sookie should just dump Bill for good already!).
If we’re going strictly on UF novels, it’s a tie between Ivy from Kim Harrison’s Hollows series and Eric Northman from Charlaine Harris’ Sookie Stackhouse series.
If we’re going by ANY vampire novels, then le Conte de Saint-Germain, from the novels by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro.
Love Quinn from Keri Arthur’s ‘Riley Jensen Guardian series’. Even Keri’s Michael from the ‘Nikki and Michael series’. And of course I can’t get past those vamps from the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Fave is Zsadist.
And just wanted to say what a great post this was. Thanks to Chloe for sharing.
It’s like trying to choose which outfit to wear on a first date! Really tough decision.
With so many of my favorites already mentioned I thought it fair to mention one of those who hasn’t: Adrian Dashkov from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series. I love his smug, older-guy coolness and the series is a great YA treat.
I’m sorry but how have you guys forgotten Mircea (Karen Chance)? Who needs Dracula his, brother is better – and less crazy. Also we cannot forget Darius (Christine Feehan) a vampire is not a vampire without arogance.
Well done Chloe – you book sounds great! Waiting here in Australia for the three months it will take for your book to be published here.
Personally, I really like Kist from from Kim Harrison’s Hollows series.
COngrats, Chloe! And thanks for sharing the story of your journey with us. I am still working at getting there (although I think I’m pretty close) and it is always encouraging to read about someone who made it.
My favorite vamp…well, I loved Constantine in Sunshine but I can’t wait to see the vamp in Lucienne Diver’s forthcoming book Vamped–it looks so cool!
@Tricia: Thanks for being patient!
@Deborah Blake: I’m also really excited to pick up Vamped! Lucienne is the best.
Lissa from Vampire Academy. She can use crazy awsome Spirt magic.
Shoot I gotta pick one? OH I KNOW THIS in Sharon Ashwood’s Ravenous I love Alessandro. Though I think LJ Smith’s Ash Redfern will be forever my first vampire (novel) love.
Quinn from Dame Keri’s Guardian series, hands down. It’s a love/hate relationship, with his obnoxious human ideals – lol – and sexiness. Charlaine Harris’ Eric is pretty close too.
congrats Chloe, sounds a bit like a fairy tale:)
Favourite vampire is difficult…Jacques from Christine Feehan (all of hers are very yummy) and Jean Claude and Asher will be at the top.
Good luck with the launch. I’m looking forward to reading it.
I have to pick ONE!?
*thinks*
*thinks*
Argh. >_<
Um.
Lissa from Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. I think.
I think.
You’re sure only one? ^_^
Tegan from “Midnight Awakening” by Lara Adrian
I loved the darkness that went along with his character.
Hey guys, I just wanted to stop by and say THANK YOU for such a great response. It made my weekend, and I’ve had an exhausting one at the Day Job.
Chloe has loved reading all the responses so far too!
We’ll continue to keep our eyes on this thread for late entries, until I announce the winner on Tuesday morning.
Cheers,
Dame Kaz
@Dame Kaz – SECONDED. You guys are outstanding!
I love Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s Night Huntress series.
I love reading success stories! Always makes me smile.
Favorite All-time vampire is Lestat. I also like Shane M. from the WVMP Radio series and Eric N. from the Sookie Stackhouse series.
Hi, Chloe! Congratulations on SGB! I enjoyed reading your post. I love Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s series.
While Lestat brought me in to the world of vamps, I currently love Thomas Raith from the Dresden Files and, in the YA realm, Zoey Redbird from the intriguing House of Night series by PC Cast & Kristin Cast. Zoey’s so spunky, she’s got those cool tats, and cute boys chasing her–what’s not to like?
Looking forward to reading your book, Chloe! Yahoo, another urban fantasy!
Congratulations on the book deal, Cloe. Like Tricia, I’ll wait patiently for the book to arrive!
As for a favourite vampire, you might as well be asking me for my favourite pair of shoes – I like them all for different reasons and don’t really ever want to settle for just one.
If I had a gun to my head and I HAD to choose, then I’d go for the green mary jane flats with the pink and biege flowers on the strap and toe, with its soft, almost-buttery leather… Oops! I mean, I’d probably choose Vayl from Jennifer Rardin’s Jaz Parks series as my favourite vampire in a series.
Choices, choices…Favorite is Eric from Charlaine Harris’s Sookie Stackhouse series. But there are so many wonderful characters–Quinn (Keri Arthur), Jean-Claude (Laurell K. Hamilton), Ivy (Kim Harrison), lots of Argeneaus (Lynsay Sands), Sinclair (MaryJanice Davidson)…and more.
Tonya Huff’s Henry Fitzroy, favorite bastard son of Henry the VIII.
definatly a tie between edward and my other and newest fave morgan.
I’d have to say Sink-lair (hehe, Sinclair) from Undead series, but if we’re allowed to pick females, I LOVE Betsy even more than him. =} She’s even funnier and I can totally relate to her (other than being dead and a vampire and all…)
I like Erik from the Sookie Stackhouse books. But my all-time favorite, an oldie but a goodie, is the Count St. Germain from Chelsea Quinn Yarbro’s series.
hmmmm…..
If I had to pick one at the moment i think i would go with Vayl from Jennifer Rardin’s series, since I’m reading through it again ;p
It’s cheesy to like the bad boys with bad attitudes, but one of my all-time favorite “vampires” (he qualifies technically, even though his creator call he and his kind “daemons”) is Urian from Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark-Hunter series.
Congrats on the book. I am glad to hear you got to hear back on it making it. That was EXCELLENT!!!
I am just starting to do more reading and I don’t really have a favorite vamp. yet. There are so many different styles and I really love the way different people have written them.
Melissa
I would have to say Ivy from Kim Harrison’s Hallows series is my favorite vamp. She’s smart, sexy, and can kick a little a**.
I’m excited to check out the new book. Its always make it extra fun to have a book in a setting you are familiar with.
Geez, Favs ,Hmm would have to say the two sexy bros Stefan & Damon from LJ Smiths “Vampire Diaries”.
My favorite vampire is Queen Betsy in the Undead series.
This sounds like a great book. Congrats on the release!! I think my favorites would have to be Rhage and Butch from the J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. There are so many vampire series and characters that I like, but those two I could read again and again…
I must choose?! How can I choose?! … It’s close between Thomas from Jim Butcher’s Dresden series, Ivy from Kim Harrison’s Hollows series, Kisten from Kim’s series, or Bones from Jeaniene Frost’s series… *dies* I love them all.
I loved reading this entry!
My current favorite vampire is Cassandra in Kelley Armstrong’s Women of the Underworld books. Totally amoral and ruthless and awful and yet very funny.
**CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED**
Thanks all for entering!
I’ll announce the winner a bit later on today.
Cheers,
Dame Kaz
Thanks, everyone, for participating!!
[...] I am very happy to hand over the keys to the blog once again to author Chloe Neill. She was here earlier this year when her debut novel, SOME GIRLS BITE, was released. Now she’s back with a wonderful guest [...]