Doing It Different: How a Little Love Story Led to a Big NY Literary Agent

Literary agents are constantly bombarded by query letters on white paper containing simple black text about how one's book is the next bestseller. How tedious of a process that must be sometimes. Author Edward Dean Arnold knows it, too. That's why this North Carolina novelist knew he had to do something just as creative as his storytelling to stand out from the rest who were also seeking to get a 'yes' from a reputable literary agent based in New York - something often very difficult to do for young writers.

His idea, instead of sending the traditional query letter as the industry states you should do, he chose instead to inform 27 of the top literary agents in New York about his love story (LOVIN' MRS. JONES) by sending them formal wedding invitations, something he often sends out to readers.

"Being that the approaching nuptials in my book are central to my storyline, it seemed like the out-of-the-box concept to pursue when searching for an agent as well," says Arnold. But he knew it was taking a big chance because contacting an agent with anything other than the standard query letter is just not how it's done, but he hoped it would spark interest in his book regardless, and also show his creative side to do things other authors dare not.

He knew it only took one of the 27 agents that he selected to love his idea and say "yes." And that's just what happened - actually from more than just one agent. Those that responded positively, applauded his efforts after receiving the wedding invite and visiting the bride and groom's website (http://www.gabrielandtracee.com), to surprisingly find out it was a wedding taking place alright…but one that was to occur between the pages of a book.

"Imagine receiving a very elegant wedding invitation, with a reply card and all, from someone you don't know. Out of curiousity, you want to find out who are these individuals getting married and how do I know them. I basically let this wedding centered website I created serve as my query letter. It told my story, introduced me, had sample chapters, a sample marketing plan, and included much more than what a one page letter could do or say," states Arnold.

And each agent that did express interest in his creativity said, in one form or another, "Great idea. Send the manuscript, I want to read it." One of those calls personally came from Victoria Sanders of Victoria Sanders & Associates on the same day of receiving her formal wedding invite by mail. Arnold describes it as an experience every author hopes for at some point.

"It was an amazing moment. I remember reading her email where she stated she had received my wedding invitation and to call her. As I'm reading her telephone number on the computer screen, my phone rings and the number calling me is the same as the one l am reading. I was very excited. We talked, and although I knew she really liked my idea (she told me so), I knew she would want to read the entire story to make sure I was also an excellent writer. After a good conversation, and me detailing my plans to continue using the save the date cards and wedding invitations in my marketing, I sent the manuscript not expecting to hear back from her agency for awhile. It normally takes 6 to 8 weeks to get a response from most agents, and after waiting that long the answer you receive may be a "no". That can be a painful process for some writers. It was just two weeks after receiving my manuscript, maybe less, and Ms. Sanders expressed they had read my work and wanted to sign me as one of her agency’s authors. How could I say ‘no’ to an agency that represents the works of one of my favorite authors, the late Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God, the novel adapted by Oprah Winfrey’s production company, Harpo, into a film for television starring Halle Berry). It was definitely the start of a dream coming true."

Arnold always felt like his book had the potential to be a commercial success in the hands of the right agent – especially after doing signings at venues such as Quail Ridge Bookstore and garnering great reviews on Amazon.com through his own efforts. Even still, he shelved the marketing of his book more than once – moving his interest temporarily to other literary endeavors.

But the true turning point to refocus on his book and not give up on it, Arnold admits, happened for him during an episode of Oprah that caught his attention while channel surfing. "Ms. Winfrey was doing a show on The Greatest Love Story Ever Told, and I paused in my surfing to listen to these extraordinary accounts of how these individuals on her show had met and fallen in love. This was what my story was all about."

The O episode gave Arnold a second wind to revive his book with hopes of putting it in the hands of an incredible agent who could appreciate his unique storytelling style. “My novel expresses the type of love shared between two characters that we all wish for - finding that one true somebody you know is for you," says Arnold. "But readers shouldn't be confused - my story explores what happens when you finally meet the love that is really meant for you...but you're already tied to another. What do you do? Like the romantic works of Nicholas Sparks, but mixed with the solid, sexy, urban style of Terry McMillan, my story LOVIN' MRS. JONES is filled with regret, betrayal, and irreversible outcomes - but all for the sake of a love that should be. It's a great love story void of explicit content."

With the assistance of the Editorial Director at Victoria Sanders & Associates, Arnold's novel is currently being polished to make it even better than its original published version. Of course the goal is to find a home for his book at one of the major publishing houses when that's complete. For now, Arnold says he's being patient as he begins the next chapter of the process. And his words of advice to other aspiring authors - "Stand out from the crowd and be seen, never giving up on your dreams. And remember, doing things the ordinary way produces ordinary results. Be extraordinary instead, in everything that you do."

For more information on Edward Dean Arnold, visit www.edwarddeanarnold.com