Instagram: @jayjacobsauthor
Bluesky: @jay1jacobs.bsky.social
Publisher: The Book Guild
Check out our #Agent121 page to book an appointment.
Jay Jacobs is a mother of two with a geriatric cat. From an early age, she’s been fascinated by what happens after we die. The cloud-men in Roald Dahl’s James and the Giant Peach formed her first impressions of a ‘heavenly’ existence. When her sister told her about a little boy having a near-death experience, she was drawn to investigate. She read many different accounts and it felt like she’d discovered a wonderful new world. It was very life-affirming and inspired her to write an uplifting novel to give readers a similar sense of reassurance.
IAIP: What was the inspiration behind the book that ended up securing you a deal?
JJ: Perhaps it was to do with my book being narrated by a spirit guide. In my submission to the publisher, I quoted an agent (with whom I’d had a 1-2-1): “I think there’s a big market, with my publishing hat on, for books that are slightly off-centre and isn’t it interesting if we all have spirit guides and don’t know it, and a reader can really think ‘maybe I do have a spirit guide’ by the end.”
IAIP: Was this the first book you attempted?
JJ: It was really. I had started writing a second novel, which got me onto a selective three month course, but my heart and soul were with Back for Good so I pressed pause on the second book to keep working on this one.
IAIP: How long did it take to write?
JJ: I started writing in the summer of 2018. It took me a year to finish the first draft (I was working part-time and had plenty of other commitments) and then I edited and re-edited off and on over the next four years.
IAIP: How did your book deal come about?
JJ: I’d been starting to get requests for full manuscripts from agents but my home life went pear-shaped! I suddenly felt under pressure to get my book published as quickly as possible or abandon writing altogether so I started to consider self-publishing. I was also aware of The Book Guild, a partnership publisher, which bridged the gap between traditional and self-publishing. Since they publish much more quickly than traditional, I submitted to them. I was expecting them to reject me and preparing myself for self-publishing so it was a lovely shock when they expressed interest and then offered me a deal!
IAIP: How long did it take before you signed on the dotted line?
JJ: I was sent a proposal October 29th, 2024. I asked various questions and sent a copy of the proposal and contract to the Society of Authors for their consideration. I signed the contract on November 13th. It felt more like a month than a fortnight before signing!
IAIP: You took part in a few #Agent121 sessions to help strengthen your pitch whilst querying. Do you believe that these helped you secure your deal? If so, in what ways did they help?
JJ: They definitely helped. The agents are very good at zoning in on areas that need improvement but at the same time giving positive feedback where merited. They gave me very useful pointers for improvements that I worked on. After the first 1-2-1, I would say at the beginning of a session (in reply to what would you like from this), ‘if you’re not interested in reading the full, please tell me why’ so that we could make the most of the fifteen minutes. With my last agent, she was taken aback by my question, as she said, ‘no, I do want to read it!’ which was a very promising start.
IAIP: Do you have any tips on making the most of an Agent121?
JJ: As above, I suggest asking the agent to get straight to the point on any improvement areas they’ve spotted. The time goes so quickly so try to get feedback that you can work on. If you’re tempted to disagree with an agent (don’t forget they’ve probably got much more useful experience than you) or want to explain things, resist or keep it brief otherwise you’re wasting your own time. Make notes and use the feedback to move forwards!
IAIP: You were also a member of The Writing Sphere and attended the I Am Writing Festival. Do you think attending writing courses and workshops helped you?
JJ: They certainly did! There were so many workshops and seminars/webinars which helped me really learn about the industry as well as giving tips for improving my book and my submission package. Having pitch parties on The Writing Sphere was a great way to get agents’ thoughts and Scott Pack’s sessions giving feedback and advice were brilliant. Through The Writing Sphere and the I Am Writing Festival, I gained a new network of writer friends who’ve given me support and encouragement along the way.
IAIP: What have you learned about the publishing industry since you started querying?
JJ: I’ve learnt about many of the pros and cons of each route for publishing. None of them is perfect but each have certain merits. I’ve also come to appreciate the difficulties that publishers face too, particularly with rising costs. It’s a very competitive market and one in which most players struggle to make a good living but a passion for books is what keeps it going.
IAIP: What advice would you give to aspiring writers looking to get published?
JJ: I’d say learn your craft firstly. There are so many people writing and submitting books to agents/publishers, so they can afford to be choosy and your novel needs to be as polished as possible. There are things to learn about synopses and cover letters too. I do recommend Agent 121s and attending courses but If you can’t afford professional ones, look for cheap or free resources; you will be able to find them. Learn about the publishing industry. You need to think about what suits your situation. Use rejections to spur you on – to keep improving your book until it can sell itself. They are just part of the process for the vast majority of us. Publishing is an industry where you’re not at a disadvantage for any differences to ‘normal’ or your age, race etc. If you’ve got a good original story, aptitude and perseverance, then keep at it!
Instagram: @jayjacobsauthor
Bluesky: @jay1jacobsauthor.bsky.social
Publisher: The Book Guild
Check out our #Agent121 page to book an appointment.