Our Liam Kicks Butt! [Archive] - Absolute Write Water Cooler

JennaGlatzer

04-01-2005, 07:23 AM

Lookee, lookee! :hooray:

PMA PLACES LIAM JACKSON’S OFFSPRING WITH THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS/ST. MARTIN’S PRESS

Peter Miller, President of PMA Literary & Film Management, Inc., and Kelly Skillen proudly announce the sale of North American rights to Offspring, the first book in a proposed six-book series, by Liam Jackson, to John Parsley of Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin’s Press in a nice deal. PMA manages audio, foreign, and film rights to this title.

The first in a proposed six-book series, Offspring tells the story of a Universe in dire peril, in which a rebellious Usurper has emerged to challenge the Creator for Supremacy. With Heaven under siege, this latter day Lucifer leads the Fallen against the Host-- earthbound angels who protect and serve all creation. As a chilling array of demons, giants, monsters and shape-shifters gain unfettered access to the plane of humanity, it becomes apparent that only the Offspring, descendants of long-ago trysts between angels and men, can reverse the impending doom.

A group of unlikely heroes led by young Sam Connor, and assisted by a down-on-her-luck newspaper reporter, a determined wife, and a benevolent, disembodied voice, embark on a quest to unravel the mystery of their inheritance, harness their inner-power, and prevent the demons from inflicting their jealous rage on mankind’s most innocent members—children.

Liam Jackson is a twenty year veteran of the Criminal Justice System, having served as a narcotics officer, tactical team operator, Chief of Police and, most recently, Deputy Program Manager for Federal WMD mitigation and countermeasures initiative.*

*And he's a beloved member and moderator of Absolute Write. (Can't believe they left that out! ;) )

CACTUSWENDY

04-01-2005, 07:30 AM

WOW....:TheWave: :TheWave: It doesn't get any better than this......CONGRATS.....:Trophy:

Birol

04-01-2005, 07:31 AM

:PartySmil :PartySmil :PartySmil

Congratulations, Liam. Way to go!

MacAllister

04-01-2005, 07:39 AM

http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/fireworks1.GIF http://pages.prodigy.net/rogerlori1/emoticons/bounce3.gif Hurray!!!!!!!!!!!!! Liam the Local Hero!!!!!!!!!

BlueTexas

04-01-2005, 07:40 AM

Way to go Liam! :Hail:

jdkiggins

04-01-2005, 07:40 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!!!:partyguy: :partyguy: :partyguy:

WAY TO GO, LIAM.

James D. Macdonald

04-01-2005, 07:50 AM

See, y'all? First time novelists do get good sales to major publishers.

Liam, well done!

brokenfingers

04-01-2005, 08:09 AM

Congratulations!!

We often hear all the horror stories - it's inspiring to hear a tale of triumph!

This one's for you, Liam!!

:Cheers:

HConn

04-01-2005, 08:21 AM

Congrats!

cwfgal

04-01-2005, 08:50 AM

Well done, Liam!

Beth

Mistook

04-01-2005, 08:59 AM

WAY TO GO!

alaskamatt17

04-01-2005, 09:26 AM

Way to go. I hope someday I'll make it as far as you have. It sounds like you've come up with an amazing story.

BradyH1861

04-01-2005, 09:56 AM

I would take my hat off to you, but I'm not wearing one right now. So I'll say a simple "congrats" instead.

Brady H.

Liam Jackson

04-01-2005, 10:04 AM

JennaGlatzer

04-01-2005, 10:10 AM

And to think, I already have the blackmail photo to send to the Enquirer when you get all famous-like...

Think they'll mind that it's a *little* Photoshopped?

Liam, I know it's cliche, but it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. I'm so damn proud of you.

Dudes, this is a multi-book deal in hardcover.

I'm in awe.

NicoleJLeBoeuf

04-01-2005, 10:12 AM

So... we shouldn't burn our first books, then? ROFL!

Congratulations, Liam!

MacAllister

04-01-2005, 10:15 AM

Jenna! You finished! (you must have, or you wouldn't be back here, posting on the boards, unless you'd received an emergency email that they were burning down....)

Way to GO!

Liam Jackson

04-01-2005, 10:17 AM

<<<So... we shouldn't burn our first books, then? ROFL!>>>

No! Buy all six, THEN burn them. ;)

MacAllister

04-01-2005, 10:21 AM

So... we shouldn't burn our first books, then?Heh--not if it's a damn good book, like Liam's. :)

I've decided to skip writing the crappy first novel, and go straight for the decent second one, instead. BWAHAHHHAAHAAAAA

Actually, Liam's pretty quiet about it, but I happen to know he rewrote and reworked and basically busted his @ss on the thing. Lesson for all of us first-timers in that.

JennaGlatzer

04-01-2005, 10:27 AM

Mac, I have a decent excuse. My co-authors are finishing up their draft right now, and I can't go any further until they e-mail it to me, so I'm in a holding pattern.

Julian Black

04-01-2005, 10:52 AM

Congratulations, Liam! That's absolutely wonderful news!

Anatole Ghio

04-01-2005, 10:55 AM

Best of luck!

aadams73

04-01-2005, 02:17 PM

WTG! That's fantastic!!

KTC

04-01-2005, 02:49 PM

Awesome news, Liam! Take a bow!

zornhau

04-01-2005, 03:04 PM

Brilliant!:Sun:

oswann

04-01-2005, 03:08 PM

Good for you Liam. I was perfectly serious when I told you I always enjoyed your posts now I can enjoy the book. ;)

Os.

Daughter of Faulkner

04-01-2005, 03:24 PM

Liam,
My very best wishes I send your way today and always!

Relax and enjoy.

:Trophy:

:Clap:

maestrowork

04-01-2005, 03:29 PM

Given what Liam went through in the past 18 months, it's indeed a triumph in every sense of the word. He's such an inspiration. He should write a book abou it (hey, can I be a ghost writer for your biography?) ;) Not to mention Offspring is a damn good book even in ms. format (yes, I've read it!) I'm sure the final book(s) are going to be smash hits.

Woo hoo.

katiemac

04-01-2005, 05:06 PM

Liam, wonderful news! I'm overly excited. As soon as it's out, I'll be at the store searching for a copy.

SJB

04-01-2005, 06:06 PM

Congrats, Liam! You seriously prod buttock. :D

azbikergirl

04-01-2005, 06:25 PM

WOOT!! :hooray:

That's awesome news! Congrats!

(Can we see the query letter you used?) :D

Jaws

04-01-2005, 06:27 PM

Mac, I have a decent excuse. My co-authors are finishing up their draft right now, and I can't go any further until they e-mail it to me, so I'm in a holding pattern.
Not good enough. As I mentioned in the other thread, you won't ever need to buy shoes again. Back to work.

JennaGlatzer

04-01-2005, 08:29 PM

You perforated my intestines?! But... but... I finished! Can you please put my feet back? I hate trying to go to sleep without feet.

Trapped in amber

04-01-2005, 09:09 PM

Congratulations Liam!

:snoopy::snoopy::snoopy::snoopy:
:snoopy::snoopy::snoopy::snoopy:
:snoopy::snoopy::snoopy:

Jamesaritchie

04-01-2005, 09:54 PM

Thanks, folks. The past 18 months have been wild. And Jim M. hit it on the head about first timers. I had never written anything other than techincal material, since middle school. This was first shot out of the barrel for a raw rookie.

So, as the old saying does, "If I can do it...."
Best of luck to you all.

That is truly great news, and as James M says, you've just proven first timers can still sell novels. Great news!

Now, when the book is released, watch the libraries. There seems to be some link between how often your books are stolen and how popular you are.

And you could get a bunch of friends to go around stealing your books from various libraries. You'll get a royalty when the library has to buy another copy.

Come on, I can't be the only writer who does this?

Nateskate

04-01-2005, 10:45 PM

Thanks, folks. The past 18 months have been wild. And Jim M. hit it on the head about first timers. I had never written anything other than techincal material, since middle school. This was first shot out of the barrel for a raw rookie.

So, as the old saying does, "If I can do it...."
Best of luck to you all.

Woo Liam, I'm impressed. Can't wait to see the movie versions either.

All this time, we chat, and I didn't know you were an Epic Fantasy kind of guy. I even like you more now. Never can tell a book by its cover though...in fact, wasn't that a point of one of your own posts! By the way, did you use your own picture???

Excellent job...I knew you when.

Kasey Mackenzie

04-02-2005, 12:57 AM

Congratulations Liam! You deserve to be proud of yourself! May your publishing experience go smoothly, and may the royalties flow freely. =)

Liam Jackson

04-02-2005, 02:59 AM

Woo Liam, I'm impressed. Can't wait to see the movie versions either.

All this time, we chat, and I didn't know you were an Epic Fantasy kind of guy. I even like you more now. Never can tell a book by its cover though...in fact, wasn't that a point of one of your own posts! By the way, did you use your own picture???

Excellent job...I knew you when.

Yep, Nate, that's me in the pic, taken about 2 years ago. I'm thinking about using the same pic for the book. And thanks for the kind words.

Kasey, this will probably sound corny, but that's never stopped me before. :)
Yes, I am proud, but ya' know, while the sale is great, I'm most proud of reaching "The End" and finally mustering the courage to go after a publisher.
Mailing off a completed manuscript is its own reward.

victoriastrauss

04-02-2005, 03:34 AM

Congrats, Liam! Your book sounds terrific. I can't wait to read it.

- Victoria

Hummingbird

04-02-2005, 03:39 AM

Wow!! Congrats!! :)

Pencilone

04-02-2005, 01:02 PM

Horray to Liam!:partyguy: :hooray:

It's so good to hear good news like this! So all the hard work gets its reward!:Trophy:

Best Wishes,

Pencilone

JohnGalt

04-02-2005, 11:46 PM

Congratulations, Liam! I'm happy for you.

- JG

Kida Adelyne

04-03-2005, 04:13 AM

:PartySmil

When can we buy it?

AncientEagle

04-03-2005, 08:22 AM

Liam,

Congratulations! You've inspired me to crank out another chapter.

lindylou45

04-03-2005, 09:20 AM

Congratulations, Liam.

What great news! :partyguy: :snoopy: :Trophy:

Celeste

04-28-2005, 02:30 PM

Originally posted by LiamJacksonThanks, folks. The past 18 months have been wild. And Jim M. hit it on the head about first timers. I had never written anything other than techincal material, since middle school. This was first shot out of the barrel for a raw rookie.

So, as the old saying does, "If I can do it...."
Best of luck to you all.

Wow, Liam! Congratulations! I had no idea! You didn't even tell me! ;)
This is friggin' awesome! I am definitely going to buy your book! http://bestsmileys.com/writer/3.gif

http://bestsmileys.com/signs16/19.gif http://bestsmileys.com/signs15/3.gif http://bestsmileys.com/signs15/11.gif

TashaGoddard

04-28-2005, 05:34 PM

OK. Wondering how I missed this. But, better late than never...

Congratulations! :Cheers:

Torin

04-28-2005, 05:41 PM

What Tasha said. I was sure I had responded, but I don't see me here.

Big congrats, Liam!! :hooray: :hooray:

PattiTheWicked

04-28-2005, 07:32 PM

Lookee, lookee! :hooray:

PMA PLACES LIAM JACKSON’S OFFSPRING WITH THOMAS DUNNE BOOKS/ST. MARTIN’S PRESS

Woooohhoooooo!!!! Congratulations, Liam!!!!!

:hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray::hooray::h ooray::hooray::hooray::hooray:

Note On

04-28-2005, 07:41 PM

Congratulations!

mudflat_marsh_hawk

04-28-2005, 07:58 PM

Way to go, Liam!! Congratulations!!!! How incredibly exciting.

:D

Lilybiz

04-28-2005, 08:21 PM

Congratulations, Liam! This is very exciting--obviously, everyone's woohooing, even newbies like me! Wooohooo!

Is there a place on the forums where members' publications are listed? I know, for example, that I can find Jenna's books on Amazon, or Uncle Jim's, but I don't know everyone's last name or the names under which they write. Maestrowork has a novel coming out this autumn and I'll bet there are lots more, everything from poems to articles to brochures to books.

Is there an AW bulletin board that lists everybody's published stuff? Or is everyone SO published that it would be too much?

Lenora Rose

04-28-2005, 10:31 PM

Congratulations Liam! I'll be sure to look for it in bookstores.

Is there a place on the forums where members' publications are listed? I know, for example, that I can find Jenna's books on Amazon, or Uncle Jim's, but I don't know everyone's last name or the names under which they write. Maestrowork has a novel coming out this autumn and I'll bet there are lots more, everything from poems to articles to brochures to books.

Is there an AW bulletin board that lists everybody's published stuff? Or is everyone SO published that it would be too much?

I don't think we're too published for it (Aren't most of us not / barely published?) but I also think such a board isn't up yet.

I like the idea though (Then again, I'm trying to sell an e-book.)

Now, when the book is released, watch the libraries. There seems to be some link between how often your books are stolen and how popular you are.

And you could get a bunch of friends to go around stealing your books from various libraries. You'll get a royalty when the library has to buy another copy.

Come on, I can't be the only writer who does this?

I thought I saw that on the PublishAmerica web site as one of their marketing ploys....

Lilybiz

04-29-2005, 03:14 AM

Now, when the book is released, watch the libraries. There seems to be some link between how often your books are stolen and how popular you are.

And you could get a bunch of friends to go around stealing your books from various libraries. You'll get a royalty when the library has to buy another copy.

Come on, I can't be the only writer who does this?

Um, well, except I fear libraries are already headed for extinction due to budget cuts, and once a book is stolen they might not be able to afford to replace it. Plus, if all the good writers go around stealing their books, there won't be anything left for us to read (except by dead authors).

KimJo

04-29-2005, 04:04 AM

Oh, my gosh, I am so glad I found this thread! I remember reading drafts of Offspring on another writing site a couple (or few) years ago. It's a tremendows story! It's great to hear that it's getting published. Congratulations, Liam!

Liam Jackson

04-29-2005, 06:59 AM

Kimjo, I'm amazed that anyone remembers that original three chapter draft! I posted the three chapters on Themestream, in Jan. 02, (the same month I wrote them :) )

The storyline remains unchanged, although I eventually scrapped those chapters and started fresh. I hope you like the "new and improved" version.

And thanks to all who have posted. I appreciate the nice thoughts.

KimJo

04-29-2005, 02:43 PM

Liam, it wasn't Themestream (unless the site changed its name). It was something like Writers.com (I can't remember the exact name of the site); people posted their stories or parts of for other people to critique. Over a period of time, you posted a few sections of your draft of Offspring, and I thought at the time that it would be a shame if it didn't get published. Keep us posted as to when it will be released; I can't wait to read it!

Liam Jackson

04-29-2005, 03:39 PM

Opps. You were close. It was Writing.com., though I had the date correct. I had three long chapters (and I mean longgg) so I broke them up into installments ranging from 3,000-6000 words.

Shortly after I posted the last piece, someone mentioned that online posting was considered prior publication by some publishers. So, I killed those installments and started over from scratch, preserving the storyline, but rewriting the opening chapters. I even changed the name of all the characters but one. Didn't want to take any chances. :)

I'm really gald you found AW and hope your stay is long and enjoyable!
What are you writing these days?

thistle

04-29-2005, 04:14 PM

I just found this thread--I'm kind of new here to AW. Liam, I can't wait to read the novel! I'm so impressed and excited for you! Congrats! :Clap:

Liam Jackson

04-29-2005, 05:42 PM

Thistle, thank you, but I'm just another newbie. After you've been here on the site for a while, you'll spot the "real" impressive folks. :)

NeuroFizz

04-29-2005, 06:16 PM

Liam,

Another newbie saying congrats. Great fortune in this business is earned through hard work (more than I thought when I started). Some say luck is involved, and that may be a small part, but like everything else, I suspect the cream rises. If we ever meet, a cold one or three on me (or a "prairie fire*" if you prefer).

Cheers, NeuroFizz

*shot of tequila with a double dash of tabasco (feel the burn...twice).