Mafia Chic
Well, I've been found out. As you can see in the comments field from the last lively discussion (and trust me, we're getting back to that!), I have something to let you know.
My agent announced it on Publishers Lunch, and yes, what I've been hinting about is true. Mafia Chic was bought by Warner Brothers for television. They're hopefully developing it into a series. But as we all know, this is just another level of Development Hell.
What's the book about? Teddi Gallo is the only granddaughter among 17 grandsons of the last of the old-time mafia dons. She is doted on, and she has had way too many males being overprotective all her life. She is a chef--owns a restaurant--with her first cousin on her maternal side, an Irish devil named Quinn who likes to sleep with all the waitresses. If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know what a soap opera they are. And Teddi's life gets very complicated when the FBI takes an interest in her restaurant. It was a Red Dress Ink title out about two Septembers ago. I loved the cover . . . and loved the book because it was full of the love only a boisterous big family can embody.
Of all my books, this is one that really lends itself to episodic TV. Why? Because most of my books, in my mind, have a beginning, a middle, and an end. When the book is over, it's over. But in Mafia Chic, because it's got a big cast of colorful characters, and a restaurant, they could go on in their meddlesome, loving, big , Italian fashion forever. My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets The Sopranos.
My agent did a brilliant job with this deal (thank you, thank you!).
But . . . there's another side to this announcement. I woke up to another day. Back to work. Contracts to sign, books to work on, ideas to develop. You see, selling your first book is great, your tenth is wonderful, your 25th (I think about what I'm up to) awesome. But it's still a job and, as I've blogged before, you can't look left and right to see what everyone else is doing. Keep focused on writing the best books you can and surrounding yourself with support.
So . . . announcement made. Now, back to work!
My agent announced it on Publishers Lunch, and yes, what I've been hinting about is true. Mafia Chic was bought by Warner Brothers for television. They're hopefully developing it into a series. But as we all know, this is just another level of Development Hell.
What's the book about? Teddi Gallo is the only granddaughter among 17 grandsons of the last of the old-time mafia dons. She is doted on, and she has had way too many males being overprotective all her life. She is a chef--owns a restaurant--with her first cousin on her maternal side, an Irish devil named Quinn who likes to sleep with all the waitresses. If you've ever worked in a restaurant, you know what a soap opera they are. And Teddi's life gets very complicated when the FBI takes an interest in her restaurant. It was a Red Dress Ink title out about two Septembers ago. I loved the cover . . . and loved the book because it was full of the love only a boisterous big family can embody.
Of all my books, this is one that really lends itself to episodic TV. Why? Because most of my books, in my mind, have a beginning, a middle, and an end. When the book is over, it's over. But in Mafia Chic, because it's got a big cast of colorful characters, and a restaurant, they could go on in their meddlesome, loving, big , Italian fashion forever. My Big Fat Greek Wedding meets The Sopranos.
My agent did a brilliant job with this deal (thank you, thank you!).
But . . . there's another side to this announcement. I woke up to another day. Back to work. Contracts to sign, books to work on, ideas to develop. You see, selling your first book is great, your tenth is wonderful, your 25th (I think about what I'm up to) awesome. But it's still a job and, as I've blogged before, you can't look left and right to see what everyone else is doing. Keep focused on writing the best books you can and surrounding yourself with support.
So . . . announcement made. Now, back to work!
posted by Erica Orloff at 11:19 PM
20 Comments:
Let me be the first to say congratulations, Erica!!!!!!!!
Awesome news.
I have worked in a restaurant, and this sounds like a winner to me. If I were a gambling man...
Well, hell. Let's just go to Vegas. We'll take the '57 Ford convertible, and if we get stuck between Searchlight and Needles...who cares? At least we won't have to get on one of those scary things called an airplane. :)
Thank you. The Ford convertible is waiting, sir, to celebrate. :-)
Yes, restaurants are a unique plac ein that regard. In real life, at least in my many experiences as a bartender and waitress, everynight has a story as you try to avert at least one disaster.
E
Congratulations all over again, Erica! (Sorry to let the cat out of the bag. Bad Jackie. No cookie.)
(blinks) TWENTY FIVE BOOKS.
Wow.
Amazing.
When you first started, did you ever imagine this, in your wildest dreams? Twenty-five books, and now a television deal?
Jackie:
You didn't let it out of the bag . . . no worries. The Publishers Marketplace went out yesterday and Karmela asked me about it, along with a dozen emails privately . . . so I figured I'd better say SOMETHING. LOL!
And no, I never imagined. Ever. In my wildest dreams. I used to basically think I wanted to be a short story writer (how can I POSSIBLY think of enough to write 300 pages about?). Then shifted to maybe thinking I might, someday, somehow, whatever, write and publish a novel. But it all seemed vague and far away.
E
Me second! CONGRATULATIONS ERICA!!!
I'm doing a happy dance for you (and you're lucky you can't see it!) You must be over the moon. Love the calm, cool, back to work approach. Over the moon and overwhelmed, I'm sure.
And yes, I've done the bar-tending and waitress schtick and it makes for excellent ammunition to arm a keyboard. Lots of drama and interesting characters.
Statistically speaking, there's probably a lot more accidents in Ford's than in airplanes. Although, a road trip is a more interesting way to see things.(We're taking one this weekend. An HVAC convention in Vermont.)
But I'll fly to Vegas and meet you :0) Yupp, afraid of heights, but not bothered by planes. Go figure.
Timing is everything.
Me THIRD I guess :P
Okay, I can finally offer you my public congratulations!!! Woohoo!!! I need to go get me a copy of MC right now before it sells out...
Lainey:
Well, bottom line is . . . I have a job. A greta job that lets me be with my kids. Granted, it's unusual--writing novels--but a job nonetheless. And while this is fun and exciting, it really doesn't change those pesky deadlines! LOL!
Thanks for the kind wishes.
E
P.S. See you in Vegas. ;-)
Karm:
Thanks! You're the best! Always so full of sincere good wishes and ENERGY for everyone.
xo
E
Congratulations!
Have you read www.thefoodwhore.com or www.waiterrants.com Erica?
Wow Erica- I'm so happy for you. Congratulations!!!!!!!! I bet you were bouncing off the walls. Did you know it was coming?
Again congrats. It couldn't have happen to a better person.
Hugs
LA
That is such great news!!!
But you are right about keeping focused on the writing. Hoolwood is notorious about buying the rights to something and then taking their own sweet time about doing something with it. Keep the money flowing with your writing and let the movie/tv stuff take its own course and time :)
I'm in SoCal, so Vegas is in my back yard. I'd take the time to meet you there as well :) I wouldn't even have to get on a plane to do it (whew!)
Congrats! That's awesome news. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.
:) d
may;
Hadn't visited (likely because I have so many of my own rants--LOL!).
The restaurant biz is so unique in that regard. There's the life up front of the house and the life in the kitchen.
The way I met my current Significant Other? Threw a steak through the window at the kitchen line where he was the chef because he overcooked the filet for my best customer, and I was sure he was going to cost me a tip. Hit him in the chest with a steak. There's a "meet cute" for ya.
E
la:
I actually knew it was coming for a while. It just took a bit for the contracts to get drawn up, signed, counter-signed and all that.
Thanks!
E
ewoh:
I could reglae you with tales of my LAST trip through Hollywood, but I'll spare you. :-) And yes, I tend not to take it all too seriously.
E
I know how Hollywood works but I'm still so excited for you! I'll send lots of positive, productive vibes so that it gets made.
Best,
Mary
Dana, Mary:
Thanks, Chicas!
E
Huge congrats. I saw it on PM. How exciting!!!!
Thanks, Sara!
:-)
E
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