When 25-year-old University of Memphis graduate Johanna Edwardssat down to write her first novel, "The Next Big Thing," she neverdreamed that phrase would soon describe her future as an authorwith a six-figure advance and a contract for a second book.
"I've always dreamed of becoming a published novelist," saidEdwards, who got her BA in journalism from The U of M in 2001. "Ican't believe it's real."
Edwards, who found the job market tough after Sept. 11, went toEngland for six months through a work-aboard program and returnedto Memphis to take a job with "Book Talk," the author-interviewshow, which is nationally syndicated by the public library'sWYPL-FM radio station.
She said she has always loved to read and enjoys meeting famousauthors as the producer of "Book Talk," and that served as acatalyst for writing her own novel.
"As I met and listened to all the authors we would interview, Iwould be thinking to myself that if they could do it, I could doit, too," Edwards said.
Unable to write during the day because of her job, Edwards beganwriting from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m.. She routinely read an excerpt ofany book she had on hand to get her creative juices flowing.
Many authors take months or years to write a novel --Edwardstook one month from start to finish.
"The Next Big Thing," which falls into the publishing categoryof commercial women's fiction known as "chick lit," is the story ofKat, an aspiring novelist in Memphis, who has had bad luck in loveand life. She thinks getting on a reality TV show will turn thingsaround for her, but only chaos ensues.
"The main character is loosely based on my own experiencesheightened to extremes," Edwards said with a laugh.
Edwards crafted her writing abilities working as a writer andeditor for the arts and entertainment section of The Daily Helmsmanfor almost three years. She said her journalism classes andHelmsman experience led to her success as a novelist.
"I learned how to do interviews, research and take criticism ofediting," Edwards said.
After finishing her novel, Edwards faced the daunting task ofgetting it published. Edwards put her research skill to use. Shegained knowledge about publishers and, more important, literaryagents.
Of the 24 agents Edwards wrote or e-mailed, 14 asked to see herfull manuscript. After reading the novel, several agents expressedinterest in representing her, but Edwards was signed by her "dreamagent," Jenny Bent, a prominent New York agent.
"She wasn't accepting new clients, but I sent a query letteranyway because the worst she could do was say no," Edwardssaid.
Bent sent several publishers "The Next Big Thing" on a Friday,and by Tuesday, Edwards had publishing offers. Although severalpublishers were competing for the chance to publish the book, Bentand Edwards settled on Berkeley, an imprint of Penguin Books. "TheNext Big Thing" is due in bookstores in April 2005, and Edwards'second novel, which she is writing now, will be published in April2006.
Edwards' agent is also exploring the possibility of selling themovie rights to one or both books, and Edwards says she'd like tosee Reese Witherspoon or Kate Hudson play her main character.
The six-figure advance, possible movie deals and the MercedesC320 she plans to buy with her first advance check could easily bethe most rewarding aspects of this experience, but for Edwards,only one thing stands out.
"The book is the most rewarding thing," she said. "I have alwayshad this need to succeed, and I can relax now that I have. I can'tbelieve it's real."
