Page 42 of Bending The Rules

“Uhh… whoever got that funny-looking kid with the only black speaking role from the slavery-set zombie show that tell-all book deal. Did you see that shit?”

Anthony rolled his eyes at my extended hand, then took the seat across from me at the lunch table. “You’re not funny, Mr. Wright.”

“My readers would beg to differ.”

He sniffed. “You won’thaveany readers if we don’t get some buzz going soon about your new book.”

“I just released a book a few months ago.”

“Yes, with the power and finances of Lion Literary behind you. But you don’t want that anymore. Now, you want your dick held for you while you relieve yourself, which comes at a premium.”

I laughed. “I don’t want my dick held, I’d just like to decide for myself when and where I can take a piss.”

“And two-ply tissue for the tip, and organic soap for your hands, and a warm towel, and…”

“Okay, this analogy is getting away from us.”

He nodded his agreement. “So, I’ll get to the point. You don’t want a big publisher anymore, you want a boutique agency. But you don’t want one that’s small because ithasto be, you want one that’s that way by design. I believe I referred to it before as a unicorn.”

“I remember. So… what’s the verdict?”

“That you have the best agent ever, and you should show me a little more respect. BecauseIfound one that offers everything on your list, and is actively seeking a new author in your genre.”

“Cover input, creative control, and higher royalty split?”

“All of that. And the bag of chips to go with it – black owned.”

I sat up a little taller. “Okay, so let’s make a deal happen. Who is it?”

“Scattered Seeds Publishing.”

I swear those words came out of his mouth in slow motion.

Just as quickly as hope had built up that he’d found a new place for me to continue my career, it deflated. Of course I knew Scattered Seeds was the bomb, cause Toni built it. But I’d never looked very far into the business part of it, because it seemed silly to even entertain the idea that Toni would want to work with me again, after the way things fell apart.

Why on earthwouldshe?

I hated to dash Anthony’s hopes, but I shook my head. “There has to be someone else, man.”

He frowned. “No, actually. There isn’t. Not operating with the same level of professionalism and respect. From all accounts, Scattered Seeds is a company to watch – and work with. I spoke to a few of their authors, and they areverywell taken care of. I’m not understanding the problem. Don’t youknowthe owner? Didn’t she just host a signing for you at her family’s bookstore? Didn’t she publish your first book? I saw she was a BSU grad, just like you, and you’re the same age. You would have been on campus at the same time.”

“Yes,” I said, scrubbing hands over my face. “I know Toni, I do. But there’s some history there, that…”

Anthony leaned in, hands clasped in front of him on the table. “Keep talking.”

I let out a dry chuckle. “There’s not much to tell. Not much I’mgoingto tell. I’m just saying, my confidence in Toni accepting me onto the Scattered Seeds roster is slim.”

“You screwed her, didn’t you?”

I choked on the gulp of water I’d just taken. “What??”

“That’s what happened, isn’t it? You broke this girl’s heart back in college, and now she wants nothing to do with you.”

“No,” I insisted, clearing my throat. “That’s not what happened.”

“Then whatdidhappen?” He asked, then immediately held up a hand for me not to answer. “You know what, never mind. I don’t even want to know. Plausible deniability. It doesn’t matter anyway. I choose to believe that this woman is a professional, and will not let your history dictate the terms of a smart business move. Besides that, she’s the CEO. You wouldn’t submit directly to her anyway. With her business structure, you would work with one of the editorial directors that works for her. Does she handpick some herself, yes. But you wouldn’t be working directly with her.”

“So you’re suggesting… I go around her to work with her company? Just submit a pitch without saying anything to her?”

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