An Interview with Sarah Negovetich

Hey, it’s Rae again! For those of you just tuning in, here’s my spiel: As writers, we all Google-stalk agents (and often editors). Come on, admit it, you do. And if you’ve done your homework – and you should have done your homework – you can probably rattle off your dream agent’s most recent sales, submission guidelines, history as an agent, favorite font, and caffeinated beverage. But did you know that agents are people, too? Quirky, nerdy, hilarious, and downright interesting people? These aren’t your standard interviews. These are about the people behind the profile pictures. The ones you would not only want championing your book, but also sitting at your coffee shop table, talking to you over something warm and delicious – caramel apple cider, if you’re me. Note: This is NOT an invitation to coffee shop stalk them in real life. Be polite. Use common sense. If I find out you have used these interviews for evil purposes, be warned – I shall find you. Enjoy!

Today’s interview is with Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Agency!

Rae: Who would you pick to write your bio? What would it be titled? And if it were optioned to a movie, who would play you?

Sarah: I want Jenny Lawson, AKA The Bloggess, to write my bio and we’d call it Never Grow Up: The long tale of a short girl. She is hilarious, has a fetish for taxidermy, and a geek inspired potty mouth. I’m certain she would make me sound way cooler than I actually am. Jennifer Lawrence would need to play me because we share a lack of a verbal filter. Also, despite being well into my 30s I like to pretend I’m only 20.

Rae: What fictional academy/university/school would you most want to attend? (i.e. Starfleet Academy, Hogwarts, Jedi Academy, Camp Half-Breed, Battle School in Space, Beauxbatons, etc)

Sarah: Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy, Hoggy, Hogwarts. Teach me something, please!

Rae: What fictional character would be your confidante?

Sarah: Elizabeth Bennett and I could be besties forever. I can picture us sitting on a lounge, drinking spiked coffee and mocking everyone worthy of our vivacious sarcasm.

Rae: What fictional food/beverage would you most want to try?

Sarah: I finally fulfilled my dream of trying Butter Beer this past summer. After that it would be a toss up between Fizzy Lifting Drinks (from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) because flying is cool and the Eat Me cake (from Alice in Wonderland) because I am super, crazy short and being tall for a day would be interesting.

Rae: You are faced with your nemesis! You instantly grab your trusty __________? (lightsaber, phaser, wand, mace, girly scream, katana, broadsword, etc)

Sarah: Butt-kicking side kick. Seriously, I lack any semblance of hand-eye coordination so I’d likely only injure myself with a weapon.

Rae: What song(s) would play in the soundtrack of your life?

Sarah: Anything with a beat. I’ve had my fair share of rough patches, but I’d like to think I came through all of them rocking on. On a side note, my first dance with my husband was Dean Martin’s ‘Ain’t That A Kick In The Head’.

Rae: What’s your best rainy day book? Beach book?

Sarah: On a rainy day, anything by Jane Austen hits the spot. When I’m traveling and need to relax, I like to read something new. I have way too many books on my TBR pile, so reading one of them while I’m vacationing helps me to feel like I’m still being productive.

Rae: What is your work fuel of choice? (food-wise)

Sarah: The aforementioned caffeine is required. I don’t function well without at least one cup of coffee (preferably served in my Marauder’s Map mug). For food, I have to rotate between salty and sweet. So a Reese’s peanut butter cup with a chips and salsa chaser sounds good.

Rae: Something awesome just happened (book deal, signed a client, etc). How do you celebrate?

Sarah: I dance in the really awkward way that people with very little coordination do. It should be known that I have no shame (I did a poor version of the Hustle last night at my writer’s group). Dancing includes a lot of rump shaking and it’s not pretty, people, but that’s what I do.

Rae: Something sucky just happened. What gets you through one of these harder days?

Sarah: Coffee and more booty shaking. It’s really hard to be in a bad mood when your kids are laughing maniacally as you shake your groove thing around the kitchen fueled by an abundance of caffeine.

Rae: Who taught you the ropes (i.e. was your Jedi Master) when you were starting out as an agent?

Sarah: I’m lucky enough to have two fabulous Senior Agents hold my hand, Marisa Corvisiero and Saritza Hernandez. Both of these ladies are always willing to answer my questions or remind me I’m not crazy (not certifiably, anyway).

Rae: What classic novel do you wish you could have represented back in the day?

Sarah: Pride and Prejudice. Beside being a great novel, I always felt Jane Austen got taken advantage of when it came to selling her books. I’d like to go back and try to negotiate her a better contract. 🙂

Anyone else up for a dance off?  If Sarah sounds like your kind of agent, do your homework, and send her some amazing queries!  Thanks so much for stopping by, Sarah, and may the queries ever contain exactly what you are seeking!