Name:
Jaime Smith
Book Title:
Transfer Savvy: Find Your Fit and Finish College
Social Media:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaime-smith-cep/
https://www.instagram.com/transfersavvy
Websites:
NFAA: Tell our members a bit about your experience at this year’s Nonfiction Writers Conference, held in May. Was it your first NFWC conference? What were some of the most helpful or interesting aspects of it?
JS: This was my first NFWC conference! I was trying to learn as much as possible about traditional publishing, self-publishing and hybrid options, and NFWC seemed like a great way to jump in and learn a lot in a short time. Aside from the pitch session, the Ask-a-Pro sessions were a highlight – I was able to ask specific questions that had been on my mind. I also requested time with an author from my state, and then realized she actually lives in my town! It was great to connect with someone local who was able to share experiences about publishing and promoting books in my area.
NFAA: How did you approach the pitch-the-agents session? Did you research the agents or prepare in any particular way for your pitches?
JS: I wasn’t originally going to sign up for Pitch-The-Agents. It was my first time attending NFWC, so I had never even observed a session like that. But about a week before the conference, I received an email that said there weren’t as many applications as last year, so I decided to just go for it. Luckily, I went later in the session, so I was able to observe the first few pitches before having to do my own – that helped calm my nerves.
NFAA: Tell our members what it was like working with your agent, Rita Rosencranz of Rita Rosencranz Literary Agency. What was the most valuable thing you learned in the experience of working with an agent?
JS: All of the agents and editors at the pitch session provided valuable feedback and asked great clarifying questions. I incorporated much of that feedback into the working draft of my proposal, so when all four of them asked to see my full proposal and sample chapters, I felt confident sending it out.
While I waited to hear back, I started researching Rita more carefully. She has so much experience in the industry! Then I discovered that she represents another author I deeply admire in my field, and I was sold. I just had to cross my fingers and hope she wanted to represent me, too! I’m incredibly honored to be added to her roster.
As a first-time author, I have questions ALL the time. Rita has patiently answered them all, from interpreting contract terms to helping me understand how authors typically navigate various aspects of this process.
NFAA: Spoiler alert: Your book was picked up by a publisher and it’s coming out in 2025. Congratulations! Tell us about your book, and about the process of working alongside your agent and publisher to get your book to publication.
JS: Yes! Jason Gardner from New World Library also attended the pitch session, and he actually made an offer before I even signed with Rita! Both Jason and Rita responded enthusiastically to my proposal and clearly understood my goals for the book. I could not have asked for a better team.
My book is tentatively titled Transfer Savvy: Find Your Fit and Finish College. It’s a how-to guide that will take students through the entire college transfer process, from deciding whether transfer is a wise decision to enrolling at the new university. It sounds like a niche topic, but in reality, more than a third of all college students transfer at least once before earning a degree. There just isn’t as much press (or support!) for these students. Jason was already aware of some of the challenges that transfer students face, so he was in a great position to understand the value of a book like this.
NFAA: What’s next for you as an author?
JS: Well, for now, I’m busy writing the rest of the manuscript! I’m also working on building my platform, speaking at conferences, and advocating for transfer students. I’m sure I’ll need a break after getting this first book out, but then I would like to write another one soon. I have a few ideas to float by Rita and Jason next year J
NFAA: Is there anything else you’d like to add?
JS: I’m so grateful to Stephanie, the NFAA community, and the professionals who shared their wisdom at the NFWC conference. My book project took a giant leap forward when decided to become a member and attend the conference.
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