‘So That happened’ by Tami Sussman
It is such a privilege to work on the developmental stage of any manuscript that goes on to find a publisher. So when we heard that Tami Sussman had been picked up by not one, but two publishers (Affirm Press & Walker Books) for two separate books, we couldn’t have been happier for her. We also needed her to tell us everything!
We’ve asked her to tell us all about her about her book deal, writing habits and inspiration, and her publishing journey to inspire others.
Tami, thank you so much for your time, it is always a pleasure to see MAA authors finding publishing opportunities and I love sharing these successes with other writers and aspiring authors 😊 So, let’s get started…
let’s start with what the book is about…
So That Happened … But Maybe You Knew That is intended to be a hilarious and heart-warming middle-grade story about how to be a good friend (and realise when you’ve been a bad one), how to leave childhood behind, and, most importantly, how to get back up when it feels like the world has knocked you down.
Natalie (Nutty to her friends) knows turning 12 is a big deal, and even though she doesn’t like change AT ALL, she’s prepping for:
a) having the best bat mitzvah party anyone has ever been to;
b) graduating from primary school; and
c) hopefully getting a boyfriend.
But there’s even more headed Nutty’s way that might change everything, like her parents running out of money and selling her childhood home, along with the reassuring family smell. Or when her best friend no longer feels like a girl and wants to leave the bat mitzvah group altogether. It seems only Natalie can keep her family, her friendships and her party from falling apart.
This book is aimed at 10–13-year-olds and anyone who is having important conversations with these young people. I’m getting so many messages from readers 30yrs+ who are loving this book (the nostalgia is real).
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
Tami: I am an author and I still pinch myself every time I write that! I have a background in theatre, comedy, spoken word poetry and copywriting. I spent my twenties facilitating creative writing workshops for primary and high school students and my early thirties contributing humorous opinion pieces for online and print magazines. I’m also a celebrant, the most sarcastic participant in your group chat and a loyal servant to the little creatures in my home.
Kit: I love your comment about being the most sarcastic participant … that can either make you very popular (the funny one) with the right audience or… right? 😉
Tami: Oh, for sure. I have told friends and family that I’m open to feedback if/when I take things too far.
Kit: I never realised how sarcastic I was until a friend recently pointed it out to me, so I am on your page 😊
WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO START WRITING ‘So That Happened’?
Tami: It started as a funny video I sent to my friends during the first covid lockdown in March 2020. I thanked everyone for their concern about the wedding couples who had to postpone their plans (I am a celebrant as well) and asked them to take a moment to think about all the bar and bat mitzvah kids who would need to cancel their plans! This inspired a story about a girl who is obsessed with planning ‘the best bat mitzvah ever’ and the book soon erupted.
Kit: I found it so enlightening to read more about a young Jewish girl’s experiences and how they were so similar and yet so different from mine growing up. I feel lots of young readers will appreciate this. Reading offers such an important insight into the world of others and such a great learning experience.
What do you hope people will take from reading ‘So That Happened’?
Tami: I hope they have a greater understanding of how nuanced the Jewish Community is and how varied a queer identity can be. People tend to view Jewish and/or queer people as ‘one thing’ and perceptions are often based on a single Jewish person they met or a queer character in a Netflix series. I hope readers are inspired to ask their parents and grandparents questions about their lives. I also hope they add the Macarena to their favourite playlist.
Kit: Books have the ability to let us in to different people’s experiences, which is especially important for young people … that’s not true, it’s especially important for all people to open their eyes and learn about other human experiences and ways of being. It is good to see books being published now with more varied narratives.
Tami: It’s great.
What about publishing …
how many publishers did you submit to before you received that all-important acceptance letter?
Tami: I submitted to three publishers. Three were keen. Two were keen enough to send me an acceptance letter (the other one needed more time, so we decided it wasn’t going to be) and one publisher was the keenest … they even offered me a two-book deal! Eventually I chose to work with Walker Books.
Kit: Honestly, this is amazing, but after reading your narrative for the appraisal, I am not surprised at all. It is so nice to hear of such a fruitful and positive publishing experience.
How did the acceptance come through? Via email … Letter? Tell us everything!
Tami: All via email. I suppose I should print that email and frame it like they do in the movies. Come to think of it, I can’t recall a specific scene in a movie where that happens. Maybe it’s something Elizabeth Gilbert references in her talks? No, I think she encourages people to frame their rejection letters. Help me out here Kit …
Kit: I’ve got nothing for you 😊 Haha! But I think you should print it on exceedingly pretty paper and frame it for sure. It can either go straight to the pool room or hang in on the front door so everyone knows that you’re an in-demand author 😉
Tami: Or above my toilet where all the ‘humble’ actors apparently put their Oscars.
Kit: Well, there is that… after so much work, do you want to be humble 😉
What did you find easy, difficult, surprising about the publishing process?
Tami: I had heard that receiving that first document of notes from the editor can be a blow to the ego, but I didn’t mind it – I enjoyed using a different part of my brain and I was genuinely open to changes as I trusted my publisher and editor’s experience. I had also been warned about how _ s l o w _things can move in publishing, so I suppose I was prepared for that too.
Kit: it is great that you were able to trust the people you were working with. They’re there to make your book the best it can be, so it is nice to know that you understood that was their aim. It is such a lovely team effort at that point 😊
YOU WORKED WITH THE MAA IN THE EARLY DAYS OF YOUR NOVEL-WRITING PURSUITS, HOW DO YOU FEEL THAT HELPED TO SHAPE YOUR WORK?
Tami: First and foremost, your team gave me confidence to pursue the manuscript. That encouragement early on, was fuel to the fire to proceed. One of the standout bits of feedback MAA gave me was to change the setting from the late 90s to now. That transformed everything (in a really good way) as the piece became less autobiographical and more commercial. I think if I had been given that feedback later in the process, I would have been more reluctant to change it, so investing early is worth it. It also meant that I felt the manuscript was in a ‘good enough place’ to enter it into the ASA Award Mentorship competition. Winning that was an absolute privilege and I’m forever grateful to MAA and the ASA for their support.
Kit: It is so wonderful to hear that, thanks 😊 We love what we do and knowing it has helped on your road to publishing is very satisfying 😊
You have another book going out into the world too, did you want to tell us a little about that one?
Tami: I have a picture book called Tiny Tradies (published by Affirm Press) which is out in the world already AND the sequel to So That Happened … But Maybe You Already Knew That is due for release in 2024!
Kit: Sensational news!!!
Do you have any other manuscripts lurking in a drawer somewhere that might get to see the light of day?
Tami: I have so many picture book manuscripts lurking in my drawer. When my littlest one gets into daycare they will hopefully see the light of day again. I also have some funny opinion pieces I’d like to see published soon too. Let’s not talk about the ideas for books lurking in the messy drawer that is my subconscious …
Kit: Fair enough… I’ll leave that well alone 😉
Okay, now, this is important… Where can we buy your book and find out more about you?
At any good bookstore! Call in advance to make sure they have stock. Of course, readers can buy my books online too (just google the titles) but I like to mention local booksellers first as they are endangered species we need to protect.
You can also keep in touch with me and my books through Facebook, Instagram or my website 😊
And can you tell us what’s next for you?
Tami: Remember that sequel I mentioned? That manuscript is due end of June. So I’ll be working on that and doing lots of Author Talks in schools and around town for So That Happened … I love all that stuff. I would be thrilled to be invited to a festival or two (hint hint if any festival directors are reading this … I’m good on panels!!!).
Otherwise, you’ll find me changing nappies at home and picking up my dog’s poo at the park … the glamorous life of an author.
Kit: Well, if you fancy coming to my kid’s school… I can definitely put a good word in for you. I might even take you out for a coffee afterwards!
Tami: Done.
Kit: I’d like that… expect my email very soon!
Honestly, I am so happy to hear your successes. You’ve been a delight to work with and it is great to see your books going into the world and impacting young readers.
Okay, just because I like to finish with a little bit of fun…
1. Spring, Summer, Autumn or Winter? Why?
Autumn. The ocean is warm (as warm as the Pacific gets anyway), the leaves are magnificent and before La Niña it wasn’t too rainy in Sydney.
2. Tea or coffee? Breakfast or dinner?
Tea (green). Breakfast (crunchy).
3. If I went to your place and looked in your fridge, what would I most likely find?
You will always find a jar of vegemite, a jar of kosher pickles and 90% dark chocolate (not in a jar).
4. What punctuation mark best describes your personality?
I wish I was an enigmatic ellipse … but I’m an intense exclamation! Three exclamations!!!
5. If a film was made about you and your life would it be a drama, comedy, rom-com etc? Which actor would play you?
It would be a dramedy. Ilana Glazer would play present tense Tami, Jacob Tremblay would be past tense Tami and Julia Louis Dreyfus for future tense Tami please.