Beginning to End – Mercy House: Agent, Nicki Richesin
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Mercy House, Alena Dillon’s debut novel, centers on Sister Evelyn, a fierce, wise-cracking, and ultimately kind-hearted nun who helps run a small Brooklyn shelter for women fleeing from domestic violence. When Bishop Hawkins threatens to close the home, Evelyn fights to save Mercy House and protect its residents, a struggle which forces her to face abuse in her own past.
William Morrow released Mercy House on February 11. For this edition of Beginning to End, Spine follows Mercy House from author all the way through to publicity and marketing, stopping along the way to talk to Alena Dillon’s agent and editor, as well as the book’s designer. We began with the author, and now arrive at her agent, Nicki Richesin.
If character can function as an engine moving a book forward, Mercy House’s Sister Evelyn is that machine. Funny, strong, kind, flawed, the nun’s struggles, inside and out, keep readers engaged from the moment they meet her. Nicki Richesin, agent with Wendy Sherman Associates, said the sister is what sold her on the book, and on Alena Dillon.
“An irreverent nun! I found her stubborn humor, grumpy attitude, and I suppose most of all, her indomitable spirit fascinating. She reminded me of a fierce guardian angel protecting the vulnerable young women in her care, swapping out needles and high-fiving Bed-Stuy neighborhood friends in her Mets cap. How could you not fall in love with her?”
Richesin also fell for Dillon, her wonderful writing with its authoritative voice, her talent and her dedication. “She is committed to the process and making sure her stories of ordinary women accomplishing extraordinary acts of heroism connect with her readers.” Plus Dillon’s a “workhorse and has written three other manuscripts since Mercy House.”
As discussed in part one of this series, the pre-pitch step of the process for Mercy House included Richesin and Dillon putting heads together for a reworking of the book’s final chapters. “Alena had created this entire world out of thin air. I could envision the shelter and the nuns and residents felt alive to me on the page. It was really just a question of ensuring that the story elements all came together in the end.” “Fireworks” secured (Dillon’s word), Richesin turned to pitching.
While a few editors shied away from a book confronting abuse in the Catholic Church, Lucia Macro at William Morrow was undaunted and eager to help get Mercy House into readers’ hands. “Lucia had a clear vision for how to publish her novel,” Richesin said. “She believed in her story and is now editing her next book. They are a match made in heaven. Thanks to Sister Evelyn!”
More on Lucia Macro in the next Beginning to End. Read the first piece, on author Alena Dillon.
Find Nicki Richesin online at wsherman.com or nickirichesin.com and on Twitter @nickirichesin.
Spine Authors Editor Susanna Baird grew up inhaling paperbacks in Central Massachusetts, and now lives and works in Salem. Her writing has appeared in a variety of publications, including Boston Magazine, BANG!, Failbetter, and Publishers Weekly. She's the founder of the Salem Longform Writers' Group, and serves on the Salem Literary Festival committee. When not wrangling words, she spends time with her family, mostly trying to pry the cat's head out of the dog's mouth, and helps lead The Clothing Connection, a small Salem-based nonprofit dedicated to getting clothes to kids who need them. Online, you can find her at susannabaird.com and on Twitter @SusannaBaird.