Lucky number thirteen...
On Monday the 13th of June 2011, I received a reply back from the London-based Publishing House who had asked to read the full manuscript. They have made me an offer for Catching the Eagle and the next two books in the series. They are also really interested in the Detective Lavender spin off series. This was the thirteenth submission I had made since Christmas. Guess what my new lucky number is?
I am absolutely over the moon and can still barely believe it. Apparently, they want to go with a December release. Catching the Eagle could be in the shops by Christmas. We are still sorting out the details of the agreement at the moment and getting to know each other; they seem a really decent firm.
It is the strangest feeling in the world when you have a dream come true. I first announced that I was going to be a writer when I was eight years old. I can still vividly remember my Mum and Aunt Maureen being rather startled at the time. I wrote an embarrassing poem about this writing ambition when I was thirteen. (It's funny how this number keeps cropping up.) I am very tempted to post the poem on here, but holding the attention of you blog readers is hard enough, without subjecting you to the ramblings of a dreamy adolescent.
It is going to be a lot of hard work for the next year; I will be continuing with the demanding teaching job, writing a second book and publicising the first one all at the same time. There is no going back to my 'comfort zone' now but I have no doubt that parts of the marketing will be fun. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and never baulked at appearing in the paper or on TV. Yes, I was once on TV - and it wasn't on Crimewatch either. ;)
The best thing of all, though, is that I will be able to concentrate on my beloved writing. No more worry that I am wasting my time. No more fretting about finding a publisher.
It is amazing and very, very motivating.
Thirteen is a lucky number.
I am absolutely over the moon and can still barely believe it. Apparently, they want to go with a December release. Catching the Eagle could be in the shops by Christmas. We are still sorting out the details of the agreement at the moment and getting to know each other; they seem a really decent firm.
It is the strangest feeling in the world when you have a dream come true. I first announced that I was going to be a writer when I was eight years old. I can still vividly remember my Mum and Aunt Maureen being rather startled at the time. I wrote an embarrassing poem about this writing ambition when I was thirteen. (It's funny how this number keeps cropping up.) I am very tempted to post the poem on here, but holding the attention of you blog readers is hard enough, without subjecting you to the ramblings of a dreamy adolescent.
It is going to be a lot of hard work for the next year; I will be continuing with the demanding teaching job, writing a second book and publicising the first one all at the same time. There is no going back to my 'comfort zone' now but I have no doubt that parts of the marketing will be fun. I have always enjoyed meeting new people and never baulked at appearing in the paper or on TV. Yes, I was once on TV - and it wasn't on Crimewatch either. ;)
The best thing of all, though, is that I will be able to concentrate on my beloved writing. No more worry that I am wasting my time. No more fretting about finding a publisher.
It is amazing and very, very motivating.
Thirteen is a lucky number.
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