A Whole New Meaning to "Break a Leg"

It's "The Call" week here at Books, Boys and Buzz! We've had some questions asking us to share our stories, so I'm happy to follow Tina's heartwarming story of how she made her sale.

So...here's what happened to me...

First, I have to give some back story. I came verrrrrrrrry close to selling one of my romances, but, alas, the line decided to "change focus" and I got the dreaded "R." On January 13th. Friday the 13th. Yeah...a dark day. My boss was traveling, so I went into his office and cried off every stitch of makeup.



But TWELVE days later, my brilliant agent sent me an e-mail saying a publisher contacted her, looking for an author to write a sorority sister series for them and ... was I interested?

Ummm...hello!

Two weeks later, I turned in a proposal for three books with three heroines from different backgrounds all going through sorority Rush at the same southern university. After five years of writing, eleven full manuscripts and two partials...I just *felt* that I had the most amazing chance this time.

We waited. But not for long. We got good feedback. It went up the chain. We were told to be patient. Then...it happened.

No, not the call. The incident.

I'm coming out of the Arlington Street MBTA train station here in Boston on the morning of March 2, 2006. Mr. B@stard Fellow Commuter is on some important phone conversation and can't wait for me to get up the steps in front of him, so he brushes past me and knocks me up the stairs. I fell forward onto my knees and oh boy brother, did it hurt! I had just had my boots polished and all I could think was, "I'm scuffing my boot!" The pain became unbearable. As I'm laying there on the steps, this woman goes, "Are you all right?" I said, "No, I don't think I am." Then I looked up ... and she was gone! So, I hobbled to the top and doubled-over again, at which point, Crazy Willie who hangs out at the T stations panhandles me! I said to him, "I'm just in a little bit of pain here."

Well, suffice it to say, I made it the block to my office, called my hubby who came and got me and took me to the hospital and yes, my poor little foot was broken. See for yourself...



Yikes!

When I got home, depressed and downtrodden (literally!), I e-mailed my agent and told her what had happened. She immediate shot back, "It's a sign! It's a sign that your books are going to sell!"

Eleven days later, I'm sitting at my desk at work finishing booking a flight for my boss when my cell phone rang out Ray J’s “One Wish” (my ring tone.) I immediately saw “404” area code and knew it was my agent. I started to jump up and down, but had to remember my foot was broken and calm down and listen. There was a lot of screaming and congratulating and something about a FOUR-book deal, I don't remember the specifics.

A vice president from another division walked by and asked my co-worker Kathy if I was okay and she said, "Yeah, she's getting good news." Oh, the best!

I called my husband, Mike, of course. Then I called my parents. Then I called my “vault," including Diana Peterfreund, Jessica Andersen, Charlene Glatkowski, Pam Claughton and Wendy Toliver. That night, Mike and I had champagne...and did for the three nights following for a total of four bottles, one for each book!

I couldn't believe it...I was going to be an author with Puffin Books! The same house as Judy Blume...and Pooh Bear!



So, there you have it...my story. Had I know, I would have broken my foot years ago. LOL! If anything, I'm a symbol of perserverance, tenacity and never, ever giving up, even when you think you're at your worst. Always believe in yourself.

Marley = )
Sorority Rush Begins - Spring 2008!
Puffin Books