When my agent signed me, she was very upfront that my book might not sell. She loved it, but she said the market was leaning towards edgier books at that time. She had an adorable YA that wasn't selling and she just couldn't understand why(I realized later this was Tera's book!). So I was fully prepared for my book not to sell. She started submitting the week before Memorial Day.
The next Thursday, after a rain-soaked trip to Target, I came home to a message from her. Being the glass half-empty girl that I am, I figured she was calling to say she had made a huge mistake and wouldn't be representing me after all! I called her back and her assistant told me she was on a smoke break.
The five minute wait for her to call back was sheer torture! When she called to tell me that not only had I sold my first book, but that they wanted a sequel, I couldn't believe my ears! I tried calling just about everybody I knew. Of course, no one was home and my hubby was working! My two year old had made a mad dash for his room and his trains so it was me & my one year old.
I told him that Mommy had just sold her first book.
His response?
"Mommy, poopy!" Grabbing his crotch Michael Jackson style for emphasis.
Yeah, it was a good day.
xo,
Steph
Posts
4 comments:
Great Steph, just blame me for dashing your hopes... I don't need that kind of guilt! :)
How funny! I was also convinced that a) Jenny would drop me, and b) she was calling for some completely other reason than the fab reason for which she did call. (Did that make sense?) You think writers ever get over the self-doubts and "worst case scenario" thinking?
Hugs,
TLC
PS -- Your baby is going to love you telling that story when he's, oh, sixteen or so!
LOL! As someone who spent a good 10 years of her adult life living on Sesame Street, I *so* relate to the dissatisfaction of trying tell a toddler good news! Not to mention, The News of The Call.
And while I'm sure all your other responses were more excited and more coherent, I can guarantee it's the last time your book and "poopy" will appear together!
I am SOOOO looking forward to July 11, when we will meet and sign each other's books!
Tina
ah, the poopy diapers. Story of my life for the last 4 years. Well, at least you didn't email your critique partner frantically, only to have her call you after you had gone to be bed, at which point she emailed you back and called you a loser for going to bed at 9:30 on the night that your book sold. I mean, who would do something like that?
Okay...the comment I posted last week never showed up. Grrrr to Blogger!
Love the story, Steph!
Marley = )
Post a Comment