Tomorrow is the day I’ve waited 21 months (and, well, my whole life) for. Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress will hit booksheves. So I thought it might be appropriate to go back to Day One of that book, to answer the question that I’d been asked several times, How Did You Come Up With Your Idea?
Drift back to November of 2004. My soon-to-be-agent, Nadia Cornier, had requested the full of another book. It had occurred to me that IF she liked my book and IF she wanted to sign me, I should have another idea to pitch.
So...I was book browsing on Amazon, punching in key words that sounded fun, one of which was “bridesmaid”. A bunch of books came up, including a nonfiction book about things to do with a bridesmaid dress.
I stared at it for a moment and thought...huh, but what about a prom dress? What if it was an UNUSED prom dress? Oooh! Oooh! What if the guy dumped you 2 days before the prom...and the dress is still hanging on the back of your door all these months later, like a symbol of your disappointing life? And what if your mom makes you start a list of ten things she could do with it, in hopes it would get you back on track?
So I raced over to my on-line brainstorming group, The Loony Binners (comprised of some very talented romance writers) and asked for help. Soon, Ten Uses for an Unused Prom Dress was smoothed to Top Ten Uses for an Unworn Prom Dress.
A few days later, Nadia called to say she wanted to sign me. (Yea!) And when she asked what else I had in the works, I tentatively spoke this new title. Nadia does not remember this, but she laughed and said, “Oh, I could sell that on the title alone!”
The sale, alas, wasn’t that easy, but no complaints. Selling to Krista Marino at Delacorte Press on June 17 of the next year continues to be one of the best things that has EVER happened to me.
Tomorrow is going down in my life history, too!
Instead of closing with what I’m reading, I’m going to end with some thank-yous. To Stephanie Hale, for pre-ordering five copies of PROM DRESS and giving them away in a contest on her MySpace yesterday. And to the rest of the Buzz Girls for the wealth of support given to me and my book! You guys rock!
www.tinaferraro.com
Top Ten Uses for An Unworn Prom Dress, Available tomorrow
How to Hook a Hottie, Spring 2008
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21 comments:
Whoo hoo, Tina! I know you've been waiting for this for a long, long time! I'm so happy for you! I have to make a trip to the bookstore very soon...my list is growing long!
Shannon
Thanks, Shannon! And following up on yesterday's comments, I am sorry I won't get to meet you in Dallas...but maybe SF next year???
Tina,
I can feel your excitment coming through my computer! The screen is flicking on and off and the lights on my Internet box are blinking out your name. WHOO HOO.
See you Saturday.
Janie
I'm so glad this is finally your week, Tina!! It's been a long time coming and your release is going to be super!! :) :)
YAY! YAY! YAAAAAY!
I am so looking forward to reading this one. Congratulations!!!
Woo Hoo, that is so WICKED!!
You're book looks super fun and creative and I can't wait to go pick it up!
YAY!
-Alex
ps-congrats to selling it to Delacorte on June 17th--that's my birthday!
HUGE CONGRATS Tina!!! I'm soooooo happy for you and can't wait to read the book. Live it up and enjoy the day! We're all proud of you.
Marley = )
http://www.marleygibson.com
CONGRATULATIONS, Tina! From a fellow Looney Binner!
I've finished my Margaret Atwood short stories and can now dive right into Prom Dress. See who you rub shoulders with?
Cindy
Janie, I always wanted to see my name in bright lights. LOL, thanks.
Kelly, my cp extraordinaire, you know I wouldn't be here without out!
Thanks, ThatGirlyGirl--and I LOVE your moniker, BTW, from one unabashed girly girl to another.
Alex, that showed good form of me to sell on your birthday, huh? Feel free to sell on mine: July 11. :)
Marley, thanks as always for your support (and hey, even letting me have your day today).
Looney Binner Cindy, comparing me to Margaret Atwood makes my knees shake. Could you please read some Dr. Seuss or something similar in between? :)
Wow, I just found this blog today and wanted to "de-lurk." What a great blog and I look forward to reading more posts. :)
Good luck, Tina! Hope your release week rocks!
Tina, I am SOO excited PROM DRESS day here in ... 6 hours on the west coast! I am going to B&N tomorrow night to pick up the book. I wish I was going to your book signing with the dress in the window :(
Hugs and Congrats!!!!
Dona
Hey, Jessica, you picked a wonderful time to "de-lurk" and please, visit us often!
Paula, thanks for the good wishes!
And Dona, thanks so much for going to B & N tomorrow! I wish you were local, too, because I'd sure love to see your pretty face at my signing!
I'll keep you posted on that!
Congrats on the release, Tina! And thanks for letting us hear about the idea behind the book. I love hearing where things like that come from. :)
so so so happy for you. And really happy to hear how long it took to sell it:)
Teri
Hi, Lisa, and I'm glad you liked the backstory!
And TJ...yes, I'm one of those persistence-pays-off authors (whose stories I know helped me along during my road to publication, too).
Thanks for weighing in!
Super Congratulations, Tina! I am so, so proud of you and I loved the story about the beginnings of the book. :) Can't wait to buy a copy -- and I did look at B & N in Downtown Seattle on Sunday, but it wasn't on the shelves yet! Have to check back...
Huge hugs!!!
H
I'm a little late but you already know how happy I am for you. All six of my copies look so pretty in their pink stack, I hate to part with five of them but, I must spread the joy! :) I loved hearing your sale story, btw!
xo,
Steph
Thanks Heather and Steph! It's been an exciting day (my Amazon #s took a plunge, LOL) and sharing it with the Buzz Girls makes it all sweeter!
I'm SO excited for you Tina!!! And what a perfect time of year to have your book released! I'll look forward to ordering my copy with my next Amazon order. :-)
Congratulazioni! Sei bravissima!
Natalie
Grazie, Natalia! (I think that's as far as my Italian goes in the written form.) I am SO enjoying getting to know you thru cyberspace, and look forward to meeting you at a National conference someday...maybe SF?
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