Our new home town is a book lover’s paradise. We’ve got Powell’s, of course, and Annie Bloom’s. At the Hillsboro farmer’s market I found a used bookstore behind the berry stand, where I scored a crusty Stephen King and two pulp novels. Then there’s the Tigard library, where my son and I received our shiny new cards and made off with such a teetering stack of loot that I could hardly wrestle it into the car. And five minutes from home is a Barnes & Noble, which I investigated last week while Drew was at the other end of the strip mall trying to sort out our new phone numbers.
What’s better than a bookstore. So peaceful, so alluring. All those lovely pages, those uncreased spines lined up on the shelves. Imagine walking into a bookstore and finding your own name, opening a book to see the words you conjured set to print, your whole story laid out between the covers in beautiful font and declarative chapter numbers, filigreed marks at the scene breaks. Wouldn’t it be strange to lurk nearby and see someone pick up your book? Flip it over, read a few pages, carry it to the cash register? What a trip.
As I was nosing through the mystery section, I heard Drew’s voice saying, Hold on a minute, let me find her . . . I zigged through the shelves and he zagged, but eventually we made contact near the cookbooks and he handed me my phone.
It was my agent. It was The Call.
The final offers are in, all decisions made, and my book is SOLD!!! Yes indeed, I kid you not, I was actually in a bookstore when I got the news that Tapestry of Scars will be joining the ranks. It’s been bought in a two-book deal by MIRA, to go out in trade paperback. Do you hear that? My book is sold! So’s the next one! Three cheers for the dark side! Three cheers for the little thriller that could!
And it gets better. I’ve gotten familiar with MIRA during these past few weeks, and I could not be happier to be working with them. Not only because I’ve seen the imprint face-out all over B&N, not only because I like their covers and the range of titles and authors, but because the editors are fired up about my book. My agent said when he called to accept their offer, a squeal of delight could be heard over the phone lines–and if that doesn’t warm a writer’s heart, I don’t know what would. And the folks at Harlequin really know their stuff when it comes to the women’s market. I am in very good hands.
I hung up the phone and wandered back to the fiction aisles, still somewhat dazed by the news. The woman next to me pulled out a book, turned it over, read a couple of pages and walked away with the book in her hand.
Happy, happy day!
Congratulations, babydoll.
Thank you, petunia.
XO
AAIIIIIEEEE!!!!
I saw the heading and I raced down the post–I admit it! I just KNEW from the title the news was the good stuff.
I’m so, so thrilled for you, lady. Beyond and beyond thrilled. Bask!!
I was thinking of you at the bookstore, Erika, and that post you did when Little Gale Gumbo came out. What a strange, proud moment that must have been.
I’m hooting for you girl, and can’t wait to find you in the bookstore. I’ll probably tell everyone within earshot that I know you! Hooooot!
It was all I could do not to scream at the bookseller: Guess WHAT? I’m gonna be published! Make room, buddy, I’m coming in!
with erika, your post’s title in my email inbox made me gasp.
holy fucking shit — i am so unbelievably happy for you that i can’t come up with another profane syllable to include.
wait, yes i can, hot damn! you are the balls-to-the-wall dream come true.
happy, happy, happy.
that is what you just made me. in fact, i’m going to leave work early and go skip around a bookstore to rejoice you THE CALL.
congrats. (i never for one second imagined anything different to happen.)
Your reaction was much like mine: Holy fucking fuck!
Followed by skipping.
XOXO
Lots of skipping!
Yea!!!!!!! No one deserves it more. Here’s to all of your hard work and leaps of faith.
This is so damned exciting I’m SPEECHLESS. And I am never, ever speechless. I’ll be back later when I regain proper consciousness.
Actually, lots of people deserve it more, but thank you! I’m thrilled to bits.
Actually, no one deserves it more.
YOU had the idea, YOU did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, did the work, and kept doing it until it was done.
YOU put the work on the line, out there to be judged by others, YOU listened to what you were told next, YOU did the work again.
Now you’ll listen again, play the game, make the changes (more work), and when it’s all done, and there’s a book in the stores, you’ll hardly have time to go to the store to watch people buy it. Because you’ll be doing the work.
Good girl, YOU did it.
Hey, that’s a lot of work I did. I forgot about that. Which is probably just as well, as I’m gearing up to start all over again.
XO
So what was that–just three months from when you sent your first query to when you got a two-book deal?? I bow to you, my friend. And then I do a little dance around my office! CONGRATS!!
Yeah, three months almost to the day. The grass doesn’t grow under Jeff Kleinman’s feet, let me tell you. I have to eat my Wheaties trying to keep up.
Thank you!
A hundred thousand million billion congratulations, Averil! I’ve been waiting for this post ever since you got your agent – and it’s strange to think that we’ve all been on this journey with you, from your first decision to write the novel to reporting back from the front to August’s edits to your own submissions. Wow. Incredible, and I know this is just the beginning for you. Revel in a dream come true!
Thanks! I was thinking that same thing when I read Sarah’s query at Betsy’s place last week. Remember when she won the title contest for Pigeon Drop? And now she’s heading into the final phase of revisions and is almost ready to query. One step at a time.
Holy cow!!! I am jumping in the air for you. Congratulations!
Don’t hurt yourself, CJ!
XO
Fuck right! Congrats!!
Thanks! Now I’m off to the library, to figure out how and what I’ll be writing next.
Good thing the office is a bit of a ghost town right now because I only have to explain to a small handful of people why I just spun around in my chair like a nutball. They all wish you a very huge congratulations!
TWO books! Averil, I am so happy for you! xoxo
I love all the spinning and skipping and jumping up and down around here today. I feel like an aerobics instructor.
Thank you, chickadee, and for the tweet as well.
XOXO
WOOO-HOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Are you next, with that kick-ass query and your posse of pigeons? (Okay, so there are no actual pigeons; the alliteration was too much to resist.)
I don’t know, Averil, but the magic eight ball says, “try another beta round and we’ll see.”
It couldn’t have happened to a nicer writer. You are such a seductress. I knew from the blog post’s title what it must be about, but you just very languidly and nonchalantly ran your fingers down our expectations, until, well . . . um . . . I don’t particularly want to carry the analogy any further, but you know what I mean! And that title! It sounds sophisticated and literary (but not too literary) and dark all at the same time.
I’ve been searching my soul with a floodlight for a crumb of envy (I’ve been horribly envious of lesser writers that I know better than you), in the hopes of squeezing some extra motivation from it, but no luck; your kindness to me has made it impossible for resentment to find purchase. I’m unadulteratedly happy for you.
Question: I remember hearing that Jeff asked you for some revisions before he shopped your ms. Is that what agents usually do to make the work more saleable, or is your book now considered ready to go to the printer? I really don’t know how these things work any more, especially since the third-rate Writer Who Shall Not Be Named and her execrable work went from e-book to tree book without so much as a grammar- or spell-check. I have no doubts that your teeth are flossed and you’re wearing clean undies, writing-wise, but will MIRA editorially primp you further before your dance with Prince Reading Public? If you were saving that info for a future blog post, I don’t mind waiting to find out.
TYPO: *in the hope of squeezing out some extra motivation for my own work.
What a sweetie you are. (Was it good for you?)
I did some revisions for Jeff before we sent out the manuscript. I believe this is standard procedure, because the publishing world is so competitive that you really have to make sure the submission is as strong as it can be before anyone sees it. But MIRA will probably ask me to make a few changes as well, and they’ll want to copy edit it, etc. You get to the point with a worked-over piece of writing when you can’t see the mistakes anymore. Someone else has to find them.
Revisions used to make me feel awful as a writer, as if I had failed in some way. I don’t take them that way anymore, because everything I have been asked to do has improved the manuscript, and I’m confident it will be better for a new editor’s involvement. (And please dear lord, may she prevent me leaving the house with my dress caught in my knickers.)
Wow! …wow!!! Congratulations friend. A very happy day!
Thank you, Deb!
Holy cow and yikes, that is the biggest news I’ve read in the blogosphere! Jumping with joy for you here in my little town library, this is beyond fabulous. TWO book deal, wowsers. I’m thrilled for you.
Careful, you don’t want to piss off a librarian. Just ask Sarah. They’re tough!
XO
CON-GRAT-U-FUCKING-LATIONS!! YESSSS!!
And you know what “Mira” means? It’s the Spanish imperative form of “look.” When you say “Mira” to someone in Spanish, you’re saying, “Look!”
“LOOK!”
I didn’t know that, but I fucking love it. Look at me, look at meeeee!!!
XO
Felicitations!! A two-fer no less and you were in a bookstore when you got the news! Oh my dearest Averil, wonderful, wonderful news. I am so very happy for you. I can’t wait to read them! YIPEEE!!! It’s official, you da bomb.
You’ll be writing a two-fer yourself, Swiss Miss. Every time I read a new post at your place, I think, This will be in the next book.
I want say Yay you! and so much more that I can’t quite articulate through the happy tears. I can’t wait to hold your book in my hands in a check out line as I pay for it and announce loudly to everyone nearby that you’re my friend and one of the best writers I just happen to know.
If your sales skew a little bigger in Chicago, it’s because I’m hanging out where your book is in the aisles and telling people how much they’ll miss if they don’t pick it up. I’ll try not to be a bully.
Darling Sparks. . . thank you. It warms my heart to think of my buddies wanting to claim me as part of the circle. I’ve never had that anywhere else beyond my immediate family, and it means the world to me.
That could be a nice little sideline business for you, Ré: Bookstore Bully. I’ll hire you if I ever get something in print.
Bookstore Bully. Love that.
FUCK YEAH!
My favorite part of sharing good news is the way it induces all my friends to write profanity. Ah, blissful f-bombs.
XO
OMG!!!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That’s me screaming across the ocean!!
Of course, if I’d gone native, I’d have a much more restrained reaction, such as, “Well done, old girl.”
But I never did.
WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
All hail Downith, Duchess of the Exclamation Point!
They’re oddly satisfying, all lined up that way.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Like a person hopping up and down.
Congratulations, Sweetie!!! Everyone is totally thrilled for you. As your mother, I couldn’t be prouder. I can hardly wait to read it and love the title. I will be loitering about in the bookstore gently directing prospective readers to explore the first few pages till they are hooked. Or maybe I won’t be so subtle. I’ll make up some buttons and car stickers and perhaps a banner for the front yard. Tell Drew that I will be glad to read it aloud to him when I come to visit in September. Oops, maybe not.
I watched you work so hard for this and give up a lot to keep your nose to the grindstone. You are a little trooper I have to say. Dreams do come true. Love, Mom XXXXOOOO
My mother reading this book to my husband? THAT’s a disturbing thought.
Love you, Mom. I’ll be sending out the pasties and sandwich boards so you can traipse down Fremont Street for a good cause.
XOXOXOXO
Oh, pasties and sandwich boards, of course!
Such a disturbing thought.
Imagine too that my mother is tiny and adorable, and you’ll get the full effect of this mental picture.
That is so excellent! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Thanks, Sonje!
Congratulations Averil! If your book is as well written as your posts, I’ll buy one! When will it be available?
Thank you! I don’t believe we’ve set a publication date yet, but when I have one I’ll be sure to post it.
Averil!!! I have been waiting for this moment since you got your agent. I just knew he had stuff cooking for you. Every time I saw a new post from you in my RSS feed, I wondered if it would be this one. I knew it would come eventually (actually, I was halfway worried you might get one of those deals you have to keep secret for a few months until they finalize the contract) and am SO GLAD to finally see it. A thousand thousand congratulations. I think I can speak for everyone here when I say we love you and are proud of you!
It’s was so hard not to talk about it. Because you’re hoping and worried and anxious the whole time, and there’s no one else gnawing the bone as hard. What a relief to finally be able to celebrate with my buddies.
Thank you!
Dearest Averil,
What fabulous fabulous news!! I am so happy for you! This is a big and beautiful moment and you deserve this glow. Bravissima!! I can’t wait to find this book in my favourite international bookshop! Xxxcat
Thanks Cat! I’m tickled to think of you finding it on a shelf someday, in a bookstore across the sea. Makes me a little bit giddy, to be honest. People will be reading my book!
WONDERFUL NEWS!!
So happy for you Averil, you deserve it and I can’t wait for you to covertly watch some woman smiling to herself a little as she picks up a copy of your book and takes it to the till. Fantastic.
I will need to buy a trench coat and a pair of dark sunglasses, the better to lurk around the perimeter of the bookstore and catch people in the act.
XO
GAH!! Averil, you did it! Holy cow, I go away for a week and your off publishing books! I don’t have words for the joy I feel for you. Love.
I did, I did! Can you believe that, Lyra? I’m going to be an author.
Welcome home!
You’re not “going to be an author.” You ARE an author. You’re going to be a PUBLISHED AUTHOR.
Yes. I’m shouting. I’m happy for you. That leads me to shout.
That has a nice fucking ring to it, Tetman.
Watch your tenses, girl. You ARE an author.
Hello. You’ve been award an award. I’m not sure what award but i was awarded now i’m passing it on.
Well now, THAT sounds prestigious.
verrrry
Congratulations, Averil.
Thank you so much, November.
You must be so excited! I’m thrilled for you Averil. And I’m thrilled one of the books is a thriller. I love thrillers
.
Thanks! I love thrillers too. And I read on Lisa’s blog that you’re enjoying Gone Girl. Unputdownable, right??
Yes!
Wow. Fucking wow. I was just reading writers’ advice on the Poets and Writers site, which emphasized how first-time novelists should forget about trying to get a book published with a major publisher and concentrate instead on small independent presses.
You have beaten the odds. You have destroyed the odds, embarrassed them, and given the rest of us some glimmer of hope that the world can occasionally be a just and exciting place.
Wow.
Screech! I’d love to say I’ve destroyed the odds that way, but in fact my first two novels were e-published by a small independent publisher, so in fact I’ve unknowingly followed the prevailing wisdom and am playing it by the book.
I don’t know what to make of any of that or what use my situation is to other writers, just thought I’d set it straight.
You coy thing, you. I always forget that you already had two novels published. You been a published author for a while now.
The use your situation may be to other writers is an example of what can happen when you never give up.
I’m trying to forget those books. It would be easy to do except for the $1.76 royalty checks that show up in my mailbox every month.
Ah well. We’ve all got to start somewhere.
Interesting to know. Still, a fantastic achievement. Congratulations.
Congratulations, Averil! It’s so great to see all your hard work pay off. And own those prior two books, baby! As your new books make their way into the world, your royalty checks on those earlier works might add up to more than 1.76 a month!
Ha! It would be lovely to earn a royalty check I was not ashamed to cash.
Thank you, Lynn!
Well done! Sounds like quite a journey. Your books have been added to our reading lists.
It’s also lovely to read everybody’s positive feedback for you. You are obviously part of a great community of friends and admirers.
Victory awaits!
Daniel
CEO – Fantastic Books Publishing
Thank you so much, Daniel, and it’s nice to meet you. I’ve been really lucky in my circle of friends–they’re wildly talented and delightful people, and teach me something new every day.
Onward, to world domination!
OMG!!! This is so exciting, Averil!!! (Totally late on the uptake due to post-vacation catch-up.) Thrilled! Congrats. Wow.
Thank you, Suzy! Are you home then? How’s the new kitchen??
I am home! New kitchen at max entropy: gutted, dusty and all sorts of “really?” coming out our mouths. I used to be married to a contractor. Like childbirth, I forgot the pain!
So fun to read your Portland love story. Even after our exotic adventure, I still think it’s the best place on earth.
I’m with you. This place is the bomb-diggity.
I thought your kitchen would be finished by now! (I know NOTHING about remodeling.) What a mess. But it’s going to look terrific once the dust clears. In the mean time, we’d love to have you and Kirk over for dinner at our place. I want to hear all about your trip.
Sweet!