Friday, April 30, 2010

Doing the happy dance

Well I'm pretty happy this week. After years of writing, I've finally been offered (and greedily grabbed) a contract for my first novel. 53,000 words of romance. Yep, Wild Rose read my re-done, polished manuscript and I'm going to be published.
Woo Hoo! The book is Catch me a Catch, the story of a reluctant matchmaker and a man who's sailed the Atlantic to discover his roots.

Selling this book brings back to me just how lucky I am as a newbie to be able to draw on all the wonderful resources available to help me. I couldn't have achieved publication on my own, there are still so many things to learn, and so many excellent teachers out there who have given so generously of their time and expertise to help me. So it seems only right that this, my jubilant blog entry, says thank you to all of them - all their links are at the side for further details.
First on the list must be Vanessa O'Loughlin of Inkwell Writers, who runs such excellent courses in Dublin. Vanessa is a tireless whirlwind whose encouragement and wise advice is invaluable to new writers. If any Irish writers are reading this, get thee to Inkwell - pronto!
It was at one of Vanessa's workshops - the Mills and Boon one, that I met and learnt from Trish Wylie and Abby Green. Both lovely ladies, full of excellent advice about craft. Thank you, ladies. In Australia last year I attended a workshop by Ally Blake in a library in the foothills of the Dandenong Mountains. It was a great day, and once again, the advice and support was phenomenal. Thanks Ally!
Working on CMAC, I brainstormed the ideas over 2 online courses given by Laurie Schnebley Campbell. Plot via Motivation, and the follow on masterclass. This really helped to make sure that the characters were defined, and Laurie is a gem - I've said it before, but I'll say it again. So thanks, Laurie!
I entered this book into the New Writers Scheme given by the RNA in London, and got it critiqued. I've done the NWS a couple of times, and it means that an experienced romance author reads and comments on your book. Also useful.
Finally, I worked on the book during Don McNairs online class, 21 steps to fog free writing, which was a revelation. Don points out the mistakes that writers make, and teaches you to fix them. Thanks, Don!
I'm lucky enough to have a fabulous group of romance writers to moan to and bounce things off. The Minxes of Romance, so thank you minxes - for everything. Also a shout must go out to all my blogging friends, who are so supportive and have such interesting and informative blogs, and can be guaranteed to dish out sympathy when I need it, and a boot up the ass if needed too. Thank you everyone!
The last person to thank is my editor at Wild Rose, Cindy Davis. Who read my manuscript so quickly and gave such stellar advice on what to change. On Wednesday, It was Cindy who broke the news in a lovely (but freak out making) email. It said simply, "Hi, Sally. Guess What?"

26 comments:

  1. FANTASTIC NEWS!! Mega congrats, Sally! Laurie's course was good wasn't it? Anyway, keep us posted on when your book comes out eh? Cyber bubbly and chocolate martinis all round!

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  2. Thanks Jackie - still living wednesdays hangover!

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  3. Massive, massive congrats!! I've had some good news on my own novel lately so I know how happy-dance inducing it is.

    Congrats again!

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  4. Just checked out your blog today, in time to hear your big news !! Congrats and passing along some nice chocolates to go with the champagne..

    Jax - may be you can send across some martinis out here too ! :)

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  5. Yay, so very happy for you. I hope you celebrated last evening in good style. Can't wait to read your full book, after having a taster of it.

    You'll have a cover to put on the side of your blog and our new minxy blog :-)

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  6. Hi Talli, Hi Ju, welcome to the blog!

    Hi Jo. Yep, drank the lions share of a bottle of Pelorus (yum!). Looking forward to our new minxy blog going online, its going to be great!

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  7. I knew you could do it :-) I'm so pleased for you Sally.

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  8. Thanks Laura - thanks Lorraine (go minxes!)!

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  9. Congratulations once again, Sally.

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  10. Thanks, Catherine! Welcome to the blog!

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  11. Brilliant news. Congratulations, Sally.

    XX

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  12. I'm dancing up and down for you, Sally. I can't wait to read more of this story - gotta love a matchmaker who finds love herself.

    Your editor sounds like a real find. I hope you have a great experience at Wild Rose. Welcome to the Garden!

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  13. Congratulations Sally, woo hoo! Another TWRP author.

    Cindy was my editor for Passion in Paradise. She is lovely.

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  14. CONGRATULATIONS!! That's such exciting news Sally! And thanks for sharing all the courses you've been to :D

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  15. Brilliant, brilliant news! So happy for you. Caroline x

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  16. Hi Sally, guess what, lol! Just realised I've congratulated you everywhere else except here! Mega congrats on your congrats, from one Wild Rose Minx to the other!

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  17. Hi Maya! Thank you, I'm so looking forward to our minx blog going live next week!

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  18. Hi Sally, what fantastic news!! Many congrats. Can't wait to read it :) Do you have a publication date yet?

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  19. Thanks Lucy! No haven't got a publication date yet, but when I have you'll see it first here! Thanks for stopping by...

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  20. Wooooooo Hoooooooo!! I'm SO thrilled for you - SPECTACULAR!! Doing the happy dance :))))

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