Wednesday, May 11, 2011
♥.•*¨ I'm . . . what??? ¨*•.♥
So I *emailed my query letter and wasn't sure what to expect. More rejections, of course!
I've been in 'writer mode' for over 20 years. So what I got back from the publisher took me by shock.
I literally feel like a dog who has devoted his life in chasing cars. Day in, day out. Until--I catch one!
Now what?
I've been in my comfort zone of rejectedness for years. Sounds ironic, doesn't it?
Let me tell you something, I was taken by total surprise. I thought, "Really? They want my book? Really?" I did more than pinch myself. I got sick. Literally.
Many thoughts of doubt, yes, doubt, jumbled up my head. Can you believe that? I wondered if I was making the right choice. So I prayed and fasted and prayed and fasted again before I replied to the acceptance letter. It was no easy thing for me.
I researched the publisher. Read their website. Their blog. Looked them up on Preditors & Editors, reviewed their authors' blogs and sites. I studied the mock contract. I asked questions. I did more research. I consulted expert writerly friends. I did it all.
After I felt that it was the Lord's will for me to go ahead with it, other thoughts popped into my crazed brain:
What if they read my entire novel and decide it's not as good as my query letter? What if they don't like my book? What if, what if! I went back and reread it and my stomach fell. I want to promote something that would make my publisher proud.
Darkspell has gone through 3 rewrites, roughly 3 editing sessions, over 4 critter palz, and yet, I felt unsure. I called a friend of mine who rocks with writing and asked for the dirty truth of my novel. She coached me on some details that flipped me into an oblivion.
I sunk further. I should've known better! Why did I decide to submit my query letter? How could I have submitted it this whole time, thinking my book rocked?
Blessedly, my publisher was okay with me doing a major face-lift. I cut over 5K words from my book. The fluff, you know? It's amazing how an acceptance letter makes a whole world of difference on my perspective of my MS.
Finally, after more praying, I whipped out the contract and signed and documented it!
How do you imagine it to be for you when an agent or publisher says yes?
*late March
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Hey Elizabeth, great news, congrats.
ReplyDeleteDid they want to publish your book purely off the query and without having seen the full manuscript? Not sure i followed the sequence of events correctly (it's early here).
regards
mood
Well, congrats! 5k of fluff is a good cut.
ReplyDeleteWonderful news., Elizabeth. I hope you have every success.
ReplyDeleteI refused to celebrate until I had the signed copy of my contract on my counter. THEN i jumped up and down in excitement. Now, I'm working on getting an agent, I do a little happy hop every time I get a request for a partial or full, knowing it'll probably end in a rejection...
ReplyDeleteBUT WOW AND CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
I love that you shared your spiritual journey regarding your decision making. All that prayer and fasting will certainly lead you in the right direction. I am SOOO happy for you! I can imagine that you felt sick. This is extremely important to you. Your dream. I know you will be blessed for your faith and diligence. Good things happen to good people.
ReplyDeleteFelicidades!
(= Awesome. Boldly go, sis.
ReplyDeleteA great big congrats...WOW!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you.
Thank you for sharing each moment of your agonizing, it makes me feel more normal.
I have signed contracts before, but all of them for short story anthologies by various writers including me..wonder what it would be like if I ever have the offer for publication for an entire book!
Congrats again on your dream come true.
Brilliant!! congrats Elizabeth :D
ReplyDeleteWonderful news, Elizabeth. Wish you loads of publishing success. I am thrilled for you. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteIt must be terrific Elizabeth! Well done!
ReplyDeleteDuncan In Kuantan
congrats
ReplyDeleteAwesome news! And yes, getting accepted will make you take that very hard look you usually avoid. Sadly, I don't know that from personal experience, but you are not the first person to say something like this. :D Wonderful news! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Elizabeth! You are living proof that perseverance pays off! Bravo!
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so happy for you! Many, many congratulations - you truly deserve it. The publication process is a world of hurt - I know, I've been through it. I remember I cried like crazy when I got accepted. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteLovely Elizabeth Mueller!! You deserve all your successes and lots more publishing deals cos you are just fabulous!! Good luck and all the best!! Yay! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteReally? They took on your novel after only reading the query? That must be some query letter!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! Enjoy the moment and celebrate. Woohoo!!
Congratulations!! Sounds like excellent news.:-D
ReplyDeleteCheers
paul
Great news! Absorb it! Don't let that feeling pass you by in all the craziness!
ReplyDeleteWhen an agent says yes to me, I will probably be in shock, sort of nervous and sort of excited. I would probably take my family out to dinner because I'll be rich then, right? LOL. Seriously I think I would sort of take it in stride as the next step. It takes a lot to make me go off kilter.
ReplyDeleteBTW, great news for you.
Congratz to you ~ ! !
ReplyDeleteYou really deserve it.
Part of my problem is that I can't imagine it. Congratulations!! And I love your new website. Lovely! The book sounds so good! I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteWow, they want it? That's wonderful news! I haven't even begun to imagine what it would be like yet.
ReplyDeleteI missed seeing you at storymakers. Were you there this year?
If anything I write is ever accepted I think I will faint on the spot.
ReplyDeleteOops hit the post button before I said a Big, Major Congratulations! Well Done and good luck.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! Very well deserved. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteMood, yes, you are right, they did. It caught me off guard so fast and hard I was scared!
ReplyDeleteLee, thank you, It sure felt good to get rid of it. :)
Elaine, thank you so much! <3
Jolene, I know what you mean. I mean, holding that book in your hand is like holding the newborn baby after 9 trying months--excellent cause for real celebration, right? Best of luck on your querying... *hugs*
Crystal, thank you for your thoughtfulness! :)
Jo, yes! Thank you, too! *hugs*
Damyanti, you're ahead of me because you know what is in those contracts and how they work. That'll be a great thing for you and I have no doubt that you will be signing one soon for your books!
Trisha, thank you! :D
Rachna, thank you so much!
Duncan, thank you! It's crazy, too!
Books, thank you!
Mel, thank you! I promise you will have your turn. <3
Clara, thank you! :D
Sue, oh, isn't that the truth of it? ;)
Jennifer, thank you so much! <3
Cathy, thank you!
LG, thank you, I will. :D
Paul, thank you!
Heather, that's so true--a MUST to remember. Thank you!
John, that sounds like a great plan. Thank you!
Zay, thank you! :D
Nisa, thank you! I'm happy you like my website--that's a great compliment for me! *jumping up and down*
Michelle, so sad, but I wasn't. I know I've really missed out, but I will go next year. *sniff*
Ann, yeah, the emotions run so high, I should've fainted.
Murees, thank you! :)
♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance Darkspell coming fall of 2011!
www.authorelizabethmueller.com
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Wooot woooot! Congratulations, Elizabeth. What wonderful news to come here and find.
ReplyDeleteMany congrats, Elizabeth. I think I punched the air and yelled 'Yessss!' when I got my acceptance last year. When I got the second acceptance in January this year, I just breathed one HUGE sigh of relief!
ReplyDeleteYay! Huge congratulations, Elizabeth.
ReplyDeleteHahahaha!!! I remember! That was funny to me!
ReplyDeleteS.B.Niccum
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Congrats, Elizabeth. How exciting. Can't wait to have you sign my copy of your book.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's wonderful news!! I'm very excited for you. Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteI understand how you feel completely, and I am so, so happy for you!
ReplyDeletewonderful illustration..:)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I am sure that part of you just has to feel elated, but the pessimism that most writers acquire as a defense against rejection sunk in and made you want to change it. I suppose it's time to relax- you did it!
ReplyDeleteAva