From Inception to Rejection...to Contract!

Practice: to perform or work at repeatedly so as to become proficient

Fledgling writers sometimes have to be pushed from the nest whether or not they feel adequately prepared for the world of writing and publishing, and certainly before they feel the least bit proficient. Working my way through the steps I’d prescribed for myself and my ‘practice novel’ I had no idea of it actually seeing the light of day. But that all changed quickly a few weeks ago.

After my second very kind and encouraging rejection for the ‘practice novel’, I looked at the advice of the second rejecting editor and used some of it to improve my manuscript. I liked it better and I thought another editor might just like it too. So off it went for one last submission, and I had absolutely made up my mind that this was the last time. After all, this novel was for the learning experience, and with this last polishing and submission I felt it was time to move onto the next experience, the next manuscript. (And there are two or three others sitting on my computer in various states of completion.)

I was surprised and pleased when I received a request for a full. Sent it off, hoping for the best, but expecting nothing. While it sat in someone’s computer on the other side of the country I had a lot going on in my own personal and professional lives that kept me distracted and busy. Little time was spent wondering about the novel. Instead I was preparing myself to say good-bye to two dear friends who were both moving out of state within weeks of one another, and was wrapping up a long-time career as a full-time teacher—I will substitute in the future. Everything in my life was very emotion-laden and my little book was the furthest thing from my mind.

So, when I saw the email from Soul Mate Publishing in my inbox, I knew I was receiving the inevitable rejection. Now, in the spirit of full and complete disclosure, there may have been some squealing and screaming when I opened the email from Debby Gilbert, senior editor, and read that she wanted to offer me a contract for THE VAMPIRE’S PASSION!! I quickly reassured my husband that no one had died or had been involved in a horrible accident. God bless him—he told me he knew this was going to happen, that this was the time. He wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Now the Fledgling Writer is getting to learn about contracts, and bio-writing, and editing, etc. The timing couldn’t be better. And I’ll be posting about the many things I learn along the way. Because, after all, this is all about the learning experience.

Oh, and, my book is going to be published!!

Happy writing!