Yesterday Megan asked:
I definitely want to hear more about the details of what happened, how it felt, and how you’ve since celebrated 🙂
Three weeks ago, Agent Michelle sent me an email saying, “Good news! Best discussed over the phone. Which number should I call?” As you can imagine, I went a bit crazy!
As soon as she called, she told me two, possibly three editors were interested in my book. This floored me. My work is nothing big and flashy, and I never expected to draw this sort of attention. I talked to editors over the course of the next two weeks, starting with pep talk phone calls from Michelle and ending with follow up conversations with her (while I talked with the editors, she took notes and later emailed them to me — so helpful!).
It was amazing to talk with three people who loved my work, had shared it with others in their office, had thought through ways to strengthen the storyline, etc. The work editors are willing to put into a book before even knowing its theirs is amazing.
Michelle gave the three editors a deadline to turn in offers (last Friday at noon). Every hour or so, she’d call to update me on who’d turned in what. I thought I could do something productive between phone calls, but I was unable to focus on anything other than brainless TV.
I had three amazing editors to choose from and three different and exciting publishing houses. In the end, I went with the editor I felt understood May was well as I did. I’d had the strongest personal connection with this person. The thing that sealed the deal for me was a fabulous marketing plan.
Michelle called Nicole Geiger of Tricycle Press to tell her I’d accepted her offer. I few hours later I got a lovely email from Nicole, telling me how as a child she’d loved books about a lone character struggling against the world and how thrilled she was to get to work on such a story.
My husband was out of town Friday, and between phone calls from Michelle and trashy TV, I talked with Dan and my parents, often cutting them off to take a call. I’d been holding onto a bottle of champagne for months, hoping for this day, and I couldn’t wait any longer. The thought of  opening it alone was the lonliest thing I could imagine, so I invited a few friends over. It was wonderful to finally be able to talk about everything that had happened and all that is to come.
Congratulations! That is beyond awesome! 🙂
Oh, wow, it sounds amazing. A dream come true (except for your husband being out of town. in the dream, he probably would’ve been there. then again, maybe this is exactly the way you planned it)
I can’t wait for the opportunity next year to read your book!
Congrats again!
Wow – 3 folks fighting over you – I believe you can check off that dream come true!! Amazing stuff 🙂
Thanks for sharing – I can’t wait until we have the chance to buy your book off the shelves!!
OH WOW!!! That is SO amazingly and totally awesome! I’m so rootin’ for you!!
congratulations! How exciting for you – thanks for letting us share in the moment as you re-lived Friday 🙂
Amazing!!! How exciting! I am so glad you shared this, it felt like we were all there with you, rooting along side you! I am so sorry your hubby wasn’t there but luckily for nearby friends to help you pop open the champagne!!! Congratulations again! It sounds like you picked the best publisher for you!
Thank you for posting these wonderful moments; it’s such fun to share your exciting news.
Thank you so much for posting this! This is something we all dream about, and it’s wonderful that you are sharing how you heard about your good news:)
OMG did I miss the big announcement? Either way congrats that is awesome!!!
It was a shame that your husband was out of town! But I bet those were exciting phone calls. I love calling my husband with news.
I wish I lived closer–I would have loved to celebrate with you!
Yay, Caroline! I love the happy stories! Congratulations!!
*such* a cool story. Thank you for sharing!
Such FABULOUS news! Congratulations!!!!!
I am so happy for you. It is the best news!!!!
This is seriously a fairy tale. We are so excited and proud and happy and thrilled for you! YOU DID IT!
Thank you, everyone. All these comments make it seem more and more real…
Woo Hoo! Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!
WOW!! I’m heading over right now to help celebrate!! (in spirit anyway)
What an amazing story! I’m SO excited for you! Thanks for giving us such inspiration! WOO CAROLINE!
Caroline, congratulations! I don’t know how I missed this news, but I am SO happy to hear it!
Caroline, I am so thrilled for you – beyond thrilled even! You deserve a wonderful story like this! 🙂
Congratulations!! What an awesome story!! I’m so happy for you!
I bet your husband was crushed to not be there that night… but there will be many more celebrations to come!!
Wishing you all the best for a fantastic journey!
Congrats on your achievement. That must be very fulfulling.
Wow and Yay!!!
Great news!
Can’t wait to read your NEW BOOK!!!
WOW – SUPER AMAZING! Congrats on your deal, and I’m so interested in the journeys of others. Thanks for sharing!
Wonderful post, Caroline! And congratulations 🙂
I write middle grade as well so I found this post to be very inspiring.
It is always great to watch a dream come true.
Good luck to you and your new book.
Maribeth:)
Congratulation, I am so happy for you! I can’t wait to read your book so put me down for one hardback copy.
I was afraid my email would be put in your SPAM file since it’s been so long since we’ve emailed.
THIS IS TREMENDOUS NEWS, Carrie!!!! Sorry I can’t put in as many “!’s” as Ruth, but you know they go on and on.
May you enjoy many blessings in the coming days because of this achievement. Am looking forward to reading it next year in Book Group, Ms. Founder. Terri Schergen
Terri, how fun to hear from you here! Isn’t this crazy? Finally, after all these years! I love that you ladies are going to read MAY. Ruth has asked me to show up via Skype, which is such a thrill. Thanks so much for stopping by.
That is so fantastic for you!! Congrats Congrats!!
Glad Meg asked. Such a great story. Congrats! Can’t wait to buy my copy. 🙂
I am just catching up on this now!! WOWEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots and lots of congrats!!!!!!!!!!
OH WOW, congratulations!!! Couldn’t have happened to a nicer, more generous person 🙂 I’ve so enjoyed your blog these recent weeks, and your helpful posts about marketing. I’m sure your book is amazing and I can’t wait to read it.
Also really looking forward to hearing about your writing and publishing journey from this day forward.
Congrats again on a well-earned success!
Wow! This is so exciting! So happy for you.
That’s an amazing story. One I’d like to have repeated in my life since I just finished my novel.
Good luck with everything.
You can visit me here when you come down from your cloud.
http://noveliststhoughts.blogspot.com/