Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

How It All Happened

35 Comments

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.

Comments

  2. MeganRebekah says

    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!

    Reply

  3. Jemi Fraser says

    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!!

    Reply

  6. Jen says

    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!

    Reply

  8. Melissa says

    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:)

    Reply

  10. Natalie says

    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!

    Reply

  21. Heidi Willis says

    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!

    Reply

  26. ninidee says

    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:)

    Reply

  28. Terri says

    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

    Reply

  29. Caroline Starr Rose says

    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.

    Reply

  33. Sarah Skilton says

    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!

    Reply

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