Caroline Starr Rose

picture book and middle-grade author

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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.

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Filed Under: family, May B., publication

Comments

  1. Roni @ FictionGroupie says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:42 am

    Congratulations! That is beyond awesome! 🙂

    Reply
  2. MeganRebekah says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:45 am

    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

    March 23, 2010 at 1:57 am

    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
  4. Kristi Faith says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:59 am

    OH WOW!!! That is SO amazingly and totally awesome! I’m so rootin’ for you!!

    Reply
  5. Dawn @ sheIsTooFondOfBooks says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:00 am

    congratulations! How exciting for you – thanks for letting us share in the moment as you re-lived Friday 🙂

    Reply
  6. Jen says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:09 am

    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
  7. Vonna says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:10 am

    Thank you for posting these wonderful moments; it’s such fun to share your exciting news.

    Reply
  8. Melissa says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:12 am

    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
  9. Frankie Diane Mallis says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:44 am

    OMG did I miss the big announcement? Either way congrats that is awesome!!!

    Reply
  10. Natalie says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:17 am

    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
  11. Dawn Simon says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:49 am

    Yay, Caroline! I love the happy stories! Congratulations!!

    Reply
  12. beth says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:50 am

    *such* a cool story. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
  13. Anissa says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:55 am

    Such FABULOUS news! Congratulations!!!!!

    Reply
  14. Piedmont Writer says

    March 23, 2010 at 11:03 am

    I am so happy for you. It is the best news!!!!

    Reply
  15. Lisa and Laura says

    March 23, 2010 at 12:09 pm

    This is seriously a fairy tale. We are so excited and proud and happy and thrilled for you! YOU DID IT!

    Reply
  16. Caroline Starr Rose says

    March 23, 2010 at 12:11 pm

    Thank you, everyone. All these comments make it seem more and more real…

    Reply
  17. Julie P. says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Woo Hoo! Congratulations! I’m so excited for you!

    Reply
  18. TerryLynnJohnson says

    March 23, 2010 at 1:44 pm

    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!

    Reply
  19. Rosslyn Elliott says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:18 pm

    Caroline, congratulations! I don’t know how I missed this news, but I am SO happy to hear it!

    Reply
  20. Shannon O'Donnell says

    March 23, 2010 at 2:40 pm

    Caroline, I am so thrilled for you – beyond thrilled even! You deserve a wonderful story like this! 🙂

    Reply
  21. Heidi Willis says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    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
  22. Slamdunk says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:04 pm

    Congrats on your achievement. That must be very fulfulling.

    Reply
  23. Lily Cate says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Wow and Yay!!!
    Great news!
    Can’t wait to read your NEW BOOK!!!

    Reply
  24. Elana Johnson says

    March 23, 2010 at 3:53 pm

    WOW – SUPER AMAZING! Congrats on your deal, and I’m so interested in the journeys of others. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  25. Andrea Cremer says

    March 23, 2010 at 4:30 pm

    Wonderful post, Caroline! And congratulations 🙂

    Reply
  26. ninidee says

    March 23, 2010 at 4:59 pm

    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
  27. Joan says

    March 23, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    Congratulation, I am so happy for you! I can’t wait to read your book so put me down for one hardback copy.

    Reply
  28. Terri says

    March 23, 2010 at 8:06 pm

    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

    March 23, 2010 at 8:17 pm

    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
  30. DL Hammons says

    March 23, 2010 at 11:13 pm

    That is so fantastic for you!! Congrats Congrats!!

    Reply
  31. Karen Amanda Hooper says

    March 24, 2010 at 1:38 am

    Glad Meg asked. Such a great story. Congrats! Can’t wait to buy my copy. 🙂

    Reply
  32. Christina Lee says

    March 24, 2010 at 2:56 pm

    I am just catching up on this now!! WOWEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Lots and lots of congrats!!!!!!!!!!

    Reply
  33. Sarah Skilton says

    March 24, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    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
  34. Christina Farley says

    March 27, 2010 at 11:39 am

    Wow! This is so exciting! So happy for you.

    Reply
  35. Elizabeth McKenzie says

    April 24, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    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/

    Reply

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