I am starting to feel a bit weird now. Like it's a dream and someone's going to rudely shake me away and tell me it's not real. That I didn't just sell six books in one year. Yes, that's right. Six.
Because I sent in my proposal (three chapters and a synopsis) of my Dirty Virgin Hero ms to my Samhain editor and the next day - along with my Finn edits - she says she loves it and also the idea for the linked book that I included. Oh and also she'd like it for print so make sure it's over 50k.
AAAAARRRRGHHH!!!!
I do not know how this has happened. I'm sure the ride is going to stop soon because it HAS to.
I do know that I am extremely pleased that my Russian chess player hero - whose story I wrote and rewrote so many times because I'm a stubborn bitch and I WANTED it out there because he's cool, and how can you not love a chess playing dude?? - is sold. Black Knight, White Queen is currently slated for release in July next year.
And now my tattooed virgin bad boy - tentatively titled Take Him - also has a contract. Plus the possibility of print which I NEVER expected at all.
I am...well....rather gobsmacked.
Even with all this, I'm still hoping the ride will contine because I'd love my sheikh to be released into the world. But I'm not sure real life happens that way. Right???
Anyway, I also just want to reassure those of you entering SYTYCW that if you don't get through to the next round, it's NOT the end. All of you who read this blog know I entered both New Voices and SYTYCW, and I got nowhere. However, my first New Voices entry now has a three book deal with Entangled and The Chessman - which was an SYTYCW entry last year - sold to Samhain (admittedly, as a very different story but same concept). I also know of several people who also didn't get anywhere with their contest entries and yet sold the same book to M&B later.
The main thing really is to believe in your story. Believe it deserves to be read. And if you can't do either of those things then just being as stubborn as hell does the trick too. :-)
Right....*delivers chocolate martinis* *raises glass* A toast to my virgin hero! Who's with me?
33 comments:
I'm with you! Huge congratulations again jax. What a year!
OMG, Jackie!!!! I was laughing as I read your post-laughing in a good way of course. You are a superstar, my dear!!!!
Scarlet - oh, thanks m'dear!! Is it not INSANE??? *clinks*
Victoria - LOL! I'm laughing too - in a 'is this real' kind of way. Don't know about superstar - haven't had any sales yet - but I'm hoping for some good ones. :-)
Okay, stop now. This is getting embarrassing. Are you n about a sale a month or so at the moment? :O)
HUGE Congrats, much deserved success. I can see your smile from the flip side of the globe.
x
I'm just so happy for you Jackie. When it happens, it really happens, hey!?
Well done Jackie - you're on fire!!!! You deserve this, you've worked so hard :)
Love the title of your Chess hero and can't wait to hear more of your virgin hero!!!!
Cheers to you!
Jodie - I KNOW! I AM embarrassed!! Kind of. Lol! Thank you so much! What's happening with you? Cover??
Rach - You better believe it, babe!
Joanne - thanks m'dear! That's a book for every year I've been unpublished since beginning to write romance seriously. So not too bad. :-) Oh, yay, glad you like the title - I ummmed and aaahed about it, since it's not very 'romancey'. Oh, Mr Virgin, he's dirrrrrty. He won't be out for ages alas, but I'm happy it'll be next year.
That's brilliant news! And to have a book go to print is brilliant! Well done Jackie. Can't wait for their releases :)
Count me in on the celebratory drinks!
Huge congratulations. Really pleased to hear I'll be able to get my hands on your Virgin Hero :)
It's funny how these things seem to snowball. All that work pre-call has been sooo worth it. Good for you!
I've also managed to fulfill my dream of becoming published recently by selling my first book to Crimson Romance. (I don't know if you remember, but you very kindly helped me out with the synopsis for it a couple of years ago before I entered it in a M&B comp. It's the one with the broody heroine attempting to save her best friend from a gold-digger with the help of her brother's best friend.)
*raises a chocolate martini* Cheers!
x Christy x
Golly, Jax, you really are on a roll! Congratulations!
Aimee - thank you! I think you've got a release coming up too haven't you?? Exciting times!
Christy - OMG, that's fantastic news!! And yes, I remember that story. I thought it was great! Oh, I'm so thrilled for you!! Details, please!! *raises glass to Christy*
Sally - I know. It's kind of insane. Thanks m'dear!!
Yay! Congratulations!
Lacey - thank you!!
Great blog post. I love a virgin hero and am seriously looking forward to yours. I'm so pleased for your success.
Thanks for the congrats Jackie. I'm still in the state where I'm worried I'll wake up one morning and find I've made it all up :)
The story we worked on has morphed somewhat since you last saw it. It sat on my hard-drive for a couple of years and I found it and brushed it off a few months ago.
After extensive rewrites (good practice for the future, no? :) I pitched it at the Romance Divas online conference and two publishers asked for the full. Anyway, Jennifer Lawler at Crimson Romance got back to me a few weeks later and offered me a contract for it.
Exciting times!
Huge congrats to you again for selling SIX BOOKS in a year. Now that's an achievement.
x Christy x
Fiona - oh, thanks so much, m'dear. It's been quite a ride I can tell you. As to my dear little virgin boy, well, he's seriously messed up...but I reckon you can handle messed up. ;-)
Christy - that's just wonderful news! Yeah, I know that feeling huh?? Do let me know all your website details etc. And of course, release dates!! I know a couple of people who are with Crimson... Yeah, but no matter how many books you sell, you always remember your first. ;-)
You're absolutely right about the first sale.
I'm in the process of setting up my website but I have a blog (not written on very recently, bad Christy) www.christymckellen.blogspot.com and my Twitter is @christymckellen
I'll def let you know about release dates.
LOVE your new photo by the way. Gorgeous!
x C x
Jackie
Thats wonderful news - and you know what? You truly deserve this. But it must all feel pretty surreal! Keep those chocolate martinis flowing.
And wise words re SYTYCW...thank you.
Nina x
Christy - Oh cool! I shall swing by the blog and follow on Twitter. And thanks re the photo - my daughter informs me I look flawed but not plastic. This is apparently a good thing. ;-)
Nina - surreal is very definitely what it feels. And I have to say, I loved telling people about the first sale but the subsequent ones have my Kiwi-ness kicking in. The not wanting to be a tall poppy etc. Feeling embarassed about it. It's silly because I DO feel I deserve it. I worked my BUTT off to get this. But you know, telling people that feels wrong. Bah. :-)
Have you entered SYTYCW??
Jackie
Trust me - you really really really.... deserve this. But I get you on the poppy thing. I don't think its just KIWIness... I have entered SYTYCW and have realised that the idea of actually promoting my chapter to get votes makes me want to curl up in a corner...and be a very small dandelion...
Nina x
Nina - you are a sweetie! Thank you. Well, I think everyone who sends their work out for publication deserves it in the end too. Because it's just such a hard, hard thing to do.
Anyway, re SYTYCW, that's kind of why I didn't enter. I'm already feeling like a very small dandelion at the thought of promo-ing my books. Promo-ing a chapter was way too much for me. Tell me the title - I want to read! Plus then I can vote as well. :-)
Jackie
I can see the self promotion will be complicated BUT you have said it yourself...you believe in your work and you believe people should be given a chance to read it. All you are doing by promoting your books is giving people an opportunity to do just that. And I for one am really looking forward to reading.
So having said all that..my sytycw entry is in KISS. Title: In the Name of Lust.
Morphing into shrinking dandelion.
Nina x
Nina - that's so lovely of you to say. Yeah, I guess blowing our own trumpets is something we all find a bit difficult. Okay, a LOT difficult. :-)
Anyway, I read your story and you should NOT be shrinking! It's GREAT!!! You should be shouting this from the rooftops!! I'm gonna vote (when it comes up again).
And I didn't realise it but you're the Nina who keeps finalling in the Great Beginnings contests aren't you? In fact, I think you beat me this year! Lol! :-) Didn't you have a full request from them? You're on your way, Nina, and judging from your contest entry, I can see why. Crossing my fingers for you!
Jackie
Thank you - it really does mean a lot. Entered this on the back of an R so that has cheered me up. And believe me telling you which my entry was IS shouting it from the rooftops in my world!!
And yes that is the Nina I am - I am Nina Milne on twitter, Nina M on the boards and just Nina here. Must work out the whole picture thing.Love your new one by the way.
Nina x
Jackie, remember at the beginning of the year when you were a little down and everyone who loves you told you to hang in there? Well, you hung like hanging, hanging thing, lol...and now you're reaping SERIOUS rewards. And THAT'S JUST HOW IT SHOULD BE! So, so, so happy for you, my lovely!!
YAY another sale - go Jackie! Can't wait to read them all - looks like 2013 will be a busy year on the Kindle. Great stuff. Caroline x
Nina - you rock. Well done for entering - especially after an R. That takes guts. Thanks for the twitter handle - must get to following you! Oh and hey, if you need a chat or a pep talk or a moan, feel free to drop me a line via my contact form, huh? I know the suckage of the R and how hard it is to keep going after getting one. Sharing the pain can help. :-)
Maya - Ha! A 'little' down?? Love the understatement there... M'dear, I was hanging on by the skin of my teeth. And yep, ya'll kept me going. Never have kept hanging without the blog and all my writing gals. Thanks so much!!
Caroline - Lol!! YEah, I've got a full year next year... :-)
That blog post should be all CAPS and without the Ummm..jackie!!!
Seriously, congrats on the sale, and can't really wait to read DVH....
Nina - just seen that you're following me on Twitter and I'm not following you! Argh! So sorry. I get lost in the follow emails sometimes and lose people. Anyway, have rectified!
Sri - ha! Well, I'm being Kiwi and embarrassed. ;-) I need to be more American I think. And thanks!
Jackie
You make me laugh. You were one of my first follows on twitter because I follow your blog - I didn't expect you to follow me back! (But thank you!)
I am still getting my head round twitter so am lurking. Having said that rather than tweet I am much more likely to take you up on your offer of sharing the pain of Rs! Suckage is right...
Nina xx
Nina - But I really want to be able to follow the people who've given me support, so I can do the same in return. Which means do feel free to drop me a line whenever you like. :-) Yeah, Twitter and I have a love/hate relationship. Sometimes it's too much and too distracting so I stay away from it. But other times it's nice to chat.
Congratulations Jackie! What an amazing year. The ride is definitely NOT going to stop for you - you'll just get higher and higher from here!
Madeline x
Madeline - Thank you!! One can only hope... :-)
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