Coming Full Circle

I attended my first writing conference more years ago than I care to count. But so much has come from that day.

I attended because, shortly after we'd moved to Florida, the Florida Romance Writers caravaaned to various bookstores throughout the state. They came to the bookstore closest to where we lived. At the time I was finishing up the first book I wrote so naturally I was curious about meeting 'real' authors. They were all lovely, gracious and friendly. They signed my purchases, gave me bookmarks and other assorted promotion items. There were flyers about the Fun In The Sun conference to be held in February. I took home all the paper, put it on my desk and frankly gave little thought to most of it.
Until the day I went out to the mailbox and discovered confirmation of my conference registration.
That evening The Craftsman, who traveled in his job at the time, made his daily call. "What's new?" he asked. "Well," I answered, and went on to explain about my confusion over the unexpected registration. A moment of silence sat between us before he said. "I signed you up. It's my Valentine's Day gift for you."

Needless to say I was stunned. Pleased. Panicked.

I was actually going to have to go out in public and confess my secret of trying to write a book? Yet, how could I not after The Craftsman made such a wonderfully supportive gesture?

So, I went. Having no idea of what to expect, fearing I'd sit there all day with no one to talk to, looking like the lone wart on a frog.

Instead I walked into the large banquet room, sat at a random place. And the lovely blonde sitting in front of me turned around and introduced herself.

I made a friend for life.

As a result of that day, Pat Van Wie became my first critique partner. She became, and remains to this day, one of my most ardent supporters. She's an excellent wordsmith and taught me much about pacing among other things. She moved, I moved, but we always kept in touch. There were times when months would go by and we'd not hear from one another, then for whatever reason one of us would reach out and we'd pick right up as if we'd just spoken days earlier. She became a published author long before me, first with Harlequin Superromance, then Bantam Loveswept and then Bantam published her mainstream suspense books.

Now she's an editor for BelleBooks.

This week I learned she is now my editor.

So, while now the critiquing will be somewhat one-sided, I eagerly look forward to once again having Pat read, review, and strengthen my writing.

A week ago my life changed.

Last Wednesday more than 2000 authors and industry professionals gathered in Atlanta GA for the National Romance Writers of American conference. It had been several years since I'd attended a national conference so I was a bit anxious about my attendance. My angst was compounded by the fact that a week before the conference I received an email from an editor to whom I'd submitted a revised, complete manuscript, asking me if I'd have time in my schedule to meet her for coffee.  Needless to say, I made sure I had the time!

One appointment I looked forward to was having dinner with a dear friend. I'm blessed to say this is the kind of friend that, while there are times when life sometimes keeps us from keeping in contact as frequently as we'd like, once we talk or see one another, we pick up right where we left off.

So, after a delightful dinner off-site, we returned to the hotel and made our way to the lobby bar, where, let's be honest, is where everyone congregates. There I re-connected with a couple of people, including one of the Publishers/Acquiring Editors of BelleBooks. Following a little more conversation she invited me to submit a manuscript that was rejected by Senior Acquisitions at another Publishing House.

My original intention was to forward the manuscript the week following the conference. However, the next afternoon I found myself with a window of time and I decided why wait? So, in for what was for me, a gigantic leap of faith, I forwarded the manuscript.
Boy am I glad I did!

On Friday evening -- yes,  a little more than 24 hours after submitting the manuscript! -- BelleBooks made an offer for the sale of my very first book!  Courting The Coach is scheduled to be released December 2014.

Needless to say, this development was unexpected, long-hoped for and dreamt of, and all the more exciting because it took place at the conference so I was able to share the news with so many of my writing friends and collegues.

Frankly, a month before the conference I was ready to toss in the towel. I had been working toward this dream for so long that I had begun to despair that it would remain that - a dream and little more. I can admit there were times in the past when perhaps I didn't give the writing my entire focus and dedication. But I always came back and continued to try.

I have no idea why or even how I continued to pursue this dream of a writing career.  Just as I know one contract does not a career make. But I have every intention of continuing to write and publish books now as I did before this amazing development.

There are so many people to thank for believing in me and supporting my dream with their words of encouragement and faith. First and foremost is The Craftsman and our children. They have always been my best and biggest cheerleaders. Other family members and friends have supported my endeavor, so many that it would take an entire blog to list them all.  For right now, I hope that all of you know how much I appreciate everything you've done to assist, mentor, believe and encourage me in so many way.

Last but not least, I have to thank my critique partner, Christine Glover. It's a little ironic that the first book I'm having published is Courting The Coach.  You are without a doubt, the biggest blessing in my writing career and could neither imagine nor want to continue on this endeavor without you.

I'll keep you posted with all developments as we all continue on this new direction in the publishing world.