I got THE CALL!!!

[image error]

And I missed it!!!

Arrgh! I was brushing my teeth and didn't hear the phone ring until too late. And like a dummy I looked at the number and thought "hmm, wonder if that's Agent Holly?" (Because, I am that superstitious that I didn't program her number into my phone lest it would anger the publishing gods.)

Then in the hustle and bustle of getting myself dressed and out the door I forgot. Until I opened the door to go into my workplace. I thought, "hm, wonder if that was Agent Holly." Then I came in and booted up my computer.

And let me say, thank goodness for email! Because there in my inbox were two VERY IMPORTANT messages! 1. A Message from Agent Holly saying "Call Me!" and 2. A Message telling me that Holly Blanck, the editor at St. Martin's who had just asked for more reads on my MS, had friended me on Twitter.

Reader, I flipped the freak out! I called Agent Holly to learn that indeed, Editor Holly had offered me a three book deal for my regency historical HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE.

Since then, natch, I've been on cloud nine. I don't think it will go away any time soon. Or at least until I get my editorial notes. But even then I'll be pretty freaking excited.

I've waited a long time for this, readers. I started my first regency romance in 1994. Can you believe it? I finished my first novel in 2007. It didn't sell. HOW TO DANCE WITH A DUKE is my second completed manuscript. And I've sold it.

For all of you out there who are struggling. Who are wondering if you should get out of the writing game? I'm here to tell you that persistence pays. My agent has this lovely rule: keep your eyes on your own paper. And she's so right. Everybody's journey is different. Everybody's deal is different. No two sales are the same. But if you hang in there. If you hone your craft. If you keep writing, even when that little voice in your head tells you you're crazy to try, something good will come of it. You will succeed.

It's been a long hard slog. And I know that more slogging is on it's way. But at least I can say that I've sold. I got the call.

Even if I did miss it the first time!