Author Guest Post: Laurel Gans

[image error] I wrote my novel, Waitlisted, during my year off between college and graduate school. I was absolutely thrilled when I finished it in August of 2010—just weeks before school was to begin.  I was so proud to have my completed book saved on my little computer.  I figured one day when I had some free time I would probably self-publish it. But until then, I had to focus on school.
Winter quarter was rough to say the least and I needed a fun escape to keep me sane. To cheer myself up I began researching editors, agents and publishers. I sent out a few query letters using the book's original title, Pre-Dent. After many, many rejections, I went back to my original plan-- find a good freelance editor and self-publish.  
My mom had a patient who suggested I try to find an editor with the Brenda Novak Online Auction for Diabetes Research. (http://brendanovak.auctionanything.com/) In May 2011 I won a partial evaluation of my manuscript by Thalia S. Child (also writes under the names Sue Swift and Suz deMello).
I was concerned agents didn't want my book because the title Pre-Dent made it seem like it was only for pre-dental and dental students. I decided to send the book out for the first time ever under the more generic title, Waitlisted.  I sent over the first few chapters and Thalia wrote me back right away. She enjoyed the partial and wanted me to read a little on editing, make a couple changes to the book, then send over the complete manuscript. At that time, summer quarter was in full swing and I was really supposed to be studying. However, I gladly blew off school to finish up my manuscript. 
I was moving out of my old apartment the day I heard back from Thalia. I was sitting in my nearly vacant apartment as two very large men carried my couches away when I got the e-mail. She loved the manuscript and wanted to purchase it!
I had to call everybody in the family!  My mom and dad were overjoyed and I've never heard my grandma sound so thrilled before. My sister made the news her Facebook status and people I hadn't talked to in years were kind enough to express their excitement. 
My brothers and sisters were in such a good mood they didn't complain about carrying my stuff up to my new third floor walk-up. After a long day of unpacking, my siblings and I went to dinner to celebrate my new apartment and, of course, my new book.
 **Everyone who leaves a comment on Laurel's tour page will be entered to win a $10 Amazon gift card! If you purchase your copy of Waitlisted before February 20 and send your receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, you will get five bonus entries!**
Author Bio:
 
Laurel Gans is a graduate of Bowling Green State University where she studied Spanish. She is currently a dental student at The Ohio State University with her twin sister, Stephanie. She enjoys writing, water sports and spending time with her family and friends. 
Connect with Laurel & Buy the Book!
http://www.facebook.com/WaitlistedtheNovel http://www.amazon.com/Waitlisted-ebook/dp/B005SWDRBE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327636348&sr=8-1 https://twitter.com/#!/laurelgans http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waitlisted-laurel-gans/1106367627 http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Waitlisted/book-VmzJN_KQGE-HoxG_fxnLAg/page1.html http://www.amazon.co.uk/Waitlisted-ebook/dp/B005SWDRBE http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-waitlisted-610322-177.html



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