When Thank You is Not Enough

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: I am so grateful for the trials and troubles I experience in life! Not that I'm a glutton for punishment, or that I actually enjoy that miserable experience of feeling like the whole world is crashing in on me. But every disaster I've ever experienced has come with an outpouring of love and blessings ... and for that, I am truly grateful.

 If you haven't yet heard about our house in Maryland being destroyed, you can catch up on the story here. I already mentioned how grateful I was at the outpouring of support I received in the days immediately following the discovery, but the love and support has been so constant and ongoing, I have to write another post to say thank you!

I'm especially grateful this week for Brenda Drake, who organized an online auction to benefit our house rebuilding efforts. And for all of my friends in the publishing industry (agents, editors, artists and authors) who have donated items for the auction! 

In case you haven't seen the auction yet, there are a TON of AMAZING items up for bid! Books for all ages, manuscript and query critiques, custom artwork, marketing consultations, editing services ... My amazing editor, Mandy Schoen even offered a 50 page critique PLUS 30 minute phone consultation about the manuscript! I'm absolutely overwhelmed by the amount of awesome in this auction, and there simply aren't words big enough to express my gratitude for you all. Both those who donated auction items and those who are bidding on them.

When Brenda told me that she was putting together this auction, I never imagined that she would have more than 90 people wanting to donate to help me! (Brenda said she had so many offers that she had to turn people away in the end. I can't believe how supportive everyone has been!!) There are auction listings for:
* Signed Books (including Advance Reader Copies for books that haven't even come out yet!)
* Marketing Help and Consultations
* Custom Artwork and Formatting Services
* Query Critiques
* Partial Manuscript Critiques
* Full Manuscript Critiques
* Query & Chapter Critiques with Literary Agents
* Critiques & Phone Calls with Editors

My twitter feed has been blowing up with notifications, and I simply can't keep up with all of the well-wishes and support that has been coming my way. But I wanted to send my gratitude and undying love out to all of you! If a grateful heart truly is a beginning of greatness, then I am well on my way to achieving that status. Because I am absolutely in awe. You guys are the best!!

For those who might be interested in the auction, I've included the links at the bottom of this post as well, sorted into easy-to-navigate categories. (Click on the item number to learn more about the item - and to bid. Click on the donor's name to learn more about the author / editor / agent who donated it. Many of the Pitch Wars mentors who have donated critiques for this auction have also participated in one (or more) of Brenda's Query & First Page Workshops. You can find samples of their critiques from those workshops on Brenda's blog, if you want to get a sense of their critique styles.

Signed Books (Including Advance Reader Copies!!)

Auction Item 22: Signed Copy of ANOMALY by Tonya Kuper

Auction Item 27: Signed Copy of REAPER Plus Swag by L.S. Murphy

Auction Item 28: Signed Trilogy of THE PAPER MAGICIAN series (paperback) by Charlie Holmberg

Auction Item 29: E-ARC and swag bundle of CHAMELEON by K.T. Hanna

Auction Item 30: Signed Copies of JERICHO RISING & JERICHO’S REDEMPTION by Mary Lynne Gibbs

Auction Item 31: Signed Copy of THE MAIDEN’S COURAGE by Mary Lynne Gibbs

Auction Item 32: Signed Copy of YOU’RE INVITED by Jen Malone & Gail Nall

Auction Item 33: Signed Copy of BREAKING THE ICE by Gail Nall

Auction Item 34: Signed Copy & Swag of ACROSS THE DISTANCE by Marie Meyer

Auction Item 35: Signed Copy of FREE AGENT by J.C. Nelson

Auction Item 36: Signed Copy of ARMAGEDDON RULES by J.C. Nelson

Auction Item 37: ARC OR Final copy of WISH BOUND by J.C. Nelson

Auction Item 38: Signed Copy of BASEBALL’S BEST ROOKIES by Russ Cohen

Auction Item 39: Signed Copy of WINTER CLASSIC by Russ Cohen

Auction Item 40: Signed copy of NUMBERS DON’T LIE: METS by Russ Cohen

Auction Item 41: Box Set of FRACTURED IMMORTAL and FINDING IMMORTAL by E.L. Wicker

Auction Item 42: Signed Copy of TIMEKEEPER RISING by Allyssa Painter

Auction Item 43: Signed Copy of DANGEROUS LOVE + bookmarks by Kara Leigh Miller

Auction Item 49: Signed Copy of THESE GENTLE WOUNDS by Helene Dunbar

Bonus Auction Item 3: Signed Copy of THE LAST FIFTH GRADE OF EMERSON ELEMENTARY by Laura Shovan

Bonus Auction Item 4: Signed ARC of MY SEVENTH-GRADE LIFE IN TIGHTS by Brooks Benjamin

Bonus Auction Item 12: Signed Copy of THIEF OF LIES by Brenda Drake 


 Marketing & Consultations
Auction Item 4: One Hour Marketing Consultation Call by Jen Malone Consults

Auction Item 19: Query + 1st Chapter + Skype Consultation with Rebecca Yarros

Auction Item 20: Character Personality Analysis by Lawrence Kotkin

Auction Item 23: Custom Author/Book Swag Pack by J.C. Davis

Bonus Auction Item 9: Marketing Consultation by Dea Poirier



Custom Art & Formatting
Auction Item 21: A Custom Digital-Only Book Cover Design by S.P. McConnell

Auction Item 24: Cover design by Caitlin Greer

Auction Item 25: Full Formatting Job by Caitlin Greer


 
Agent Critiques & Consultations

Auction Item 5: Query + First 3 Chapters Critique by Agent Roseanne Wells

Auction Item 6: Query + First 10 pages Critique by Agent Emily Keyes

Auction Item 7: Query + First 3 Chapters Critique by Agent Julia A. Weber

Auction Item 8: Query + 1st 3 chapters or A Full Non-fiction Proposal Critique by Agent Terrie Wolf

Bonus Auction Item 6: Query Critique by Agent Rachel Brooks

Special Bonus Auction Item: Query Critique by Agent Eric Ruben 

Editor Critiques & Consultations
Auction Item 2: 50 Page critique & 30 Minute Phone Consultation by Mandy Schoen

Auction Item 48: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Editor Meredith Rich


Auction Item 9: Query + Synopsis + 50 Page Critique by Anya Kagan with Touchstone Editing

Auction Item 14: Query + Synopsis + 50 Pages Critique by Kim Graff with Wild Things Editing

Auction Item 15: Submission Package Critique by Maria Ann Green with Wild Things Editing

Auction Item 18a: Private Class: Editor’s First Aid by Lynnette Labelle

Auction Item 18b: Substantive/developmental edit by Lynnette Labelle

Auction Item 63: 1st Chapter Critique by Editor Tara Creel

Auction Item 64: 1st Chapter Critique by Editor Tara Creel

Auction Item 65: 1st Chapter Critique by Editor Tara Creel


Full Manuscript Critiques

Bonus Auction Item 7: Full Manuscript Critique by Ashley Turcotte

Auction Item 1: Full Manuscript Critique by Lara Edits

Auction Item 26: Full NA or YA Manuscript Critique by Molly Lee


Multi-Page / Chapter Critiques (& More!)
Auction Item 19: Query + 1st Chapter + Skype Consultation with Rebecca Yarros

Bonus Auction Item 13: Query + 50 Pages YA Critique by Jodie Andrefski

Auction Item 13: Query + 50 Pages Critique by L.S. Murphy


Auction Item 3: 50 Page Middle Grade Manuscript Critique by Jen Malone

Auction Item 10: 50 Page Middle Grade Manuscript Critique by Elliah Terry

Auction Item 11: 50 pages manuscript critique by Kelly Calabrese

Auction Item 12: 50 Page Critique by Jennifer Blackwood


Bonus Auction Item 10: 50 Pages YA Critique by Trisha Leaver

Auction Item 16: Query + Synopsis + 1st 3 Chapters Critique for YA by Brianna Shrum

Auction Item 44: Three Chapters Critique + B&N Gift Card Package by Jeanmarie Anaya

Bonus Auction Item 14: Query + 3 Chapters Critique by Sharon Johnston

Auction Item 17: Three Chapter Critique by Kara Leigh Miller

Auction Item 46: First Three Chapters Critique by Stacey Nash

Auction Item 47: Three Chapter Critique by Nicole Zolteck

Bonus Auction Item 2: Three Chapter MG Manuscript Critique by Laura Shovan

Bonus Auction Item 8: Query + 1st 25 Pages Critique by Agent Intern, Kyra Nelson

Auction Item 50: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Sonia Hartl

Auction Item 51: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Dannie Morin

Auction Item 52: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Casey Lyall

Auction Item 53: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Rosalyn Eves

Auction Item 55: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Natasha Raulerson

Auction Item 56: Query + 1st Chapter by Natasha Neagle

Auction Item 57: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Jennifer Hawkins

Auction Item 58: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Marie Meyer

Auction Item 60: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Ronni Arno

Auction Item 61: Query + 1st Chapter by Suzanne van Rooyen

Bonus Auction Item 5: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Brooks Benjamin

Bonus Auction Item 11: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Wendy Spinale

Auction Item 62: Query + 1st Chapter Critique by Sarah Glenn Marsh

Auction Item 54: First Chapter Critique by Roselle Kaes

Auction Item 59: First Chapter Critique by Laura Heffernan

Auction Item 66: First Chapter Critique by Linda Budzinski

Auction Item 45: Ten Page Critique by RuthAnne Snow

 Bonus Auction Item 1: First 5 Pages Critique by Lara Edits


 Query Critiques
 Auction Item 75: Query Brainstorming Package by Naomi Hughes

Auction Item 67: Query + 1st Page Critique by Kelly Siskind

Auction Item 68: Query Critique by Amy Trueblood

Auction Item 69: Query Critique by Helene Dunbar

Auction Item 70: Non-fiction Query Critique by Jenna Glatzer

Auction Item 71: Query Critique by Tamara Mataya
 
 Auction Item 72: Query Critique by Michelle Hauck

Auction Item 73: Query Critique by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Auction Item 74: Query Critique by Lynnette Labelle

Auction Item 76: Query Critique by Nikki Roberti

Auction Item 77: Query Critique by Elinor Sattler

What if the Princess REALLY Just Wants a Frog?? - (Announcing my Debut Picture Book!!)

Way back in October of 2011, I was actively querying my first YA manuscript when I discovered Tara Lazar's PiBoIdMo (Picture Book Idea Month - where you come up with an idea for a picture book every day in November). The challenge seemed easy enough, and so I eagerly accepted, certain I'd end the month with hundreds of ideas.

And guess what? It wasn't as easy as I expected. By mid-month I was grasping at straws, frantically looking for any source of inspiration. Any little shred of an idea. Just so I wouldn't have to count a big, fat zero for the day.

And in one of those "I have no creativity and what was I even thinking?" moments, I started thinking about my YA novel. KISSING FROGS. And I started playing the "What if?" game.

What if there was a princess who loved frogs more than anything else?

What if she wanted a frog for a pet?

What if she loved frogs so much that she 

couldn't help kissing them goodnight?

What if she wound up with a castle full of princes, all proposing marriage...

 The idea made me giggle so hard that I couldn't wait to start writing. I pulled out my notebook and a special story pencil and wrote my first draft that afternoon. And it was brilliant. Hilarious. Beautiful. Perfect! (Okay, not really. It was a first draft. And first drafts are always messy and awful. But the potential was there!! And I was absolutely in love with my spunky Princess Cassandra!)

After many, many rounds of revision, including a full manuscript critique from Christie Wright Wild, feedback from more than a few online writing workshops, and countless sessions with my fabulous CPs, Amie Rose Rotruck, Laura Shovan and Connie Collins Morgan, who helped me figure out the perfect ending to my story ... I put the thing in a metaphorical desk drawer to wait for the right timing.

Fast forward to November 2013. I was hard at work on final edits for my debut YA novel, TWELVE STEPS, and I had signed with my dream agent, Jessica Sinsheimer. And it was time to figure out what to work on NEXT. (Because, in writing, there always has to be a next project. Waiting for things to happen is much too crazy-making if you don't have something new to focus on.)

"What else are you working on?" Jessica asked. "What would you LIKE to work on next?"

So I told her all about the other MG novels I have stored in various stages of revision on my hard drive. And the YA novels that I've written and abandoned. Or plan to come back to one day. And the shiny new YA contemporary novel that I really wanted to write, but I wasn't sure if anyone would ever love as much as I do. And then I admitted, "And I have this picture book. People seem to like it. I don't know. Maybe we could do something with that someday?"

She loved the shiny, new YA idea and told me to start writing it immediately, and then she asked me to send her the manuscript for THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGS. (She loved it!)

Fast forward a few months ...

When the first "I love this book! I plan to take it to our acquisitions meeting next week" email arrived from an editor I'd had at the top of my Dream Editors list for years, I literally fell off my treadmill! (*Note: Reading life-changing emails while working at a treadmill desk can be hazardous to your health.)

It was an excruciatingly-tough decision, but as soon as I spoke to Kristin Rens with Balzer and Bray (Harper Collins), I knew she was the right editor for me. We talked about the story, the illustrations, and all kinds of other things ... and, once again, I found a partner I could be so comfortable with that I forgot my phone phobia! Not only did she (and the whole team) love THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGS, but she shared my vision for the book. She pinpointed the few spots in the manuscript that still felt like they weren't quite right, and I loved her ideas!

I've been dancing around for a LONG time, waiting to announce this news, but the day has finally arrived, and I can shout it from the rooftops!!

Coming soon to a bookstore near you!! 

My Debut Picture Book: 

THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGS!!!!!

So for those of you who are keeping count … Yes, this means my first TWO book sales were BOTH based on the first manuscript I ever wrote. Two books (TWELVE STEPS, and now THE PRINCESS AND THE FROGS), both inspired by the novel I counted as a failure. There is no wasted effort in the writing game. As long as you are learning and moving forward, as long as you never give up, you will find success. It may not be what you thought you were striving for, but if you keep working, you’ll probably find something even better.

It's Not You, It's Me: On Reading and Subjectivity

When you're a writer, the one thing you hear more often than any other is: "This is a subjective business." And I'll admit, sometimes it gets really hard to hear. When the rejections are pouring in, one after another, and you think you'll never find anyone to love the manuscript you've worked so hard to write, it's easier to think "There must be something wrong with me" than "I simply haven't found the right agent/editor for this manuscript." 

That fear and negativity is what caused me to give up far too soon on my first manuscript. After more than two years of fearful, timid querying, I let the rejections bring me down. I had a pile of no's, many of which were very encouraging (the rest were form rejections). But I convinced myself that all of the agents and editors who took the time to write encouraging, personalized rejections were just being nice. Because obviously, if there was so much to like in my manuscript, it would have been snatched up on the first round of queries, right? (Just so you know, agents and editors don't take the time to write encouraging letters of rejection to praise your writing if they don't mean it. Not because they don't want to be nice, but because they simply don't have time to do so with hundreds of queries filling their inboxes every day.)

Of course, we all know that giving up on my first manuscript led to the writing of my soon-to-be-published debut novel, TWELVE STEPS (coming 25 March 2014), so there's a happy ending to my story. But I recently finished reading a book that got me thinking about the subjective nature of reading all over again.

There's a book (no, I won't name titles, so don't ask) that all of my friends and acquaintances are reading and gushing over right now, all over the Internet. And the concept sounded intriguing to me, so even though I personally didn't care for the first title by this author, I picked up this new book and started reading. And it was okay. The idea behind the book was truly fascinating, and I liked most of the characters. There were even a few lines that made me smile all day long after reading them. There was enough to like about this book that, usually, I'd be recommending it to everyone, even though I wasn't 100% in love with it. (There were a couple of characters I didn't care for at all and some plot points that felt a little thin to me, but not enough to draw an "I hate this book!" out of me.) I enjoyed the book. Really. It was well-written and thought-provoking.

But I won't be recommending it to anyone, no matter how well-written it was. And the reason for my reluctance to recommend is entirely subjective and totally personal. Basically, it boils down to the language. This book was so full of profanity that I was seriously uncomfortable reading it. 

Now, before you jump into the comments to yell at me for having a holier-than-thou attitude or something, please let me explain. Yes, I know that profanity is perfectly realistic. I am fully aware that kids hear a lot worse in the hallways at school every single day. And I know that many writers and readers believe that the only way to show the reality is to dive right into it, headfirst. If that's what you feel you have to do, I'm not going to tell you that you can't.

But when I read a book where the f-bomb lands several times in only a few pages, I'm saddened by the fact that this is a book I can't recommend to my kids. Not because I'm trying to censor what they're exposed to (believe me, I've spent enough time at the schools to know they're exposed to as much or worse every day), but because they judge me by the books I recommend. A few months ago, my teenage daughter picked up a book I had been reading, and after a few chapters she put it away again with a sad shake of her head. "I don't know how you can read things like this, Mom. I have to hear it all day long at school. When I read, I like to take a break from language like that." And two days ago, my youngest daughter came to me in tears because she'd just listened to the non-Radio-Disney version of her favorite song for the first time. "Mom, I thought Disney singers weren't supposed to swear." 

And my kids aren't the only young folks who like to take a break from the profanity of the world from time to time, by the way. I've had several of their friends complain to me about it too. Yes, they might be the minority, but these are the people who look to me most often for book recommendations. I can't disregard their trust by recommending books I know will make them uncomfortable.

Which is exactly my point. Reading is totally subjective. One agent may love your story and your characters, but the best friend or the love interest is too much like the boy who crushed her heart in high school, and your story brings up painful memories. Another may adore every single one of your characters and be totally in love with the voice of your story, but when he went backpacking through Europe for a semester in college, the international spies he encountered were nothing like those you've depicted, so the story doesn't feel entirely authentic to him. And that editor you met at a conference may have just signed a deal for a book that's so similar to yours it would cause unnecessary competition between titles on their list. You never know what personal circumstances might make your book one that an agent/editor would enjoy enough to read but not enough to gush over for months and years to come.

When the rejections pile high and you're tempted to get discouraged, it never hurts to take a second look at your manuscript. Maybe there's something you can do to make a character more likable or a situation more believable. Maybe there's still room for improvement. But maybe not. If you are happy with the story as-is, and your critique partners (yes, there should be more than one - and your family members and best friend don't count) all think your story is the best thing since sliced bread, then it's likely you simply haven't found the right agent or editor. Don't give up! You may be closer than you think.

Giant News! or How My Book Became a BOOK! (The Long Version)

My super-talented, amazing, artist-hubby, Phil, drew this beautiful picture to celebrate the announcement of my debut novel, TWELVE STEPS, coming in 2014 from Swoon Romance. This is my main character, Andi. Isn't she amazing?

 You may have already seen my book announcement here. That's the short-and-sweet version of the story. But if you've ever met me (or read my blog), you know that short-and-sweet isn't really my thing. Because the real fun of a story is in the details. If you're more of a "just the facts, ma'am" kind of person, my original announcement is the one for you. But if you're more like me, then keep reading. ;)

Taking the Next Step: Swooning Over a Story

Once upon a time, there was a little girl who loved to write stories. And she told everyone she knew that she was going to become a famous author someday. And everyone she knew told her that she was sure to become one of the best. She began collecting beautiful pencils and told all of her friends and family that she wouldn't sharpen any of them until she was ready to write her very first published book. Because these pencils were full of magical stories, just waiting for her to unlock them.

But that little girl grew up, and suddenly, "someday" seemed to be coming too soon. The little girl began to worry. What if she tried and failed? What if the one thing she'd always known she was good at wasn't really enough? What if people laughed? She packed away her beautiful pencils and put her dreams on hold, because as long as she hadn't yet begun, "someday" was still a safe dream.

Then, in October of 2008, this grown-up girl (who now had 4 adorable children of her own) went to a women's conference where she met NYT best-selling author, Jason Wright. And as she listened to him speak, and then later chatted with him for a bit, she realized something earth-shattering. He was a super-successful author, and he was just a normal person!! She left the conference with one thought resonating in her mind: "If he can be a bestselling author, then so can I!"

Someday had arrived.

The girl sharpened her first story pencil and pulled out a brand-new spiral notebook, and started writing the book she hoped would be her very first published novel.

Less than a month later, the first draft of that first novel was written. And it was pretty awful. So she revised and edited and showed it to some friends who told her that it was still pretty awful. (Thanks, Shawn, for forcing me to find my voice!) And after she finished crying, she revised again, until she was convinced that it was perfect. She printed off the manuscript and sent it to 9 agents and a publisher, knowing that the first batch of queries would probably bring several rejections. And she was right. Because the story really wasn't ready yet. But out of the ten queries she sent, one of the rejections was a semi-encouraging letter that appeared to be just half a step above the standard form letter, and the girl was thrilled to see the encouragement.

The novel wasn't quite there yet, she realized. So she put it away for a while and wrote something new. And then she wrote something else. But she didn't know how to make any of her stories "good enough." She couldn't do it alone.

The girl joined SCBWI (the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) and MWA (Maryland Writers' Association). She met some other writers who helped her polish and revise her first manuscript until it no longer resembled the original. She attended writing conferences, where she met even more professional authors, and rubbed elbows with some pretty fabulous agents and editors. And then she sent out more queries. And she entered a few contests.

There were a few requests and some very highly-encouraging rejections, but no offers. And in the fall of 2012, after revising and querying for two years (but a total of only 21 queries - an average of less than one query per month), the girl decided it was time to move on to different projects. Her beloved critique partners tried to tell her that 21 queries was not enough, and she shouldn't give up on this story they loved, but the girl would not be swayed. After all, she had several manuscripts waiting to be revised. Surely, one of them would be the key to her dreams.

Yet, the girl wasn't ready to say goodbye to the characters she'd grown to love so much. And so she decided to take a break from the heartache of writing to try to get published. She set aside the month of November (or, as it is known in the writing world, NaNoWriMo) to write something that would be just for her. Something silly and fun that she didn't have to worry about trying to publish. She wrote the story of the little sister from her first manuscript, fully intending to file it away with the now-abandoned first manuscript as soon as November was over.

But when December rolled around, the girl realized that she might have created something worthwhile. And so she sent it to her critique partners, who loved it even more than her first manuscript. And they made her promise not to give up so easily this time around. "When you have 200 rejections, you can quit."

So the girl entered a contest. And then she entered another one. And she received several requests. She sent the manuscript to the agents who had requested to see it, and she waited. And slowly, the rejections trickled in. But she hadn't hit the magic number yet, so she couldn't quit. She took the advice of an amazing super-agent and revised the manuscript, pulling out an entire subplot and tightening everything.

She entered another contest, and she received several more requests. And then, some friends talked her into entering one more contest, in which she received two requests.

The girl sent the requested pages to everyone who had asked, and she waited. When a few weeks went by with no response, the girl decided to hurry the process along. If she wasn't allowed to give up on this manuscript until she had 200 rejections, she had to get to work. She compiled her list of top agents and started writing query letters, sending fifteen in one week, before she lost her nerve.

And then, one day, the girl came home from a date with her amazing husband and found an email waiting for her. Awesome Editor said she wanted to buy the girl's book.

And the girl did not sleep that night. She was too busy dancing and squealing with excitement.

After contacting everyone who was still considering the manuscript, the girl waited the required week to see what would happen next.

And another Amazing Editor said she also wanted to buy the book. 

And then two agents said that they would like to talk to the girl, so phone calls were scheduled.

The first agent was one the girl had dreamed about for years. Dream Agent had even given the girl the idea for one of her other stories, when they met at a conference. The girl was certain that this was destiny. She dreamed of rainbows and bubbles and a giant Happily Ever After of Publishing Bliss. But although the conversation was pleasant, and Dream Agent was very knowledgeable in all aspects of the publishing business, the "spark" just wasn't there. And so Dream Agent and the girl decided that a partnership wasn't meant to be.

The second agent was one that the girl had never even heard of before Super Agent* requested her manuscript in a pitch contest. And so the girl came into the conversation warily, with no preconceived expectations. Super Agent  totally blew the girl away with her professionalism and enthusiasm. After a ten minute phone call, the girl would have signed a contract with Super Agent in a heartbeat. But Super Agent proved her total and complete awesomeness by advising the girl to negotiate this publishing deal without an agent, because most of the work was already done, and Super Agent said she wouldn't feel right taking commission on a deal she hadn't brokered. Super Agent told the girl that she should wait to find an agent until her NEXT manuscript was ready to query. Then, Super Agent took time out of her busy schedule to help the girl understand the totally-overwhelming, tiny details of the offers she had received, so the girl could make the best choice possible.

And two days later, the girl accepted the offer of publication from Swoon Romance! Her book is scheduled to be published in 2014, and she's ready for the hard work that will bring her to the next Happily Ever After. 

*Super Agent, I hope you read this, and that you know who you are. You will forever have my gratitude! You totally rock!!!