
I dreamed about this moment for years. Despite the incessant feelings of inadequacy and fear that my writing wasn't good enough, I kept trying. There were a lot of rejections. There was the nauseating query roller coaster. A few near misses. Throughout it all, the fear was constant.
Some of those fears went away when Eric became my agent in September, but not all. Having an agent is no guarantee of being published.
So we cleaned up my manuscript, sent it out into the scary world of publishing houses, and waited. I expected months of waiting. Rejections. Revision suggestions, if we were lucky.
When Eric called me about ten days after we went on sub and I saw that 212 area code, I figured he would say something like "Can you stop blogging about stinky things? It's kind of sick."
But no. There was an editor interested in my manuscript, one who really got it. That was when I realized I had a new talent. I could jump up and down, dance in place, bite my knuckles, silently scream, and talk on the phone as if I was perfectly sane.
After a few more calls and and a heckuva lot more knuckle biting, this finally happened about a week after that first phone call:
PUBLISHER'S MARKETPLACE:
Lydia Kang's THE FOUNTAIN (current title, CONTROL), about a 17-year-old who must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help of a band of outcasts with mutated genes, set in 2150 when genetic manipulation has been outlawed, to Kathy Dawson at Dial, in a good deal, in a pre-empt, for publication in 2013, by Eric Myers at The Spieler Agency (World).
(Yes, this is the same Kathy Dawson who was the editor for Chime by Franny Billingsley, a current National Book Award finalist--that Kathy! Excuse me while I get a little dizzy here and accidentally hit a wall. Ow.)
I am over the moon. Okay, more like entered another galaxy! But while I'm flying high right now (and pinching myself enough to turn half-purple), I'm taking a lot of people with me on this celestial celebration.
My hubs and kids, who have been so patient while I tapped away at my laptop every spare moment of my life the past few years.
My family--parents, in-laws, siblings and their hubs, and the rest of my wonderful family that never laughed at my efforts to be an author.
My crit partners--Laura, Julie, Artemis. You guys are goddesses to me! You have been both close friends and teachers. You taught me SO much. Christine Fonseca critted a single chapter of an old novel a few years back, but she opened my eyes to making every sentence count.
My amazing betas--Dushana (cheerleader extraordinaire!), Gale, Becky, and my three awesome teen betas--Jennifer, Claire and Sam.
My good, good friends, both writerly and not--Sarah, Deb, Jane, Grace, Phyllis, and so many others--you know exactly who you are--you cheered me on throughout the whole journey. I always felt like I didn't deserve the premature praise.
My agent, Eric, of course. He saw that maybe, just maybe, I'd written something special that needed to be shared with the world.
The brilliant and insightful docs, poets, and writers of the Seven Doctors Project who nurtured my poetic and writerly beginnings years ago.
The Querytracker forum writers. They critted my first, awful queries. They answered my stupid questions yet never told me I was stupid for asking them. QT is truly one of the most supportive, helpful, kind, online communities ever.
And last but far from least, the tirelessly supportive blogger/writer community. You were always there. ALWAYS. You guys never gave up on me. You listened. I listened back, and learned so very much from your posts--about life, about writing, about surviving the crazy world of a writer.
It's a big party. Thank you all. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I am forever grateful.
121 comments:
Lydia! How exciting! Congratulations!
Wow, that is so great, congrats!
Yay! Congrats! That is so awesome!
HUZZAH FOR THE AWESOMENESS THAT IS YOU.
Couldn't happen to a nicer person.
Also, you already have your acknowlegements down. Totally ahead of the game.
Huge congratulations! There's nothing like a sale to make your year!!
HAPPY DANCE TIME!!!! Awwwwwwwwwwww Lydia!!! Oh wowowoowowowoowowowow!!!
I am so sooooooooooo happy for you!! Yayyayayayayayayyayay!!
Oh but please don't stop blogging about the stinky stuff too! LOL!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOO-HOOOOO!!!!
:-)
Take care
x
This is fantastic news! Can't wait to read it. Keep us posted.
Congratulations again, Lydia! It's been wonderful to watch this unfold, and it's only the beginning!
That is wonderful, all that hard work finally paid off! So very pleased for you!
Happy dances all around. Congrats. So awesome!!
well done Lydia. and please provide video of your new talent.
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
I am ecstatic for you, sweetie, and wish you much success!! Since you're in the thanking mood, I'd like to turn it around and thank you. Since we met, oh-so not that long ago, you've been a great blogging friend and support. Thanks.
Lydia--Congratulations! Celebration is in order for sure. Celebrate big!!
Oh my god, Lydia- I seriously have tears in my eyes. Huge congratulations to you! I can't wait for your book to come out! It sounds just awesome!
I can't adequately express my happiness for you. Congrats Lydia! You deserve this.
*SNOOPY DANCE*!!!!!!!!!
Congrats Lydia! Couldn't have happened to a better person! :)
Congratulations Lydia! That's wonderful, inspiring news. You inspire me to keep trying, to work on the query and fine tune the pages. You inspire me.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!
Seriously awesome news. So happy for you!
Go Lydia, go Lydia...you're dancing, I'm dancing. So happy for you.
I laughed so hard at your new talent, I almost started crying. Or maybe I almost started crying because I'm so happy for you, Lydia. Hmmm. That does sound better than the first reason. :D
Congrats on your awesome news!!!!
Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you :)
Congratulations! I'm so excited for you! :D
SQUEE!! OMG, that's so amazing! You get a contract and the world gets to read your book. Woohoo. Congratulations. =o)
Even though words are what we love almost above all others - I can't find any appropriate to convey my very best wishes and congratulations.
Coolness! Celebrate, celebrate, celebrate. And yes, yes, yes, I do want to read this. I'm raising my glass in your honor.
Yippee!!!
Could not be more happy for you!
Shelley
Congrats, Lydia. You certainly deserve it. Can't wait to read your book.
I am so happy for you Lydia - and so touched...beyond touched really...that the crit so long ago meant something to you! WOO HOO!!!!
Wow Lydia! That is fantastic news. Congrats and I hope you keep blogging about stinky things.
Congratulations!! That is incredible and I can't think of anyone who deserves it more. You are such a superwoman and inspiration, Lydia :)
So many congratulations! I cannot begin to tell you how exciting it was for me to read about this last Friday, and how happy it makes me feel. I smile every time I think about it. You rock!
That is awesome, Lydia!!!!
Big, BIG smiles for you here! Yay!!!!
Yay!! Saw the news on Twitter. So freakin fantastic. Congratulations!! You're going to be a published author. :)
Lydia this is amazing! I AM SO, SO HAPPY FOR YOU. This is so inspirational for all of us, and really goes to show that writers CAN make it out there with the right amount of passion and dedication and talent. Congratulations!
By the way, I love the new layout.
~TRA
The Red Angel Blog
Outstanding! Happy dance time!
Wahoo!! So very happy for you Lydia!!! :)
I love to read posts like this :-)
Huge congratulations.
TEN DAYS, whee, Lydia!!!!! That is so way cool. Publishers know a great deal when they see it, and have to SNAP it right up. Can't wait to read your book someday!! That is so cool about getting Kathy Dawson for an editor! BIG congrats on your cool news. :)
Congratulations!!
I gave you an award over on my blog. Anticlimatical after this, but... ;)
'There was an editor interested in my manuscript, one who really got it.'
You've earned it, Lydia. I lift a big, fat mug of hot coffee to you right now, my dear girl.
Well deserved. Anxious to see the book! Congrats.
Congratulations! This is great news to start my Monday. :)
Yay! That's wonderful! Congratulations!
Aww, YAY!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooooooooo happy for you!!!!!!!!! *woot woot*
CONGRATULATIONS, LYDIA!!! I'm so happy for you!!!
congrats! you are a prime example of why they say, never give up on your dreams!
CONGRATULATIONS, LYDIA. I am thrilled for you. You deserve it, my superwoman friend. Hugs,hugs and more hugs. The news could not have come on a better day for me; today is one of the most auspicious days of the Hindu Calendar.
EEEEEEEE! Oh, dancing while typing and yelling, Yay, Lydia! I'm so happy and excited for you. It couldn't happen to a nicer, more deserving person. You've been here for so many others with helpful tips, intriguing information and encouragement. Can't wait to read that book--it sounds amazing.
Well done! Congratulations. It's obvious that you put in tons of work toward this day.
SNOOPY DANCE TIME!!!
CONGRATULATIONS! This did not come overnight nor without enormous effort, pain, doubt, and labor. You are to be praised for sticking it out! Roland
Congrats!! So happy for you!!
Congratulations, Lydia!!! That is sooo exciting! Can't wait to read your book--that sounds so cool!
Congrats Lydia! So excited for you. Your book sounds awesome! Hope I'll be able to interview you at Literary Rambles when your book debuts.
Huge news, congrats!
YAY, Lydia!! That's terrific. Can't wait to read your book. Sounds amazing.
Woohoo! It was just a matter of time. :)
And the squeeage continues! :D I'm still sending you my happy-for-you vibes across the country! You are so deserving and I can't WAIT to read your book! :D
I'm so happy for you!!!! :)
I'm doing the happy happy joy joy dance for you!
I'm going to watch out for your book now. Congratulations! You deserve it! :)
Congratulations!!! I am SO SO happy for you! :D
YES! YES, YES, YES!!! CONGRATULATIONS, LYDIA!!!! :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) :) THIS IS SO EXCITING!!!!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU! CAN'T WAIT TO READ YOUR BOOK IN PRINT!!!! :)
Congratulations! :) I'm so happy for you!
Man! Lydia, that is just so freakin fantastic! I saw it on Sarah's blog last week, and I just can't be happier for you! That's fantastic! Can't wait to see your cover~ Yay!!! :o) <3
So, so exciting, Lydia! Congratulations!!
I am absolutely THRILLED for you, Lydia!!! And I love the graphic/illustrations you create for each post!!!
Happy to be over the moon with you!
I am so happy for you. What wonderful news. And please, keep blogging about those stinky things.
More congratulations! Hurray, Lydia!!!
And hurray for stinky things, too. LOL!
Lydia, I'm just bawling as I read this--it has been a pleasure and an honor to be your crit partner. I'm so happy for you, you have been my inspiration from the beginning. You are the girl with 500 brands in the fire but doing it all with such grace and tenacity. Wouldn't have ever known what a query even was without you, let alone started a blog. You have always been a star, with that rare gift of true sincerity. Now everyone will get to see you shine!! (Cheesy, yes, but from the heart!) Congratulations again!
Oh I love, love, love reading news like this! Hooray for you Lydia! Great work and great writing bring great rewards! I'm so happy for you! Best wishes and Congratulations!
That is truly so fantastic and wonderful. Congratulations!
*Squeal!* Lydia, I'm so happy for you! Your story is an inspiration. Oh my goodness. How exciting! Congratulations! :D
OMG YAY!!! So happy for you Lydia. A big congrats and hugs!
Congratulations on your publication! I can imagine how stressful it must have been. It's just like an overdue pregnancy :)
WOW, Lydia, that is so freaking fantastic! I am genuinely happy for you. Stories such as yours give all us other writers hope. And if I ever get an agent and sell my book, I hope I can write even half as eloquent a thank you as you have. You rock!
Wow! *throws confetti and dances* Congratulations!! That's awesome news.
Absolutely wonderful, Lydia! I'm so happy for you.
BWAAAAAAAAA!
You guys are making me cry! I'm a puddle. Really. I HAVE THE BEST BLOGGY FRIENDS IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!
*grabs another box of Kleenex*
AWWWW What a special (earth-shattering, surreal)post you've written!! I've said it already and I'll say it again-CONGRATS!!!!!!!!
Congratulations Lydia! Awesome news! I am so happy for you.
This is incredible! Congratulations!
Happy for you!! Congratulations :-)
Best blog post EVER. Count me in on your future blog tour.
So happy for you! Tears actually sprang to my eyes because of this post. Cannot wait to share your novel with my students. Much love and prayers for your novel's success!
Huge Congratulations!!!! May you have sales to the stars with this and I can't wait to read this.
Lydia, congratulations! I loved your description of your reaction. You are a generous person, and that generosity has come back to you - good karma. Enjoy every wonderful minute!
I'm so incredibly happy for you! And for us, now we finally get to read your novel! And wow, to DIAL!!! *faints*
I'm so excited for you, Lydia! You are living our drug-fueled fantasies! Okay, maybe sleep-deprived fantasies. Whatever. Anyway, best of luck with The Fountain and Kathy Dawson (she also edited several of KL Going's books! I met them both at my very first conference, more than 4 years ago).
Congrats!
Vicki
Can't wait to read the book and then say casually, "Yeah, I was following her blog before she got published." Whew, barely made it under the wire. Great discovered talent in the dancing, and clearly, the writing too.
That is a blurb of beauty.
Congratulations, Lydia! Well done, you!
SO excited for you! Congratulations!
These are the moments that make all the hard work worthwhile. I am ecstatic for you and wish you the best success as you embark another leg of your publication journey.
Congratulations!
I'm so happy for you, Lydia! Congratulations again. I'm so glad we get to be on this journey with you. :)
Wonderful news. Congratulations.
Congratulations, Lydia. I'm so thrilled for you. And I had to laugh about your new talent of knuckle butting, jumping up and down and silently screaming. That sounds handy.
Enjoy the moment :)
Amazing news! SO happy for you!
I am so excited for you - super congratulations with a cherry on top!!! This is amazing news, and I can't wait to read the book when it's out!
Sorry I'm so late here. I'm so, so very happy for you, Lydia. You've worked so hard for this well-deserved outcome. Congratulations!
Now...get down off the ceiling and get to work :)
Oh congrats congrats congrats!!!! It always thrills me to hear this news happen to someone that I sorta kinda know rather than some faceless unknown (I haven't visited here a lot, but still, it's neat!!!)
personally I think it was the stinky posts that worked some magic (just kidding. and yet seriously,I will NEVER forget that post).
For some future medical Monday, would you be interested in explaining how a person might go blind after a severe trauma, rather than by disease?
Wow! Congrats!!!!
That is beyond awesome! I can't wait to get my hands on your book and read, read, read.
Congrats, Lydia! You totally deserve this. ;)
That. Is. Awesome.
Congratulations!
WOW! I'm so excited for you. Congratulations. Go celebrate!
I am so proud to know you Lydia. Congratulations on every success that you have earned. /throws confetti
yay yay yay yay yay! congratulations!!! happy day:)
Congratulations Lydia! I am so incredibly happy for you! :)
Such amazing news, Lydia! And wow that was fast!! Can't wait to read it and I look forward to helping you get the word out when you finally have that well deserved book bday!!!
*toasts glass*
You don't need to take us over the moon with you, we're jumping there for you. SO delighted! I just can't wait to buy a copy!
I have been out of the blogosphere for a while and saw this!! WOW!!! CONGRATS TO YOU!!!!
Oh, so happy!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! This is such wonderful, exciting, amazing news! Wow and wow! I am beyond thrilled for you. And I can't wait to read your novel!!!! Hurray, hurray, hurray!!!
Oh my god!!! Why did I have to have a busy work week this week and miss this???? CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! WOOOPEEEEEE!!!!! I'm over the moon for you, honey. *BIG SMILE*
Lydia! Congrats. This is really spectacular, fabulous, wonderful, etc ... Woot!
Huge congrats! I'm so happy for you.
Holy cow holy cow holy cow!!!!! OMG, this is such fantastic news. I'm in shock at how FAST that was. You SO deserve this and I couldn't be happier for you. CONGRATULATIONS!!
OMG, this is FANTASTIC news! So so so happy for you!
Lydia - no wonder you're having a ball and a big party - brilliant news .. fantastic - all the very best and many happy days ahead - Hilary
Congrats!
Hi Lydia, so sorry to comment so late but I'd like to congratulate you!!! *Happy Dance* So happy for you. You deserve it! :)
I know I'm late...as usual...but...
(again) YAY!!!!!!!! :D
(you know I had to come read the deets. :)
HAPPY Huggles,
Lola
I'm late to the party, but HUGE congrats!!
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