One day a letter arrived in the mailbox. It was short and sweet and had an SASE. I read it. I replied. Over the course of the next month more chapters were requested and mailed. I read them with increasing urgency.
When I finished the book I knew I had to have it. I just HAD to have it. I called the author. She sounded a bit shell shocked. I convinced her I wasn't her sister having a joke, or her office colleagues teasing her.
When she signed the author representation contract she included a cover letter mentioning she was waltzing the cat around the kitchen with euphoria.
If I'd had a cat, I'd have waltzed it too.
To make a long story short, I sold the novel today, and god help that poor cat, cause we're, all three of us, pretty damn excited.
Here's the deal announcement on Publishers Lunch:
Kennedy Foster's STANDFAST, in which a rancher and a ranch hand come to love each other in the austere terrain of Eastern Washington; overcoming cultural misunderstandings, the threat of deportation, the looming menace of a lien holder, and the problems of a loving family, to Abby Zidle at Pocket, in a nice deal, for publication in July 2009, by Janet Reid at FinePrint Literary Management (World English).
That short announcement doesn't begin to tell you how fabulous this book is. I love it passionately. I can hardly wait for you all to get a chance to read it. Most of you are going to be shocked to learn that no one dies, no one catches fire, there's hardly any bad language, and godhelpus there's a romance and a happy ending. You KNOW it has to be good to charm a curmudgeon like me.
I love this book. I'm so happy...wait, who's got a cat I can waltz?
20 comments:
Congratulations!
I'd loan you a cat, but one will need her chemo when you're done dancing and the other is a one-woman cat. Sorry. Unless you want to give the chemo tonight?
This post is so encouraging, and I really can't help but smile to read it. There are so many posts about what not to do, why a good book might not be right for an agent, etc. (and these are important, of course), so it's nice to see an agent respond so passionately and positively to something.
Wow. I am shocked. After reading so much doom and gloom lately I was beginning to wonder if someone was waiting to turn out the lights.
Wonderful news for both of you.
I'll loan you my son's cat. He tolerates dancing if you let him lead, but you have to play fetch with him later.
Ooooh, congratulations to all three of you!!!
[Most of you are going to be shocked to learn that no one dies, no one catches fire, there's hardly any bad language, and godhelpus there's a romance and a happy ending. You KNOW it has to be good to charm a curmudgeon like me.]
Ha! Not shocked a bit.
I thought you might be a softie inside. By the way, I picked up my first Jack Reacher novel today. Never heard of him until you.
So HUGE congrats on the sale.
Have fun dancing!
My cat licks plastic and knocks glassware off high surfaces... on purpose. He's all yours--I'll even throw in the instruction guide I've created on how to survive him!
The book sounds amazing. Congratulations to you all.
I have a goat who likes to dance. You can borrow him.
Oh, congratulations! What great news! :)
One day a letter arrived in the mailbox. It was short and sweet and had an SASE. I read it. I replied.
Right now, I'm more interested in how that letter was written to get you to request for more. Maybe you could share it with us?
...
Love to hear your enthusiasum!
Can't wait to read it. Let us know when it hits the stands.
I have a cat to lend you too, but in truth, the parrot's a better dancer.
Well I for one am so pleased to hear that a hardcore Noo Yawkah like yourself is so taken with a romance set on a ranch! In Washington state!
I can't loan you my cat though. He's 18 and his waltzing days are done. His idea of a good time these days involved curling up under a blanket and purring himself to sleep. Again.
Congrats on the sale!
Me: [giggling] Costume party, Bill?
Bill E. Goat: I have a date. I'm going dancing.
Me: In a tux?
Bill: Certainly. I look elegant.
Me: Ummmm. You haven't moved in an hour.
Bill: It's the shoes. They won't stay on!
Me: Goat feet aren't made for shoes.
Bill: Nonsense. I'll will them to stay on. I'm strong-willed. I can do this.
Me: So ... who's the lucky doe?
Bill: Doe-shmoe. I'm going waltzin' with an AGENT.
Me: Let me guess ... she hasn't actually agreed. Maybe you haven't actually asked her yet ....
Bill: I emailed her fish. I'm waiting for a reply. It never hurts to be prepared. [rolls eyes] ohmmmm ohmmmm ohmmmm
Me: Bill, I don't want to hurt your feelings, but that strong will you have ... it's just stubbornness. It's not glue.
You may borrow my Sapphire (picture totally work safe). She likes to dance (or at least, she's never actively complained about it when I've spun her around the living room) and she's a tough cookie so she'd probably survive in New York. :)
Heather
No cat on hand byt I have a toddler who can polka with you...
Congratulations to Ms. Foster and yourself.
With all of the posts about how the market is in a downturn this is encouraging. It's good to know editors are still buying.
Let us know when the book hits the shelves and I'll go look for a copy.
congrats that's wonderful
Congrats on the book sale!
Hey, Mags! MY cat licks plastic too! What's with that? It's SOOOO annoying!
sounds like a good fit for reading groups and more traditional readers, myself included… what a great story… first rate agency too… quite an accomplishment… i hope to hear about more books like this with a plausible plot…
Congratulations all around!! Will be looking for this book!
:-)
A happy ending and nobody gets hurt?
Color me Amazed. I don't have a cat to lend you but I can recommend a neat book. It's called WHY CATS PAINT.
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