The Call...That Came a Month Ago
For about five weeks now, I've been sitting on the biggest news of my adult life. Well, my adult career life, anyway. (My actual engagement and marriage might have been slightly more life changing--but only slightly.)
I'm going to be a published author!
St. Martin's Press bought my proposal for a series of chef-hero romance novels set in the New York restaurant world. The first one, Can't Stand the Heat, will be out in Fall 2009 and the others will follow at six-month intervals. Four books in all. I know. I'm still so stoked about it I could just scream. And now I finally can! I can shout it from the rooftops if I want!
I had to wait because The Dream Agent wanted to get Publishers Weekly to run a small piece about the deal, and they don't like to get scooped by bloggers and romance discussion boards. Finally the snippet appeared in today's issue, releasing me from my torturous silence, and I can finally say how utterly thrilled and excited and happy and scared and overjoyed I am! For shameless reveling in the memory of The Call, scroll down.
The Dream Agent called me on me cell at work and engaged me in a bunch of semi-pointless chitchat to throw me off. I knew the proposal was out there, of course, and that St. Martin's had it on exclusive until their editorial meeting, but I wasn't expecting to actually hear anything until after that meeting, which was a few days away. But after a bit of this and that, Dream Agent says casually, "Oh, and by the way, St. Martin's loves your book and wants to buy it."
She totally got me. I had to ask her to repeat it, then I squealed so sharply I startled all my coworkers. I ran out back so I could yell and dance around in peace and solitude while Dream Agent filled me in on the details. Things were still being negotiated, decisions had to be made, but all I could really hear or think was "They love it, they want it, they're going to publish it!" To give credit where it's due, Dream Agent predicted the whole thing. As soon as she read the proposal, she said, "Rose Hilliard is going to buy this." And just two weeks later, she was proved absolutely correct. After a little more detail hammering, the deal was done and I was the happiest girl on the planet.
The End! Except for the part where it's really only The Beginning, because first I have to finish writing it and then it goes out into the wide world for other people to read and love or hate and then who knows? But this is the end of The Call. I edited out the parts where I sobbed with gratitude and called Dream Agent a genius and an angel. I'm sure you're thankful.
It's freakin' fabulous!!!
Kristen Painter said... July 7, 2008 at 11:08 AM
YIPPEE-KAI-YAY!
I am so damn happy for you! Having read the proposal, I know how awesome it and you are.
Love love love you!
This just proves how lucky we all are to have such a fantastic agent. She not only sees our talent and ability, but she can sell it like the queen she is!
The Girl You Used to Know said... July 7, 2008 at 11:12 AM
Congrats! Kristen sent me so though I'd stop in and say "WAY TO GO!"
Travis Erwin said... July 7, 2008 at 11:34 AM
The are tears of happiness in my eyes for you over here in Westchester. That is such fabulous news and so well deserved. I'm dancing with joy!!
Kwana said... July 7, 2008 at 11:43 AM
Saw your news via Kristen's blog - just wanted to stop by and offer my congrats!!! You must be thrilled! :)
Karen Erickson said... July 7, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I AM thrilled! So so super excited, and all of you knowing about it just makes it seem that much more real. Yay! The bad news is, this outpouring of congratulations is totally distracting me from actually writing the darn thing.
Louisa Edwards said... July 7, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Shhhhh! I'll be quiet then. (squee) Oops. (squee again). Darn.
I just can't help it. CONGRATS!! This is such exciting good news. I can't wait to read them all!! (So get writing, girl!)
Gina Black said... July 7, 2008 at 1:48 PM
No, no, squee away! I love it. : )
Louisa Edwards said... July 7, 2008 at 1:51 PM
Hi, I found your post from Gena Showalter's blog, and thought I would offer my congratulations... I'll put it on my to buy list for 2009... Congrats again!
Amanda and Ron said... July 7, 2008 at 2:09 PM
*bounce*
Ever since I read Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential Chefs were the sexiest thing since chocolate and chilies. You GO!
Eva Gale said... July 7, 2008 at 3:29 PM
So excited for you, Louisa!!!!
And what a fabulous idea for a series.
Maureen McGowan said... July 7, 2008 at 5:19 PM
Louisa, I know I already congratulated you on the Sistahs loop, but news like this is worth multiple congrats!!! Way to go!
Marilyn Brant said... July 7, 2008 at 6:34 PM
WOW WOW WOW!!!!!!
Congratulations lady!!!!
I'm so so so excited and happy for you. Can't wait to read the first book.
:)
Jen said... July 7, 2008 at 9:35 PM
Congratulations!
Barbara Vey said... July 8, 2008 at 8:07 AM
WOOT! WOOT! Congrats!
Emma Petersen said... July 8, 2008 at 10:56 AM
You are a super-duper rock star of epic proportions!!!!!!!! Soooooooooooooo happy for you and I can't WAIT to read these books, foodie that I am!!!
HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marley Gibson said... July 8, 2008 at 1:25 PM
I can't wait to see the PW article! This whole thing has been so fabulous and well deserved!!
Maria Geraci said... July 8, 2008 at 4:37 PM
Congratulations! I know, I'm late in sending out my happy vibes! :)
You go girl!
Jax Cassidy said... July 8, 2008 at 9:14 PM
Hi, Louisa. I just linked here from Gena Showalter's blog. Just wanted to say that I CAN'T WAIT for your books! I'm totally in love with Gordon Ramsay as well and devoured his bio, HUMBLE PIE. Read HEAT. (Bored me toward the end, but man, what a book at the beginning.) Have Kitchen Confidential on my TBR pile. Your book will be SO much more fun! Congratulations!!!
JulieLeto said... July 8, 2008 at 10:20 PM
I'm so excited for you. Congratulations!!!!!!!
Jill Monroe said... July 9, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Louisa,
I heard about you and your books from my buddy Marley who said, "This sounds like something you'll want to read." Definitely! Sounds wonderful...congrats!
From a fellow foodie.
:) Pam
pamcl said... July 11, 2008 at 5:15 PM
Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you. You've come a long way from Gotham Writer's. :)
Jordan Summers said... July 12, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I found your blog thru Smart Bitches Trashy Books. I was suprised and please to see that we both live on the "North Coast".
Anyway, congrats on selling your book! Awesome!
Jen Lamb said... July 28, 2008 at 8:42 PM
Post a Comment