Wednesday, September 05, 2012

Angel's First Sale Party!






“We’d like to offer you a contract.”

After 10 years of writing, I thought I’d prepared myself for hearing those words. I’d honed my craft, listened carefully as the Playfriends, Mavens, and chaptermates discussed the business side of publishing, and handled quite a few phone calls about contest finals, including the RWA Golden Heart(R).



But on August 27, 2012, I learned that nothing could prepare me for hearing those words. They came when I least expected it.

I’d been working with Shana Smith, Associate Editor for Harlequin, on a submission for the Desire line. This was a book that Smarty Pants had read for me and loved. When Senior editor Stacy Boyd put out a request on Twitter for submissions, SP insisted I get it in. Ms. Boyd liked it and passed it along to Shana Smith. I completed a full revision and received another detailed email from her that I opened just knowing it was a rejection. I kept searching for the line that said, “But this just isn’t right for us…”

It wasn’t there!

She requested another set of revisions on the proposal and I found myself almost paralyzed. What if I screw this up? The Playfriends and my sister, Ella Sheridan, assured me I wouldn’t and we brainstormed some changes to fit the request. I received great editorial suggestions, too – Shana’s notes were thorough, encouraging, and spot on. I turned in the revisions just shy of my self-imposed two week deadline.



Now Shana had told me she’d read it “quickly”, so I was thinking a few weeks at the earliest. Imagine my shock when she called a mere 4 days later. 4 DAYS! I think my brain short-circuited when I heard, “This is Shana Smith from Harlequin.” But I know it did when she started talking about a contract and release date.

August 2013 – I’ll actually have a book with my name on it in August of 2013, exactly a year from now. Amazing. I think my exact words were, “Oh, wow.” The rest of the conversation was sparkling on Shana’s end and only halfway intelligent on mine. Definitely in shock.

The reality hit me as I told family and friends. I’ll never forget the Playfriends and Mavens excitement, thanking my sister for all her help, my husband’s hugs, and most of all, my children bouncing all over the car on the way home from school, squealing with joy. That was the moment I first teared up.

It’s been an exciting ride ever since. Lots of celebrations! My family even got to celebrate with me because they just happened to be visiting the following weekend from out of state. The flowers below were from the Mavens. So much fun!



And today I get to have even more fun with y’all! I’m pretty sure there will be cabana boys, massages, and all manner of alcoholic beverages in cyberspace today, but I’ll start us off with Krispy Kreme donuts (my fave!) and chocolate martinis. LET’S PARTY!

Angel
writing as Dani Wade
www.DaniWade.com

PARTY TIME!

Massages? This guy would be great, I think.


37 comments:

Scarlet Wilson said...

Huge congratulations! Nothing like The Call when you're not expecting it! Can't wait to read your book next year. Enjoy!

Ella said...

Whoop! If the cabana boys look anything like Moanday, we're in big trouble. ;) I'll take a Krispy Kreme, please.

Congratulations, girlie. You worked hard for it!

Sarah M. Anderson said...

Happy Happy! So excited for you!

Playground Monitor said...

I'm SO excited for you and can't wait to read your book! I'll be looking for it on release day next summer. You've worked so hard and deserve all the best with your career. Congratulations!

It's still a bit early so how about the cabana boys just bring me some OJ and a croissant? We'll get to the other stuff later. ;-)

Andrea Laurence AKA Smarty Pants said...

I couldn't be happier for you, girl. I'm so glad you hung in there because, eventually, it does pay off.

Congrats!

I think OJ might be good for me and this stupid cough. And a doughnut of course. They cure all. :)

linda winstead jones said...

So happy for you! :-) -- LJ

Kimberly Lang said...

Congrats, Sweetie!!! We're all so proud and it's well-deserved.

Here's to many more books! (And make my OJ a mimosa. It's already that kind of day.)

Angel said...

Mimosas, yum!!!! Although I don't like juices with Krispy Kreme -- makes them taste really sour (the juice, not the donut). :P

Thanks for joining us, ladies! Always fun to party on the Playground. And I'm partying Big Time today!!!!

Maven Linda said...

Yay! I'm so happy for you. A well-deserved congratulations!

robertsonreads said...

Congratulations Dani! You sound like me when I was informed that I was now a permanent employee, no longer a temporary. What a HIGH!

Enjoy to the max, as all your dedication has come to fruition.

Oh and please pass me a chocotini.

liztalley said...

Congrats! No better feeling in the world than to know a publisher wants you to work for them! Enjoy your day. I'll drink a second cup of coffee in your honor!

See ya at the Harlequin party next year?

Liz

Angel said...

Thanks, Maven Linda! I couldn't have gotten this far without your help, advice, and encouragement! You, LJ, and Beverly have made an incredible difference in my writing and attitude toward this business!

Angel said...

Ella, Take a look at the cabana boy I posted on the original post (can't figure out how to post pics in the comments, so I'll just update the post during the day!).

He's as yummy as the chocolatinis!

Angel said...

To my wonderful Playfriends: Today is as much a celebration of our friendship as my accomplishment, because without your help and encouragement, I would have been truly lost! Thanks for making this day happen!

Angel said...

Liz -- Thank you! And I will most certainly see you at that Harlequin Party! So glad I'll get to be in Atlanta to use my Very First Harlequin Party Invite! Woot!

Angel said...

I'll drop back in later to share more about the story I sold and my characters!

Now I'm off to steal that rose from my masseuse's yummy mouth!

Lindsey Brookes said...

OMG I got tears just reading your story. It hit so close to home on waiting so long for 'the call' to come. Mega-congrats Ruby Slipper Sister!!! Enjoy the ride!

Lindsey
Jimmie Joe Johnson: Manwhore - Kensington Publishing

Kira Sinclair AKA Instigator said...

I'm so excited and proud of you, Angel! You deserve this so much. Your talent and perseverance have definitely paid off and you should enjoy every moment of celebration!

I'm totally in for mimosas. :-)

Insti

Anonymous said...

So happy for you! You're an inspiration to us who are still waiting on the call. Loved hearing how it happened to you. It gave me chills.

PC's Mom said...

Congratulations!! I'm so happy for you. When I first heard, I was doing my happy dance, and now I will have champagne to toast your success. (Champagne this early in the morning may lead to more happy dancing.) ((hugs))
Joyce

Addison said...

So happy and excited for you!!!!!!!!! Sending lots of cyber champagne :-)

Addison

Rhonda Nelson said...

SOOOOO thrilled for you!!!

chey said...

Congrats!

Minna said...

Congratulations!!

Gwynlyn said...

Again, Congratulations!

Lynn Raye Harris said...

Enjoy this time, Dani! It's so amazing. Reading your post, I could still remember when I got my good news. I remember trembling and being mostly incoherent. Just so awesome!

Will look forward to seeing your book on the shelves!!!

Angel said...

Ah, cyber-champagne! Nothing like the bubbly to say celebrations!

Y'all are so much fun today! Thanks for dropping by.

Angel said...

Thought I'd post a blurb of the book that Shana bought. Its currently called Master Designs, but we all know that is subject to change. :)


In Master Designs, wedding white meets wedding night when a repressed, conventional administrative assistant strives for respectability through her job at a wedding gown design firm, hoping to erase the shame of her childhood. Years of suppressed desires come to life as she takes her new position under the tempting heir apparent, but the company's straight-laced image and her desire for respectability prevents her from acting on them.

Her business-savvy, yet artistic, new boss is determined to propel the company in a sexier, more modern direction after his stepmother's traditional views almost drive away their most valuable customer. Tempted by his assistant, his determination to seduce her into helping him thwart his stepmother backfires when his feelings mix business with pleasure.

But then someone from her past threatens to expose her secret – unless she gives up everything that has come to mean anything to her.

Rae Ann Parker said...

CONGRATULATIONS on your 1st sale!!! I am thrilled to celebrate with you. Cyber chocolate for you.

Jane said...

Congrats on the book deal, Dani.

Autumn Macarthur said...

Congratulations! The story sounds wonderful!

First sale of many to come...

I'll have the cabana boy, please, no drink required.

Angel said...

Thanks, Ladies! 1 cabana boy, coming up Autumn!!!!

Romance Reader said...

Congratulations! What a call story!

Amazing!

Stephanie Jones AKA Alicia Hunter Pace said...

I hate to get to a party late. I have thought about y'all all day. I hope there are some 'tinis left!

Dani, many excited squeees for you. I am so glad that your hard work has paid off.

Way to go!!

PM's Mother said...

Congratulations, Angel!

Diane Kelly said...

So happy for you!!! Be prepared for your life to turn upside down. : )

Angel said...

Stephanie, you know the 'tinis never end around here! ;) Thanks for dropping by!

Thanks, PM's mother!

Oh, Diane, it already has! And I know its only gonna get more crazy. The key will be -- corralling the kids so I can write more steadily during the week. I do write on weeknights, but its with LOTS of interruptions. Weekends are easier. But we're trying to get the weeknights under control! The hubby is great, but he's not always here in the evenings.

Luckily I have a great accountability partner, Ella Sheridan, who helps keep me on track. ;)