Waiting on Pins and Needles.

[Judith]

Ummm, what an understatement.

I sent a query to a well known e-publisher on January 6 this year. Just a three paragraph summary and chapter one. Pretty much a normal query. Nothing spectacular. I waited to see if they wanted to read the rest of the manuscript, hoping they would so I'd have a chance at a contract.

Well, hopes can be fulfilled.

I received an email from the submissions editor informing me she was sending in a contract request for the book. Can I use the word shocked? Surprised? Thrilled? Doubtful?

Shocked she wanted to contract the story without reading the entire book.

Surprised for the same reason.

Thrilled at the chance to receive a contract from the publisher.

Then lastly, doubtful she had the right author.

You know, one of those freak incidents where you email the wrong person. Well, she hadn't contacted me by mistake. She answered my response, informing me that she'd wanted to contact me weeks ago but only now had time to do so. Well, the shock returned. She read just chapter one and the short summary, yet she fell in love with the story.

Right at this moment, I'm sitting here on pins and needles, keeping my fingers crossed that I'll receive a contract for the book soon. It's approximately 100k word fantasy romance.

As I wait, I'm thinking about what this book means to me. I suppose it's the book of my heart. It's taken four years to write, re-write and re-write. From this book, another second, third, and now fourth and fifth books have come to life in my imagination. The second story is half written and I also started the third one. If this publisher takes my novel, it will open the door for the next four books in this series.

So, yes, I'm excited and greatly honored for this opportunity. That is, if I survive the wait. One more week till I find out!

[Robin Shope]

How very exciting! I am so thrilled for you! Keep us posted ..BTW who is the pub?

[Rebecca J Vickery]

Hi Judith, I felt exactly the same way just before Christmas when my first book was contracted by a publisher. Things have sort of snowballed since then and I will have 3 releases this year. I am so happy for you. And that must be a great story as I understand it is a bit unusual to get a contract based on one chapter. Wishing you good fortune, few edits, and lots of sales. LOL Rebecca

[Danielle Thorne]

That is sooooooo awesome! Congratulations! That is amazing and really something to brag about-that she never even read the whole book. Wow. I hope it is indeed a very good and reputable company. I must mention--that I just sent out queries for my third manuscript this week to my 4 print choices..and could not believe it when I got my first rejection back from a MAJOR NY publishing house in less than 24 hours. Wow. What a turn around. LOL. Remember when it used to take 6 months to get that stamp of rejection? The funny thing was is was from a senior editor and very polite and personable; not a form letter that I could tell. I hardly feel rejected, lol. Anyway, Ms. Judith, congrats on your book and fingers crossed.