Monday, March 19, 2012

REALLY REALLY BIG NEWS!



I’ve been haphazardly blogging since October 2010.  That was right about the time I finished the first draft of my novel, THE MISTAKEN.  Once finished, I realized I wanted to possibly pursue publication.  Knowing nothing about the business, I set out on a long journey to learn everything I could.  Part of that was this notion of building a platform, hence my blog.

Along the way, I’ve met some pretty amazing people, all of you included.  This community of writers is like none I’ve ever seen before, or have ever been a part of.  You will never meet a more supportive group.  They’ve been there for me while I queried and revised, ad nauseum.  They’ve helped me keep my spirits up during the darkest moments, when I thought I’d never reach any of the goals I’d set for myself.

What kept me going—besides an extraordinary amount of ambition and desire—was the fact that, little by little, I saw writers I knew and followed land an agent, sign a book deal, or find publishing success.  It was heartening to know the dream could be realized, that hard work could pay off.  Now, after two years, I’d like to share my good news with all of you:

I SIGNED A BOOK DEAL!

 

Yes, it’s true!  But, just like everything else I do, it wasn’t through “normal” channels.  You see, I’m a DIY girl.  But I still wanted the traditional experience, to be traditionally published.  Yeah, I needed that validation.  But, though I still have several fulls and a few partials still floating around out there, I was not thrilled about restarting the querying process after a nearly nine month hiatus.  And I was never going to self-publish.  It’s just too much work, and I know nothing of that sort of thing. 

So I decided to query a small press, a start-up newly formed over the notion that authors truly matter, that books need fresh, tech-savvy marketing and promotion from their publisher, someone who understood the e-book revolution (and wasn’t under the Department of Justice’s scrutiny.)  With the DOJ attacking the agency model and e-books the wave of the future, I felt the direction of this small press was just the thing for me.  So I submitted a query to them, and they requested my full manuscript.

Of course, if you read my posts here and here, you’d already know it hasn’t been smooth sailing.  I had to overcome a significant obstacle.  You see, my protagonist does a very bad thing, and it was hard for the publisher to get behind that.  So they rejected my manuscript but said they’d be willing to reconsider should I ever make revisions.  I offered a compromise if they’d allow me the same.  Upon that offer, a deal was struck, and, while I did compromise, I don’t feel I had to compromise on my vision or on the story overall, its theme and journey.  That will all remain intact.  So, while I never did restart querying, and therefore never landed an agent, I did follow in my blogging buddy, Alex J. Cavanaugh’s footsteps. 

I got myself a publisher!

...without an agent.  I realize it’s not for everyone.  Would I like to have an agent?  Sure, who wouldn’t?  They work hard for their clients.  And maybe someday I will go that route, if I really need to.  But I accomplished what I wanted, what I would have hired an agent to do.  I saw Alex’s success and knew it was possible, so why not at least attempt the same route? 


Sapphire Star Publishing has made me feel welcomed into their new and growing family of authors.  They have a vision I can stand behind and feel proud to be a part of.  They embrace new technology, as well as the mainstream.  My book will be published in both e-book format and as a trade paperback.  They will be teaching me the ins and trends of marketing, how to promote myself and my book, and, most excitingly, how to use Twitter!  YAY!!

I do Tweet, but I’m not very good at it.  I only joined in because my friend, Jennifer Hillier twisted my arm, but I can see it is an integral part of the publishing business now.  So if you Tweet, find me here @NancySThompson.  Or if you Facebook, visit me here



When I shared the news with Jenny Hillier the other day, she said to me, "There are many paths to publication."  And you know, she is so right.  Well, I’d love for you all to accompany me on the next phase of my journey, because, even though I found a publisher, the adventure has only just begun.

And most importantly, if you’re still in the trenches, remember, if I can do it, so can you!  

My first novel, THE MISTAKEN, an adult psychological thriller,
will be released by Sapphire Star Publishing on October 18, 2012


83 comments:

Aurelia B Rowl said...

Fantastic news... well done!!

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats on your awesome news! So excited for you.

JeffO said...

Fan-freaking-tastic! I am very happy for you and am thrilled that your excellent book is getting out there. I'll look forward to hearing about the process, seeing the cover, and buying a copy. You go!

Juliana said...

Congrats!

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Congratulations, Nancy! Well done!

fairbetty said...

Congrats Nancy! That's amazing. Way ta go!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations!!! Small publishers rock because they make you feel part of the process. You're a person, not a number.
Good stuff, Nancy!!!

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Congratulations. And October. That's a fast turnaround time. Can't wait to see how it reads.

Cathy Olliffe-Webster said...

FABULOUS news! Congratulations, Nancy! A big WOO HOO coming your way!

Tara Tyler said...

i'm choked up for you! way to go! & i look forward to your book tour!

Unknown said...

Really fantastic! Congratulations :)

Hektor Karl said...

Hope it flies off the shelves! :)

Elise Fallson said...

Congratulations! What wonderful news! I can' wait to read it!! (:

Luanne G. Smith said...

Yay! Doing the happy dance for you. And I think you will get that personal touch with a small publisher. Great place to start your career as a writer. Well done!

Jasmine Walt said...

WOO! That's awesome! Good for you, Nancy! :D

Clare said...

Congratulations! And thank you for giving me some more thoughts on different methods of publishing.

Cassie Mae said...

Omigosh, omigosh, omigosh!!!! This is awesome!!!

Congrats girl!!!

Jaye Robin Brown said...

Fantastic! Go you!

Lisa Regan said...

Well you already know how I feel! I'm so happy and excited and so proud of you! I can't wait to buy my copy of The Mistaken! You deserve this. You've worked so hard. You're amazing and brilliant and I love you! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Author A.O. Peart said...

So happy for you, dear! You did it :-) Can't wait to read The Mistaken and hear more details of your success (see you in an hour at Starbucks!)

Suze said...

I'm really pleased for you, Nancy!

Anonymous said...

WOW! Congrats!

Linda King said...

Nancy that is so so exciting! Well done, you! Can't wait to read it!

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congrats on landing a publisher! So many writers forget they can query most publishers directly without an agent.

A.J. Locke said...

Awesome!!! Congrats!

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Congratulations! Hard work DOES pay off!

Donna K. Weaver said...

Oh, Nancy! Super SQUEEE! I got a chill when I read this. Congrats! And I can't wait to read your book.

Carrie Butler said...

I've been waiting to say this since Saturday:

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! :D


Congratulations, Nancy! I'm so happy for you. :)

Jessie Humphries said...

Holla! I love it! I can't wait for all the excitement to come...covers, blurbs, contests...

Tasha Seegmiller said...

Congratulations! So thrilled for you. Can't wait to read it!!!

Emily R. King said...

CONGRATS, NANCY! You've worked so hard. You deserve this!

I can't wait to read you book! :D

Alleged Author said...

So many congratulations for you!!!

Jenny S. Morris said...

SO SO happy for you! This is awesome news. CONGRATS!!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! That is awesome news!

Aldrea Alien said...

Wow, congratulations Nancy! ^_^

Nick Wilford said...

Mega congrats, Nancy! Roll on October. And kudos for doing it agentlessly, if that is a word. :)

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

That is so brilliant!! A huge congratulations, Nancy! I love that you went the route that suited you and now your dream is being realised.

Liza said...

Congratulations! I just felt, when you were writing about this a few weeks ago, that your book would be published. Hooray for pursuing your dream!

Angela Cothran said...

Ya for you!!!! I'm so excited. Dreams really do come true :)

M Pax said...

Wooo hoooo!!! Congrats, Nancy! I can't wait to read your thriller. It sounds so dang interesting. I'm so excited for you. Woot!

Jennifer Hillier said...

I read this whole post with a big ass smile on my face. You already know how happy I am for you, but it bears repeating: I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! And so proud that you didn't give up, and that you followed your heart, and that you're realizing your dreams. We are going to have so much fun at Bouchercon this October celebrating your upcoming release! WAHOO!

Golden Eagle said...

CONGRATULATIONS! :) I'm so excited for you!

Al Penwasser said...

Congratulations!
Glad to know you.
Well, "blog" you.
You know what I mean!

Angie said...

How very exciting! I just came over from Donna Weaver's blog. It's great to meet you. So nice to hear your big news!

D.E. Malone said...

*Congratulations on your wonderful news!! Stopped by to say 'hi' after reading Nick Wilford's post about your accomplishment. New follower!

Melodie Wright said...

Woot! Way to go, Nancy. I'm excited to experience your publishing journey through your eyes. I know you're going to learn a lot...and hopefully have a blast doing it. Keep us posted!!

Anonymous said...

That's awesome!!! And to be published THIS year *squeal* ~Congrats
P.S. Followed u on Twitter but I'm not very good with it either, lol

Anonymous said...

That's wonderful.

klahanie said...

Hey Nancy,
Just for a change, I'm not going to leave one of my rambling, bordering on inane, comments.
Thus, what fantastic news and continued happy writing to you.
Much respect to you,
Gary

McKenzie McCann said...

Oh my gosh, that is big news!
WOO. Go you!

Kelley Lynn said...

COngratulations!!! I'm following you on twitter now!

Though I have no idea really how to be a good tweeter :)

Heather Day Gilbert said...

So exciting, Nancy! Everyone has different routes to getting published, and Sapphire Star sounds perfect for you! All the best!

Callie Leuck said...

Congratulations, Nancy! That is awesomely great news! I had been following your progress and struggles with not wanting to remove the Very Bad Thing, so I am very happy that you've found a route that works for you. :)

Mark Koopmans said...

Sorry I'm late to the party (of the year:) but can I just say "bloody well done, you!"

Very impressed in how you ended up with this deal (and it seems like you already have an agent... a very cool N. S. Thompson :)

Congrats, Nancy and put me down as a YES! with anything you need re. promo stuff as October gets nearer:)

Empty Nest Insider said...

Congratulations Nancy! I am so excited for you! All of your hard work paid off, and hopefully you'll find time to enjoy it. It's amazing how much you've accomplished while helping your son apply to colleges. It couldn't happen to a more deserving person, and I can't wait to read The Mistaken! Julie

Jen said...

Congrats, Nancy! What fantastic news!

Peaches Ledwidge said...

Hi Nancy, congratulations and much success.

Linn B Halton said...

Can feel the excitement! Another SSP team member - great. Can't wait to read The Mistaken.

Denise Covey said...

Nancy Congrats. It hasn't been easy but its been worth it! It'll be great to read your book. You'll learn so much!

Denise

Juliana L. Brandt said...

Holy crap, woman! I am so darn proud of you! You've been working so hard for this :) I %100 believe in you and your book and can't wait to read it. (Seriously, you've seen my comments. I've been dying to read that thing!) =D

mooderino said...

That's such great news, hope it all goes swimmingly well, and that you'll keep us informed on how you navigate the process.

congrats,
mood
Moody Writing
@mooderino
The Funnily Enough

Joylene Nowell Butler said...

Damn, I'm late. But I'm so so very happy for you, Nancy. It couldn't have happened to a nicer or more talented writer. Enjoy all the steps. It's your first time and it should be a wonderful journey. Happy publishing.

Mark said...

Big, big, big congrats!

Annalisa Crawford said...

Huge congratulations! I took the same route as you - small publisher, no agent - although I'm published as an e-book only.

Enjoy the process towards publication!

Nicky Wells said...

Whooop Whoooop! This is brilliant news, and I am really excited for you! I know exactly how you feel, and it's fabulous to have you in the Sapphire Star family of authors. Many congrats again, and I hope you're STILL celebrating!!! XX

Kittie Howard said...

Congratulations, Nancy! I am beyond happy for you. Girl, I just knew something really good would break your way. And I'm sooooo looking forward to buying your book!

Julie Musil said...

WOO HOO!!!!!! I'm SO excited for you :D < ginormous happy face

Unknown said...

That is SOOOOOOOO exciting! Big, big congratulations!!

Sarah Tokeley said...

Congratulations Nancy, this is fantastic news.

Anonymous said...

Woohoo. that is so awesome. Huge congrats... so happy for you:) You must feel so happy.

Cynthia Chapman Willis said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so happy for you! Cheers!!!

Empty Nest Insider said...

Nancy, I just wanted you to know I finally answered some of your 11 Questions! While I was working on my answers, you went out and found yourself a publisher! Hope you're still celebrating! Julie

The East Coaster said...

I am so glad that I could see this whole journey of yours. You are an inspiration and so deserving of everything coming your way.

Celebrate and enjoy your awesomeness!

Nicole Pyles said...

Wow!!!!!!!! I'm so impressed and excited for you!!! Thank you for sharing!!!! I am so happy for you!!! It inspires me for my book now to hear your success!!!

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...

congrats!!!

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo. I'm so happy for you, Nancy. Congratulations.

Alexis Bass said...

Congrats!!! I'm excited for you! And I totally agree, the agent-route isn't for everyone. See you on Twitter! ;)

Deniz Bevan said...

Squee! Congratulations!

Gwen Gardner said...

Congratulations! You must be over the moon:) P.S. I left a Sunshine blog award for you on my site:)

Peggy Eddleman said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so happy and excited for you!! And to have a release date so soon is even more fun this year! I'm very very happy for you. Nice job!!

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Anonymous said...

Straight to the point and well written! Why can't everyone else be like this?

Andre said...

WOO HOO!!!!!! I'm SO excited for you :D < ginormous happy face