This is an entry I never really thought I'd get to write. It still doesn't feel entirely real, yet.
The agent closed a deal today for the book and two sequels. THE BOOK I HAVEN'T FINISHED WRITING, MIND YOU. The publishing company made a preemptive bid and after some haggling (oy with the haggling!!), we came to an agreement and it's a done deal. It's a pretty good deal, actually, and I'm sort of bumfuzzled. One month ago, I had no clue I'd even have an agent, much less a great one, much less one who could get a three-book deal with a major publisher for a writer who has never published a book before, based solely on three sample chapters and a synopsis (and an outline).
There will be lots of conversations next week between the agent and the editor (who called and man, with her enthusiasm, you just could not ask for a better phone call)... anyway, they'll hammer out the details and they are going to talk about making an announcement in some of the trades. (I think they may mean strictly the online trades, but I don't know.) When there's a link to the formal announcement, I'll put it up here. Which will kill my low-key anonymity (such as it is), but I'll deal.
Meanwhile, I'm freaking gobsmacked.
Posted by toni at April 30, 2005 12:07 AMOh great, now I have to write my book too.
(Yay! This is FANTASTIC news!)
Posted by: Otto Kitsinger at April 30, 2005 10:25 AMWoohoo! Yay, Toni! I am green with envy. Me next, me next!
Now you just have to finish writing the book. That's easy, right? Sure it is.
Posted by: Jette at April 30, 2005 11:32 AMWow, Toni, that is amazing! I hope that doesn't mean you'll stop blogging!
Posted by: Alex at April 30, 2005 04:05 PMSo very, very cool!
Uhm ... have your agent give me a call. ;)
-G
Posted by: GarrisonSteelle at April 30, 2005 06:50 PMI knew you when.
Posted by: pooks at April 30, 2005 08:43 PMI officially forgive you for not writing here for ten million years. What wornderful news!
Posted by: Kymm at May 1, 2005 12:30 AMBeautiful. Now you get to start reframing your history: "it's all led up to this moment....."
Posted by: Chris at May 1, 2005 07:21 AMCongratulations!
Posted by: David at May 1, 2005 03:39 PM*doin the snoopy happy dance!*
That is such totally incredible news!!!
Whatcha writin? Whatzit about? Are there any big words I'm gonna have trouble wiff? Any pictures???
*grabs her pet rock and goes and stands in line at the nearest Barnes & Noble for the book signing*
Would you sign my rock please?!
~~~~You'd piss yaself if a daffy redhead came up to you and asked that wouldn't ya?
*snickers*
Hugs and congrats again hon, you deserve it.
Posted by: Shannon at May 1, 2005 06:10 PMFantastic!!
Posted by: Laura at May 1, 2005 08:43 PMCONGRATULATIONS! So how long does it take to get a book published and in B&N? I'm hoping like, next week, because I can barely wait to buy it, approach the clerk and point to your name on the cover and say, "I know this woman!"
Posted by: Brad at May 3, 2005 01:35 PMWow - your online stories have been so well written and endearing. I can't wait to read a whole book by Toni!
Posted by: Annie in Austin at May 4, 2005 04:53 PMForgive me, I'm sitting here with a smug grin on my face because I suspected something BIG like this was happening but I didn't realise HOW BIG! Such wonderful news Toni, I can't wait to order number 1 on Amazon!
Posted by: Daisy at May 5, 2005 08:16 AMFantastic news, Toni! You're an excellent writer, and I know for sure that if your books get picked up by a studio, they'll be translated to the screen in an excellent manner, because I've read your screenplays, and they rock!
Posted by: Patrick at May 5, 2005 08:51 AMWay to go!! I'm so behind on your life but followed a link here -- glad I did -- this is such exciting news!
Posted by: amanda at May 6, 2005 06:44 PMToni, I just heard the great news, and couldn't be more thrilled for you! That's awesome, and so very deserved. It's been a long time coming.
Posted by: Plin at May 22, 2005 06:42 AMWow Toni! Congrats on the fantastic news!
Posted by: Lorie at July 8, 2005 10:08 AM