And so it begins....

Attend any conference and what is one of the first things you hear?  "Holy shit, I'm scared!"  (Grin)  No, the other thing.  You hear all about blogs and how to get your name, your work, out there for marketing purposes or even just to connect to the fans.  

I have hemmed and hawed over this, on whether to write a blog or not because as my family and friends would ask, "Where would I find the time?!"  Sitting here tonight I realized, its not about finding the time, its about making it.  You chase your dreams, you set your goals, and you make your time in order to follow what you love.  So this is me...creating time.  ;)

Tonight, I took a huge step in the process of becoming a published author and submitted my manuscript to the publishing editor.  As many of you may know, I attended a rising blood pressure conference on St Patty's Day this year where I was given a chance to "pitch" my work to agents and publishers.  Pitching your work, especially when you have always been somewhat hard on yourself, is not the easiest task.  You are given a short amount of time to basically sell yourself.  Those that you pitch to are often published authors already and those who would be considered "experts" in our field.  The first agent I pitched to told me in basic words, that she hated my idea.  No manuscript is there for her to read, it is simply based off of how I sell myself.  I've never been great with being under pressure.  GAH!  Anyhow, that first pitch, the first I had ever made was shot down and my confidence level plummeted.  I began to wonder if what I was doing was right or even if I had set out on the right path.  I still had three other editors/agents to meet with and in that small moment in time; I didn't want to.  

Well, I am glad I did.  The three remaining agents all love the idea and asked that I use them and gave me their cards.  I talked this over with several other authors and got opinions on each of these agencies.  Many authors were supportive about the positive feedback, but one piece of advice remained clear and that was, many of the publishers never followed up.  It was rare.  

So imagine my surprise when today, a week after this conference, I received an email from an acquiring editor.  My own editor, whom I adore and have been working with, was also surprised and in her words told me to "gird my loins and submit!"  (Snickers at her choice in words)  So yes, tonight I have taken a huge step, one that has my blood pressure rising, my excitement level notching, and my fingernails suffering the price of all this nervous energy.  

A friend once told me something that sticks out right now in my mind.  This friend's quote also became part of my first piece of work as it stuck with me from eleven years ago.  "Sometimes actions speak louder than words.  It isn't the words that will make someone believe you but rather your actions."  Tonight, this quote rings true.  

Off to work on manuscript #2!  Happy Sunday and happy reading!

D.C. Stone