It Happened
Since beginning my search for a literary agent in 2020, my mantra has been “It will happen.” I’ve wanted to throw in the towel so many times over the past three years. But today, FINALLY, I can say “It happened.” (I got a little teary eyed just now writing that.)
When I first signed with my agent, the other authors she represents said it was a tradition to add a fun color to your hair when you get your first book deal. I readily agreed. Well, guess what…
I GOT A BOOK DEAL!!!!!! With a Big 5 Publisher!!!!
Soulmatch will be hitting shelves in the spring of 2025. With my name on it! I’m going to be a published author!
Add it to your Goodreads shelves now! (Holy moly, I have an author page on Goodreads!! WHAT?!).
Those of you on my mailing list will be the first to know about cover reveals, giveaways, and preorders. The fun is just starting!
I have so much more I can say about this novel and my journey to get here, but I’ll save those for another post because I would be nothing without the incredible support, coaching, and friendship I’ve received along the way. I have a long list of people to thank for helping me get here, but I’ll try to be as brief as possible.
many thanks go to…
My hubby, Mark - for encouraging and supporting me for the entirety of our relationship. For everything you do for me and our family. I have no doubt you're my soulmate. I'll love you forever and always.
My bestie, Meghan - for allowing me to vent about every bit of this heartbreaking and painstaking process. I can always count on you to listen without judgment and to make me laugh when I'm sad or frustrated. (Forgive me for this random photo. It’s the only one I could find where we weren’t making whacky faces!)
Both Mark and Meghan - for helping me brainstorm plot holes, reading multiple versions of my manuscripts, offering feedback on my pitches, and most importantly, not allowing me to give up. I truly couldn’t have done this without you.
My children - for cheering me on and for being the very reason I didn't want to give up. Pursue your dreams! Trust your instincts!
My critique partners (CPs) - (CPs read and comment on every aspect each other’s manuscripts, asking questions, pointing out errors, and offering suggestions when possible.) For this manuscript, my CPs were Ginny Carlberg, Miranda Combs, Angie Paxton, and Stefanie Medrek. I also won a 3-chapter critique from Rin Chupeco and, even though I wasn’t chosen, somehow scored a partial critique through Author Mentor Match from Carolyn Tara O’Neil. I’m so lucky!!!
And I can’t forget those of you who critiqued my first chapter (the hardest to write and most important to get right) - Kristin Kutrieb, Simeon Care, Sue Newton, Marcy Holle, Meghan Perry, Kathy BeMiller, Nic DiSalvo, Sonia Hartl, Rachel Loertshcer, Clare Draycott, Sarah Burchett, Lucia Scarano, and Heather Robb. Each one of you was incredibly insightful and helpful with your feedback!
I hope you’ll all love how I’ve incorporated your advice into this story and my writing as a whole. Soulmatch, while the same at heart, is leaps and bounds better than when you last saw it.
My beta readers - This manuscript has been through dozens of revisions, so I have a ton! Mark Danzenbaker, Meghan Corbitt, Chase Danzenbaker, Hannah Corbitt, Tim Corbitt, Tracy Cronin, Heather McDade, Jennifer Viselli, Maureen Sidor, Elizabeth Ross, Megan Lamb, Jon Lamb, Whitney Rutz, Carri Light, Kristin Pascual, Beth Cook, Maddie Wasaff, Gabi Pritchett, Kaitlyn Balovich, Tiffany Perry, Jill Nolton, and Britt Cooper. (It’s very possible I’m missing some. Please speak up if I left you off the list!) If it weren’t for your gift of time and encouragement, I don’t think I would’ve lasted this long!
Dr. Martyn Oliver, Professor and Faculty Chair at American University - for fact-checking and sensitivity-checking some key passages in my manuscript.
Constance Sayers (author of A Witch in Time, Ladies of the Secret Circus, and The Star and the Strange Moon) and Jenny Hale (publisher and author of 2 dozen novels - two of which are Hallmark movies!) - for sharing your publishing journeys and giving me a primer on the industry. Truly enlightening!
My friend and query expert, Peggy Finck - for basically dropping everything to help me fix my query for one of the best in the business. You were so right on so many things (especially that I was rushing to query). Thanks for sharing your expertise, feedback, and encouragement. When you said you had a good feeling about this story, I lit up inside and that fire kept me going.
My writing groups, the Pitmad Hatters and Pitch to Publish, for helping me refine my Twitter pitches, query letter, and opening pages. Thanks especially to Kathy Ver Eecke for creating P2P and sharing your marketing expertise. Also Agented Authors on Sub with Debut Novel for commiserating with me during the lonely submission period. Whew!
Every agent who rejected this story - Yes, I really mean it. Thank you! Each (painful) rejection meant something still needed fixing, so (after drying my tears) I got back to work. In the end, I ended up with the agent I was meant to find.
My agent, Michelle Wolfson - For listening to me ramble about my life every time you call (why do I do that???). For being so encouraging though this process. For believing in me and this story. For your coaching and patient explanations. For persisting and succeeding. We did it!!
My editor, Nicole Ellul, and the team at Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - For taking a chance on me and this story. I won't let you down!
Everyone who encouraged me along the way - From retweeting pitches, to offering leads on agents, to signing up for my newsletter, to commenting on my social media posts, to asking me "what's the latest?" (even though it was embarrassing to not have anything to share for the longest time), you have no idea how much these seemingly little things meant to me.
My parents, sisters, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and heavenly grandparents. For your unwavering love. I adore you all.
Just a small percentage of the people who love and support me.
And finally to Whitney Rutz and Carri Light - for your lifelong friendship and for inspiring my main character's twin best friends. I cannot wait for the world to meet Vivi and Corah!
