I don’t know how to tell you this…
I have a publisher.
I HAVE A PUBLISHER!
There, well, that wasn’t so hard after all! I have just signed the contract. It’s right here on my desk in front of me. I have held it, prodded it, shaken it in the air and it is still real. A part of me expects it to pop like a bubble, or disappear in a puff of logic (RIP Douglas Adams) but it is still there, all crisp in black and white.
Real.
Really real.
Really bone-shakingly, fingertip tinglingly real. I’m so excited I’m not even using real words anymore, but you’ll forgive me, won’t you?
This time next year, Twenty Years Later will be available for sale in bookshops. You’ll be able to hold it in your hands. It will sit on people’s bookshelves. My son will be able to read it. It will be left behind when I die.
Whoa! Where did that come from?
<sips tea>
So many people have said to me that they like the thought of their children living on after them, like it leaves a part of them in the world after death. I have never felt that. My son is his own person, and the fact that he’s my son doesn’t equate to any feelings of legacy on my part, I’m just privileged to have him in my life. He will do his own things for his own reasons, his path will not be an echo of my being here.
But my book will. It gives me strange comfort to think that long after I have died, my son will be able to take a book off a shelf and read the words I left behind. I had no idea how important this was to me until now.
And now I’m crying – but I am so happy! Oh such relief and joy and excitement and the rush of a thousand cups of tea drunk on a thousand perfect days! One of those tiny glass boats found its way to a safe harbour, and a ship has been sent back to collect me.
I finally have the answer to the question at the top of this page. It is a heroic quest. This pursuit of publication was not madness. Twenty Years Later has a home at last. I have reached the port and there is a grand ship waiting to take me to the lands of the published.
You will come with me, won’t you?
After all, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for all of you encouraging me, telling me to keep going, saying such kind things about my writing. You have been my coaches, my cheerleaders, my mentors and my friends, and I hope you will continue to be all those things in this new part of the journey. As I said before, this is only a beginning. Join me as we cross these uncharted waters. Oh what things we shall see together! What an adventure we shall have…
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I am SO PLEASED for you. Nobody deserves it more!
J xx
Ultimate coolness. Don’t burn yourself on the tea.
Sending this from my phone so hope it works… Just couldn’t wait to next laptop encounter to shout WOOHOOO! You did it! And most of all: you richly deserve it. I shall now dance a little jig of delight in your honour, & hope the general public don’t mind. (it’s central London, they almost certainly wouldn’t notice if I did a handstand & sang at the top of my voice) Great work, Em. We salute you!
Congratulations, Emma, that’s so cool!
Ahhh… that’s wonderful news! Good for you, girl. Bravo!
Thank you everyone – Joely, it means the world to me that you said that!
@Dick – Don’t worry, I’m an expert tea-drinker, even in this state of excitement!
@Queenie – That rocks! And blow a kiss to the big smoke for me whilst you’re there
@Gunter – thank you, you’ve been so supportive, it means a lot to me.
I’ve been talking to the lovely Christie on Skype, for some reason my blog won’t let her comment, so I offered to paste her words in too:
Christy (from Twitching Grey Matter in my links): Go Em! You deserve this!!!!!! I’m so ridiculously happy for you … celebrating on your behalf from thousands of km away! Chocolate for one and all!
Oh you’re all so scrumptious! (that was me again by the way)
Well you definitely deserve it.
Make sure you have US distribution so we New World folks can take a gander.
Awesome!
Congratulations. Make sure you put a link here as soon as it’s available so we loyal readers can make sure you also get the highest possible percentage of the profits from your labor. This does NOT give you permission to quit posting the audio version. Many of us find your reading enhances our enjoyment of the book. Don’t worry, we’ll still buy the print version to share with loved ones.
Congratulations Emma!
I am so joyful for you. I’m glad your excellent writing has been recognized. A Publisher! A Contract! Soon I will be able to hold your novel in my hands and marvel.
Love Rob
xoxo
Just started reading the site a week ago, but big congratulations! It sounds like you’ve put in the time and work, and this is something you really deserve.
OH. MY. GOD. This is just the best and most brilliant news, so, So, SO hugely and overwhelmingly exciting! Congratulations Emma!
Thank you for taking us along with you and allowing us to share your journey. Now I really WILL be able to be there at your book signing! (One for me, one for my nephew, one for my goddaughter … )
I second everything Steve aka Dream said above. And I’ve just noticed Chapter 11 is up and running, so I’ll be off to listen to that, soonest.
What I DO want to know though, is – how come I go out to the library for an hour tops, and miss the momentous news to the extent that eight other people manage to comment on it before me?
Time for a cuppa … x
I tried to type ‘Wow!’ but it wouldn’t let me.
Wow!
OK, nine other people …
Best news I’ve read this week, this month, heck possibly this year. Many, many congratulations Emma, you deserve it – outstanding!
Congratulations. This is the begining of a very exciting time, and a lot more hard work;). Be sure to enjoy every second of it.
How fantastic, exciting, brilliant, magical, wonderful, stupendous . . . wow, wow, wow!
I’m so happy for you Emma! What a delightful thing to read this morning. I hope this is only the beginning… of a wonderful, wonderful (and long) career as a published writer!
Major congrats!
Em, this is such fantastic news! I am *so* happy for you and cannot wait to read your wonderful book whilst snuggled into my cosy chair of an evening with a nice cup of tea by my side.
xxx
Wow! I’ve just moved past the tea drinking part of the day to the wine drinking bit, so I’m raising my glass to you. Your success is so well deserved! Don’t forget to invite us all to the launch party now will you?!
Emma–Congratulations! Time to dish, don’t you think? Who is the publisher? When will the book be out (I know–no publishing date yet, but are we talking summer of 2010 or fall, maybe?)?
Such exciting news. Again, heartiest of congratulations from across the pond.
I’ll second Joanna’s tip of the glass with a toast to continued success! Cheers!
Ho‘omaika‘i ‘ana – Congratulations Emma! Absolutely fabulous news!
That legacy you speak of is the expression of your Ho‘ohana living far beyond your own years too. I am sure your story is wonderful, yet the book will also represent all you have put into it, and it will inspire so many: Don’t be shy about that About the Author page you include!
This is just a beginning for you I’m sure… we’ll soon be saying, “We knew her when…”
Emma, Wonderful news – congratulations!! I can’t wait to buy it (but it looks as though I may have to stand in line).
“One of those tiny glass boats found it’s way to a safe harbour”
What’s that apostrophe doing in there, then?
Oh, and yes, congratulations. More people should be able read about Titus, and whatever those others are called.
What thrilling news Emma! So well done – you deserve this success! I’ve got my party pants on and I’m doing the happy, happy dance for you! Yay…
What thrilling news, Emma! Your words were so moving that I began squeezing back empathetic tears of joy for you. Thanks for sharing the heady experience of this fabulous milestone. Can’t wait to hold your novel in my hands and savor this moment again.
Hurrah!
You know, it looks awfully weird and old-fashioned to me the perspective you have of books that have seen the inside of a bookshop outliving their authors. By the time your son is your age, bookshops could be almost gone!
Congratulations, Emma! I hope I will be able to get your book via Amazon here in Germany! No, I don’t want the German translation, I am looking forward to the original BOOK!
Heavens to Betsy, how wonderful of you all to stop by and offer your congratulations! More later, but for now I will say to Rick (C) thank you for pointing out the error so kindly
I’ve corrected it, I was very emotional when I wrote this you know…
Oh and I wanted to reassure everyone following the podcasts that I negotiated a clause to allow me to continue the free serialisation by podcast. I didn’t want to let you down x
Absolutely wonderful news Emma. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of a publishing contract.
It has certainly inspired me to stop making excuses and buckle down to write something amazing. And I know what you mean about your son … I don’t ever presume to think I will live on through him. Like you I would rather leave him a book.
I think this is deserving of a sticky post up the top of the CW blog.
Just read the good news. Mike also had a celebratory cup of tea and Liz did it with coffee. We can both understand how you must feel and we are so happy for you. The hard work you have put in has really paid of and yes it is OK to dream now of even bigger things to come. Good luck and we look forward to holding your book in our hands.
Wow! That’s fantastically awesome news! Woo hoo!
Why not head on over to the Someday Accountability Clinic and let the troop there know that your hard work has paid off?
Yay! How completely wonderful! Big, huge, sweet and gooey congratulations, Emma. And big, warm hugs, too.
Woo hoo!!! One celebratory cup of tea coming up!
EEEEE!!!!
Omg! I am so super duper excited for you! This is amazing! Brilliant!
You completely deserve this. I’m squealing with excitement for you.
I am SO buying your book when it hits shelves
Oh Emma, I am weeping with joy right along with you! I can’t wait to hold your book in my hands! CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for you. I hope you’ll share every detail here (well not every detail but you know the juicy ones) so that we can celebrate every step! Yay, yay, yay!!!
I’ve popped back from holiday to do Chapter 12 and upload the podcast. Took a moment to read through your comments here, and I feel so immensely moved by your hearty good wishes. Thank you one and all. And Caroline, you made me laugh so hard that tea came out of my nose. Out. Of. My. Nose…
Hee hee. I do HATE it when that happens. Hope the tea wasn’t too hot…
I’ve just listened to Chapter 12 – I’m totally addicted now! (I even missed the Archers for it.) Your reading (which has always been wonderful, lest you worry … ) is getting better and better with each new chapter!
Massive massive congratulations – that is such fantastic news and so quickly too!!
i’m very behind here, but CONGRATULATIONS! that is wonderful news! is it only a uk release or is it everywhere?
Great news,
I’ve had my book published, around ten years ago now, and yes the buzz and excitement of it all has never gone away. It truly is magical!
Well done – I love your writing and your dedication.
Barry
Oh Emma, that is the most wonderful news!
Now look what you’ve done, you’ve got me going as well!
I know I’m a recent follower of your quest and haven’t followed the struggle from the beginning, but I feel just as strongly as anyone that you really do deserve this bit of good fortune.
I tend to be a coffee drinker, which must be where I’m going wrong – the secret to finding a publisher (aside from being an outstanding writer like your good self) is obviously to switch to tea! Am off right this minute in search of PG Tips…
…unless there’s a different brand that works better (enquiring minds need to know!)?
More power to your elbow, do let me know when it’s going into the shops so I queue round the block the night before the official launch!
@Juliette – Well, I wrote the first draft four years ago so it seems a long time to me!
Caroline and J-A, thank you x
@BarryMac – two weeks later I’m still grinning like an idiot, I’m glad that won’t fade!
@Sam – You’re lucky, you joined at the right time and didn’t have to plough through all my moaning like many of the other stalwarts here
And I’ll let you into a (badly kept) secret; I drink two cups of coffee first thing in the morning, then start on the tea at 10:30am, then I only drink tea and water. And yes, it’s PG Tips for me. As for queuing round the block… hmm, I don’t think you’ll have to do that!
Blimey Emma, that’s good news!