One Phone Call Closer

I suppose a bit more information is due!  So here it is:

About 3 years ago, I started writing about thoughts that had been swirling around in my head for a long time.  I didn't originally set out to write a book, but as it turns out, I did.  It took me a year, lots of long hours drinking cappuccinos at Latteland and munching on carrot spice muffins, juggling grad school and work, and lots of amazing encouragement from Andrew and my mom.  After I finished it, I put it in a binder, let a few special people read it, and put it on our bookshelf.  Life went on.  I'm not going to lie and say that I didn't have a desire to try and get the novel published.  I did.  I wrote a pitch, a query letter, a bio.  I read books on how to get an agent, I researched the publishing industry.  I even sent a few queries out to agents.  The timing wasn't right though because only a few months after I finished the book, I found out that I was pregnant with Miss Gabriella Grace!  There was just too much going on in my life to really pursue anything with the novel.  In the back of my head though, I was silently hoping and keeping my fingers crossed that some day I would get the opportunity.

Fast forward to February 28th.  David Henry Sterry and Arielle Eckstut, authors of The Essential Guide To Getting Your Book Published, brought their book tour to Kansas City and did Pitchapalooza.  It was like an American Idol for aspiring authors.  My mom and I went (it was amazing!) and kept our fingers crossed the entire time that I would get chosen to pitch my book.  I didn't, but since I had bought a copy of their book, I received a coveted 20 minute consult with David Henry Sterry to be set up at a future date.

Today was that future date.  3:30 pm Eastern Standard Time to be exact.  I got the privilege to pitch my book to David and let me tell you, it really was quite the experience.  He is an amazing author, and a very funny man to boot.  He let me pick his brain, ask a ton of questions, and most importantly, he gave me the feedback that I have been needing to turn my pitch from "really good" to excellent.  I felt so inspired by our conversation and it seemed like David really understood my novel and why I am the person to have written this book.  It just solidified in my mind that this book could make it.  I knew we were getting close to our 20 minute limit and we were starting to wrap up the conversation.  To make a long story short, I expected David to say something along the lines of goodbye and good luck, and then hang up the phone.  Instead, he has offered me the opportunity to send him my new pitch with the changes he suggested, my query letter, and my manuscript.  He said that he knows people (agents and publishers) who would be interested in my novel.  In exchange for some intern work, he and Arielle are going to review/edit my novel, provide feedback, and try to assist me in getting my novel published!  So, like I said, an opportunity of a lifetime.  Hence the title of my blog entry: one phone call closer.

I thought that today would be the perfect day to start this blog because the entire purpose of the blog is to follow my journey of getting my book published.  I had no idea that this is the type of entry I would be posting!!!! I am praying and keeping my fingers crossed that this opportunity works out with David and Arielle.  He sounded very encouraged but made no promises, so I hope that he likes my material.  I won't be sending it for a few days since I have to rewrite some of my pitch.  I will definitely post when I send off my stuff.  I will also soon be posting a few blurbs about the book itself.  Aren't you the least bit curious now? :)