Eureka

Way back in May I told you about my participation in the Twitter event, #CarinaPitch and how I caught the attention of some Carina Press editors.

My good friend and critique partner Dee J. Adams recently gave me some exciting information about that event, information that really pumped me up.

450 people tweet-pitched (tweetched? pweeted?) their books to Carina. 

120 people submitted their work, after being invited to do so because of that pitch.

Only 7 received contracts.

Wow. It made me compare publishing to mining for gold. (Me and my writing being gold, of course. Heh heh heh.) 

And here's a revised program and update on my progress. Colored type means this item is done.

Twelve+ Step Program for Becoming a 

USA Today Bestselling Author

1. Sell to Carina Press.
2. Wait.
3. Sign contract.
3a. Brainstorm new book titles.
3b. Freak out out at developmental edits, spend two days brainstorming how to fix all the issues, email possible solutions to editor.
3c. Submit synopsis and first fifty pages to editor for Book #2.
3d. Receive the okay from editor and rejoice that she liked the suggestions.
3e. Receive thumbs-up from editor on Book #2 plot along with bullet point notes.
3e. Freak out about how much work needs to be done on Book #2.
3f. Calm down, set aside Book #2. Focus on Book #1.
4. Complete developmental edits for Book #1.
5. Wait Keep writing Book #2 with changes, as per editor.
6. Complete line edits on Book #1
7. Finish Book #2.
8. Approve the book cover
9. Get dev. edits on Book #2. (Freak out, etc.)
10. Announce release of Book #1
11. Wait Try not to think about how Book #1 is selling while revising Book #2.
12. Pray

On the Dotted Line

I finally received my contract from Carina Press, the electronic arm of Harlequin. It's long. I have some reading to do this afternoon, but I'm excited and eager to get it done, because once the contract's signed, my editor, Melissa Johnson, and I can get started polishing the book for publication. I can hardly wait.

In the meantime, I thought I put down in writing a goal of mine and how I plan to achieve it. After reading the steps, I'm sure you'll detect a pattern. Such is the life of an author. But I'm actually not just waiting, I'm busily writing the next book in the series. It's a rare day when I don't write.

Twelve Step Program for Becoming a 

USA Today Bestselling Author

1. Sell to Carina Press
2. Wait
3. Sign contract
4. Complete developmental edits
5. Wait
6. Complete line edits
7. Wait
8. Approve the book cover
9. Wait
10. Announce release of the book
11. Wait
12. Pray