Friday, July 8, 2022

Biting those nails

Around March 1, I sent a proposal (synopsis + three chapters) for another Amish romance to my agent, who looked it over and then forwarded it to my editor at Harlequin. And for nearly four nail-biting months, I heard nothing.

Chatter among the Harlequin Love Inspired authors confirmed the editorial staff was short-handed and doing their best, so I settled myself down to being patient. Because I had to write something, a friend and I did the April NaNoWriMo and I wrote the rough draft of what hopefully would be the sequel to the proposed book I sent in. And still I heard nothing.

Then last week, in a moment of frustration, I emailed my agent to inquire about the best line of action. I have so many books inside me, waiting to get out. Should we start sending inquiries to other publishers? I didn't want to stop writing for Harlequin – I absolutely love this new career – but perhaps I could write for two publishers simultaneously?

Then, in an uncanny (providential?) twist of timing, my agent emailed back within an hour with a new offer from Harlequin: They want SIX BOOKS.

Yes, Harlequin just offered me a six-book contract! Apparently my editor finally had a chance to look over the proposal I sent back in March, and – in her words – "loved it!" (The exclamation point was also hers.) What are the odds of hearing back within an hour after waiting four months? My agent dryly remarked, "From your email to God's ears, apparently…"

So there you have it, my fiction writing assignment for the next 18 months or so. The nice thing is, while going back and forth to decide when things are due, I already have two of the six books written and ready (or nearly ready) to submit. In fact, the moment the contract is signed, I'll shoot off the first manuscript and get this ball rolling.

God is good! Or, as my Amish characters might say, "Gott ist gut."

(On a separate note, I was interviewed a few weeks ago by a writer named Elise Cooper on the subject of "The Amish Animal Doctor." The interview was posted in several different locations (Military Press, Crimespree Magazine, Marjay's Reading Blog, No Apology Book Reviews), so feel free to pick one and read the interview.)

8 comments:

  1. Congratulations on the contract!

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  2. Congratulations!

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  3. Waiting for more!

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  4. Yippee! You are on a roll!

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  5. Congratulations! I really liked the vet story.

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  6. Oh Patrice! This is wonderful news, congratulations indeed. Have you considered narrating any of these titles for audio books? I love a good book read by the author for long car rides.

    KinCa

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