I've always wanted to type that title.
In writer-speak, getting The Call is not God urging you to become a priest. It’s when your agent calls you to tell you that an editor wants to buy your book.
I've been DYING to tell you.
Let me start at the beginning. My incredible agent, Susanna Einstein, sent off my manuscript on Monday, October 27th, to seven or eight publishers. I tried really hard not to think about it. Tried to push it out of my mind. This, by the way, is like sharing a desk with a plate of fresh fudge and trying to ignore it for hours, days, on end.
On Halloween morning, four days later, I woke up at seven o’clock. I’d been having a wonderful dream, one of those that you don’t want to leave. But I needed to get up.
I started the coffee. I blearily rubbed my eyes. I sat at the computer to work.
Now, my normal M.O. is to sit and write for about an hour or so before I allow myself to check email or anything online. I don’t turn my airport connection off, though, because I like to write with Pandora playing in the background, so I need to be online. So I don’t check email, but my email notifier still comes through, because I’m too lazy to disable it.
I opened the document I had last been working on. I stared at it. My eyes might have crossed in sleepiness, I’m not sure.
My computer bing-ed and I saw a message come in. My gmail notifier lets me see who sent it and displays the first sentence.
The email was from Susanna. It said, “Call me as soon as you wake up.”
Yeah. Yeah!
My heart started to race. Literally. As I dialed her number, my hands were shaking. With delight in her voice, she told me that Avon (a division of HarperCollins) wanted my book! Wanted to BUY it!
Not only that, but they wanted a THREE-BOOK DEAL.
I looked up, out the window, while she was talking. Was I still dreaming? The dream I’d had right before waking up had been so good, so vivid. Was this just an extension of the dream? Was I still in bed? I remember seeing the pigeons that I hate perched up on the eave outside my window. I didn’t think I’d see the pigeons if it was just a good dream. I loved those pigeons at that moment. I think I asked Susanna that, who assured me, no, I wasn’t dreaming.
This was on Friday. She used the day to call the other editors who had the manuscript – she told them there was an offer on the table. We’d wait to hear back from them before accepting.
I still wrote. Isn’t that weird? I spent about an hour, calling every person I could think of, telling them I got the call. Then I sat down and wrote. I wrote crap, I’m sure. I’m positive it was nothing but drivel. But I wanted to honor that belief that the New York publishing world had in me, in my own silly way. I wanted to write.
I spent that weekend walking on clouds. Early last week, a week ago Monday, my book got into a little bidding war. A bidding war! My book! By last Friday, though, Avon had successfully maintained its grasp on it. I was glad: They were the first to believe in it, and in my naïve-to-publishing mind, I wanted them to win.
Right now, as I type this, I’m waiting for an introductory phone call from my new-to-me editor, May Chen. I’m as nervous as Miss Idaho in the same room as a man with a hat. If I still smoked (six years smoke-free), I would be chaining.
While I wait, let me copy and paste what was in the November 11th Publisher’s Marketplace:
Women's/Romance
Rachael Herron's debut ELIZA'S COTTAGE, in which a rancher's way of life is threatened by a woman trying to escape her past; the first book in the KNIT TWO TOGETHER series, to May Chen at Avon, in a good deal, at auction, in a three-book deal, for publication in Spring 2010, by Susanna Einstein at LJK Literary Management (NA).
(I know, it feels like forever away: Spring 2010. But I’m told by everyone who knows publishing that the time will fly by.)
Of all things, I think Mom would have been most excited by this. Remember when PM was in paper? For sale? (Is it still, or is it just online now? I’m not sure.) She loved that magazine – she’d read it cover to cover. She always knew the news, knew the book buzz. She’d be really, really happy to see my name in it.
An hour later – I’m back! My editor called! (I have an editor! Of my own!) She is awesome. I am now convinced that I have the best agent and the best editor in the world.
I am SO glad I got to tell you. I couldn’t wait.
I’m so happy. Thank YOU all, for believing in me. I also have the best readers in the world. How lucky I am.
(PS – leave a comment or drop me an email if you want to be added to my writing email list — I won't spam you, but I'll let you know when the book is coming out so you don't miss it!)
Congratulations! My heart is racing for you, this is such wonderful news. It’s too bad that your mom couldn’t share this with you, but having her in your thoughts is a way of sharing it too.
Please add me to your writing email list, I’d love to read your book when it is available.
Congratulations again!
omgomgomgomgomg!
Yay!
ZIPPITYDOODAH!
Congratulations! I am happy for you and looking forward to reading your bookS.
Please add me to your email writing list.
Oh my goodness!! Congratulations! I’ll need to be on that email list; I can’t wait to read your book. What wonderful news.
yes! that is awesome! of course i totally want to know when it’s available to buy. 🙂 in my mind i’m thinking “Spring 2010!!??” WAH! but i guess if you can wait, then so can i! congratulations again – this is such a great affirmation of all of your work.
OMG! Rach! That’s so fantastic!!!!!! A real live book deal! Avon does good stuff too… I remember my mom read a lot of their romances.
You give me so much hope! Now if I just had enough strength to force myself to sit down and keep writing.
Congratulations! This is so, SO exciting!
uh, hells yeah you better put me on that email list!
so, so, so deliriously happy for you.
xoxo
I am so proud of you, Rachael. This is just so very fantastic!
Congrats, lady!
Does this mean we get to have sushi again?
How wonderful!! Put me on the list.
That.is.the.coolest.news.
Congratulations!!
Yay yay yay! Congratulations, Rachael! (OK, tearing up again). I would definitely like to be on your email list, wouldn’t want to miss your book for the world.
OH. MY. GOODNESS. You’re a series! I’m so happy for you and proud of you. And I kinda want to casually mention to someone that my friend’s book is coming out soon (“soon” is vague enough to work, I think).
Mazel tov! This is such great news! I hope that your writing career only continues to blossom from here.
Oh my God! Congratulations! That is so awesome! I can’t even imagine how excited you must be.
Holy crap!! Whoo!
Whoot!!! Congrats and chocolate all around!!!
Please add me to your email list!
Well hot damn girl!!!! Congratulations Rachael, I am sooooo happy for you!!!!
And absolutely I want to be on your writing email list….I can’t wait to read it!!
{{{{Congrats Again}}}}
Wow, congratulations! What fantastic news – you must be thrilled to bits. Please include me on your mailing list too.
Cogratulations. I love your blog and can’t wait to read your book.
Please put me on the list.
OMFG! Congratulations!!! You listened to your heart and were true to you and I am so happy for you!!!
Woooo!
This is such fabulous news! Congratulations, Rachael. I want signed copies for my library. And when you do your book tour I want you to do a talk at my library, too.
Ieeeeeeyah!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! This is beyond super-fantastic. I’m so, so, so happy for you!
THREE BOOK DEAL!!!!
But I’m happiest for myself because ever since I read the chapters you posted of your book in progress, I’ve been hoping that you would get published just so that I can read how it evolved and what happens! 😉
I’m so happy for you! Please put me on your email list I am really looking forward to buying and reading your book!!! Congratulations.
Not just 1 but 3 books! Wow! So happy for you, keep up the good work.
LE SQUEE!!! I’m so happy for you! And I’d love to be on your mailing list. Congrats!!!
that is so amazing!! congratulation!!!!! please let me know when it will be coming out!! yay!!!
Dude!! I’m super excited for you! Please add me to the writing list. (Confession time, I’m a romance novel junkie)
My heart is also racing for you, I’m so excited! You’re a role model and an inspiration (no pressure) and you’re going to be so good at this!
Count me in too Rachel! Dying to read your book.
Oh, wow! I have lurked for so long, through your big news and small. This time I know just what to say: Congratulations!
Delurking to say congrats!!! What a wonderful, glorious thing to have happen to you… put me on the list… can’t wait to read it!
Rachel, that is SO AMAZING!! Good for you!!!
You know what I’m thinking. So pleased for you, you are so well deserving of this good fortune because you have earned it and shared it over and over again.
Omifuckinggod!!!! waaaaHOOOOOO!!!!
THIS IS WONDERFUL!
I am so, so happy for you, Rachael! cannot wait to read them all.
Of course I want to be on your email list. Yay you for staying the course.
Yes, We Knew You Can ! !
Yer ma and me allways new you cud rite.
Whhhoooooooooo eeeeeee !!!!
Point of clarification–ain’t no cottages on any ranch, anywhere.
Minor detail to a MAJOR HURRAH!!
yer dad
THREE BOOK DEAL!!!!! I have goosebumps, seriously. I’m so proud of you!!!!!
Woo! And furthermore, Hoo! (And I just read your dad’s response, so now I’m tearing up. Dads are so low-key yet sweeter than sweet like that.) Yay, you! And, please add me in on that writing list.
Rachel That is so awesome! I am incredibly happy and excited for you! Way to go!
*Val
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
congratulations!!! i am so thrilled for you, and i can hardly wait to get that book into my hands!
Way to go!!!! I’m so thrilled for you 🙂 Definitely let me know when it is coming out. I know I hardly ever comment…but it still has me grinning ear to ear in excitement for you 🙂
Wa-ha-hey! Congratulations! I’m so thrilled for you 🙂
OMG!!! WHAT AWESOME NEWS!!! Congrats a million times over Rachel!!! I can’t wait to read ALL THREE of your books 🙂 I could not be happier for you!
Congratulations!
Your father is making sure that all of us who “knew you when” are hearing the grand news now.
Yes, please keep me posted. Then I can ignore your father’s notes and hear all about it directly from you.
Rachael, your mother always knew AND she knows now.
Fred
Congratulations! And as someone who has always shared my life with dogs and cats — some a bit more neurotic than others — this line:
“I’m as nervous as Miss Idaho in the same room as a man with a hat.”
kills me. I’ve been reading your blog for years and Can’t Wait to read your book!
Hello Rachel! What a mind blowing and exuberant moment! Your Dad has been keeping me posted and it has finally happened!Please ad me to your E-mail list and let me Know how to purchase your book(s)Thanks.
Friend of your dads.
Yay!!!!! Congraulations! And please add me to the list!
Oh, and tell Lala I enjoyed the Whoreshoes show at the Topanga Roadhouse (which I hear the locals call the Stop & Fight).
OMG Rachael that is such fabulous news! Add me to your list!
I’m sure the joy in your heart has your mom’s soul soaring! Just reading your experience of
having your book accepted tells me that I’d love to read your books. I was a friend of your parents in Samoa and have never met you. You have me wishing I could be giving you a big hug and jumping up and down with you. Truly AWESOME! Congratulations!!!
Add me to the list.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!
Oh my god, ongratulations! I am so thrilled for you! Please add me to your list!
Rachael, I’m more of a lurker than a commenter, but I’m so excited for you that I just had to add my congratulations to the list. Congratulations! This is wonderful and you so deserve it. I wish I edited romance instead of knitting books so I could be the lucky editor to work with you. I don’t edit fiction, so I won’t say I’ll be the perfect resource, but if you want any advice on how to get what you want from an editor from my editorial point of view, feel free to shoot me an email. I’ll tell you all the best ways the authors I’ve worked with have softened me up 😉
I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU! How amazing and wonderful! You go, girl!
Please put me on the email list! I can’t wait to see your novel in print! And CONGRATULATIONS!!!
I am so unbelievably happy for you!!! Will you come stay with us when you do a book signing at MDS&W??
(And YES, add me to your list!)
Congratulations!!!!
Hurray! that’s really, really wonderful–congratulations! I can’t wait to read it.
Your mother would have been so proud. We’ll look forward to reading the book in our book club. Maybe you can arrange to be there. Please add me to your email list.
So cool! Put me on your mailing list. I must buy your book as soon as it is out!
congratulations! will you sign my copy?!
Whoa! Congrats!
Congratulations! After reading along here for the last year I know how hard you’ve worked to get to this point, and it’s great to see it rewarded. Best wishes for your debut, and I’d enjoy receiving updates. -Christen in KS
Congrats! I love that its a 3 book deal–I love reading trilogies!
And yes, sign me up for the email list! I want to be one of the first to buy your book!
So what I want to know is are you going to get a to take a super-hot Romance Writer sexy author’s cover shot? ; )
Congratulations, Rachael, and put me on your writer list!
Doing the happy dance for you!
What fabulous news! Enjoy every second of the ride. There is =nothing= more exciting than selling your first book. Unless you sell 3 of them at once!
Yay! Congrats! What wonderful news!
Please add me to the list.
Yay!
Could. Not. Happen. To a better, sweeter, more deserving person.
Yay Rachel!!!
And PLEASE put me on your writing email list.
Woweee Wow Wowwwwwwwww!
Such great news!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Please add me to the list, cause I want to buy your book right when it comes out!
So very happy for you! Congratulations! You’ve worked hard and it’s wonderful to see the reward. I’d love to be added to your email list.
Oh.My.God. I am so pleased for you. A three-book deal. How professional and grownup and, well, ‘authory’ is that? Onya, grrl.
OH MY GOD! I’m misting up I’m so happy for you! This is WONDERFUL news! Add me to the list too! (and, I’m sure your Mama is thrilled also)
Wow, congratulations!!
Awesome! I am so happy for you. Please add me to the email list. When the book comes out, can I send it to you and get it signed??! 🙂
I also want to say that as a fellow Wrimo, I am so happy to see your NaNovel succeed. I just read an incredibly negative article from someone in the publishing industry about NaNoWriMo and I want to hold your book deal up and give them a huge raspberry. Yay! Hugs!
Dear Rachael,
Absolutely wonderful! Fine recognition for your hours of hard work! Good Job and we’re so very happy for you. How do I get to read some of your stuff!? Please keep me posted, add me to your list I wish I could see you when you pop the champagne. You bet your mother would be over the moon. And won’t it be fun to see Rachael Herron in the libraries and supermarkets!!
Congratulations! I look forward to hearing about this process from the inside. It is not so obvious when one stands in the bookstore what has led to the stack of paper there …
Congratulations!
*confetti*
*tootie horn*
May this sale be the first of many!
OMG!!!!! I have tears in my eyes for you!!! This is the most fantastic news!!!! No one deserves it more. And your little momma is looking down at you with a heart bursting with pride. Congratulations!
That is so amazing! Congratulation!!!
MWAH! Can’t wait to read it! 🙂 We’ll have to set up a “signal” for your knitting buddies to give you when you tour (I’m guessing knitting would do the trick). That way, you’ll always know your audience is full of friends.
Wowie! Holy Cow! And Many Other Words of Congratulations!
How exciting is that? I can only imagine that you’re on cloud nine. Can’t wait to see the finished product. Add me to your list!
I better already be on that email list 😉
Yay! I cannot tell you how happy I am for you right now. Smiling BIG! Life swings…
oh rachael! **congratulations**!!! so, so happy for you– what amazing, fabulous, wonderful news!
So, so awesome. Big congrats!
OMG Rachel that is SUCH GOOD NEWS!! I’m so happy for you! When I read the title I said “Yes!!” and had to call my best friend (who also reads your blog) to tell her. She says congrats too!!
Spring 2010?? omg how will we ever make it that long… 🙂
Congrats!!!!!!
Oh yeah… could I be on your email list? 🙂
How amazing! You are really living your dream. I was excited just reading your post, I’m sure I’m going to love your book and I can’t wait until the Spring of 2010!
Keep reading the Suzanne Brockman books- I love the fact that not all of the characters are white, straight and from the midwest. She raises some real issues in a format (romance) that I love.
Squeeeeeeeee!!! That’s so awesome! Congratulations!!
sniff
I got all teared up when I read your post.
Congratulations! I am SOOOOO happy for you.
You deserve this.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!
Woooohoooo!!! You are awesome! They got in a bidding war over you. How amazing. A 3 book deal. Holy crap. I am so excited for you. I shall never become an author because I would die of hysteria if that happened to me. (Also, I don’t write books). Many congratulations.
Add me to the list for sure!
You bet your ass I want to be on that list!
Congratulations! We’re all so happy for you up here.
Three book deal right out of the gate – that’s no small potatoes.
Much love to all – two-legged and four.
How freakin’ exciting is that??! This is way better than winning the lottery as it’s something you earned, not random chance. You have a right to be incredibly, insufferably proud for a good long time.
Mazel Tov!!! That’s really really wonderful news! Congratulations!
That news just made my day! A BIG Ol HOORAY for you! So proud to know you! That’s just the best. If I could turn cartwheels and backflips and all that I’d be doing it. Your mom would be so happy thrilled proud and smug because she had FAITH IN YOU! YOU GO RACH! AROOOGA!
Congratulations. Wow, what a rush. It’s every writer’s dream. Great job. I would love to be a part of your book email list.
I’ve been reading your blog for quite awhile but I don’t think I’ve ever commented. I just wanted to let you know that you inspired me to try NaNoWriMo this month too and while it’s a huge struggle, I’m so glad I’m doing it. Thanks for the inspiration and the further inspiration as you run toward that finish line of PUBLISHED!
Delurking to say congrats! Funny to be so happy for someone you’ve never met, never spoke to, but I am. I have a feeling you have a hit on your hands!
OH WOW, OH WOW!!
Congrats, Rachael! How fantastic for you.
Congratulations! What wonderful news!!
that is ridiculously fabulous news. A bidding war -sweet. I am convinced it will be a wonderful 3 part series (love the knit two together theme!). so you better put me on your email list because I definitely want to be in the book story loop!
I’m so excited for you. I’ve wanted to get that Call since I was ten, so I can’t even imagine getting it. I’ll be waiting all excited to get a hold on the book! Congrats! I know how much hard work goes into this. And definitely put me on that mailing list. 🙂
FANTASTIC! Congratulations, that’s wonderful news. Add me pls.
SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE! How totally awesome! And, yay, I get to finally finish reading it and see how it ended (yeah, those chapters you posted on Gather sucked me right in). Also, YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY for you!
Wow. WOW!
I am So incredibly happy for you!!!!!! Put me on the list. I am not much of a romance reader in general but love anything that is well written, as I suspect yours will be! I guess I do have to confess that I devoured the Outlander series 😉
Delurking to give you a huge hug! Congratulations, Rachael!! I always love keeping up with your blog because your warm, playful, wonderful personality really shines through. I can’t wait to read your book — please put me on your email list.
Yeahhhhh, baby. Alllrighttttt.
CONGRATULATIONS to you and to Avon. Smaht cookies they be.
MWAH.
OMG! I’m so excited of you!
You deserve this more than anyone I know and what a year it has been for you! You have put so much into writing and I’m so glad to see that someone out there in the publishing world believes in you! Three book deal! AMAZING!
OH congratulations Rachael! This is amazing!!!! Woo!!
WOO HOOO!!!! How exciting!! I can’t wait to see it in print!!
…oh…I am SO glad I stayed up for just One More Blog Tonight… 🙂
Aaaah! This is incredible news! Congratulations! Definitely add me to your list! I can hardly wait!
Holy crap! Congratulations. You earned it and I can’t wait to read every word you write!
I am so happy for you – dreams sometimes come true!! Please add me to your writing email list!
hugs!!!
So wonderful! Please add me you list.
Congratulations and put me on the list aswell!
eve
CONGRATULATIONS – I am so pleased for you, what wonderful news. I’m pleased for me too because I really enjoyed reading the chapter that you had in the competition and I wanted to know what happenned next. Now I get to find out – even if I do have to wait til 2010 🙂
Rachael, Rachael, Rachael!!!! You go girl!!!
I had that call about 25 years ago and I still remember the disbelieving thrill, the “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment. And I am SO glad you get to have that too!!!And THREE books! Now that is truly impressive.
Well, now you have to write if only to keep those of us who want to know what the heck is coming down the tubes from inundating you with email asking when the NEXT book will be finished.
Joking aside, you’ve worked hard for this. You’ve had the discipline and the objectivity about your own work, without which even the most talented wordcrafter won’t produce something of merit. PLUS you had the courage to put it out there, to market yourself and your “baby” to be scrutinized by the big, mean world. That takes guts. And it’s paid off. Well, of course, *paid* (even once you have a contract in hand) is a relative concept, but you know what I mean.
I hope you and your lovely wife do something really special to celebrate. Wow – TWO big talents in one household. All that and Digit too…
India Joy
Woohoo!! Wicked news! Congratulations!!
How did the reading go?
Congratulations! How exciting for you!! Please, add me to your list – I want an autographed copy of it when it comes out! Unfortunately, I won’t be living just down the Nimitz from you when it’s published – we’ll have moved to SoCal by then – but you never know when I’ll be in town to visit my family. 🙂 I’m so proud of you!
Oh, Hurray for you Rachel. You deserve it. Stick me on the list please.
Congrats! This is sooooo exciting and I’m very happy for you :o) Please add me to the list too so I can get someone to ship it to me in Denmark sometime in 2010!
I am so happy for you!! Congrats and happy squee noises to you! And, yes, please send me notice when your books (plural!) come out. I can’t wait to read them. Hugs from your former editor (OK, that’s a stretch), formerly in Daytona Beach, formerly with APCO.
Congratulations Rachael!
Your inner desire and hard work are behind this achievement. I will be very pleased to read your fiction once it is published although I am not a regular romance reader. Now, you must keep plotting and writing.
I wish you inspiration and success.
Giulietta (Montreal)
Long time lurker, rare poster here. But I gotta delurk to say – Dude! I am so proud of you!
Congratulations! That is just fantastic, I’m so happy for you!
YAY, you!
PLEASE put me on the list….
xoxox
Rachael:
This is great news! I will be thrilled to read your book althoug I am not a regular romance reader. Keep the good work flowing!
xoxo
Giulietta
wooo and f-ing hoo!! congrats and you deserve it! Please let me know when the book comes – 2010 will be here before we know it!
i know an author i know an author….i’ll be singing that for you all day 🙂
WAHOOOOOOO!!!!!!
OMG I am so happy for you. I bet there is some dancing going on at your house!!! Give all the cats and dogs hugs for me while you dance them and your wife around the room.
We are so happy for you here in Philly! MWAH!
Wooo yay! That is so brilliant. Very well done indeed. Please do add me to the list, I’ll be plucking at your cuff begging for signed copies when the day comes.
Big congrats and hugs! I remember “that” call vividly. My agent left me a voicemail saying “Yeah, you need to call me immediately” and my heart started racing. I’m so happy for you! Enjoy this special time and bask in the glow of your total awesomeness!
Yay! Congratulations!
I’ll come out of lurking to say wow, and congratulations and thanks for letting me lurk and be a part of this journey- how incredible!
WOW! Congrats! I’ve been reading you forever but this is the first time I’ve commented. A three book deal! I’m so very excited for you. Please add me to your writing list. I want to know every detail until spring 2010 and the book’s launch! (I have several half-written romance novels hidden around my house so I know what an accomplishment this is, go Rachael!)
YAY! Congratulations!! I’d love to be on your email list — don’t want to miss any of your (soon-to-be) multiple books!
oh, congrats!!!!! so very exciting!
Woot! I bet it’s hard to stop grinning! Congratulations girl! How cool is that.
Cheers!!! That is so cool!
LOVE your Dad’s comment!
Beth
Congratulations! I’ve been reading your blog for several months, and just love your writing. Please add me to your writing e-mail list.
That is so exciting! Good for you! Wow!
WOOO! Congrats! That is SO amazing!
Ahh! Ahh! Ahh! OMG!! OMG!! WOOO!! WOOOT!! OMG!! OMG!! The dogs (all FOUR of the them) are running around the house in hysterics!
Oh, yay for you!
I’m so gettin’ the books AND a poster for my office. OMFG.
WOOOO!!!!
Sweet! It’s easy to say it now that’s it’s a reality, but I had no! doubts! that this would happen for you. Congratulations!
And thanks for the dog park info. We’re headed there with a picnic lunch on Sunday. I’ll take pics and post them on my blog.
WowWowWow! So exciting! My very best wishes–I’m sure the time will fly. Looking forward to seeing it “for reals”.
Happy Dance!!!
Congratulations, and thank you for allowing us into this exciting journey.
Please put me on the list as well.
Congrats!! I can hardly wait to read……
Congratulations! I have the chills for you and haven’t even been reading your blog for very long.
Three books! Fantastic.
Awesome!
Congratulations! Please add me to your writing email list. Your book sounds great!
Congratulations!
Rachael! That is so WONDERFUL!
Please put me on your email list, I will want to know more as your baby comes closer to being presented to the rest of the world.
HOORAY!
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so very excited for you. Seeing someone’s dream come true is so fabulous. Thank you for letting us share in your journey.
and please, please, please convince your editor to make it Kindle friendly!
Congratulations! I’m so excited for you. Please add me to the list, I definitely don’t want to miss getting a copy in 2010.
Holy freakin’ cow!!!!!!
I am so incredibley amazingly ecstatically happy for you I can’t even spell!!!
Congrats a ton!
Holy.Fucking.Crap. DUDE!!!!!!!!!
YAY!!!!!!!!!!
I’m proud o’ ya. Yer Little Mama would be too!!!
AWESOME! And, yes, the time will fly by.
May each day for you be filled with this much joy and love. May your belief in yourself never be any lower than it has been made by this news. You have earned this.
You are an inspiration and, though many of us may only ever “know” you through your blog, our happiness for you and elation that ‘one of our own’ is achieving her dream is no less than if we knew you irl.
I’m so thrilled for you. Congratulations!
OMG! OMG! That’s SO awesome! Congratulations!
Yay! What great news! I’m so happy for you!
Rachael, I apparently don’t have your email on my laptop but it’s almost 9:00 on Friday morning and we’re headed to Tartine for breakfast. If you’re not working, send me an email and I’ll give you my cell phone number. I’d love to buy you a celebratory cup of coffee!
Wooooooooooooohoooooooooooooo! That is SO EXCITING! I am pround and jealous. 😀 Definitely add me to your list. Congratuations!!
Yeah! This is very exciting news! Not a one, but a three book deal! Awesome! Add me to your list. I sure hope the PR/marketin person assigned to your book tour schedules you for Denver – I’d love to come to your reading at the Tattered Cover and cheer you on!
Oh my goodness, Rachael – I am so happy for you! You’ve worked so hard for this, and it is a reward that you so greatly deserve! You can bet your sweet bippy that I’ll be buying “Eliza’s Cottage AS SOON AS it’s available! Yay!
I am so freaking excited for you!!! Just when I was thinking the world sucked and nothing works out for anyone, you got this incredible deal!!! Yeah!!! So proud of you!!!
Yay! Yay! Yay! I’m so happy for you! THREE BOOKS! You GO!
Late to the party (didn’t read blogs last night) but holy moly! Congratulations!!!! Yay Rachael!!! *hugs*
Congratulations! What wonderful news 🙂
This is beyond awesome! Excellent news, petal. Well done indeed.
I am so very happy for you and your much deserved success. I can hardly wait till 2010 to ready your novel. I wish you the best, always.
OK, so last person to read the wonderful news (I was off the planet for only a minute)is still teary. Congratulations, job well done, we all knew you had it in ya kid, etc!!!!! This is truly a thrill, I get to say, “Hey, I read her when……..”
Congratulations, ya got what it takes!
Yeah, baby!!!
Oh. my. god.
That is so amazingly cool. I can’t even get more words out to say how awesome it is!
Absolutely add me to your list.
Congratulations, Rachel!!! That’s such exciting news!! Please do put me on your writing e-mail list. I’d love to see you book(s) when it comes out!
And working in (medical) publishing myself, I promise that 2010 and publication really will be here before you know it — and there’s all kinds of interesting things to be done along the way to get there.
Rachael, OMG, I am so excited for you! This is FANTASTIC!!! 😀 😀 😀 Congratulations, girl, you deserve it. (And your Mom knows about it. Trust me.)
Congrats!
Sign me up!
HoooYaah! YaaaaHoooo! Yippee!
Put me on your list please.
(happy happy happy faces!)
(I get to read your boooks!)
YAY YOU!!!! That is AWESOME! Can’t wait for Spring 2010 – congratulations!!!!
Congratulations – you deserve it, and somehow I knew this was coming after you came so close in the contest. Yay! And do add me to your list – I can’t wait!
Bravo! Did you hear the delighted squeal all the way from CT?
DUDE! That is about a bazillion light years past AWESOME.
Congratulations!
/throws confetti in the air. Dogs are nonplussed/
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am absolutely and completely thrilled about this (but I already told you that) I got goose bumps reading (even though it wasn’t brand new). You are my brand new hero (even though you basically already were) Congratulations again and again and again!!! And, yes, I am confident that your little mama would have (and somewhere is) been as proud as a mother could possibly be! (Just one more set of parens for the road) Have a GREAT time at your reading and the Nano event tomorrow!
OMG congratulations, Rachael!! I’m SO excited for you! Having read your blog for a few years now, I really feel like I’ve known you through this journey and this is a lovely development! Congrats, again!!
WOW!!! Holy Moly!!! Congratulations!!! You deserve this!!! I ABSOLUTELY want to be on that e-mail list about the book!!!
😀
WOOHOOOOO Congrats! Your such an inspiration…I can’t wait to read it.
So Happy for you
OH and add me to that list….Thanks
Holy crap! How did I miss this last night??? Congratulations and add me to your email list!
Dang i am late to the party as usual but girl! CONGRATULATIONS!! Just over the moon for you!
Congratulations Rachel!! Please put me on your list. Can hardly wait for your books to come out! Will be an exciting read. Your Dad, and Mom, too, are so proud. Me, too.
Marjorie Miller
I’m only a lurker, and here I am tearing up & getting chills – the works! OK, I’m PMS-ey. But STILL.
I want to buy your book! Please put me on the list.
Many heartfelt congrats!
Rachael, I am one of the TGHS “Old Girls” who emailed you after Jan’s death and was very touched by your reply. Sometimes (stating the obvious) I read your blog. Congratulations on your stupendous new which I have just circulated to some of the others. I am not the first here to say I am sure Jan knows and is as proud of you as all the others.
Squee!! Please add me to that writing email list. I can’t wait to find out what happens. I’m so happy for you!
Congratulations!! Please add me to your email list.
RACHAELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Your post made me cry, I am SO EFFING HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!! So proud of you too – you worked so hard on that book and look where it got you.
You deserve this, lady.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
Also, of course I want to be on the list! 🙂
oh my!!!!! I have goose bumps and shivers and I am oh so happy for you. Not just a book deal but a three book deal! and a bidding war. You are a very talented writer (and hard-working, too) – glad to see the world is recognizing that (and a big name publisher, too!!). My most heartfelt congrats!
OhmyGodOhmyGod!! I am so excited for you!! Congratualtions!! Totally, totally add me to your email list; I can’t wait to pre-order your book! Yay for Rachael!!!!
Congratulations, Rachael! I was excited to hear your news…you might have thought *I* was the one who had received a three-book deal! Put me on the list–I’d like to hear how everything progresses (and when the book will be coming out!).
YES! So very proud to have known you when. I look forward to the release and I not even a romance reader.
Woo and hoo! I’m so happy for you! You must be on Cloud 9! Totally awesome. Definitely have me on the list for when your novel comes out. I can’t wait to read it. You had me hooked when you put your novel up for that contest. I totally wanted to read the rest of it after that point!
Wow! Thanks for showing me some of what goes on as the books I love are born. I feel like I’m in the delivery room:) Add me to your list for sure. This book is going to be a best seller before it’s even out!!
OM fucking G!I’m crying. You are my personal Jesus. I am sooo happy for you.
Congratulations.
so.freaking.exciting!
congrats, sweets.
Congratulations Rachel!! That’s awesome!
Love,
Jacci H. (Your cousin).
Congratulations!!! Yes, please add me to your list. I can’t wait to read the whole thing. I loved the teaser chapters from the Gather contest.
OMFG!!!! I was busy turning 59 this weekend so I just got around to my blog reading. CONGRATULATIONS, DEAR!!! I am so excited for you. Getting your book published is good, but a three book deal? Yipee!!! I want to squeal with glee, but it’s not even 5am and I don’t want the neighbors to kill me.
I am so happy for you. ( I am Val’s daughter) My mom has been telling me how much she loves to read your blogs. I cant wait to read you book.
OMG. dude. that is such amazing news!! Congrats a million times! yayayayayay! and also, add me to your list!
Oh, What great news. I am so proud of you and happy for your success.
Please add me to the list.
Warm regards to you and your family.
DUDE! That is SO AWESOME! Congratulations, you published author, you.
Dude! Congratulations! Yet further proof that you rock!
Add me to the email list…and congratulations, girlie!!
Congratulations! And please add me to your writing email list – I won’t want to miss the book’s debut!
OMG, I’m so late to the party, I haven’t been online in days. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Do you know how rare it is for a publisher to accept an unsolicited manuscript?? (very rare). Sweet Lavendar Lord – you must feel on top of the world right now and you deserve every minute of it!
here i am late to the party as usual. duh.
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!
Congratulations! Well done! Please add me to your “publicity” list! (Ain’t that grand?!)