Once upon a time a young writer started querying her
finished novel to publishers and agents. She finished two more novels, and
queried those projects too. Although she got many full requests and very
helpful feedback, all the rewrites in the world didn’t what she she
so wanted—someone who loved her stories as much as she did. Someone who would
help her make it shine bright and deliver it to the world's readers. And then one day, her dream came true!
Okay so she wasn’t all that young, but the rest of the story
is totally true! ;-)
The person who loved my book as much as I did is fabulous
editor Cat Clyne. She picked me out of the slush pile and saw something in my
immortal Vikings that made her want to shape my story into a proper novel. The
book had been rejected 47 times by then. I had rewritten it several times using
the feedback I’d gotten from some of those rejections, but that input was very
limited compared to what Cat sent me. She included a broad overview of how to
shape the story better and a detailed list of how to focus the plot and sharpen
the characters. Do this, she said, and send it to me again. I immediately set
to work. Fast forward a few months and a Golden Heart nomination and
Sourcebooks offered me a three book contract. (If you want the details of those
months, I blogged about it on my site a while back and included animated gifs. J)
That summer at the Romance Writers of America’s national
conference, I met Cat for the first time, some of the rest of the Sourcebooks
team, and a bunch of their authors. Even though the ink on my contract was only
a month dry, everyone was super welcoming and wonderfully helpful. After the
Sourcebooks author dinner, we traveled back to the hotel in horse drawn
pumpkins. No really, we did! I’m not making this up! That whole conference, I
felt like Cinderella and the pumpkins on wheels just confirmed that I was
finally invited to dance at the ball.
Yesterday my debut novel, VIKING WARRIOR RISING, became a
finalist in both the Best First Book and the Paranormal RITA categories. The
romance community did what it always does, celebrated the triumphs of the
finalists and shared in the joy by supplying endless congratulations and much
love. The Sourcebooks authors and publishing team was no different. There are
five Sourcebooks finalists this year, spanning five categories: Romantic
Suspense, Historical Long, Historical Short, Paranormal, and Best First Book.
And the whole company and its authors went nuts on social media. I’m still
trying to catch my breath.
So thank you all you romance lovers: other authors, publishing professionals, and all the readers. Thank you for loving my
immortal Vikings and Valkyries as much as I do. No words can describe how
humbled and grateful I am for this honor.
Love always,
Ã…sa
Huge congratulations!! So happy for you! What a journey! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! And thank you for your great advice and share of information. I really appreciate it.
DeleteWhat a fabulous story! Congrats, Asa!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And HUGE congratulations to you!
DeleteYay, congratulations. Have fun and enjoy the ride. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sally! You were the very first Sourcebook author I met at the San Antonio conference. I think we were sitting at the same table in the Golden Heart retreat. :-)
DeleteCongrats, Asa!! I think this means Vikings rule --among other things :-)
ReplyDeleteGina, my friend, you have such great advice on everything--including Vikings. I'm so grateful for your support and mentoring! VIKINGS FOREVER! :-)
DeleteAww, Asa. You've made all verklempt!
ReplyDeleteI remember well the glitter bomb of goodness I felt when I read your submission. Immortal Viking warriors + genetically enhanced super-soldier kickass heroine + danger + snarky dialogue + sizzling chemistry = total no-brainer.
I’m so thrilled to see your fabulous book getting the attention it so richly deserves. What an honor—TWO RITA nominations!! I'm so happy to be working with you and looking forward to making lots more magic together in the future.
San Diego is gonna be so much fun.
Hugs,
Cat
I'm so lucky to be working with you! And yes, much more magic and much more celebrations! :-)
DeleteSo excited for you, Asa!Congratulations!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Terri! That means a lot!
DeleteCongratulations! I can't wait to get my hands on your book =D
ReplyDelete