Last night we had our first live chat session and Kendra told us about a recent acquisition. She was riding home on the subway and overheard another passenger telling a friend about her novel. Kendra walked up to the writer, introduced herself as an editor, and asked if she could have a look at the manuscript.
Now, if it was me, I would have been looking for the hidden cameras. I mean, stuff like that isn't supposed to happen in real life, is it?
Well, the author's agent sent the book to Kendra the next day. She read it that night and gave it to her publisher the following day. They made an offer the following week.
Seriously. It happened that fast.
So the two things I took away from this:
- Having an agent helps move the process along. Kendra specifically said that she read the manuscript more quickly because it came from a very highly regarded agency and she knew it would go out to a lot of high profile editors.
- It pays to talk about what you're writing to whoever will listen! So talk it up! LOUDLY!
But that's not all.
I signed up for this class back in October. At the time, Media Bistro was running some contest that I was unaware of. Over the Christmas break, I got an email telling me I had won. The prize arrived on Friday...
Can you stand it? Not only do I get to be in this fabulous class, THEY GAVE ME A FREAKING KINDLE!!!
Yeah, life is good :)
33 comments:
OMG! That is freaking awesome!!! Go to a class AND get a Kindle?! COOL!
(Also: I so agree--having an agent really does speed the process up. It's like already knowing the combination to the lock, wihtout having to figure out how to break in.)
Congratulations! How fun!
Things are really aligning in your favor...time to get some stuff out there!!!
I think an on-line writing class sounds so cool. Love to hear more about it.
This is so awesome! Great story and Kindle! Wahoo!
My sister just sent me a Kindle for my birthday, so now we can compare notes.
What an amazing story! Wow! It's so funny that stuff like that really does happen!
And awesome Kindle. So cool!
Seriously? I mean, who does that actually happen to?!?!?! AND, LUCKY YOU to win a Kindle. Hooray - I think 2010 is your year :D
That is an amazing story! I'm going to have to ride more subways. I love hearing about stories like that. Wow! And enjoy the kindle!
COngrats! What I great prize! I almost signed up for classes at Medie Bistro as well; we could have been classmates! Let us know how you like it and maybe I'll get my act together for the next offering.
Wow! Congrats ON THAT! Give us a review on the Kindle soon!
OMG! That is the coolest story, Sherrie - on many levels. I guess we should all carry a copy of our manuscripts with us everywhere we go. Start looking for bigger handbags, ladies (except Shannon, since she has Roget)! :-)
Oh, my gosh! First, the whole subway/editor story--aah! That's so exciting! Then the free Kindle?! Yay! Congrats!
I'm super lucky, too. I won a great book from a really cool blog called "Write About Now"! Hee! :)
Beth: I like that analogy! Sometimes I do feel like I'm trying to break in!
Rebecca: It is fun! But being a cheapskate I've only downloaded free books so far ;)
Shelley: I think I'll do a post specifically about the class because so far it's pretty cool.
Vivian: Nice sister! I'd love to compare notes :)
PJ: Isn't that just crazy? A total Cinderella story!
Tess: Lucky author, huh? Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I'm liking 2010 so far!
Laura: Yeah, made me wish I had a subway nearby!
Yat-Yee: One of my critique buddies is in a class with Jill Santopolo so it's been fun to compare notes.
Glam: I will review the Kindle for sure!
Shannon: Definitely TALK about your writing, but let your agent send it in. That's what worked for the author :)
Dawn: I guess there's plenty of luck to go round!
Both stories: Blew my mind! Do those things really happen?! Win a Kindle, have an editor eavesdropping. Media Bistro is the new happiest place on Earth.
Holy brown cows!! That is amazing! The story, the kindle, the class. You're totally on a roll. I feel good things for you!
What an exciting story!
Sherrie!! You're on a roll, friend! Congrats. on the Kindle. And that subway story is pretty amazing. Thanks for sharing it.
That is awesome! But..uh..I'm a tad jealous..is that ok? ;0)
1. LOVE that story. That is just badass.
2. KINDLE!!! HOORAH! Congrats on the big win! Can't wait to hear what you think!
Oooo exciting stuff all around! Congrats on getting hooked up with a great class and free kindle!
Wow and wow! I guess being at the right place at the right time does pay off, in book contracts and in Kindles. :-)
Hello??? Can I have some of that good luck? Huge congrats on the Kindle. The class sounds great too!
Okay. You just should not be allowed to win a freakin' awesome contest if you DON'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT IT!! But, I'll allow. Just this once ;)
And WOW. Sure wish one of those freak-of-nature things would happen to me. *sigh*
I can dream, right?
Wheee!!! That's so awesome, Sherrie. Congrats. :)
and you didnt even know about the contest! whaaaat!
Great inspirational post!
Hey I just stopped by your blog. I hope 2010 brings you ton of success.
Yes! Life is good! Enjoy the class and the Kindle.
What an amazing story about that author and the editor. I must ride subways more often...
*drooling*
WHOA!! That is awesome. And, what a great class.
Put the subway story out of your mind . . . it's just not fair!
Yay Sherrie. You go girl!
Seriously? A Kindle? I'm so jealous! A lady from my critique group is also doing a Media Bistro class with Kendra. It looks really great. Can't wait to hear what you think.
Hint: Hope you post about it!
I need posts like this every so often. Yay!!
Shannon @book dreaming sent me over, and I'm so glad I came! What an awesome story!! I do talk about my book all the time, everywhere. :)
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