Thursday, November 12, 2009

Book contract for Dogsled Dreams

After exhibiting extreme self-discipline waiting until the contract was signed before I shared the news with you, my moment is finally here.

In the past year I received 20 agent rejections, 12 publisher rejections, 6 partial request, 2 full requests and one cancelled contract. I was beginning to think I had more chance at winning the lottery than getting a book published by a traditional publisher. But persistence pays off.

I wish to announce my middle grade novel, Dogsled Dreams will be released in February, 2011 by 4RV Publishing!

Soon I'll be starting the process of working with the editor, making revisions and doing rewrites. I'll be researching and working on marketing and book promotion. And I'll be learning how Canadian taxes work with an American publisher.

Then it won't be long until my next moment - holding my debut novel in my hands. But for now, I'm celebrating.

I'm shakin' my bon bon in the middle of the grocery store. I'm wearing glitter, toe socks and enormous hats. I'm buying six new books. I'm doing the Mambo No.5 across the inconvenient beaver dam that has appeared on my hiking trail. I'm singing "I like to move it, move it" at the top of my voice as I drive. And of course, there's brownies...

30 comments:

Jennifer Walkup said...

CONGRATS!!! I can't wait to read it!:)

Janet said...

That is wonderful! I went over to their sight a few days ago, I thought I would submit one of my stories and then I saw where they weren't accepting any more children's manuscripts until sometime next year. congratulations!

Caroline Starr Rose said...

Wow, wow, wow! How amazing is that?? I'll read it, too.

Natalie said...

Wow, CONGRATULATIONS!!! What a wonderful accomplishment! I'm very happy for you!

Anna Staniszewski said...

Amazing news - congrats!!

Donna McDine said...

Terry Lynn:

Wonderful! Congratulations!

Warm regards,
Donna

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Congratulations!!! Never give up on a dream, Terry.

Heather said...

I am so happy for you... Congratulations! Persistence certainly pays off... not to mention, your writing is worth publishing!

Vivian Zabel said...

4RV is glad to add Terry to our family of authors and illustrators.

We are still accepting manuscripts for everything except children's picture books.

Vivian

Aidana WillowRaven said...

I am looking forward to working with your book (I'm 4RVs art director).

Welcome to the family.

Aidana WillowRaven

Jackie said...

Yahoo!!!!
I knew her when she could beat the pants off me in backstroke... wait a minute....
you deserve this, it is going to be a great ride, and I am glad I bought a ticket to watch!!!!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to get my copy! This is such a thrilling time for you and I'm the one in the cheering section jumping up and down.

Unknown said...

Congratulations, Terry! I'm so doing the mambo No. 5 and eating those brownies with you!!! Looking forward to reading your book.

out of the wordwork said...

Congratulations, TerryLnn!!! There's no better feeling in the world, is there?
Wishing you much, much success!
Nelsa

Jm Diaz said...

Outstanding! Many, many congratulations... Besides the wonderful news for you, it gives me hope that there is still a window (no matter how small) of chance to get new books published.

Again, I congratulate you on seeing your hard work through.

Alison Ashley Formento said...

Your story of submissions, rejections and finally a contract for your book is an inspiration. It'll be great to share with all the kids you meet at author visits and signings. Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading Dogsled Dreams.

Nikki S said...

Congratulations!

And thank you for posting a comment on my blog.
I am curious... I have two Alaskan Husky sisters, Ananke and Kaya whom you can see photos of if you visit my website www.nikkisartroom.com.

I live in Ohio, isn't enough snow for them to be sled dogs, but they are the best dogs I have ever owned.

I will certainly be looking forward to this book!

Tara McClendon said...

Wondeful news! Horray! *Doing a happy dance*! I'm glad you hung in there. Wahooo!!! And if you don't have a wonderful weekend after all this cheering, I guess we'll have to do it again on Monday. :]

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Wow! Thank you to all who commented and shared in my excitement! I LOVE the support from the children's writers' community and my blogger friends!

Jamie D. said...

Amazing news - many congrats!! :-)

Lauren M. Hunter said...

Oh wow, congratulations!!! This is so exciting!

LeSan said...

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY DANCE!!!

Girlfriend you are going to have to stop with all this fantastic news. I'm getting plumb tuckered out with all this Happy Dancing. I am so incredibly excited for you. Blast these limited words and their failure to jump up and down. You are an inspiration to all writers. CONGRATULATIONS!
Brownies for one and all!
PS. the glitter and toe socks were a nice touch. LOL

Christina Farley said...

Such great news. You must be totally thrilled!

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Congratulations! What a great thing.

PJ Hoover said...

This is fantastic! Huge! Congratulations. I am so happy for you!
Keep us updated on all the going-ons.

Dana Elmendorf said...

That is so awesome! It will feel even better when you can hold your baby in your hands. Congrats!

Mary Witzl said...

Great news! I can only imagine how you must feel. Even little victories are huge in this business, and this is a BIG victory! Have a lot of brownies!

Love the turtle, btw. And I'm a big fan of frogs too -- and lizards.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Congratulations! Outstanding! Vundabar! (I think that's German for wonderful.) What a wonderful journey you are embarking on. Thanks for sharing your stats. :)

Stephen Macquignon said...

Welcome to 4RV

Vivian Zabel said...

By the way, Terry, Stephen is one of our illustrators, a wonderful one.

Vivian