Met the publishing team today...

....Check this.
My Bosoms tucked into a semi designer dress, I exit the lift and see around TWENTY people holding champagne and waiting ... for me.

Gulp.

Who knew that so many people were involved in producing a book? Marketing, PR, artists, the list goes on. And I think I met almost all of them. Everyone was so genuinly nice. And then my Editor (ohmigosh, I have an Editor) made a speech.

AND THEN I MADE A SPEECH!

Eek, eek. Actually, I didn't embarress myself too much... just not used to THAT much good stuff being said about me in public. Just had to readress the balance by thanking the publishers for having ME.
And that's real.


And although this is a 'special' situation, it didnt feel sureal at all. It felt real even though everything was so... so... OHIDONTKNOW (words fail me at the mo'...) I just know that I am thrilled right now. And really happy. Is it acceptable to feel H.A.P.P.Y?
Is it politically correct?
Probbaly not.


Throughout the afternoon, the smile on my face was so fixed, I'm sure it's introduced a couple new wrinkles to my eyes.

But who cares?

It was a greeeeaaaat day.
Everyone was so nice (and painstakinly attractive and young, so praps I'd better pull out the wrinkle cream, after all) .

And I'll say it again: watta day!

An hour later, myself Tha Agent and my Editor (yes, Editor) then took a car to a restuarant where we chatted for a couple of hours and ate some nice food.

What a fabulous day.

The bestest bit?; another person telling me my manuscript made them cry.

Wow.


*****************************************************************************
My nephew works nearby, so I went to visit him, still on my emotional high and on the way back, decided to drop into the store of a famous designer - just for the heck of it... You know, check out my lust bag... (did I mention my osession of all things leather and tote?)They didn't have the green so, the loverly and polite assitants insisted on ringing up other branches (I held my breath scared of how I could get out of this mess I was slowly entangling myself into . I mean.. £900!). I let out a gust of mouth wind when he finally announced; "Sorry, Madame, that colour has completely run out." My look said; "What, the green lambs skin leather number, I have lusted after on your website is gone? What to do?"
But my mind said; "Lucky escape."
So, I replied in footballers wife tones; "Oh that's a shame. Thanks anyway!" and promptly legged it.

Perhaps it was my semi designer dress (which the assistant commented on) that made 'em think I was indeed Freddie Lundbergs wife to be.

Anyhows, it was scary and fun... a bit like the publishing game....

Have a loverly bank holiday weekend!

I'm a writer...?

I was out over the weekend with mates. One in particular has taken it upon himself to announce to his collegues/friends "Elle's a writer.." evertime I launch into a spiel about my role as a counsellor...
The amount of times I've said the same thing; "The book's about grief... losing someone..."
Hey, I'm not complaining. I'm really gratefull to be in this position.

Anyhows, for the first time this Friday, I said to a new aquaintence; "I'm a writer..."
And it felt so lovely.
And right.

OHMIGOSH OTHER COUNTRIES ARE INTERESTED!

........ Wow, since The Bookseller article yesterday, publishers from other countries have contacted my agent.
This is lovely.
So lovely.
As usual, I celebrated with a nice peice of plaice (fish) with steamed vegetables and a can of cola.

I told my nan and a couple of friends the news and I'm now looking forward to The Apprentice on TV.

YES I AM EXCITED. Very. This is great and everything (and more) I had hoped for. But I refuse to let anything go to my head.
This kind of attitude helps, especially at work, where I am able to bucklet down to my job as a counsellor.
At times, I do imagine what it would be like to screeeaaaam down the street.
Soon.

I'M IN THE BOOKSELLER ONLINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As of today, the 'announcement' for my book has appeared in The Bookseller online.
It feels so real now.

I have two bosses at work so I told one on monday about the contract and told the other one today. She (and those I have told) was soooo sweet. One thing she said which really stood out was; "When I've talked to you, I always knew there was somthing more to you."
Wow, that was nice.
I still haven't told everyone in my life. I guess I'm a little scared of people's reactions...
What I have started doing though is contacting those I feel have really been instrumental in helping me... if you look back at this Blog, you'll see the lady editor who pushed for me at Hodder many years ago... the manuscript evaluation lady who also helped me.. and others. I have already contacted one and told her the news. She was so great about it and seeme genuinly happy for me. Their support over the years has never been forgotten. Telling me they believed I had talent at a time when many were rejecting most things I wrote....

OHMIGOSH!

Okay.
So I got further confirmation THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING AHEAD!!!!!!!
I'm about to become a PUBLISHED AUTHOR!!!!!!!!!!
I've waited almost eight years for this day. Since I was a sprightly 25 year old thinking she knew it all, that I'd get a deal within months of writing my first ever novel.
We all know what happened there... if not, start at the very beggining of this Blog.

Over the years, I'd told a few friends of my writing, whilst allowing some to think of it merely as a hobby.

It was never a hobby.

It was real to me.

And receiving aknowledgement fom a publisher was somthing I'd dreamt about (during work meetings, in bed, in front of the TV).

As you can see from this Blog there have been many a 'up and down' over the years.
But it has all brought me to today.

I'd just like to thank God for helping me to get here.
It's been long, but so necessary and so worth it.

It's now been a whole week since my agent phoned to tell me the publishers were ineterested and only last night did it really, I mean really sink in... when I saw the email from my Editor (ohmigosh, I now have an Editor) confirming things.

OHMIGOSH!

Friends say I am too calm, still, but trust me, my joy is in here (Elle points to chest) and it's real and all very lovely (I have been using this word alot).

Anyhows, time to go back to the day job... yes, I still have one, did you think I was JK Rowling or something??


PM
Got home from work and my neighbour says; " I have something for you."
It was a bunch of flowers.
Delivered whilst I was at work.(From my publishers! How sweet!) welcoming me to the team....
Wow.
My heart is racing and yes, I'm excited.......

Elle