You guys! This is the really big one!
I sold my book.
Well, Carrie, my amazingly smart and fashionable agent sold my book– and FINALLY, we can announce our thrilling secret to the world. (You have no idea how much it’s hurt to keep this news to myself for the past 11 days, 13 hours and four minutes.)
I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I’ll be working on ARROWS with Wendy Loggia, Executive Editor for Random House Children’s Books/Delacorte Press. (RANDOM HOUSE. The largest general-interest trade book publisher in the world. This is all sinking in, little by little …)
Wendy’s edited a ton of brilliant authors, such as:
- Libba Bray
- Ann Brashares
- Lauren Kate
- Lauren Morrill
- Sarah Mylinowski
- Alison Cherry
- And more! Check out Teens@Random to browse all the titles published by Random House. Treat yourself and buy a book!
This moment is a dream come true. (Swap out the title below.)
There are so many people to thank.
Firstly, I would not be writing this post without the incredible support of my husband, Shea.
(Photo from our first year dating. Aw! That’s 11 years ago.)
When I told him I wanted to quit my day job and write books, he said, “Okay. I think you can do it.” This process would have taken me twice as long–probably longer–if he hadn’t agreed to take a risk.
He’s my first reader, my biggest fan and the best husband a girl could ask for. I love you, babe! We’re going to enjoy every second of this success, because we earned it, together.
* * *
Thanks to my agent, Carrie, who helped me revise with tons of patience and insight. She’s as sweet as she is smart, and a true joy to work with.
To Brenda Drake and Sharon Johnston, who helped bring Carrie and I together during #PitMad.
Thanks to Nate, who inspired the idea for a cupid book in the first place. (Shea and I are visiting you soon for more inspiration, so get ready.)
To my beta readers! Tracy, Carmen, Miranda, Susan and Alexa. You guys rock! ARROWS wouldn’t be where it is today without your thoughtful critique and ideas. Thank you so much.
Thanks to Sharon, Molly and Katie, my favorite librarians, for your friendship and encouragement through the years. Remember when you said you want to shelve MY book at the library!? Well, YES, that’s happening … but not until Fall 2015 (at the earliest).
Thanks to my SCBWI writer pals: Linda, Marcia, Susan M., Elizabeth, Heather, Angie, Chris (who am I forgetting?! I love you all!).
Thanks to my step-kids, who have survived this crazy plot as well, along with all my other supportive family members: parents, sisters, brother, in-laws, all of you!
Finally, a quick shout-out to my nieces and nephews, who keep me smiling (and chasing them for kisses). xoxo. Auntie loves you!
I’ll wrap up this post by pasting the blurb from Publisher’s Weekly below. Time to pop the champagne.
“Wendy Loggia at Delacorte has acquired Arrows by debut author Melissa Gorzelanczyk. In the novel, pitched as “Greek mythology meets MTV’s Teen Mom,” a cupid-in-training from Olympus shoots a ballet prodigy with an arrow, realizing too late that the other arrow in his pack is useless, causing a tragically one-sided enchantment. It’s scheduled for fall 2015; Carrie Howland at Donadio & Olson did the deal for world rights.”
Cheers.