Heart pounding, I shut my phone off and pushed it away, not in the mood to embrace another rejection. It's ok if I never get published, I told myself and vowed to read the e-mail later when I didn't feel so fragile.
It was only an hour or so later, though, when my curiosity got the better of me. It's ok if I never get published, I reminded myself as I opened up the e-mail. Instinctively, I skipped the first paragraph where they thank you for submitting your manuscript and went straight for the second paragraph, which usually begins with "unfortunately."
The "unfortunately" wasn't there.
Confused, I glanced up at the last sentence of the first paragraph and read the words, "we love it and want to publish it!"
Wait, what?
I didn't leap for joy or suppress squeals of excitement sitting there at my work desk. I honestly thought that someone must be playing a trick on me. I stared at that e-mail, blinking, re-reading, not comprehending how something I had dreamed of for so long could suddenly be happening. There had to be a catch. A twist.
But now, one month, one contract, and 500,000 moments of self-doubt later, I've finally accepted that it's real.
I'm getting published! This cover has MY NAME on it!
In a month or so I will be transitioning over to my new website, www.rachelkirkaldie.com. Until then, I will continue posting here and on my Facebook author page, Rachel Kirkaldie. Check it out for all the latest details, excerpts, and giveaways.
I am so excited about this newest journey in my writing and everyone is invited to come along with me!
Hooray!
The Brown-Eyed Girl
P.S. I have to give a shout-out to Cedar Fort for wanting to publish my stuff!
