Monday, November 1, 2010

Another Door Opens

As many of you know, I've been writing full time and submitting my work for three years. The first year, I was full of excitement and hope. The second year, I was determined to improve my writing craft and build my online presence. The third year? Well, this year was tough.

I knew my writing was growing based on feedback from my wonderful critique group (Wendy P. Miller, Terri Tiffany, and Cindy R. Wilson) and a few dear author friends (thanks Jody Hedlund and Brenda Minton!), but I couldn't help but wonder if my craft had improved enough.

Then came worse thoughts, what if it would never be good enough?

Many of you are writers too. You've been writing, studying, going to conferences, submitting your work, blogging, and praying--always praying--that someday you'll get beyond the rejections.

So I'm announcing this from a humble and grateful place.

I have an agent. (I'm refraining from my customary exclamation points, but it is difficult.)

Yes, I just signed a contract with Books & Such Literary Agency and am now represented by the amazing Rachel Kent, formerly Rachel Zurakowski.



I will say there were tears involved. I will also say that hearing nice words about my work practically stopped my heart, and I'm considering investing in a home defibrillator. Those paddles would have come in handy.

If you are a writer and sometimes wonder if you'll ever get to the next level, don't give up. Hold on to each thread of hope.

Join me on Wednesday to kick-off November's topic: Plateaus.

68 comments:

  1. SO happy for you Jill!!! HUGE congrats! Can't wait to see what God has in store for your writing in the future!

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  2. I'll say it again: Such incredible news! Congratulations!

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  3. Let those exclamation points fly, woman!

    This is your time to shine!

    I'm so excited for you, proud of you and eager to watch your journey continue.

    (and you look so pretty in that pic.!)

    Love! You!
    Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    See, I didn't refrain. ;)
    ~ Wendy

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  4. Awesome! Congrats! So exciting!!! :O)

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  5. CONGRATULATIONS!!! How exciting! I'm SOOO happy for you, Jill!

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  6. This is so wonderful! After all that uncertainty -- what a gift!

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  7. Yipee!!!!!! I won't refrain from exclaimation points!

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  8. WOOT!!!!! Congrats, Jill!
    What a wonderful step in your writing career!

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  9. Jill, that's amazing!! Congratulations, that's so exciting & lovely to hear from someone who put so much thought, time and work into her writing.

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  10. What amazing news, you must be so, so happy with this accomplishment! A huge congratulations to you, and I hope you'll share your journey to this place in future posts, I'd love to hear the story. I am SO raising my coffee cup in a toast to your success ... Cheers :)

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  11. Good morning!!

    Katie: Thanks! I can't wait to see what His plan for me is either!

    Constance: Thank you SO much! You keep me sane, woman!

    Wendy: You're a treasure to me. Thank you for sharing this!! (I forced my poor son, again, to take the picture. I'll pay for his therapy someday...:)

    Diane: Thank you!!

    Karin: Thank you!!

    Caroline: A gift is exactly how I would describe it. Thanks so much!

    CJ: Thanks!!

    Lynn: Keep those exclamation marks comin'! Thanks!

    Jennifer: Thank you!!

    Kelly: I appreciate those kind words. Thank you!

    Joanne: *clink* Just raised my coffee cup. Thank you so much!

    Thank you, everyone, for your encouragement. I appreciate you all so much!!

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  12. Praise God! So glad I stopped outta the cave to read this!

    May God really use this new partnership to grow you and your work!!!!

    Patti

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  13. That is fantastic news, Jill! Congratulations. I'm so excited for you. I can't wait to hear more about the new leg of your journey. God bless!

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  14. You Sooooooooooo deserve this Jill. Big congrats!

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  15. SUCH GREAT NEWS!!! So excited for you, and like everyone else has said...SO DESERVED! Hope you can take the time and enjoy it for a bit...let it marinate ;) Congrats, lady!

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  16. Congratulations, Jill! That's fabulous!!!!!!

    I hope you're Squeeeeeeiiiinnngggg!

    I've heard the best writing news from friends this weekend. It makes me so happy!

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  17. VERY Exciting news, Jill!! and a few extra exclamation points never hurt anyone...so exclaim away! :)

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  18. We all have enough exclamation points in the comments for you!! :D

    Jill, I am so, so, so happy for you and this next step in your journey. You're an amazingly talented writer and I'm excited for all that lies ahead.

    Congratulations!!

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  19. Gee, this feels like the best Monday ever! You are all SO supportive!

    Patti: Couldn't have said it better myself. Thanks!

    Ralene: Thank you!!

    Melissa: Thanks!!

    Em: Thank you!!

    Beth: Marinating--great term! Thanks!

    Erica: Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement this year. You kept my hope up. :)

    Kristi: I agree!! Bring on the exclamation points!

    Cindy: Thank you. You and the other gals were instrumental to this. I love you guys!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  20. Oh, Jill! I'm so incredibly excited for you! I saw it first on Twitter and couldn't get over to your blog fast enough to get more of the story.

    Congratulations!!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear more of your journey. I know it will be an amazing one. And I can't wait to read those books!

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  21. Congratulations! That is *terrific* news. :-) You are going places, for sure. YAY!!!!

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  22. Congratulations! That's great news :D Nothing like forward progress to start the month!

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  23. Heather: I could give you a big hug right now! Then we'd probably jump up and down a little, yes? :) Thank you!

    Weronika: Thank you! And congratulations on your big year. You must be so excited to BE an agent!

    Georgiana: You know it! Thank you so much!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  24. Yay!!! Yippee!!! Whoo-hoo!!! (I'm using exclamation points for you today!) :-)

    I knew you'd do it! :-) And I'm absolutely thrilled for you and so glad that you hung in there!

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  25. Heard the news via Jody Hedlund's tweet so had to stop in to add my congratulations. I'm so happy that your patience and perseverance paid off. God's timing is always perfect. I'm looking forward to finding your name among my favourites on the bookshelves. :)

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  26. YAY!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!

    I'm so happ and excited for yuo. What wonderful news!

    And I definitely want to hear more about how it happened, how much you screamed, and what the next step is for you :)

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  27. Yay, Jill!! Congrats!! I'm very happy for you. :-) :-) :-)

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  28. A prayer answered!!! Woo hoo!!!!!!! I'm jumping up and down for you girl!!! What a great way to start a brand new month. I hope you never stop smiling!!! More details please!!!

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  29. Awesome news, Jill! Way to persevere through hard times. Good luck landing a great contract.

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  30. Jill, So thrilled for you, hon. You deserve this. Proud of you!!

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  31. Congratulations!!!!!!! So much good news while I was away.

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  32. I heard the good news from Rachel (my agent too!!) in Monterey - and she's awfully excited too :)Congratulations! You will love Rachel and Books & Such.

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  33. Congratulations, it's always great to see someone come out on top after perservering.

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  34. JILL!!!!!!! CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How exciting!!!!!!!!!

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  35. Woo hooo!!! That is awesome. I am so excited for you:)

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  36. Congratulations Jill!!! So happy for you.

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  37. Congratulations!!!! It's so nice to hear all the good news in the blogosphere these last few weeks! :)

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  38. Congratulations, Jill. I'm sooo happy for you!

    How did you celebrate this milestone event?

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  39. Jody: Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'm very thankful to have you in my life.

    Rachel: Welcome, and thank you for celebrating with me!

    Carol: Welcome! I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thanks!

    MeganRebekah: I would love to say I screamed, but there really wasn't any air in the lungs for that! Ha! Thank you!!

    Paul: Thank you! And I love the extra smileys!

    T.Anne: Yeah, the goofy grin is probably scaring the neighbors! Thank you!

    Jennifer Lane: Welcome! Thanks for joining the celebration!!

    Jenna: Thank you! This book would not have a title without you!! You are awesome!!

    Susan M: Thanks, and I'm glad you're back!!

    Sarah S: What a nice surprise! Thank you! I'm looking forward to reading your WWII series!

    Patti: Thank you! The persevering part is so hard. I appreciate you coming by.

    Wendy: Thanks!! Good luck with NaNo this month!!

    Kara: Thank you!!

    Carrie Dair: Welcome, and thank you!!

    Roni: Thank you! It IS wonderful to hear all the good news!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  40. Keli: Oh thank you for coming over!! Sadly, we celebrated with McDonald's. What can I say? There's nothing like McD's fries!
    I did think of you and your sweet tea, though!

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  41. CONGRATULATIONS!! That's such awesome news. Good on you for working so hard.

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  42. Melissa: Thank you very much! I'm so glad you stopped by!

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  43. Hi Jill -

    Congratulations!

    Your success gives the rest of us hope. :)

    Blessings,
    Susan

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  44. A BIG Congratulations to you, Jill! How exciting to have an agent representing your work! I'm looking forward to hearing lots of good news about the upcoming book deals! God bless you!! :)

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  45. Huge congratulations, Jill, from a fellow Michigander!!! So happy for you.

    God is good! Sue Harrison

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  46. Oh, Jill! I'm so happy and excited for you! How wonderful to have someone like Rachel behind you. Congratulations!!!!

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  47. Oh, I'm so, so excited for you! I can put exclamations here, right???

    I've always known you'd get there. You've always struck me as a very determined and hard worker. Congrats!!! :D

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  48. Oh my goodness! I am so excited for you! Congratulations!

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  49. Wow, I think this is the most subdued post I've seen about landing an agent, LOL. Congratulations!!!

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  50. Susan JR: Thank you! God has a plan for each of us, and I constantly reminded myself that He would let me know when!

    Maria: Thank you! I can't even think that far ahead!!

    QuietSpirit: Thanks!

    Sue: Welcome! Hasn't Michigan been gorgeous this fall? Love it! And thank you!

    Sharon: Thanks! I told my kids about your bumblebee dog and clown kitty--they loved it!

    Michelle: Thank you! And a big congrats right back at you. You've had a fab fall!!

    Sherrinda: Thank you!!

    Sarah F: Yeah, subdued isn't a word usually used to describe me! :) Thank you!!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  51. Jill - that is so awesome!!!! Congratulations! Wow! May your day, your agent, and your writing be blessed just as you are a blessing!

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  52. Wonderful!!! I am doing the happy dance in my chair, honey. I'm so proud of you for not giving up!!!

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  53. Oh, congratulations. You've earned it. I'm so happy for you.

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  54. Congratulations! That is wonderful news! So happy for you. Looking forward to hearing about your journey as it continues. :)
    Blessings,
    Karen

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  55. Oh, Jill, I'm weeping at work. I'm glad it's lunchtime! But this is the most inspiring post EVER.

    A huge CONGRATS! for you. I know what this feels like in every way. *hugs*

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  56. Thanks :)
    --
    http://www.miriadafilms.ru/ купить фильмы
    для сайта jillkemerer.blogspot.com

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  57. Tyrean: Thank you! You can bet this day, out of the 365 blessings, is a big one!!

    Jen: Happy Dancing for me? Yay! I'm sending virtual chocolate truffles to you in return! Thank you!!

    Cassandra: Thank you so much!

    Karen L: Thank you! I appreciate the encouragement!

    Elana: No weeping--unless you're shopping, and then I'm tossing you a soda!! No seriously, thank you very, very much. I feel the same way.

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  58. JILL! HUGE HUGE HUGE congrats! That's wonderful news and I know that it will only lead to more good news. I'm so proud of you!! Can't wait to see your book at Barnes & Noble.

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  59. Woohoowoohoowhoooooooo! :-)

    Rachel was the first person to ever ask me for a partial and I met her at the conference. She seems super nice and I hope you two have a long, prosperous relationship!!! :-)

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  60. How wonderful that you have an agent. And I almost missed this because I was posting on the "wrong" day. Congratulations. Next step - straight ahead.

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  61. JILL...CONGRATULATIONS! This is so huge! I'm sooooo happy for you! I feel terrible that I didn't read this until days later. And Books and Such is such an amazing agency. I think you'll be a perfect fit for each other.

    Your hard work will continue to pay off, and your generous spirit continues to motivate and encourage other writers.

    A huge, hearty, and heartfelt Congratulations. What news!

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  62. Erin: Thank you!! I love that thought!

    Jessica: How wonderful! I'm really excited to work with her. I think our personalities will be a great fit!

    Nancy: Thank you so much!

    Linda: Thanks!

    Julie M: Thank you so much--what a beautiful thing to say. I appreciate it!

    Thanks so much for stopping by!

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  63. JILL! I'll use enough exclamation points for the both of us!!!!!! I can't believe this!!!! I'M SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!!!!!!!! I was over at Cindy's place and like to fell outta my chair.!!!!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Nice pic!!!!!!! *hugs* Throws TONS of confetti. :)

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  64. Congratulations! One more step accomplished.

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