The Nicest Day Ever!
Long post warning!
I met up with April Alsup today: 
and later on I saw Karen Schwartz, who was such a delight to meet. 
Karen celebrated her first sale, at auction, after 27 years of writing. 
I also met up with Tess Harrison 
and felt like a complete moron because her name was so familiar to me and yet her face wasn’t. Duh. Blogland.
At the literary signing, I visited tons of authors (and yes, Robyn, I got your book). Here is me with Kristin Hannah: 
Then I went to find Teresa Medeiros. I love her historicals. My favorite is called Yours Until Dawn. Anyway, here is a picture of Teresa and me: 
. Next, I found Debbie Macomber: 
Last, I went to see Susan Elizabeth Phillips. 
I was about to leave, and I thought I’d say goodbye to Julie Cohen (a Mills & Boon author) once again before I left. Guess who’s standing next to her? The goddess of all editors, you know, the one who has worked with me over the past year on my historical His Chosen Bride? Anyway, my heart leaps into my throat and my blood pressure just shot up. “My” editor (please pardon the use of my, since technically she isn’t my editor, but she’s been working with me for a while) is gorgeous, very tall, and very trendy. See the picture here. 
So we’re chatting with Julie and the editor at first has no idea who I am. At last, Julie introduces us, and the editor yells, “Oh my gosh!” and hugs me. I’m thinking…okay, this is probably a good thing. I tell her how grateful I am to her for all her help and revisions. Truly, she saved me years worth of mistakes and I will always be thankful for it. Toward the end of the conversation I asked, “So is the book still sitting on the senior editor’s desk?”
She shakes her head no. Cue the heart attack on my part. Here I am, gearing up for some Really Bad News. 
She said that the senior editor read it, and I almost made her cry at one point in my book. They passed it to the editorial director, who has also now read it. 
Cue the second heart attack.
She said, they like my book, and they have a few more revisions they’d like me to do. I blurted out, “I’m your girl! Whatever changes you want me to make, I’ll do them.” 
She beamed and said, “Great. You’re very, very close. And I’ll work with you to help make it happen.”
SCREAM!!!!!! OMG!!!! THIS IS AN ALMOST-SALE!!!!!! 
I’m supposed to meet with her again tomorrow. Other editorial folks will be there and we’ll chat a bit. Then she’s going to email me a detailed revision letter. I am just praying that these are minor revisions. But no doubt about it, guys. I will make this book work for them. No matter what it takes!
I’ve made it all the way through the editorial chain. Now I just have to do these revisions right and I’m there.
So, here’s popping a virtual bottle of champagne. Blog celebration time!! :drunk::streamer:
Michelle posted in Writing @ 10:35 pm | Viewed 3982 times
LauraP Says:
Yes! Woo hoo! Pass me a glass of the bubbly, and of course we’ll be having more later when they finally make the offer.
Fiona Lowe Says:
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fantastic almost sale news!
And so great you met up with my mate, Karen!
Bonnie Ferguson Says:
:flying:Oh, Michelle!!!!:crazyjumping: That’s so exciting
I’m beyond happy for you and am doing the snoopy dance right now with the Peanuts music played by a cyber orchestra:wave:
Chris Keach Says:
OMG! I’m sooo happy for you! What a wonderful start to your Nationals trip! Congrats on such great news and I cannot wait for day you post that you’ve finally sold!!!!
Melissa Mc Says:
Wonderful news! So I’m assuming that is Jo, right?
Jessica Raymond Says:
That’s so exciting! Fingers crossed for you
Great pics too, by the way.
Anna Lucia Says:
Squeeeeeeeee!!! Oh Michelle, that’s fabulous news! After you’ve worked so hard. Just wonderful.
:crazyjumping:
Tina St. John Says:
Congratulations, Michelle!
What a great post–and awesome news (with more to come, I’m sure!). Just surfed on over from Blogging National, since I’m stuck at home this year. Thanks for posting juicy news and pictures for the rest of us!
Best of luck to you with your ms. Enjoy the conference!
Michelle Says:
Laura–absolutely! Cheers to that.
Fiona–thanks! I really enjoyed meeting Karen.
Melissa–yep, that’s Jo.
Thanks Jessica, Anna, and Tina! It’s been a great conference for me so far.
Margery Says:
Michelle, I’m SO SO SO excited for you!!! You’ve really worked hard, and the payoff is just around the corner!!! You deserve it!!!
Tori Lennox Says:
This is so exciting!!!! I’ve got my fingers tightly crossed!!!!
Evanne Says:
Wow what a serenditious meeting - clearly it was meant to be - can’t wait to celebrate the official sale.
Kathy Holmes Says:
This is way cool! Here’s hoping for awesome news soon!!
Melissa Marsh Says:
MICHELLE!!!! WOW!!! This is so awesome!!! You’re almost there!:goodvibes::goodvibes::goodvibes:
Michelle Styles Says:
Hooray for you!!!! Isn’t Jo wonderful? I am sure the revisions will be very clear and precise, and will strengthen the book. My fingers are crossed very tightly for you.
I am so glad you are having at wonderful RWA conference.
You can SO do this.
Rene Says:
YIKES! You had my heart pounding through that post. I’m so excited for you! And keep the pictures coming.
Fiona Harper Says:
Michelle! That is so fantastic! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Lis Says:
Wow, what wonderful news! Congratultaions :crazyjumping:
beth Says:
Just catching up but woohoo!
That’s most excellent and I’m so excited for you I can hardly breathe. 
Looks like you’re having a fun time, too, which is always awesome.
Yay!
Jean Says:
Outstanding,Michelle!!!!
Jean
jaq Says:
Oh My Goodness, Michelle!!!! Now that I’ve read the whole post, and not just the very abbreviated comment over on SW…. I’m almost speechless with happiness!!! This is wonderful!!!!
Jamie Taylor Says:
Michelle, this is so, so grand! You now have an agent and your manuscrip has made it through the editorial chain. I can’t believe what the editor said. That’s terrifice. Even more so, is that she is willing to work with you to make it happen! Atlanta has certainly been nice to you! Now, just think, in Dallas, I believe to say you’ll have your pink ribbon! WTG, Michelle! Jamie
Jamie Taylor Says:
I apologize for the typos in the previous post. I was so excited, I didn’t proof before “sending!” I am so happy for you! Jamie
Jenna Says:
I LOVE this! Your sale is drawn out so we can all enjoy it!:woot:
Kelly Says:
AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
WOO HOO!!!
This is so awesome! I’m so thrilled for you!
Nicole Reising Says:
Wow!!!! Congrats!!!! How exciting for you! Its always so much fun to read a blog where a writer has been getting good news! The wonderful and excited mood is catchy!
Cole
Flutter Says:
:crazyjumping: Michelle, what fabulous, wonderful, ultra brilliant and so deserved news!! What a dream conference.
First sale Karen (Anna Campbell) is my buddy from round the corner, btw. When she wins the Golden Heart for best long historical, please give her a great big “you deserve it” hug from me.
Luv
Flutter
Edie Says:
Michelle, fabulous news!
I love it when I hear a writer has sold!
And thanks for the reports of National and all the pics–including my CPs, Amy and Jan.
MaryF Says:
MICHELLE!!!!!What a wonderful conference you had!!!!!
Olga Says:
Great news, Michelle! You’re almost there! Huge congrats!