My First Blog Post Ever

A long time ago and in a galaxy far, far away (well, okay, in another country), a ten-year-old girl (that's me) fell in love with Nancy Drew. And her author(s), Carolyn Keene. She wanted desperately to meet Carolyn Keene. Then she wanted desperately to be Carolyn Keene.

And this is the story of how that sorta, kinda happened.

Only better. Because I'm getting to write middle-grade mysteries, but I get to stay myself. Turning into Carolyn Keene isn't so much a goal anymore. I mean, The Secret of the Old Clock was published in 1930 which would make me a little older than I'd like to be at this point in my life.

A couple of years ago, I trundled off to an out-of-town writing conference. To justify the hotel cost, I promised myself I’d actually talk to the agent/presenter. Which I eventually did. But only after wimping out enough times that I ended up being the absolute, last person in the room with him. Which I’m sure thrilled him after a long day of speaking. Not.

Anyway, he told me to send my ms when it was done. So, I went home to write and write and write. I finished the ms, then mailed the partial to him in NY. I have it from a reliable source that the agent/presenter opened my envelope, read a few pages, then pushed it across the shiny, conference table, saying, “This one has your name written all over it, Rachel.”

Enter UberAgent Rachel Vater. Who phoned me, said all kinds of nice things, then gently suggested I watch hours and hours of Law and Order and Murder She Wrote. Which I did. Until I realized the mystery part of my book was pretty sucky. So, I beefed it up and sent it back to her. Rachel phoned me again, said all kinds of nice things, then gently suggested I cut 10,000 words and change it from a YA to a MG novel and lower the age of my protagonist. Ouch. Which I did. I sent it back to her. Rachel phoned me again. She said all kinds of nice things. I waited for the suggestion(s). She said more nice things. I waited for the suggestion(s). Then she said the book was ready for submission. Wow.

A month went by. Rachel phoned. We had an offer. A really great offer. For two books. I’m starting to really like these phone calls. Another phone call and she filled me in on the details of the final negotiated offer. It's even better. Now I'm totally loving these phone calls. Yesterday, we accepted a "very nice" deal from Wendy Loggia at Delacorte Press. I'm going to be a published author!

And that is the story of how a geeky girl grew up and got her dream.

Thank you for believing in me, UberAgent, UberNegotiator, UberNicePerson. Thank you for being part of my dream.