Hey everyone! I’m going to use this blog to share the wild ride of getting my debut novel from idea to shelf. All without an agent. It’s been a crazy, winding path to get to a contract, and honestly, the first draft was pretty rough (it was bad enough that I had to do a ton of edits!). But I don’t see that time as wasted. It’s all part of the process. My second book is already shaping up way better right out of the gate because I learned so much with the first.

Last week, I finally signed my publishing contract! It was a total rollercoaster. I’d been rejected by this publisher before. They came back around, reached out, and loved the revised first three chapters.  I made some edits based on their feedback on rejection, and I am so glad I did. Seriously, feedback from editors or agents can be a gift. Even the tough stuff.

My edits kick off in June, so I’ve got anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to wait (which feels both nerve-wracking and weirdly surreal). I’m trying to soak in the excitement, but honestly, I’m also feeling all kinds of nervous and anxious. I’m learning to celebrate these wins and really savor what I’ve achieved, even as I gear up to dive into edits and start drafting that next book. Here’s to the next chapter!