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Mar
27 2008 | ||
I’m a very blessed person. I am. I have so much to be thankful for and while I get cranky over stupid stuff, it’s never far from my mind just who much I have in my life to celebrate.
Yesterday the UPS truck pulled up to my door and my totally handsome UPS delivery guy brought six boxes to my doorstep. Two of those boxes contained postcards I recently had made for the Vegas release and also for Undercover. Another one contained new business cards – all this designed for me by Frauke who is wonderful and fabulous.
Two more contained my author copies of What Happens in Vegas which I carefully opened and then stood there, just staring at the books within. They’re a good weight. I love the cover very much. I flipped through, loving the little scene break icons (nifty little vegas styled card icons) and then i read my acknowledgements and I started to cry.
This book sold at a time when I was really low. I was really beginning to wonder if I’d ever break into New York and it got me through in a way I can’t even think about right now without crying. I’m not used to not being confident about my work. I was raised to believe if you worked your hardest at something you’d succeed. The publishing industry doesn’t always work that way. It certainly takes hard work, but it’s not enough. Waiting is really hard and it can kill your confidence.
So when I picked it up and held it, I did so knowing that the sweet feeling belonged to more than just me. It belongs to my husband. Ray. He’s my best friend and my number one fan. He has supported my work without fail. It belongs to my agent and friend Laura Bradford who has been there for me, flogging the hell out of my books to editors for going on two years now. When she called me to tell me about my Berkley deal she didn’t miss a beat when I started to cry. She’s awesome and I love her. It belongs to my parents who raised me to know everything is possible (and my mom who harasses people in bookstores to buy my books!). It belongs to my readers who have supported me continuously across publishers – Renee and Tracy who’ve beta read for me countless times. It goes to a lot of people because none of us does this alone. Ann Leveille at Ellora’s Cave and Angie James at Samhain who’ve been such fabulous editors they’ve both helped me become a better writer with each book. Megan Hart and Anya Bast who’ve been my homegirls for a number of years now who have read my stuff and critted it and who have just been the kinds of people I can trust to never bullshit me.
Anyway, I’m being sort of schmoopy but I never, ever want to be that person. You know the one who tells everyone she’s the master of her genre or the best mother in the world or whatever. Because I’m not here solely on my own merits. I’m here because of the support and efforts of those people around me.
Thank you, all of you, for helping me make my dreams come true.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:20 pm · Link
Hi Lauren, I can only imagine how amazing it must feel, to see your name on a book that you poured your heart and soul into. Congratulations on all you have accomplished. As a reader, I appreciate you and the stories you bring us, and hope that your writing future brings you everything you dream about.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:33 pm · Link
Can’t wait till it comes out!
March 27th, 2008 at 1:37 pm · Link
Oh how exciting! I really do love the cover for that book. And you’re very inspiring story of where you were in your career when you sold it!
March 27th, 2008 at 3:44 pm · Link
I “heart” you Lauren. You are making me tear up and go for the kleenex.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to read it.
March 27th, 2008 at 5:01 pm · Link
Totally exciting. That is wonderful. I cannot wait to read it!!
March 27th, 2008 at 5:14 pm · Link
awww!!! your writing rocks!!! and i have been telling everyone when people ask what im reading currently- i show them one of your books and tell them how awesome a writer you are
im sooo glad everything is working out … 😀
March 27th, 2008 at 6:45 pm · Link
I am so HAPPY for you, Lauren. I’ve only been blogging since last summer so I never knew of the struggle you had to get that NY contract.
Did you sniff those books yet? I LOVE the scent of a new book- nothing quite like it in the world.
How are you going to celebrate this milestone in your writing career? Hope you’ll share this soon on your great blog!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:40 pm · Link
Lauren, you are talented and hardworking and very deserving of your success. 😀 Enjoy those beautiful books of yours!
March 27th, 2008 at 7:49 pm · Link
Congrats on the book and all your success.
March 27th, 2008 at 9:52 pm · Link
looks very hot congrats
March 28th, 2008 at 2:17 am · Link
Aww…I’m so thrilled for you, Lauren. You writing is it’s own tale, so you’ve earned, girl…and I can’t wait to walk into B&N, and Borders and see What Happen IN Vegas on the shelf!! Big Congrats!!
March 28th, 2008 at 6:31 am · Link
The books look great can’t wait to can’t my copy. All I can say is thank you for giving me a fun place to hang out and laugh. Meet new people And read great books. 😉
March 28th, 2008 at 7:06 am · Link
dreaming is the gift the soul gives .. wants you to see your future
March 28th, 2008 at 10:28 am · Link
You’re awesome and your readers absolutely love you! I know I do 🙂
Keep on keeping on!
March 28th, 2008 at 10:37 am · Link
You have worked so incredibly hard for this, I’m so thrilled for you!
Thank you for the kind mention too, though I think I pestered you so much you had to ask me to beta for you so I’d stop stalking you, lol!!