Nov 14 2008
My First Sale by Maya Rodale
Welcome to the My First Sale series. Each Friday, Dear Author posts the first sale letter of bestselling authors, debut authors, and authors in between. Maya Rodale comes from a writing family. She even toured with her grandmother, Ardie Rodale, promoting Ardie’s book, Every Day Miracles along with Maya’s debut book, The Heir and the Spare. (I don’t know why but I find that totally endearing!) Her second in the series, The Rogue and the Rival, is in stores now.
***
It all begins with the book of the heart, doesn’t it? Mine was a tale of duels, disguises, heiresses and fortune hunters, distracted chaperones, an American heiress snaring a duke, and true love conquering all. It was titled The Heir And The Spare.
Thinking a book deal was easier to get than a Real Job, I sent my beloved manuscript out into the world. Thinking Grad School was a great back-up plan, I applied to many institutions of higher learning. And then for the following six months I regularly received rejection letters. Sadness ensued.
There was only one thing to do: admit defeat and apply for a Real Job (the salaried sort with health insurance). One morning I went out for a job interview. And that afternoon my agent called.
Would it be another rejection? Or-could it be good news? My heart thudded in hope and anticipation.
"Good news" my agent said. She always begins her phone calls with "good news" or "bad news." No beating around the bush for her. I adore it.
I was then stunned, delighted, thrilled and outrageously and outrageously happy to learn an editor at Big Publishing House wanted to buy not one but TWO of my novels!
TWO BOOKS!
First, I had to call my parents and tell them there was hope for me yet, because I had sold TWO BOOKS! And then I had to high-five my beloved dog, Penelope. Twice-’once for each book. Some jumping on the bed in joy might have ensued (ok, it did).
And then a few days later, an institution of higher learning graciously invited me to join their academic program. My luck had changed! After months and months of rejection after rejection, I was wanted.
It was good. Great. Fantastic. Even when I had manuscript revisions due at the same time as twenty-page papers term papers. After spending far too much time reading rejection letters and wondering what I was going to do with my life, I thought being busy at work I loved was a very nice problem to have.
And what about those TWO BOOKS? One year after The Call the book of my heart, The Heir And The Spare [http://mayarodale.com/bookshelf/heir.php], made its debut on bookshelves everywhere. Joy! This month the second book of my heart, The Rogue And The Rival [http://mayarodale.com/bookshelf/rogue.php], arrived in stores. Double joy!
Please visit www.mayarodale.com for author secrets, excerpts, and the exclusive and free novella, Darcy Darlington And The Diamond Of Desire.
PS: The job never called me back. But that’s ok J
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Nov 14, 2008 @ 11:22:29
yay for ‘maya power’!
off to check out the author website
Nov 14, 2008 @ 12:01:31
Congrats, Maya! And next time I complain about working full time and trying to write, I’m gonna think about you doing those revisions while working on term papers and stop whining.
Nov 14, 2008 @ 13:43:18
Once again, a The Call story where the universe dumps all its treasures at once. How odd. Somebody needs to do a more scientific survey about whether the universe is just f-ing with us or what.
I love the book titles. I’m behind in my historicals, but those sound quite fun. And I have to Christmas shop anyway, so…
Nov 14, 2008 @ 13:53:49
Hello Everyone!
Dana, I don’t know how people hold down full time jobs AND write! At least with term papers and revisions, it’s only one or two really hectic months out of the year.
Jessa, someone totally should do a survey on waves of good luck/bad luck. I would sign up as a participant. Thanks for the compliments on my titles!
And Hello, Maya M! I saw your name and my first reaction what “who the heck is posting comments as me?!?!” Not used to seeing/meeting more Maya’s!
Nov 14, 2008 @ 20:56:17
That’s a great story. Back-up plans are always good to have. lol
Nov 15, 2008 @ 20:39:38
Another wonderful first sale story. Every Friday I come over and read these inspiring stories and it makes me want to write every minute of every day so that I can hopefully have a “first sale story” to tell. LOL
I love historicals so I will be checking out your titles.
Nov 16, 2008 @ 06:54:05
Great story! I’ve been looking at The Heir and The Spare for awhile now, and just bought it last night!
Nov 16, 2008 @ 11:50:53
Karin, Patty, and loonigrrl: Thanks for the compliments! Glad y’all liked my true story and I hope y’all enjoy my fictional stories as well.
Nov 16, 2008 @ 11:58:41
Me too, Patty! Thanks for sharing your story with us, Maya R.
Maya Rodale Blog
Dec 19, 2008 @ 07:38:38
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