I will attempt to refrain from using an excess of exclamation marks in this post, but I’m fairly certain it will be impossible.
I have a book deal!!! The deal was announced on Publishers Marketplace late last night, and it read something (well, exactly) like this:
Erin Bowman’s THE LAICOS PROJECT, about a 17-year-old who has grown up in a primitive town where boys are Heisted on their 18th birthday never to be seen again, and who is determined to find out the truth behind the disappearances, to Erica Sussman at Harper Children’s, in a significant deal, in a pre-empt, in a three-book deal, by Sara Crowe at Harvey Klinger (NA).
I am still somewhat in shock by this. I haven’t stopped smiling in days.
My wonderful, amazing, fabulous agent, Sara, reached out to me on Friday (April 1st) with an email that simply said something along the lines of: “news! call me!” So I did. I was literally shaking with anticipation and thank goodness the first words out of her mouth were “I swear this isn’t a cruel April Fools joke…” because I could not have handled that.
Anyway, Sara shared the good news. I attempted to write down all the details – I failed, mostly because my hand was shaking so much – and by Tuesday we were finalizing the offer.
I am so excited (and humbled) by the fact that HarperTeen is welcoming me to their list. I can’t believe that Erica (my editor!) loves this story as much as I do and I can’t wait for you to all be able to read it!
I’ve been hit by quite a whirlwind of emotions these last few days. I am so fortunate to have Sara as my agent and I am incredibly grateful to have this opportunity to work with Erica and the HarperTeen team. And thank you, thank you to my family, for constant support, and to all my friends in the wonderful writing community, for keeping me sane while on submission. I would not be at this amazing milestone without you. I still feel like this is some surreal dream! My book – my trilogy – is going to be published and available for all to read! I can barely believe it.
Also, one final note. I’ve been sick all week, and let me tell you: Getting a book deal is hands-down the single best remedy for a nasty head cold. I am on cloud nine! :)
