On July 1, 2009 Damian McNichol a fellow member of the Rebel Writers and author of A Son Called Gabriel, CDS Books (now Perseus) introduced me to Joan Schweighardt, who had so ably handled PR for his book. Joan fit me into a busy schedule, liked Sucking Up Yellow Jackets and recommended me to o-books (UK), one of the publishers still making enough profit to take on an unpublished writer. Joan suggested I include a marketing plan. She read it and sent it to Trevor Greenfield at o-books on September 16th.
On September 17, I received an e-mail from Trevor Greenfield saying he had set up the book on o-book’s database and asking for more information. This was followed five anxious days later with an e-mail from Trevor which started with, WE”D LIKE TO PUBLISH. (The caps are mine.) This was followed by, If you wish to proceed please print and sign two copies of the attached contract and send to… I kept thinking—he’s got to be kidding—has anyone ever said ‘No?’
Everyone I told I was finally going to be published asked if I was excited when I got the acceptance e-mail. Jolted is more like it. I printed and signed the two contracts, literally ran to the Post Office and sent it express mail, fearful someone had made a mistake. I’m not sure why I thought having an author signed contract would change anything if it was a mistake. But my attitude is to do everything I can to help luck along—you never know.