How I wrote a book, got it published, and changed my world. Or something. Part six!

It was Michelle.

To be honest, I don't remember everything that was said. I was sitting in my office, trying not to let everyone around me know what was going on, which was difficult to do considering I was, at that time, sitting at what amounted to no more than a credenza in the back of a vault that housed six people. What I got out of the conversation was as follows:

1) They wanted my book. They wanted to give me a contract. A nice, regular, royalty paying contract.
2) They were talking about me going to Book Expo America and doing a reading. Of my book.
3) They wanted to know if I had a sequel planned. For my book.
4) They liked me.
5) They liked my book.

And the main thing that I vividly remember was Michelle saying, "You are just a really good writer".

I was trying to be all cool, but I'm really pretty sure she could tell I was freaking the freak out. I was all like, "Oh, that sounds lovely" and inside I was all like,

OH MY GOD!!!! THIS IS NOT HAPPENING! I AM GOING TO VOMIT!

I told them it would be okay to send me a contract.

I hung up, excused myself from my office, walked outside, called my husband and FREAKED THE HOLY FREAKING FREAK OUT.

I was SOBBING. Absolutely sobbing. He couldn't even understand what I was saying. He told me I needed to have a rest period. He told me to calm down. He told me, "You need to go outside!" and I shrieked, "I'M ALREADY OUTSIDE AND I'M SCARING BIRDS!"

I sat down on the ground, calmed down, and then went back inside.

My boss said, "Steph?"

And I lost it again. Just like that. I was shrieking things like, "BOOK! OPRAH! OH MY GOD! READING! GONNA HURL!"

Then I went in the bathroom and puked my guts out.



So I thought that was it. It was a done deal. Right?

That's what I thought.


To be continued...