Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Ahoy! Contract Dead Ahead!


I'm taking over Review Tuesday to make an announcement.

I SOLD!!!

I've accepted an offer from Montlake Romance for my Anchor Island series and could not be more excited. Though you couldn't have proven that by the way I reacted to THE CALL. I was completely calm. Eerily calm. To the point my agent asked if I was okay. I feel horrible that I didn't laugh or scream or giggle or cry. My brain just shut down. It was like an out of body experience.

I promise to squeal like a cat fight at a beauty pageant the next time.

So today, we happy dance. I could never have gotten to this point without the coolest crew of writing pirates sailing the publishing seas, who just happen to be the most supportive women I have ever had the fortune to meet. To my Captain (Hellie), who spent five years telling me I could do this. Thank goodness she was right!

There are countless others who helped/pushed/challenged me along the way. To my daughter who never doubted, my friends who called me on my whining, and my agent who made my dreams come true.

Look for my first book out in print, digital, and audio coming up in 2013! (That is so cool to type. Whoohoo!)

58 comments:

Marnee Bailey said...

Oh ho! I'm the first to squee here!! :)

WHHHOOOOOO HOOOOOOO!!!!

I was so excited when I heard this the first time and it still makes me smile. :) I'm so happy for you. It couldn't have happened to a nicer person!!

Off to spread the joy on the social media sites now that I can squee to the hills!

Maria Zannini said...

Congrats!

Ref: I was completely calm. Eerily calm.

I get like that too. Must be a defensive mechanism. :)

Stephanie J said...

Wahooooooooo! I knew this day would come very soon! I'm so, so excited for you, Terri! I lift my glass in a virtual toast to you! :D

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Marn!! You've been such a huge supporter and so good at pointing out where I pull those emotional punches. Could not have gotten here without you.

Terri Osburn said...

Happy to hear it's not just me, Maria. It was a strange feeling. Like I had to be serious and face the scary parts first. I'm finally having fun with it now. :)

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Steph! You've been there all the way. I'll take that toast!

Hellie Sinclair said...

Of course, I was right. What do you mean, THANK GOODNESS I was right?

*does a happy dance* Bring out the rum! I'm so glad this book sold--I knew this would be the book--who couldn't love Joe at first sight!!?

Drinks are on Terri today! :) Drink up!

Anonymous said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm so excited for you, Terri! What an amazing adventure! I can't wait to watch what comes next. You're going to be a rock star!

Terri Osburn said...

That's our Hellie. Gracious as always. LOL! I think you're more excited just to get to say "I told you so!" LOL!

Good thing I have lots of virtual money. I keep it with my unicorn horseshoe.

Thanks, Hal! Not sure about rock star but I'll take published author.

pjpuppymom said...

Congratulations! Can't begin to tell you how excited I am for you, Terri. Hoisting a mug to your talent, dedication, determination and success!

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, PJ. Now I need you to come take my author photo. LOL!

I thought it was hard to concentrate on the day job when that GH thing happened. Today is looking even worse.

Hellie Sinclair said...

Being gracious is for 2nd place. *LOL* How could I have forgotten? "I TOLD YOU SO." Oh, my God, how good that feels to say that. *fans self* Why I bet it's almost as good as being offered a 3 book contract...no, no, I think this might feel better...I can't imagine anything feeling better than this. (Sorry, Deerhunter.)

Terri Osburn said...

Do you need some alone time in your cabin??

Hellie Sinclair said...

Not yet. I may need a nap later. Right now I'm too busy saying "Congratulations" and "I told you so!"

Sabrina Shields (Scapegoat) said...

Joining in the happy dance!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOO

I know you don't drink girly but next time I see you champagne and dessert is on me!

I'm so incredibly proud of you and all of your hard work to get here!

Terri Osburn said...

I expect my Christmas present to be a mug that reads, "Hellie told you so."

Thanks, Sabrina! Though I know I worked hard, much of this still feels like luck. Or a dream from which I'll wake at any moment.

irisheyes said...

OMG!!! Big Congrats! That is such awesome news and so well deserved, Ter. All that Pollyanna thinking paid off big time, huh?! Gives my "glass half empty" self hope. I can't wait to see your book on the shelves.

*I actually shed a few tears of joy reading your blog just now so I made up for your lack of emotion*

Terri Osburn said...

Awwww, thanks, Irish. I've had this good feeling since the GH call came and I got this call almost 5 months to the day. Of course, this is when the work really kicks in, but I'm looking forward to all the new firsts. Book signings and covers and all of it. If you're not going to have fun with it, then what's the point??

Maureen said...

Time to break out the good stuff! Let's toss that bathtub rum out of here! And Jack, I know you rebottled all the champagne you took a bath in...btw, you're the only one I've been serving it to...

I just got back from an awesome trip to the Tortuga Liquor Barn and have all the flavored vodkas and twelve types of rum!

Let's crank that music up and have a party!

I hear Cupcake Wars called and wants to feature your release party in an episode... We need some Anchor Island mini cakes to round out all the booze!

Terri Osburn said...

Ooh, make mine cake flavored vodka!

There's actually a bakery on Anchor, but we don't learn about it until book 2. Will that cute little host guy come along too? He's just Hellie's type. LOL!

Janga said...

O frabjous day! I've been smiling almost non-stop since I first got the news. Squeeeeeeee!!!!!

This is such exciting news, Terri. I do think your title was prophetic. Super congratulations on a well-deserved achievement and hearty congratulatory hugs.

Maureen said...

Yeah, let's make 'em bake on the ship!

You be a judge, Jack and Hellie...

Cake flavored vodka rocks!

Mary Danielson said...

YAAAAAAAY! Congratulations, Ter!! I am happy dancing all over the office for you right now. This is such wonderful news! I can't wait to brag on you and your shiny "sold" ribbon next year at RWA!!

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Janga! You gave me great feedback that made this book even better. And this is proof!

Terri Osburn said...

I admit it, Mary. That was one of the first things I thought of. I'll have the SOLD ribbon and I should get to take part in the book signing. That will be CRAZY!!!

Unknown said...

I also get calm. Then I shake and cry, LOL. I am so happy for you! Wonderful, wonderful news! Can't wait to read all the books! Yay, Terri!

Terri Osburn said...

Thank you, Maggie! You've had a lot to shake and cry about. LOL!

P. Kirby said...

Giddy, happy, girly squeeeeeeal!

That is awesome, wrapped in fabulous, and dipped in dark chocolate!

Marnee Bailey said...

Of course, Ter will have to write a Call Story Blog. A pirate exclusive.

Terri Osburn said...

I could do that!

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Pat!

Caroline Linden said...

Congratulations!! May the whole experience be smooth and awesome.

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Caroline!

*whispers loudly* There's a RITA winner on the ship. All hands on deck! LOL!

Smooth and awesome. That would be nice.

Trish Milburn said...

Terri, HUGE congrats! Nothing quite like that first sale, and we all react differently. We build it up in our minds so much that when it really happens, it feels like we're dreaming. Though I'm looking forward to that spontaneous "cat fight at a beauty pageant" moment. :)

Terri Osburn said...

I'll try to make it as public as possible, Trish. LOL! Thanks so much. You and the rest of the Bandits has been so supportive over the years.

Marnee Bailey said...

Wow, what a party!! :) I love it!

Mostly because I'm still snoopy dancing about this sale.

Quantum said...

Wow! Splendid News!
But of course, I saw it written in the stars way back when she wrote drabbles!

Right ladies its time for a QUANTUM toast.

Will you believe that I just happen to have a vintage Sauternes here in my wine cabinet? Its the perfect sweet drink to celebrate sweet success by a sweet lady with a sweet smile and a sweeter than sweet voice!

Please raise your glasses high to the sky.

Here's to a lady pure and sweet.
With a talent to light up the sky.
Her aura has expanded, glittering bright on the net.
and her computer is glowing with pride.
I give you Terri Osburn, a new author of romance.
Just hang on tightly for the ride!

Terri, the newly born Romance Goddess.

Bottoms up and down the hatch!

Oh bugger this English reserve. Come here Terri ..... *Huge hug and a whopping kiss*
Well done Luv!

Jo Robertson said...

Whooo hoooo, Terri! What a tremendous accomplishment. Congratulations!

Terri Osburn said...

Okay. Q gets free copies FOR LIFE! SNOG right back atcha, darling. Thanks for making the drabbles so competitive. ;) You're too sweet to me! (And I actually lifted my empty hand to read that toast. It was only right.)

Thanks, Jo!

Terri Osburn said...

That should be your new motto, Marn. Just keep Snoopy dancing!

Sabrina Shields (Scapegoat) said...

Huzzah Q! An excellent toast for our lady of honor today!

Seriously crew - we need a Pirates writing retreat where we can toast Terri's sale and our other awesome published crew members!

I think we could plan a writing retreat that would kick conference ass. :)

Anna Campbell said...

Terri, huge congratulations! I'm so excited for you. Fantastic news! I see that the desk is awash with hornpiping sailors (hmm, that sounds a bit naughty!). The whole world is dancing with joy at your news! Yay!

Terri Osburn said...

I hear Florida is nice in October. LOL! Though the weather hear right now is PERFECT! And I do have the ocean. How quick can y'all get here??

Thank you, Anna! No comment on the hornpipes. (Euphemism much? *eg*)

Eileen Emerson said...

Ginormous SQUEEEEEs! Congrats, Terri!

G. Jillian Stone said...

WOOT! Congratulations on the sale and your CALL moment! I've heard nothing but good things about Montlake!

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Eileen. And thanks for stopping by!

Thanks, Jillian! As you can now see, I totally understood what you were talking about yesterday. LOL! I just couldn't admit it!

JulieJustJulie said...

Oooooh Congratulations, Terri! I'm so Very happy for you!!!!!!!!!

Laurie Sanchez said...

The GH gold dust just keeps falling!!! And now we can throw confetti in there, too! :) Congrats, Terri! So happy for you!

Sara Lindsey said...

Wooooooooooooo Hooooooooooooooo! Can you hear my squees all the way from California? I am so thrilled for you! It was always just a matter of when, not if, and I'm so glad your day is here.

Di R said...

Huge Congratulations, Terri!

I couldn't be happier for you.

Di

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Julie!

Wouldn't be the first time we had confetti on this ship, Laurie. LOL! We'll just go really fast tomorrow and blow it all away.

Thank you, Sara! You were there from the very beginning. Thanks for keeping the faith!

Di! Thank you so much. I appreciate all your support through the years too.

J.K. Coi said...

I can't believe I didn't see this news sooner!! This is FANTASTIC!!! Congrats!

Terri Osburn said...

Thank you! Feet haven't touched the ground all day. :)

Caren Crane said...

Terri, what fantastic news! It couldn't happen to a more wonderful, deserving person. I am thrilled for you! Sorry to be late to the party, but I'm on vacation and the pigeons are delayed reaching me. :) I hope the partying lasts a long time! I also have a feeling I will be oddly calm as well, when the call eventually comes...

Terri Osburn said...

Thanks, Caren. It's a strange feeling. When I got the GH call, I was squealing and floored. (Just asked Jeanne.) This call was totally different. It's like I went into robot mode. LOL!

Romily Bernard said...

So HAPPY for you, Terri!! Enjoy the moment!!!

Vagivagi said...

Happy, happy day to you! Ssooo happy for you! Hugs, and high fives! So well deserved, and so excited to read your published work! Love your guts, Terri!
Island Girl

Terri Osburn said...

Thank you, Vagi! Maybe someday I can come to Chicago on a book tour and finally get to hug you in person. :)