Anyway, this is the short version of my announcement: The book formerly known as The Gnome is Watching (it'll be retitled later down the line), is going to be published.
WAHOOOOOOOO!!!! *Happy dances* *More happy dances*...
Ahem. What? There can never be enough happy dancing.
The PM announcement isn't up yet, but here's some of what my super amazing incredible don't-really-have-enough-superlatives-for-her agent said about the deal on our agency website. My book is an...
untitled dark, edgy YA thriller about a girl named Ella, who is desperate to understand what could have driven her best friend Amy to jump off a roof to her death. Even worse, Ella can’t remember a thing about the time leading up to the event—and gradually she starts to suspect that those around her know more about that night than they are letting on. Was Amy’s death really a suicide? Or did something more sinister happen…something her best friends are desperate to keep her from ever finding out?
This is a fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat psychological mystery, and will keep you guessing right up until the end. North American rights were acquired by Marilyn Brigham at Marshall Cavendish, for a Fall 2012 release.
This news, has led to this girl, who is typing these words, being ridiculously happy-happy-happy. I'm so happy to be joining this amazing house, which publishes a bunch of super talented authors (they published the US version of Beatle Meets Destiny by Gabrielle Williams, which is one of my absolute favourite books of this year. I seriously recommend you check it out), and I'm so grateful to my lovely agent Ammi-Joan Paquette for making this happen.
Do you want the long version? If you don't, you can just click out here, but if you do, read on.
There were two things that led to this book being written. The first is a garden gnome that lives in my bedroom (it's actually a money box), but hey:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHba4d6Z4CjeZ7wLrv70M1V4cDPyJp-ioQSrbUYoIUXCPEFxmJ86tWuy2bX2shutT-uMaeuFhGAxW56SDqrdXydtOQHnb7K9-J_EDFefZtCOqjlhyTiEQ9Ydk4AEu8KqsAQYyOmz0fJL8/s200/101210-133248.jpg)
Look at him! Isn't he so shiny and wonderful??
Anyway, so at the same time as I had this garden gnome Nathan Bransford (yeah, you know, that really cool guy with the amazing blog? Him) was running this contest, to write a teen diary entry or letter. And I slapped something together and entered, because I thought the book that was a prize sounded cool.
I didn't win, if that's what you're thinking (my entry wasn't very good, to be honest). But the character I wrote that teen diary entry in the POV of? Would. Not. Leave. Me. Alone.
Her story started to come to me in bits and pieces, and when I was about to start writing it (abandoning the fantasy project I was 40k into), I remembered that I'd used the gnome in the piece I'd written for the contest. And I was like, "Okay, I'm going to use the gnome again."
And a story was born.
And then re-born several times in revision -- it'll probably get re-born a lot more in revision over the next year or so. I'm looking forward to that.
Anyway, that's how this started.
The middle of this story is really boring, but I wanted to share it with you anyway, because of this amazing post written by Natalie Whipple on the submission process, and how hard and heart-breaking it can be.
This is not the first book I worked with my superwoman agent on (That was THE COLORS OF SKY. I'm revising that first book at the moment and will hopefully send it back to my agent, soon. Seriously, I love that book to pieces and I'm hoping it will one day sell). This book did not sell overnight, or in three weeks, or even in two months. I'm saying this, because so many writers think their book is dead in the water after three weeks.
Publishing is slow, sometimes. It took me five months. I went on submission in July, and heard back with an offer on the 1st of December (yeahhhh, been keeping this under wraps for a while), which was probably actually the 3oth of November over in the US. But basically, five months were spent garnering rejection letters and then suddenly there was interest, and more interest, and more interest, and then there was an offer.
Again, sometimes things are slow.
The end of this story is better. The book sold. I happy danced and then got to share the news and celebrate with all of those amazing critique partners, and beta readers and just all-around awesome people who I had to thank. (Hi Amna! Hi choco! Hi Deb! Hi Jill! Hi Nomes! Hi everyone at Let the Words Flow and you know, there are a ton more people who should be here, but they know who they are). Plus, you know, Ammi-Joan Paquette, the agent for whom there can never be enough superlatives, for actually making this happen. No way would this ever have happened without her input and guidance and all-around brilliance.
Then I wrote this blog post and happy danced some more.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQvJgCvCWmHYfqHAeYCpLCec3ByfGqw4B4uM42J3EXv8I1Hfal73YppYD4iHWOeQA_NsryP-HaedgbP4bO9la9Ovy1ab8BrJzWhW1dYWLWu02qhvTkQQH1oQGPtvYBFWkRpHforCFPmg4/s200/cupcakes.jpg)
No, I did not just post that picture randomly. I posted it, because THAT is how delicious the world tastes to me today (oh, I am such a freaking cliche! But a happy cliche, so it's all good).
This year has been amazing for me. I finished high school, I did about five million cool things with my friends, and now this amazing wonderful news. Next week, I turn eighteen, and I'm determined to make next year even better. The world tastes awesome right now because of the potential.
P.S DID YOU KNOW I'M GOING TO BE A REAL AUTHOR WITH A BOOK AND EVERYTHING?! *runs around screaming and happy dancing*
Also, I'm a member of the Apocalypsies! (The group of 2012 debut authors) How COOL is the name??
Super congrats to you! I'm so happy you're going to be a real author with a book and everything! I can't believe your book is going to get a cover and a release date and a marketing team and all that jazz! I'm glad this year's been great to you. I hope next year's even better.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again!
You are awesome!!! TGIW is awesome!!! The Apocalypsises are awesome!!! I need to think of a better superlative than "awesome"!!! But I'm too excited to worry about it!!!
ReplyDeleteSo....AWESOME!!!(SAUCE) (because you were totally one of the people who got me using the word :D)
YAAAAY VEEE!!!!!
Congrats again!
ReplyDeleteI was really excited when I saw your announcement on Twitter, a 17 yo Aussie gal selling YA! Woo hoo!
Congrats, Vee!!! I'm soooo happy for you. Your book sounds amazing, by the way!
ReplyDeleteAwesome news. Congrats.
ReplyDeleteAHHHH so exciting! It's so nice to hear someone who perservered and got the deal, I'm sure it makes you super happy, but it inspires the rest of us too. :)
ReplyDeleteI'll definetly pick it up when it comes out!
This is extremely happy news and has made my night. :-) I am so happy for you and I cannot wait to see where your writing takes you! I wish you nothing but the best!
ReplyDeleteOMG Vee this is fantastic news! I am so excited for you! Lots of happy dancing! Your story sounds fantastic and I can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteYay! xox
Vee! I'm so glad you commented on my blog, because it reminded me to run over here and congratulate you on your sale! a million times congrats! such an amazing accomplishment at any age, but at yours -- exponentially more so. I'm so proud of you.
ReplyDeleteCONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LTWF and The Apocalypsies FTW!!!! <3 <3 <3 So proud of you, Vee!!! :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!
ReplyDeleteAnd your book sounds awesome - something I would pick up right away. :)
Kat -- that's awesomesauce that I got you to start saying awesomesauce ;) (No really. I'm very proud of that fact, haha). And thank you!
ReplyDeleteNicola -- there should be some kind of Aussie club, imo. I LOVE seeing/talking to and meeting all the other Aussies in the blogosphere. So glad to have found you :D
Michelle -- I'm so glad it inspires. I think people have all these "my book must sell in three weeks or it's doomed" perceptions because a lot of people whose books took a while to sell unintentionally gloss over the time it took. And then it seems as if everyone sold their books in two weeks or under.
Kirsten -- I kind of adore you, so it means a ton to me that you stopped by <333 Thank you!!
Sarah *tacklehugs* LTWF and The Apocalypsies are gonna take over the world!! (Before it ends, obvs ;)).
And just everyone a HUGE thank you for the congrats :D
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! I'm doing major fist pumps and snoopy dancing here in Germany.
ReplyDeleteAnd, um, where's MY Apocalypsies shout out, Vee? You realize I'm one TOO -- I'm even on the website, if you don't believe me.
Grrr... ::mumbles something about teenage prodigies destroying my self-esteem::
Congratulations! That's got to be life-altering! That's fantastic! Huge CONGRAAAAATS :)
ReplyDeletePshhhhh, Sooz, you know I love you and am super psyched for The Spirit Hunters!! No self esteem blasting from me, and you know it :D :D :D
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I'm so excited to be an Apocalypsie with you and Sarah! How awesome :D
And thank you Momo! :D
Congrats. This is really great. :) The little synposis things sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful journey you've been on, and what a lot of wonderful-ness awaits you in this next exciting chapter. Good luck & I can't wait to hear all about your publishing adventure :)
ReplyDeleteWAHOO
ReplyDeleteand how good does your blurb sound? people are going to be queueing up to read this! so looking forward to all the next parts (cover, etc, and whatever you write next...)
x
YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh my god, I'm SO freaking excited for you!! Your book sounds amazing. Your blog was one of the first writing ones I found, and I immediately fell in love with it and your writing. Can't wait to have a copy of Untitled in my hands :)
Yay! Congrats on your book going to be published. I love the blurb and I will definitely be one of the people lining up to get your book :D
ReplyDeleteNomes -- thanks, lovely! For critiquing it, as well <3
ReplyDeleteKT -- You really have been here since the beginning. I can't wait to see what you do writing wise, too (I seriously can't believe I only started following you last week. I thought I'd been doing it forever!).
Nic -- thank you! you're an awesome reviewer, so that means a lot :D
Thanks for the congratulations' again, everyone! :D
YOU'RE GOING TO BE A REAL AUTHOR WITH A BOOK AND EVERYTHING!!! <3
ReplyDeleteCongrats again and again and again!!! Another Apocalypsie! YAY! :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations congratulations congratulations! What awesome news! I feel like roadtripping from Melbourne to Sydney to buy you a drink! Muse is the perfect way to celebrate. I've seen them a heap of times (and again on Wednesday, woo!) and they never disappoint. In fact, they're probably starting their set as I type this!
ReplyDeleteGreat news! I'm excited for you! Your book sounds like a good story.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I remember reading some of THE GNOME in SYW and LOVED it, so I can't wait to buy your book! :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!! So awesome!
ReplyDeleteThis is AMAZING news, Vee!!!! The best news we want to hear from one of our writer friends in the writer's community. I'm soooooooo proud of you and all your hard work. You deserve it. You are so talented and I look forward to seeing your book on the shelf. Aaaccck. On the shelf. In Barne's and Nobles and Borders and on Amazon and on Kindle and Ibook and...ahhhh...this is crazy ass exciting!!!! Yay!!! Congrats!!!
ReplyDeleteOMG OMG OMG CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I am so excited for you, I cannot WAIT to go out and buy your books!!!
ReplyDeleteAlso - you wrote The Gnome is Watching because of NB's teen diary contest? ZOMG THAT'S WHY I WROTE LETTERS TO OLIVER THE COINCIDENCES ARE ASTOUNDING.
(Sorry... apparently sleep deprivation and exciting news lead to lots of capslock... but STILL. SO COOL SO HAPPY FOR YOU AH YAAAY!!!)
Dude.
ReplyDeleteYou are made of awesome.
And your book is made of awesome.
<33
Congratulations, Vee. That book sounds right up my alley!
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!
ReplyDeleteApocalypsie Vee! OMG! I remember reading all those FNW snips of Gnome..and gah, it'll be out IN THE WORLD now!
ReplyDeleteOH GOD I CAN'T STOP WITH THE CAPS AND THE EXCLAMATIONS BUT THIS IS SO FRICKIN' AMAZING..ARGH, YOU'RE AWESOME, VEE!
That is SO exciting, Vee! Congratulations a bunch! <3333
ReplyDeleteOMG, so, so, so excited for you, Vee!!! I remember reading your first chapter on SYW. It was amazing!!!! Woohoo!! You just made my miserable, sick cold day much sweeter and happier. Truly couldn't be more psyched for you!!
ReplyDeleteVEE I LOVE YOU AND YOUR BOOKS SO MUCH AND WHOA LIKE WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA WHOA.
ReplyDeleteI was planning to meet up with you last night (which was so damn amazing!!) and pretend I hadn't heard your exciting news and then surprise you with the box of choccies I bought for you; I've texted you a bit the past few days, but I presume your phone is MIA. I need to see you before I eat them already, perhaps if 'Vampire Diaries Night' is on? :) You go girl, you are an extraordinary girl and you so deserve this!
ReplyDelete-'Rachael Finch'
Emilia -- <33333
ReplyDeleteAmie -- OH THEY WERE SO FANTASTIC. I've been dying to see them live since I was twelve, and all this stuff kept getting in the way. So yeah, I was so thrilled to see them. And they absolutely lived up to my expectations.
Caitlin -- Wow, that's weird! But I hope you're still working on Letters to Oliver. I loved that book. And thank you, my fellow awesome nerdfighter. DFTBA.
Meg -- absolutely COULD NOT have done this without you! Seriously. You are sooo amazing.
ANONYMOUS -- I MISS YOU. I got like one message from you (about Newtown at 5:30? Except I got it at seven, because my phone is old and dodgy. Sigh). And I was going to reply but my phone wouldn't (old and dodgy), so I've been meaning to ring you today, but my friend *just* left to go back home after Muse.
So. I'm calling you right now, Rachael Finch ;)
Vee, I'm proud of you (oh dear, now I sound like a mum or a daggy old aunty) and as soon as the book is out I'll be getting my copy! And drag you onto my blog for an in-depth about it :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations again! That is cool and the book sounds great!
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome! Congratulations! xx
ReplyDeleteShirley -- you totally don't sound daggy! And I look forward to getting dragged over to your blog :D
ReplyDeleteAlexa -- I'm so glad to see you over here, and thank you <3
And a super thank you to all of you!
CONGRATULATIONS! And I fear I can only express my utter glee for you in the lyrics from the Legally Blonde musical (long story)...
ReplyDeleteOh my God, oh my God you guys - looks like Vee has won the prize! If there was ever gonna be someone who deserve it - she definitely qualifies! Oh my God you guys!
:D
LOL, Nhi :D
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Vee!!! I've been so busy lately I haven't had time to see new happenings but this one is huge!! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteJen/Jules
Unedited & Jules and the Stars
Congratulations! Gotta love those happy dance moments!
ReplyDeleteFollowing you back, thanks for stopping by The Darcy Review!
OMG Congratulations!!!!!! :)
ReplyDelete(Stumbled on your blog through Sarah Mass' blog :)) Congrats on your book offer, super excited for you! Your excitement literally bled off my computer screen and into me, haha!
ReplyDeleteHope you don't mind I mentioned you in my tumblr post :)
OMGGGGGGGGGG this is SOOOOO excitingggg i honestly dont have any superlatives that justify its awesomeness! Really! you're going to be a published author and everything! ahhhh! can't WAIT to read your beautiful book.
ReplyDeleteSO EXCITED FOR YOU. <3
Congratulations!!! That's wonderful to hear. I'll stop by the Apocalypsies again since I only went on briefly this week. :)
ReplyDeleteI am super duper late, but I heard about your deal a while ago and ZOMG I'M SO PROUD OF YOU. I'm going to be that annoying person who's like "I USED TO WRITE WITH HER THEREFORE I AM FAMOUS BY ASSOCIATION WHAT NOW." :D <3 Congrats!! Your book is going to do so well; you are such a fabulous and talented writer.
ReplyDelete