Tuesday 17 May 2011

Yes or No..?


Remember the new project I pitched to my editor at Gullane just before Christmas?

When I laid all my sketch sheets out on her desk, I was thrilled by how much she laughed (in a good way, fortunately). She said she really liked the idea and did seem genuinely keen, so it all looked very positive. But...


...I have been waiting all this time for a verdict on whether the book is to go ahead. To be honest, I was starting to resign myself to the inevitable rejection. Then early last week I got an email: I only had to hold my breath for one more week, because this week my book would be going before an acquisitions meeting at Gullane.

All new project ideas need to be taken to an acquisitions meeting: it's there that final decisions are made about which books will happen and which will bite the dust. Unfortunately, I've been told on at least two previous occasions that this project was scheduled for the next meeting, but it keeps getting put back.

But this time it actually happened. In fact, it was TODAY (gulp). I have been trying hard not to think about it too much and get on with Baby Goes Baaaaa!, but at 5pm I got a phone call from the editor to let me know that the answer is... YES!!!

There are still all the contract negotiations to get through, but, all things being equal, it will go ahead, so celebrations are definitely in order. HURRAY!!

12 comments:

Alicia Padrón said...

Awesome Lynne!! yes, go celebrate!!! This is wonderful news :o)

Veronica said...

Congratulations! That must be so exciting. But my goodness it's scary hearing how the world of publishing works, and how sloooowly... It reminds me that, long process though I think this bit is, if I ever actually do get around to finishing my book, that will only be the start of an even longer process!

Sue Westcott said...

Fantastic, well done!

Thomas Taylor said...

Congratulations, Lynne. It's funny how one short word, NO, can be so easy for a publisher to say, while another short word, YES, takes months.

Moish said...

Congrats! good for you!

Unknown said...

Congratulations. Well deserved. Your talent is amazing and I'm so glad it continues to be recognised. Please make sure the Gullane people know they must freight to Australia! I hope it is chapter book as my kids are almost 7,9 & 11 and moving up the reading scale. It would be great to 'grow up' with your books.

Tomás Serrano said...

I'm very happy for you. Congrats, Lynne!

Julia said...

Hello Lynne

I've only recently discovered your inspiring and colourful blog, and have to say HUGE congratulations to you on the news of your book! You must be so excited!

Sending love
Julia x

Ira R said...

Congrats!

Lynne the Pencil said...

Thank you everyone! Yes, I'm really chuffed, as this is the first one I've written that has a proper story, rather than being a silly poem or a baby book.

Now I just have to do all the actual work (rats)...

BTW, it is a picture book I'm afraid Deborah. Mind you, I still read picture books and I'm never going to see 11 again!

June said...

So nice to hear positive news about book proposals going through the acquisitions process :o)

I remember the days when the Publishing Director used to just say Yes or No to our proposals... life was a little simpler then!

Congratulations Lynne.

Alicia said...

Wow! Congratulations!! Looking forward to hearing more about it as the project progresses. :-D