I am so flattered and surprised by the outpouring of support from my announcement about my tween novel. How can I say thank you enough? Thank you!

I formally accepted my formal offer from S&S* on Friday, so this whole publishing-a-book fantasy is real. (I think. I’m still in shock about the whole thing.) I never imagined that my first published novel would be for young readers, but—not to sound hokey—this is where fate has led me, and this is the story I’m telling right now. The voice of the story is a 13-year-old girl, so it’s only fitting girls her age would read it. There will be other stories, I hope. I really do have a lot to say.

Saying yes to the yes was a beautiful moment for me. I am so used to getting this-close and then seeing a no.

Next time, though, I’m getting** an agent. In fact, it was recommended to me that I shouldn’t answer the formal offer right away and instead run out and tell an agent I have an offer on the table and to please come on board right now. I decided not to do that. I’ll be seeking an agent once I finish my YA*** manuscript. I will probably WISH I had an agent when my contract for this book comes, though. I have no idea how to read a contract.

So here I am—about to publish a book that I haven’t even finished writing yet. I didn’t know you could actually sell a book based on 30 pages and a plot summary, but it happened, it really happened. I will get deadlines from my editor soon. I can’t wait to keep writing it. I love this book! Here’s proof.

All I’ve wanted to be all my life is a writer. And it’s funny—now that it’s more official—I feel just the same about myself as I did before. I was a writer before this, and I’ll keep being one. You are a writer when you admit to yourself that you are one. Why has it taken me so long to face that?

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* To the wonderful Courtney: You were right about the imprint. And they’ll be publishing mine in hardcover! Can you deal? (p.s. Courtney, thanks for your advice about that publishing board… so helpful!)

** I should say trying to get. I’ve never sought out an agent specifically for YA writing, but I will in the near future when my next manuscript is done. I’m dreading seeking an agent, but I’ve realized that, for me, so unsure of what I’m doing, it really is a necessity.

*** I still don’t know if the other novel I’ve been writing is YA, but the fact that S&S accepted my tween novel makes me think it should be YA, like this is the path I should be on, these are the voices I write the best. Maybe. I wonder… is it a sign?