Special announcement bringing me out in the evening! I wanted so badly to share this yesterday, but I had to wait until things were official. And official they are!
That Annapolis story I’ve been working on? Summerside Press bought it! Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland will be coming out this December, and I am honored and thrilled to be joining the illustrious ranks of Summerside authors.
So here’s the dish on getting the Call. My kids had spent Monday night at their grandmother’s, and she brought them home just in time for me to pack them up for Story Time at the Library. I had them buckled in and realized I’d forgotten my car keys. Ran down to the house . . . where the door was locked. So I ran back up, grabbed my house keys, and ran back down. Just as I grabbed the keys, the phone rang. My husband had heard me trying to get back in and emerged from his office to unlock the door, so he grabbed the phone. “It’s Janet,” he said.
Now, my agent doesn’t call me just to talk about the weather, but I was standing there with keys in hand and kids in the car, and my thoughts were a little scattered. So I answered, my heart thudding, but not with the single-minded clarity I would have expected.
“Are you sitting down?” she asked.
My mind flashed the kids in the car, who were hopefully not screaming, LOL. “No,” I said. “Should I be?”
She chuckled. “Yes. Sit down.” Once I was–on the step stool, mind you–she said, “We’ve got a sale! Summerside is buying Annapolis.””
Me: “Oh, glory hallelujah!”
David made some positive kind of gesture–I couldn’t tell you what–and hugged me. Janet’s going on to talk deal points, I’m trying to crane to see if the kids have killed each other in the car, and David’s going, “What do you want me to do?”
So I send him out with the kids–one worry down–and then sink back down onto my step-stool to try to take it all in. Advance numbers. Royalty rates. Publication dates, dates the manuscript is due . . .
And inside, the Hallelujah Chorus is still gaining in volume. After getting the gist of the offer, I promise to talk to my agent later and squeal my way out the door. The kiddos–who don’t quite grasp the importance of a book deal with a big house–think Mommy has lost her mind as I sing and steering-wheel-thump my way to the Library. My mom was going to be there with my niece, so I knew I’d get to tell her in person. So I called my best friend and crit partner, Stephanie, totally not caring that it wasn’t even 9:00 in her time zone. Gave her a good start to her morning!
Now, let me just say that it’s hard to sit still through kids’ St. Patrick’s Day books when you’re buzzing with this kind of news. I managed it–barely–and then while they were chowing down on green cupcakes, Mom and I and the librarian let the glow Shine and indulged in a few squeals and bounces.
Naturally I had to share with my friends right away, but it wasn’t until Friday that I was given leave to share with the world. So share I am!
It’s hard to believe that after a year of waiting for an answer, this is going to happen so fast! Nine months, in December, and my book will be out. On shelves. In stores. EEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!! (Still a little giddy, LOL.) And this release date is just perfect for the story, which is set in the winter, from November through February. Awesome, awesome, awesome.
I’ve done a lot of praising over here these last few days. It was a twisty, turning path a lot of the way, but the Lord has brought me right here, right now, leading me firmly each step of the way. I’m so thrilled to be able to join the Summerside family, and to add this story of early American history to my roster list of books–a departure from the Biblical, but a fun one.
Now, here’s a little one-paragraph blurb about Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland:
In 1784 peace has been declared, but war still rages in the heart of Lark Benton. Never did she think she’d want to escape Emerson Fielding, the man she’s loved all her life, but then he betrays her with her cousin. She
flees to Annapolis, Maryland, the country’s capital, and throws herself into a new social circle with new friends–-ones that force her to examine all she believes. Emerson follows, determined to reclaim his bride. But he soon comes to realize that in this new country he calls his own, duty is no longer enough. He must learn to open his heart and soul to something greater . . . before he loses all he should have been fighting to hold.
Roseanna M. White is a bestselling, Christy Award winning author who has long claimed that words are the air she breathes. When not writing fiction, she’s homeschooling her two kids, editing, designing book covers, and pretending her house will clean itself. Roseanna is the author of a slew of historical novels that span several continents and thousands of years. Spies and war and mayhem always seem to find their way into her books…to offset her real life, which is blessedly ordinary.
CONGRATULATIONS ROSEANNA 🙂
karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Congrats and so exciting!!! :O)
WOW I love the Love Finds You books and look forward to reading your new one!! Congratulations on selling your book….I'm not a writer, but I know thats just got to bee awesome! Very happy for you!
Blessings….Joy
Thanks, everybody! I just keep thinking of new little facets of this blessing to make me grin and dance. I appreciate the outpouring of joy and encouragement! Wouldn't be nearly so much fun without the awesome friends sharing it with me. =)
I am so proud of my dear dear friend! Congratulations, sweet Roseanna and I can't wait to read it!
Blessings and hugs,
Molly
Just wanted to stop by your blog and say again how happy I am for your book deal!
Congrats, congrats, congrats, congrats
Oh, it sounds so exciting! And there is nothing like reading a story by an author. I really was there with you, feeling the joy!
Oh my word! YAHOO!!!! A BIG congratulations to you, Roseanna! How exciting. 😀
Your upcoming release sounds awesome – so intriguing. I know it's going to be amazing. Can't wait till it's released!! 😀
Again, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!
~ Katy
Amen dear Cousin! I can feel the adrenaline just reading your recount of that phone conversation! What an amazing time this is for you and the family. I am so thrilled for you. Congratulations on this validating moment of your tireless dedication to your passion.