Mention Monday - A Few Newly Agented

Oh-yeah, that's a title we all (writers) at some point aspire to have, right? Well, most of us at least. (And note, I said at some point. I'm not talking down about Indie or Self-Pubbing). I just happen to know of quite a few people who have been having a wee bit of success over at my favorite site-AQC. What's that? You still haven't been to this awesomely wonderful site yet? Do you see what good comes from this site?!? Oh wait....I haven't really told you yet, my bad. :D

Over at that site there have been numerous people over the last few months who have either landed an agent or publishing deal. It's AWESOME!!!! And these people are such wonderful and deserving people that I thought they should have a Mention Monday spot.

I'm just going to hit on this year:

Beginning in January the amazing and awesome Lori Sjoberg (her TAG! is here if you missed it) got a two book publishing deal for her awesomely awesome reaper series. Then the wonderful S.K. Keogh signed a publication deal for her historical novel (technically she was offered the deal before Christmas, but it was January when she signed ;)   And then the freaking fantastically awesomeness that is Robert K Lewis (thrownbones over at AQC) signed a two book deal. Then came a book deal for Terri Bruce (see TAG! here) and Michelle Reed (Michelle_in_WI on AQC) (who was mentioned in Publisher's Weekly ;)  And someone who's story (especially the characters) I happen to love...someone who went through tons of rejections with numerous things being said that made the hopes of ever seeing the book in print seem like slim to none...Jayne Denker (her TAG! is here) landed an agent.

(Are you're eyes gettin' all wonky from the numerous links yet? Hope not 'cause we're not done :D  )

Don F (bigdonf on AQC) signed with a publisher. Stephanie Diaz landed an agent (her query had 26 partial/full requests (most of them fulls) and FOUR offers of representation. Then Precy Larkins (AKA Cherie) landed an agent from a query that had NINE full requests and an offer). ALBrock just landed an agent. And then the news that made me say, "I HAVE to mention all the AWESOMENESS of my fellow AQCers!!!".....The sweetheart and so smart and so wonderfully AWESOME RC Lewis landed an agent from a query that got ELEVEN fulls and FIVE offers!!!!! WOOOOOOT to all my fellow AQCers, you are all full of all kinds of AWESOME!!!

Take a moment to stop by and congratulate some of these awesome people. Some of them went through times where they were done and ready to completely throw in the towel. Some of them kept at it for 8+ years, struggling and feeling like nothing would ever happen. Some of them are young (Stephanie) and some of them are pregnant (and/or were pregnant at some point(s) and I can say that's not an easy time). Many (if not all of them) spend their days working hard at regular jobs (or attending school) and yet they still managed. They're all such wonderful people and I'm so HAPPY for them.

(Nobody else take offense please, I do know that all of my wonderful online friends work so hard for what they've accomplished and what they're working to accomplish.)

Happy Mentioning Everyone! :D

The April 2012 A to Z Challenge

Do you have trouble coming up with ideas for posts? Are you someone who likes to take on challenges? Or are you just someone who likes something different to do and have fun doing it?

I am all of the above, and that is why the A to Z Blog Challenge 2012 caught my eye. I have been trying to branch out with my networking. I'm on Facebook a little more often, browsing around. I went from being a Twitter hater to a Tweep who Tweets all the time. I have had my blog for a long time now, and gradually began posting more and more and have finally gotten into a bit of a routine. Once I found the site for the challenge, on Alex J Cavanaugh's Blog, I knew I had to do this challenge.

I browsed the A to Z site, added my name to the list of participants, and began to brainstorm what I would do with each letter. I haven't decided exactly what I will post for each one, but I am glad I found the site early enough that I have a little time to think it over. I'm excited to have something challenging and fun to do, I can't wait for April 1st.

So...What are you waiting for? Head on over to The Site and sign up. It's going to be fun :)

Here's a list of everyone who has signed up so far:

Happy New Year-And All That Comes With It

Well, my Countdown to Christmas days 18-25 were stolen by-everything. All the business, the hustle and bustle so to speak-took over my time and my countdown was lost. But-since there is no use dwelling on what could of been, we will move on to what will be :)

I have many things on my mind to talk about right now but since this is my first post of 2012, I am going to talk about resolutions...I will begin this topic with my resolutions

1. Write ( Technically, I do this daily, but still-got to put it on the list to make sure I continue)
2. Have Faith in what I write (This one is complicated for me. I love what I write, but then I am easily swayed by others opinions. I begin to question a large bit of what I have written because of what they say about it. Funny that this resolution also brings on another blog topic that I have floating around my head-will post it later...)
3. Complete all the revisions on my completed MS-complete aside from all the revising that I keep doing. This resolution has a deadline due to number 6...
4. Complete and polish my query letter
5. Complete and polish my long and short synopsis (This and number 4 will be the hardest for me)
6. Begin to query agents by May 2012 (This has been my goal I set shortly after I completed my book and really started to research all the industry things. My reason for May is because that will be one year since I wrote my book-Perhaps I am ambitious, but oh well-it is what it is)
7. To be healthy (This is a resolution I have had for many years and I do live healthier each year. I continue to put it on my list because it never hurts to become healthier)
8. To make real time for myself (I say real because most of the time I spend-just me-is late at night, very late at night. Once the kiddos are asleep and nightly chores are done. And even then, most of the time my me time is spent writing, which is okay and all-but at 26 I should find time to do something outside of the house-something other than household shopping, running errands, driving people (family) around, etc. This is another hard one as most of my day consists of the prev mentioned chores)
9. Find something that interests my children (They are wild and get bored easily. I know I am biased, but my kids are too smart-they may not be geniuses, but sometimes they are way too smart. My three year old can spell and write her name, but wont. She said-Mama you can write my name and if you wont do it, my sister knows how. Why should I do it myself when I can get other people to do it for me....Word for word, that was what she told me. I know that does not make her uber-smart, but it was just an example... Anyway, they don't care about TV, they don't care about toys-like em, but couldn't care less if they don't have them, they both read-but get bored with it quickly (1 or 2 books and they are done), point is they get bored. Therefore they think up things to do that they think will be fun. This usually means doing something they shouldn't. No matter what I try-no matter if I am right there, they do the wrong thing and its simply out of boredom. So I would like to find something that occupies their minds that seems to move at the speed of light. This is going to be the ABSOLUTE challenge for me)
10. To be on time (This one is general because I am late-at least 95% of the time. And i mean late in every single thing I do. Dr appointments, practices for my daughters sports and activities for both of them, taking them to school-even if they are not late late, its a mad dash around the house and to the car and into the school just to attempt to be there before the teacher takes attendance, late with posts in my crit group---Period, i am always late...I was even literally born late-Mom was due towards the end of November and I didn't come until December 18. Everyone who knows me has a constant joke about me being late. Some people even tell me the time to be somewhere as 30 mins earlier to try to make me on time)
11. This is my final resolution and it is sorta vague...I want to be better (At everything. I do my best in everything I do, but there is always room for improvement. I don't think negatively about myself or any aspect of my life, but I want to improve in every aspect of my life-Better writer, better listener, better reader, better mom-daughter-sister-aunt-cousin-niece-granddaughter-friend; just overall better. I will never be the best, and that's not a low confidence thing, just how I feel. I do not think anyone can be the best-but everyone can be better.)

And that is my longer than usual list of resolutions. Some of them will be a big challenge, but I am confident that I will be able to cross out each one. So, anyone reading this-feel free to post your resolutions or even goals for 2012, or comment on mine. I just thought about them and thought resolutions are such a common topic at the beginning of each year-why not make it my first post of the year?
Happy New Year everyone, may 2012 be your year. May it be the year that your dreams come true-whatever they may be(as long as they are nice) May you be blessed with happiness in 2012.