Wednesday, October 19, 2011

"THE" ANNOUNCEMENT


GOD. IS. GOOD!

For three weeks I have been sitting on a secret . . . THE secret. It's been hard. This morning, I signed the contract.


And that means I can finally say

I HAVE AN AGENT!!!!!!!!!


Terrie Wolf, of AKA Literary LLC

I decided to query Terrie after seeing her spotlighted on Guide to Literary Agents AND Literary Rambles. Casey McCormick always does an awesome job of showcasing agents, and her post spurred me to action. There is also an awesome interview with Terrie at The Middle Grade Ninja Blog--such great questions.

Terrie and I spoke for over an hour on the phone. I love her warm personality and her overall philosophy of the writing world. This quote from the Middle grade Ninja interview was a clincher for me: 
"Don’t expect me to join in as you talk down my fellow agents and editors and your fellow authors. I’ll just not be a part. My parents taught me all about etiquette, and I believe in using my best manners with everyone I meet." 
I love that! And I love knowing I'm now a part of her team. YAY!!

It has taken me three years, a gazillion drafts, and over 180 rejections to finally be able to make this announcement. God works on His own time, always. It isn't always easy to wait, to keep the faith, and to keep working in the tween times, but don't give up.

I want to thank my AMAZING critique partner, Valerie Geary, for sticking with me and continuing to read my evolving manuscript. She is freaking brilliant and I adore her more than she'll ever know.

Next week we'll celebrate with some 
SIGNED James Dashner ARCS 
AND 
HARDBACKS!!

142 comments:

Patti said...

Congratulations, that's awesome. It's funny because I was just looking at her profile on Middle Grade Ninja Blog the other day. Hope she's a great agent for you.

Miranda Hardy said...

Congrats Shannon. So happy for your awesome news.

Lacey J Edwards said...

AWESOME! Congrats, Shannon!

Jon Paul said...

Wow! That's great news, Shannon!

Congratulations! :D

Deb Salisbury, Magic Seeker and Mantua-Maker said...

Woohooooooo! Congratulations! That's wonderful news!

Karen Harrington said...

I am so thrilled for you, Shannon. Cheers of HUGE congrats ringing out for you in my office right now! xo

Unknown said...

Awesome News, Shannon. Congrats.

Susan Kaye Quinn said...

Yes, yes, yes!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! That's awesome Shannon...perseverance pays off! #CONGRATS!

Joshua McCune said...

MAD PROPS FOR PERSEVERANCE! CONGRATULATIONS!

Heather Sunseri said...

Congrats, Shannon! That's incredible!!!

Heather said...

Whoo hoo! Congratulations! I'm so happy for you. I knew it would happen eventually. :)

Kayeleen Hamblin said...

Shannon! I'm so happy for you! That is the best news ever. Congratulations!

Lizzie said...

Congratulations Shannon! I'm so happy for you! I'm sure it's well-deserved and I cannot at all, in any way, wait to read your book when it gets published! =D

Caroline Starr Rose said...

So, so, so cool, Shannon! I'm thrilled for you!

Laura Pauling said...

Yay Shannon! I've seen the premise of your wip and it sounds awesome!

Sarah Tokeley said...

Congratulations! This is wonderful news.

Lola Sharp said...

WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!! *happy dances*

*tosses sparkly confetti* ☆∴*★∵∶。◦°✰*¨*•.¸¸✩

I'M SO EXCITED FOR YOU!!!! *hugs* :D

CONGRATS and love,
Lola

Jessica Nelson said...

Exciting!!!! Congrats. ;-)

NiaRaie said...

CONGRATS!!!! Yes,He is SO good.

Faith E. Hough said...

Hooray! Congratulations!

Kimberlee Turley said...

Awesome!

Valerie Geary said...

Just this: Get back to work!

:D Totally kidding.

I think we need to take a moment to celebrate...

*happy dance* *throws glitter* *eats three pieces of cake* *jumps in a pile of leaves* Weeeee!!!!

Barbara Watson said...

Ohhhhh!! Super awesome! Shannon, I am so, so happy for you!

Stephanie Thornton said...

Woohoo! I've been waiting for you to make this announcement for years! I'm so proud of you for sticking it through--I think more good things are coming your way!

CONGRATULATIONS!

Kelly Polark said...

Oh, Shannon! I'm THRILLED for you! Congrats! :)

Pauline Barclay said...

Fab! Congratulations!

Carrie Butler said...

Congratulations, Shannon! :)

Natalie Aguirre said...

Congrats Shannon! I'm SO excited for you. Can't wait till you announce a book deal so I can schedule your interview on Literary Rambles as a debut author. I see that in your future! Yea!

k said...

Awesome! Congratulations! Wishing you all the best!

Kenda Turner said...

Many congratulations, Shannon--such happy news!

Jessie Oliveros said...

Shannon! Of course I came over as soon as I saw the title of your post on my blogroll! Congratulations. These kind of announcements always make me so happy. You've worked hard to deserve this.

Anonymous said...

Many many congratulations!

Cherie Reich said...

Congratulations!!

Krispy said...

This is fantastic news! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Tales of Whimsy said...

God most definitely works on his on time. Congratulations darling! That's amazing news. What a blessing!

Krista Van Dolzer said...

Saw the good news on Kayeleen Hamblin's website! Just wanted to pop over here and say congrats!

Hilary Wagner said...

SHANNON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm soooo happy for you! This is such great news! You will go far! What a great announcement! Congratulations! I know how hard you worked for this and the payoff is so well deserved!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxo -- Hilary

erica m. chapman said...

CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! Awesome news!! *throws confetti*

SO happy for you!!

Old Kitty said...

SHANNON O DONNELL!! You most secretive wonderful woman you!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Now I'm going to do a very happy happy ecstatic and so thrilled for you dance!! Oh yes!!! I've got rhythm, baby, and I ain't afraid to use it!! LOL!!!!

BIG HUGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YAYAYYAAYYAYAYAYAYAY!!! Onwards and upwards for you!!!!!

Take care
x

Shari said...

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON!!!!!!!! I'm doing a happy dance for you. (And I'm really glad you can't see it. 'Cause I'm a really bad dancer.)

Karen Lange said...

Congratulations! I am so excited for you! Good going, amigo. :D Don't forget to keep the shades handy at all times. Wishing you all the best!

Theresa Milstein said...

YaY, Shannon! I've been waiting to share this news. Now I link this post into the blogosphere. Hooray!

Mel Chesley said...

Woohoo! Congratulations! I'm with Terrie, I don't like to talk down about my fellow authors/writers and so forth either. We're here to support each other, not battle for the top rung.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Congratulations. I'm very happy for you!

Tere Kirkland said...

YAY!!! Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person, imo!

How are you celebrating? ;)

Katie Anderson said...

Congrats!!!! I'm so happy for you!!!! Good things to come, my friend. Good things to come.

Christine Danek said...

I'm so happy dancing for you!! Congratulations!!! I'm so happy for you!! Can you tell!! Can't wait to hear more!

Stacy McKitrick said...

Congratulations! I'm glad I stopped by today to share in your joy.

Heather Zundel said...

OH MY GOSH!!! You have been one of the sweetest, most dedicated followers on my blog and I cannot wish this on anyone more than I do for you right now. CANNOT. Congratulations!!!!! ^_^

Kristin Lenz said...

Congrats to you! All of your hard work shows. And now best of luck in the next stages...

Diane Estrella said...

I'm just gonna say I knew, not really knew, but knew...... So, so happy for you and you are so deserving of this. I can not wait to see where God takes you from here! :O)

Frankie Diane Mallis said...

AAAAAAAAAAH! CONGRATULATIONS, SHANNON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG I am so excited. My initial reaction to this news--no lie--was a squeal of delight. I can't think of anyone more sweet or deserving of such happy news!! *hugs hugs and more hugs* Congratulations!!!!!

Tina Lynn said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol Riggs said...

Rah! That is SO cool. I'm so happy for you, glad God gave you an agent. Best wishes for your continued journey toward publishing!!!

VR Barkowski said...

YAY! Congratulations, Shannon!!! Looking forward to many more details!

E. Arroyo said...

Congrats!!!

Bidisha said...

Woah..huggest congratulations, Shannon! Looks like your hard work paid off. SO HAPPY.

Unknown said...

Can't tell you how thrilled I am for you!

Congratulations, Shannon. Way to go! Big *hug*!

Myrna Foster said...

Congratulations, Shannon! Hurray for you!

Christina Lee said...

Shannon, YOU ANNOUNCED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So very happy for you INDEED!!!!!!
*raises my virtual wine glass to you*

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Congratulations, Shannon! Hurray! I'll join Christina in that celebratory virtual wine! (Make mine Prosecco, though.)

Jennifer R said...

Congratulations! How exciting! I'm sure it feels great to share!

Peggy Eddleman said...

Oh, my goodness! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I am so excited for you! I love that you got an agent that is so perfect for you! YAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!

Angela Ackerman said...

There is not a single person on this planet more deserving than you Shannon! Congrats and here's to a great partnership!

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Len Lambert said...

Congratulations, Shannon!!! Woot!

Jackee said...

Awesome news, Shannon!!! Sooooo very happy for you. :o) I hope it works out for the long haul.

Congrats hugs!

Casey McCormick said...

YAY, YAY, YAY! Congratulations, Shannon. Wishing you and Terrie the very best!

Shelley Sly said...

Shannon!!! Congratulations!!! :D :D I saw the title of this post and I just had a feeling, and I am SO SO happy for you!!

Bethany Wiggins said...

I knew you 'd make it the moment I read your pages. You TOTALLY deserve this! Congrats!!!

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Congratulations. I look forward to seeing your book on shelves.

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo. I'm so happy for you, Shannon. :)

Golden Eagle said...

CONGRATULATIONS! :D

& said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emy Shin said...

Huge, huge congratulations, Shannon! This is so amazing, and I'm incredibly happy for you!

Jemi Fraser said...

I've got tears Shannon! I'm SO thrilled for you!!!!!!! You're one of the best people I know online and you totally deserve this. Crazy happy dancing going on for you up here in Canada!! :)

Kathi Oram Peterson said...

What great news! Congrats!

Mary Aalgaard said...

So happy for you! Celebrating in your honor tonight with loads of chocolate and inspired thoughts.
Write on!

mshatch said...

that is so awesome! congratulations :)

Tricia J. O'Brien said...

Woo-hoo!!! If anyone deserves this, you do. *dancin'*

Janet Johnson said...

Congratulations, Shannon! That's so awesome! Hope you do some big celebrating! :D

Shannon Messenger said...

*sneaks out of copyedit sequestering to say* YAY SO GLAD THE NEWS IS FINALLY OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!

So happy for you. Such wonderful, deserved news!

Though I also HAVE to say: you think waiting three WEEKS is hard? Ha! Um... wait till you sell your book--which I'm sure will be SOON!

*tosses confetti* :)

Joanne R. Fritz said...

YIPPEE!!! Huge Congrats, Shannon! Always happy to hear good news from a fellow writer.

Sounds like a charming agent. I'm sure you'll make a good team.

Gina Ciocca said...

YAY!! CONGRATS!!

Unknown said...

Though I'm sure you felt the excitement over twitter I wanted to stop in again and say CONGRATULATIONS ROCKSTAR! WELL DESERVED!!!

Buffy Andrews said...

Welcome to the AKA Family. I think we're a pretty awesome bunch!

Nicole Zoltack said...

OMG, Congrats! I'm so happy for you!!!

Alexia561 said...

Congratultions Shannon! So very, very happy for you! :D

Heidi Willis said...

Woo Hoo!!! Hugest congrats!!

Lenny Lee said...

hi miss shannon!! wowee!!! thats the most best news ever!!! im so excited and soooo happy!! yippeee!!
...big happy hugs from lenny

Emily R. King said...

I'm pumped for you! Such incredible news! YIPPEE!

Liesl Shurtliff said...

HUGE congratulations! It is such an amazing feeling, isn't it? Hopefully more amazing news to come!

Sara {Rhapsody and Chaos} said...

OMGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!! Shannon, I am SO happy for you!!!! I feel like I've been waiting to hear this news forEVER <3 <3 <3 <3

Can't wait to see what's next in store for you! xxoo

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Sooooo excited for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Three cheers! Hip Hip Horray. Hip Hip Horray...Hip Hip Horray!

Roxane B. Salonen said...

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! I just had a sneaking suspicion this announcement might be coming. :) :) So, so happy for you, friend. You are so deserving. You've worked so hard and been such an encouragement to others. YES!!!!

storyqueen said...

Yay, yay and double yay!!!

So happy for you! Every step is a step closer to holding your book in your hands.

Congratulations!

Shelley

Jessica Bell said...

Congrats, Shannon!!!! SO SO SO SO SO happy for you!!!!! :o) XOXOX

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Shannon .. what fantastic news and so brilliantly well deserved - sounds like a dream team ... enjoy the whole journey now .. and what stories to tell of your path .. champagne all the way at the weekend? Great to read about - cheers Hilary

Anna Staniszewski said...

Hooray!!!! HUGE congrats!!

C D Meetens said...

Wow! Congratulations! That's amazing news. It's also really encouraging to see how you kept going, and that this is the result.

Mariah Irvin said...

Congrats! This is fantastic news!

Anita said...

Just HAD to add my YAY! WOO-HOO! :) Best of luck to you!

Michael G-G said...

CONGRATULATIONS, SHANNON!!!!

Although I'm late (as always) to the party, this news just makes my whole day. You've worked so hard and been such an inspiration to all of us in tne trenches. I'm sure we're going to see your name in lights soon.

It's been quite a week for Shannons. I'm seriously thinking of changing my name to Shannon!!

Bish Denham said...

And here's my voice, added into the noise of celebration. CONGRATULATIONS!

Luna said...

Congratulations, Shannon!!! I'm so excited for you...:)

*Happy Dance*

Anonymous said...

Oh my GOSH!!! Totally missed this, Shannon....CONGRATS to you. It's been a crazy good news week!

Kelly Lyman said...

YEAH!!!! God is good-- you are so right!! Congrat to you!!! Way to stick with it- this is SUCH an inspiration to me right now!!

Leah (aka Mary_not_Martha) said...

Congratulations Shannon! I'm so excited for you.

Unknown said...

God is always good--so happy to hear your wonderful news!

Sophia Chang said...

Congratulations! Therea sent us all over here and I'm always cheered to hear stories of authors who never gave up - thank you for posting your rejection numbers, they keep my head in the game!! If you'd be so kind to also blog about your query process or even your letter (if you haven't already) we'd so appreciate it!

Candyland said...

Sonofa...HOW DID I MISS THIS (amongst not reading blogs at all right now, but STILL...)

Huge congrats, Shan!
<3 you!

Creepy Query Girl said...

Holy crap!!!! Huge congrats Shannon!!!!:)

Matthew MacNish said...

How did I miss this!?! Congrats, Shannon!

Stina said...

I can't believe I missed this!!! I saw it on someone's blog this morning and came to check for the announcement. But I didn't realize you made the annoucement on Wednesday!!!!!! I was about to leave you a message (after coming back for the second time), only to scroll down and find this post.

CONGRATULATIONS SHANNON *does happy dance*

Angela said...

Wow, Shannon, congrats on the agent. That is awesome!

Laurel Garver said...

Woo hoo! You've struggled hard to get here, my friend. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

CONGRATS! That is AWESOME news!

Lydia Kang said...

Shannon! OMG, congrats, congrats, congrats!

Unknown said...

Congratulations! This is so awesome.

LTM said...

Supercool and awesome! BIG congrats to you, Shannon!!! :o) <3

Kristen Pelfrey said...

Oh, congratulations! I am so happy for you! :)

DL Hammons said...

Oh Shannon, that is beyond awesome!!! Congrats to you!!!!!!!!!! (there aren't enough exclamation points!) :)

Pabkins said...

sorry for the delay in saying CONGRATS!!!!
Pabkins @ Mission to Read

Dawn Simon said...

Congratulations!! Yay!!

Steve MC said...

Over 180 rejections and you still plugged on? That's called faith!

Congratulations!

Alison Miller said...

Congratulations! That is super wonderful news! SO happy for you!

Anonymous said...

Many congratulations. That is very exciting!

You know, I read a post by someone once that said he had queried 7 agents and gave up figuring he'd never get an agent. At the time I thought - geez, where's your persistence, buddy? Where's your stamina? Where's your faith?

I wish I had had this post to send to him.

kathrynjankowski said...

Congratulations, Shannon! May you and Terrie have many happy and fruitful years together.

ali cross said...

Oh Shannon. It could not happen to a better person. ((hugs)) And CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Catherine Denton said...

Shannon, you are SO deserving of this!!!!! I can't wait to see the rest of your story, YAYYAYAYAYAY!!!

bfav said...

Oh crap, I go on vacation and come back to your amazing news. Congrats! Super excited for you. I'm excited to read your story in print.

Kristine Asselin said...

I'm late to the party, but congrats!

Sara B. Larson said...

So very happy for you! Congrats!

Kimberley Griffiths Little said...

I'm late, too, due to travel and illness, but golly gee whiz dang, Shannon!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! Very happy for you!!!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Omigosh, Shannon! I can't believe how late I am to this party, but CONGRATULATIONS!!! I'm so happy for you!!!

Kristin said...

YES!!!! Shannon. Incredible news! OVer the moon thrilled for you! Kristin

Unknown said...

Just now saw this. YAY, SHANNON!!!! Congratulations!

Michelle McLean said...

wonderful wonderful wonderful, congrats!!!!!

Marieke said...

Way late, but yaaaay! Congrats!!! :D

Jenny Lundquist said...

Congratulations! I just saw the good news!

TerryLynnJohnson said...

Look at this epic party event you've created with your amazing announcement!!! Everyone has come! I've brought brownies!!

Seriously sooooo happy for you, Shannon! I love to hear great news for people who so deserve it! God, that's a LOT of rejections, Shannon! Way for sticking with it!!

Jennie Englund said...

SHANNON! How did I MISS THIS????

OH my goodness! YES!!! Yes Yes Yes Yes!

You got an agent! A great agent! You got a great agent for your super story!

Wow!

You so so deserve this!

Can't WAIT to hold that book in my hands!!!

OOdles of congrats! PILES of them!!!

Wahoooooooooo!!!!

Robyn Campbell said...

I finally found your announcement. I am soo sorry that I missed this. I give my congrads to you, Shannon. I know you will be very successful. Yay! And please accept my apology for not seeing this.

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