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:

  1. 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.

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  2. Congrats Shannon. So happy for your awesome news.

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  3. Wow! That's great news, Shannon!

    Congratulations! :D

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

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  5. Awesome News, Shannon. Congrats.

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

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  7. MAD PROPS FOR PERSEVERANCE! CONGRATULATIONS!

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  8. Congrats, Shannon! That's incredible!!!

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

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

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  11. 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

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

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

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  14. Congratulations! This is wonderful news.

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  15. WOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!! *happy dances*

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

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

    CONGRATS and love,
    Lola

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  16. 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!!!!

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

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  18. 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!

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

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  20. 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!

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  21. Awesome! Congratulations! Wishing you all the best!

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  22. Many congratulations, Shannon--such happy news!

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  23. 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.

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  24. Many many congratulations!

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  25. This is fantastic news! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

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

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

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  28. 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

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  29. CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! Awesome news!! *throws confetti*

    SO happy for you!!

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  30. 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

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  31. 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.)

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  32. 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!

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

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  34. 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.

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

    How are you celebrating? ;)

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

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

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

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  39. 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!!!!! ^_^

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

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  41. 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)

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  42. 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!!!!!

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  43. 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!!!

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

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

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

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

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  47. Congratulations, Shannon! Hurray for you!

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

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

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

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

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  52. 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

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

    Congrats hugs!

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

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  55. 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!!

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

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

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

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

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  61. 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!! :)

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

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  63. that is so awesome! congratulations :)

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

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

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  66. *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* :)

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  67. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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  75. 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

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

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  77. 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!!!!

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  78. Yay, yay and double yay!!!

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

    Congratulations!

    Shelley

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

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  80. 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

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

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

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  83. 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!!

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

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

    *Happy Dance*

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

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  87. 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!!

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  88. Congratulations Shannon! I'm so excited for you.

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

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  90. 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!

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

    Huge congrats, Shan!
    <3 you!

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

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

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  94. 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*

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

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

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  97. CONGRATS! That is AWESOME news!

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  98. Shannon! OMG, congrats, congrats, congrats!

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  99. Congratulations! This is so awesome.

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

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

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

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

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

    Congratulations!

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

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  106. 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.

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

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

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

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  110. 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.

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

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

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

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

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  115. wonderful wonderful wonderful, congrats!!!!!

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

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  117. Congratulations! I just saw the good news!

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  118. 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!!

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  119. 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!!!!

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  120. 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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