Are We Famous Yet? A Writer’s Dream
So, I may have mentioned that when I signed my book deal with Razorbill, my youngest son asked for a pony.
I explained that I wasn’t actually J.K. Rowling, and that ponies are expensive, take a lot of care,* blah blah blah. When pressed (oh, yes, the kid kept at it), I said when I made a million dollars at this writing thing, we could get a pony. (I figured he’d be about forty if it ever happened, and past the pony-wanting years. I’m sneaky like that.)
But there’s no harm in dreaming – I mean, that’s what gets us through this whole writing life some days years. The thought of someday, seeing your name next to your heroes, seeing your book at the book fair, buying that pony and pony butler’s services with your ginormous royalty checks. *sigh*
I had a tiny part of that dream come true today, friends. I was sitting at breakfast, reading the Austin American-Statesman paper. I turned to the Books section (as one does), and there was a great article about YA fantasy, and why it is so freaking awesome, and why everyone should buy their kids fantasy books every day of their lives, isn’t the REALITY of middle school enough to merit the escape into fantasy, people… sorry, got on my soapbox. Cynthia Leitich Smith spoke extremely well about the topic, and I was waving my pom poms. Yay, Cynthia! Yay, YA fantasy books!
Rick Riordan? Check.
Cynthia Leitich Smith? Check.
Marissa Meyer, James Dashner, Veronica Roth? Checkity check check.
Nikki Loftin? Wait… who?
Oh. My. Heavens.
My book was there. Right next to (as my son pointed out) the photos from the Hunger Games and Harry Potter movies.
It took some explaining that, no, we still weren’t getting the pony yet.But ice cream? Oh. yes. Time to celebrate!
Isn’t this the coolest thing? I’m so happy today.
* When I explained to him that he’d have to clean a barn, he amended his wish for just a pony. He also wants a “pony butler” to clean up the poo. I’m going to have to write some seriously bestselling books, people.
06/03/2012 at 4:27 pm
Congats, N! That’s fantastic stuff. You’re my writing hero and I want to be just like you when I grow up. I tell everyone about your fantastic talk at HWG’s spring conference. The non-writers give that deer-in-the-headlights look as they slowly back away. Thank you for sharing your fantastic journey with us.
06/03/2012 at 8:57 pm
Thank you, Elias! What a lovely compliment. Did you know I’m coming back to Houston in October? I hope to see you there! I had such an amazing time this spring.
06/04/2012 at 6:28 am
My Mrs. gave me ThrillerFest tickets for my birthday. United gave me two tickets to NYC, (after screwing up my San Francisco flight last year) and I’m getting a rate on the room. So, while I learn from Donald Maass and James Scott Bell, my Mrs. will live out her Carrie Bradshaw, SitC fashion dreams.
Between the clothes, shoes and dining, (Annisa, Barbuto, Mesa, Red Rooster, oh my!) I don’t think I’ll have two pennies to rub together. But true story: I’m debating attending HWG’s Fall Conference, simply for your presentation. I’ve also posted a link to your website on Query Tracker where I’ve told everyone about you. I promise, they don’t hold my endorsement against you.