Sometimes the Universe really does give us what we ask for...

If you’ve been keeping up, you know that I have put out a ton of query letters over the weekend.  I got back some “rejection” messages today.  Many were still very kindly worded.  One lady apologized for the form letter.  One man, who did not use a form letter and was very personalized told me that my plan wasn’t going to work for him, but I had good stuff and to keep at it because somebody out there will see differently.  

I was OK with all that.  It wasn’t rejection i the classic sense of rejection.

Then I received this little doozy:

“Dear Paige,

Thank you for submitting your query. I would like to request the FIRST THREE (3) CHAPTERS of your COMPLETED MS for REUNIONS.

Please send as a word .doc attachment to this e-mail address.

Thanks much, and I look forward to reviewing your work.

Best,____________
Fletcher and Company, LLC.”

Can you believe it?  

Of course I emailed my husband and my kid the thrilling news right away, but I had no immediate person to share it with. Kinda a bummer...I was at work with a bunch of 7th graders when the message came in on my phone.  I was probably the happiest substitute in the best mood of any teacher they would have all day on a Monday...but I was not really in a position to talk about my book with these kids.

After work, I made a quick stop at the grocery to pick up some dinner quickies.  Of all people, at the deli counter in back I ran into my former high school English teacher....The man who gave me the writing prompt assignment 32 years ago, which actually launched the book:  

Write about a person, (not parents / grandparents) who has impacted your life or in some other way was really cool to meet.  (Had to be a real life person you’d met.)

At the time, I chose to write about meeting my estranged cousin, “Weird Bob“, who came for a visit and the impression he made and the advice he imparted on me.

So I had the chance that most people probably never get:  to revisit an old teacher and thank them for helping with your current success(es).  I told Mr. West about my book, and he was all excited for me.  I told him he was the 1st actual in person- person I’d been able to share my news with, and that was very cool.  Of all people.  I told him that in my acknowledgement section in the book, he was one of the people on my “thank you” list because he was the teacher who taught me how to write. I think he was flattered.

I am so thankful I was able to tell him all that today.

Wow!  Such a day!

Now off to celebrate my “win” with pizza and concentrating on polishing my 1st three chapters before I hit the “send’ button!
P.