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A book contract! I like the sound of that!

October 8, 2009 on 3:21 pm | In Freelance writing | No Comments

When I quit working outside the home back in March, I had no idea that before 6 months had passed, I’d be signing a contract with a publisher to compile and edit a book of essays. (Warning: Trite expletives ahead: It was meant to be! It’s a dream come true!)

Besides being one more fact I can point to when trying to convince myself, and when telling others, that, yes, I am a “real” writer (I still need convincing!) it’s fun to have a new project to work on. I thrive on creative projects, especially those that demand organization skills. Kind of weird, since no one would accuse me of being organized at home. I guess organizing bills and throwing away junk mail isn’t as much fun, and doesn’t produce a satisfying end product, like my favorite kinds of projects do.

This book project, an anthology of essays written by parents of kids with ADHD or kids who, for whatever reason, behave in ways that present challenges to their parents, is definitely my kind of project. I didn’t even wait to sign the contract before I got started–I already did a throrough market comparison, wrote the Call for Submissions, and started a long list of venues for placing the Call.

I ran into my former boss, Lynne Carey, the other day, and she’d heard my good news through the workplace grapevine. She congratulated me. “You know how I love having a project!” I said. If anyone on the planet understands my affinity for creative projects, it’s Lynne. I drove her nuts for 9 years with a steady stream of ideas for things I wanted to do, but that ultimately created work for her too.

Well, now it’s Adrienne Ehlert Bashista of DRT Press that has to put up with me! Luckily, I get the feeling Adrienne works a lot like I do. I think we’ll get along just fine.

Watch for more info, and that Call for Submissions, soon!

Read with me; write with me!

Kay