Sheila's Guests and Reviews

1. Maybe I misread the email... I've reread it a thousand times, and shown it my husband and son. It's not likely to change. 2. Maybe the email wasn't really for me... But it's got my name and the name of my novel on it. 3. Maybe I'll invalidate the contract somehow--misspell my name or something... So I'll get my husband to check it before it goes out. 4. Maybe I'll address the envelope wrong... But the address is online, on the contract and in the email; I've lots to chances to make sure it's right, and my husband will certainly help. 5. Maybe my writing's not good enough, and the novel will just get worse the more I edit... But they thought it was good enough to make me an offer... 6. Maybe the editor won't like me... But the publisher does, so I know they'll choose someone just right... 7. Maybe... All those irrational fears are jumbling around in my head. Just sign the contract and get it sent back and STOP WORRYING! ...

Okay, I'm speechless!!!!! And smiling all over my face so broadly I'm not sure how I managed to eat dinner. I just got an email from Gypsy Shadow Publishing . There was a contract in the attachments! I won their writing prompt competition and they're going to publish my entry as an e-book! Follow the link and you'll see my name on their front page. I still can't quite believe it. I keep going there to check. Yes, it really is me. Yes, I really have a contract. Yes, if I could just stop running around like a headless chicken long enough I might even read and sign it... And post a quick blog post to share the good news!

Yesterday I said I had 3 letters and 2 copyrights. Now I have 1 contract as well - it came in the email today. My first contract. My first ever contract! Can you tell I'm excited? It's from Mythica Publishing, for my science fiction short story which will appear in their Maybe Tomorrow anthology, sometime in the next 6 months. I keep reading the words but they fly straight through my head. Maybe I'll get my son to look before I sign, but I'm sure it's okay. In fact, it's more than okay. It's a real contract written in genuine legalese and it's mine, all mine! It even has my name on it!