What an exciting moment, signing a publishing contract. For the first time. And hopefully for the first of many times.
And yet, as exciting as this moment is, it hasn't quite felt real. I'm still sitting here in my jammies, cajoling the characters in my current WIP, tweeting about coffee-related silliness on Twitter, and then all of a sudden I realize, "Hey, I just signed a contract. For one of my stories. To be published."
It's a completely different experience than I imagined.
For one thing, the contracts arrived via email, which makes sense in this day and age, and I do like instantaneous communication. Heck, who has time to check the snail mail box everyday? But it was kind of strange when I signed the forms and returned them--online. I also got an instant reply saying the forms were received, so there was no wondering or waiting or chewing of fingernails. In addition, there's a copy sitting in my email inbox that I can refer to whenever I want.
Absolutely no paper was used in the execution of this contract.
Which means there were no papers for me to misplace and then scramble around trying to find, hoping I wouldn't have to ask for another copy while covering up my extreme embarrassment at losing something so important. There was also no need for a trip to the post office, which I usually dread and put off until even later than the last minute, waiting in line longer than if I'd gone when I should have in the first place.
I didn't have to look for a pen, either. Which I can never find, even though I've accumulated easily forty-eleven billion of them in my lifetime. And when I do find one, it has run out of ink, because I always lose the cap, especially when it's in my purse--the better to stab me with when I'm frantically searching for a pen to sign very important papers.
No wonder this doesn't seem real. It was easy. Easier than easy. It was quick and efficient.
Which leaves me lots of time to think about how exciting this whole experience is.
Congrats, Donna! Paper or no paper, it's official...enjoy the moment!
Posted by: Karla Doyle | July 02, 2012 at 04:00 PM
Thanks, Karla -- I'm definitely enjoying the moment. It's a great excuse to indulge in more coffee! LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 02, 2012 at 04:28 PM
Congratulations! I'm so pleased for you. :)
Posted by: Elin Gregory | July 02, 2012 at 05:09 PM
Thanks so much, Elin!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 02, 2012 at 05:48 PM
Congrats, Donna!
Posted by: Melissa | July 02, 2012 at 06:12 PM
Thanks, Melissa! :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 02, 2012 at 09:40 PM
Congrats! So excited for you! It's a good feeling, isn't it?
Posted by: Tonya Burrows | July 02, 2012 at 10:53 PM
So dreams really do come true!
Congrats Donna ..... well deserved.
Have a coffee on me! *smile*
Posted by: Quantum | July 03, 2012 at 05:36 AM
Tonya, it really is a great feeling -- I know you've done this recently too, and I'm excited for you. :)
Q, I'm having coffee right now! How did you know? LOL Thanks for the congrats, and all the support. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 03, 2012 at 08:39 AM
Congratulations, Donna!
Posted by: Kate Warren | July 03, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Thanks so much, Kate!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 03, 2012 at 05:43 PM
Woo hoo! Congratulations! :)
Posted by: Lorraine Paton | July 03, 2012 at 11:21 PM
Lorraine, thanks for woo hoo-ing with me. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 03, 2012 at 11:50 PM
Huge, congrats, Donna! I'm late in seeing this post but am sooo excited for you. AWESOME!
Posted by: Mae Clair | July 06, 2012 at 08:45 AM
Mae, thanks for the huge congrats. I'm really happy and excited about it, and it's been so fun sharing it with my friends here. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 06, 2012 at 08:34 PM
Yay Donna! I'm so excited for you! You deserve it!!!
Posted by: Angela Quarles | July 07, 2012 at 09:54 AM
Angela, thanks so much! Lots of excitement going on. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | July 07, 2012 at 01:34 PM