Friday, November 4, 2011

A Publishing Contract!


This announcement actually makes a pretty nice follow-up to my last post on Persistence. I just signed a contract with Rhemalda Publishing for Story for a Shipwright! For a while now, I’ve been on the verge of self-publishing because I love the idea of having complete control over my work. But for my first venture into publishing, I hoped for the support of a traditional publisher. Given my cross-genre issues, and my increasing squeamishness with the Big House Publishers, I decided on the Small Press route. Rhemalda has a reputation for working very closely with their authors, which is the primary reason I chose them. I’m really excited to have progressed this far—follow-through does eventually pay off!

36 comments:

  1. So exciting! I was really happy to find out that they offered you a contract. I adore that book, and welcome, welcome to the family!!!!!!!

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  2. Thanks Michelle--you know how excited I am! And thanks for directing me to Rhemalda! :)

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  3. great news, great news, great news,, oh, and don't forgett,, first copy ,,and yes autographed,, reckon? I am proud of what you have done.

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  4. Congratulations! I'm so proud of you. Persistance does pay off.

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  5. Glenn & Anne--two of my biggest supporters. You've both been such a big help when I've felt like throwing in the towel...thank you both! :)

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  6. Yay! Welcome and congrats! Rhemalda is an awesome place to be. <3

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  7. OMG! I'm sooooo happy for you. Being with a supportive small publisher is the best possible way to start your career. YAY!!! (sound of champagne cork popping.)

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  8. OMG OMG OMG!!!!I am so happy for you I could just cry- seriously I have tears in my eyes. Congratulations, you deserve it so much. WOO HOO!!!!! (will email soon- didn't forget you, promise. been a CRAZY week here. I wish you could see me grinning right now- such amazing news! *hugs*!!!

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  9. You are my hero, JB. Your Faith has won the day!

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  10. Congratulations! I loved the paintings you shared awhile ago that related to Shipwright. I wish you a fabulous publishing journey. :)

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  11. That's great news B! I'm torn about the big publishers as well, so I get what you're saying. Consider me first in line for SHIPWRIGHT.

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  12. Congratulations! Awesome. It feels sort of awesome that I've seen some of this beforehand - a really early sneak peek.

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  13. Karen, thanks for stopping in—I’ve seen your TANGLED TIDES cover and it’s wonderful. I think I’m going to be very happy at Rhemalda!

    Anne, So many of the post you’ve written on your blog have given me confidence and helped me make the decision to go with a small publisher! Thank you! and best wishes to you on your way!

    Bru, Now, I just have to keep this INFJ from getting over stimulated with all this attention so I don’t burn out! Thanks so much for your kind words…

    Scott, You’re making me blush…to be honest, I think it’s been more stubbornness than faith ;)

    Tricia, Thanks! I love the painting also…I won’t be using it for the cover after all, but I have some other really great ideas that Rhemalda wants to use. Can’t wait to share!

    Claire, Not that I would have turned down a contract from a big publisher, but I’d have a whole lot more angst about losing control, and with the way the industry is shaping up (or should I say, shaking down), I just don’t see signing with the Biggies as a huge advantage, given my objective.

    Bryan, It was the feedback that you and so many others provided that helped me get it polished and publishable…Thank you so much for your willingness, way back when…

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  14. Wow Bridget! That's totally awesome! I can't imagine how great you must feel right about now!

    Congratulations! Of course, we're gonna want to hear all the gory details now! :D

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  15. JP, actually, it almost doesn't feel real after waiting so long! I'm scheduled for a Skype conference next week and I'm sure that will make all the difference. And of course I'll provide all the gory detail--well, at least the details that may be of interest to anyone but me...;)

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  16. Congratulations JB!!! And yes, we're interested in the details.

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  17. Hey, Charlie, Thanks! I will certainly share the details...once I catch my breath! :)

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  18. Hey, hey, yea, yea! Congratulations!

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  19. Oh my GOSH!!! I missed this post. Oh Bridget...I am so thrilled for you! Congratulations!

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  20. Thanks Liza, The feedback you provided on the story and my writing helped me get it polished and publishable! I really appreciate that! :) Although writing is largely a solitary occupation, improving our craft is kind of a group effort...

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  21. Totally fabulous JB. Congratulations :)

    I haven't gotten as many rejections for my Not Her Mother's Fate novel as you did for Shipwright, but your ISW post hit home with me. It is so hard to keep going.

    Unfortunately, I think it is my query that is my weak spot. I've stopped querying until I can work on one I am 100 percent happy with.

    I'm so glad your story has finally found a home. Good luck with the Skype conference :) Sounds exciting.

    ......dhole

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  22. Thank you so much Donna! I really has been hard to keep going at times--rejection is rough in any arena. The crazy part of it is writing and putting our work out there isn't mandatory--it's one of life'd options--and still we do it!

    Oh, and Skyping wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it would be...

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  23. congratulations!:) this is awesome news. i kin tell how comfortable you are with this route. and it sounds like a great opportunity. you deserve it. terrific news:)

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  24. Thanks so much Ed! A week later and I'm still grinning--and not feeling quite so overwhelmed :)

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  25. More and more writers are embracing the small press route these days, which seem to have the best of both worlds. Congrats to you! Very exciting news!

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  26. Bridget, I'm so happy for you! Congratulations on this exciting success. This is wonderful news... and now that you've got your foot in the door, I've no doubt that we'll soon see *lots* of your work published! I can't wait to see your books on the shelves at my local bookstore so I can smile knowingly and say, Oh Bridget, yes, a friend of mine from way back. :) Yay for you... so many happy little dancing circles of excitement!!

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  27. Thanks Karen, it was no snap decision, but I really love what a small press has to offer! Lots of involvement and control. So far, I'm having a great time with it!

    Lisa, I'm really excited about UNCHARTED: a Story for a Shipwright, but you know how I love my Girl Running novels, too. If they're up to par, you may very likely see these published also! Can't wait to sign your copies! :)

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  28. Holy cow! Bridget!!!!! You should have emailed me. I am so, so, so, so excited for you!!!!! I'm thrilled. You just made my Monday morning.

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  29. Susan, Thanks so much for your enthusiasm! What a long road, eh? You were with me way back at the start--so glad you're still around, too! :)

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  30. This is wonderful news. Of course, it probably means I can't snatch you up, but congratulations!

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  31. Ethan, You're so sweet! I have the feeling you'll find just the right stories! Thanks for stopping in :)

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  32. I can't believe I missed this.. I'm sorry!!!

    What wonderful news!!!.. Congratulations, I'm so happy for you!!! :)

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  33. Thanks Nut! Not to worry--Who can keep up!

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  34. OH.MY.GOODNESS!!! How on earth did I must this Very Important Announcement?!?!?!?! JB, This is wonderful news! So, a very (very) late CONGRATULATIONS - Rhemalda sounds like a terrific small press and you've scored a great coup here! Looking forward to the release of your novel in October! If you want to do a guest post on my blog, just contact me when you're ready - I'd love to have you. And I can tweet and help get the word out there once your book is "Live"! WELL DONE again, so sorry I missed this when it first came out (I'm really trying to cut down my on-line time to give me time to write, but that's still no excuse for missing such exciting news!)
    Judy, South Africa

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    1. Thanks Judy! Not to worry about timing. It's impossible to keep up with everyone online. I've also cut back A LOT. It's just too hard to visit all the blogs I want, comment and stay in touch--and still write--so I completely understand. And I would love to do a guest post on your blog when the time comes. So kind of you to invite me.

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