Ever wonder what it would be like to receive a call from a book publisher offerering a contract? Find out more.

Okay, you have been trying to conceive…a published novel for months, if not years. You imagine how your life will change. You imagine the mere joy of holding a hardback book with your name on it in your hands. An ISBN number, for gravy’s sake!

Then it happens.

THE THINGY IS BLUE!

Mar. 21, 2007

I was mopping my kitchen floor on a Wednesday. My kids were watching Sesame Street. It was an ordinary, if not boring, day in my household. The phone rang. I let it roll to voice mail. Nobody interesting called me during Sesame Street. Then, I listened to the message.

“Hello, do I have the right number for Karen Harrington? This is Kunati Publishing. Please call us about your submission.”

I was as skittered as a scared cat. I called back immediately and had to leave a voice mail. Why, I chided myself, did I not answer the phone earlier?

I took a shower, wondering at all the possible scenarios. Surely, a publisher would not call me with a rejection. No stranger to the rejection process, I was hardened to receiving a let down. This might be a cruel let down. No. No one would do that. It could only mean good things.

Two days go by. Agony.

Then, I barely come through my door from picking my daughter up from pre-school and the phone rings.

I put down the backpack and the lunch box. “Hello? Yes. Yes, I can talk now.”

“Is JANEOLOGY still available? If so, we would like to publish it.”

Background noise: “Mommy, Molly is tearing my spider!!!”

“Should I call back Ms. Harrington?”

“No! No! This is great.”

I slam the door to my office. Let the spider fend for himself. After all, mommy is trying to get published and his legs can be taped together later.

“Okay, I would like to email you the contract. If all goes well, it will come out in Spring 2008. We think it’s a great summer read. Congratulations.”

I leap from my office with pronounced joy and dance with my girls. Not knowing why we are celebrating doesn’t keep them from dancing.

“Someone wants the book mommy wrote. JANEOLOGY!” I shout.

“Mommy wrote Johnny Appleseed!” Shouts my 3 year old.

I double over in laughter. Yes, mommy wrote Johnny Appleseed.

Margaritas with friends to celebrate. So it’s a bit early, but what the heck.

The contract arrives and is sent back.

Two months go by with no contact from publisher. Sure, they are busier than a one-armed paper hanger. Don’t push them. But do they know how they have just reached in and changed a life completely? Nothing will ever be the same. What will it be like to hold in my hands? Just like expecting my children, I am pregnant with expectation. And though you’ve thought about it all your life and you know you’ll love it, will the world? Even if it is ugly, you will still think it’s beautiful, right?

But you must wait.

Until Spring 2008. A full year away.

Lesson: Be sure you can handle what you wish for.