Can you believe that 2010 is almost over? I can remember being a kid and thinking the year 2000 seemed so far away and magical. And now, that landmark date has come and gone – a decade ago! How can that be possible?
The year of 2010 was a fairly awesome one for me. I started blogging in January, not sure if I’d be able to think of something to say a couple times a week! Now, I have so many friends I met through blogging, I can hardly believe it’s only been a year. In January, I also stumbled across the caged graves of Catawissa, and I spent a good chunk of the year weaving them into a YA mystery novel.
In March, I attended the Sourcebooks Fire Launch Party in NYC, where I met some of the fantastic authors I’d already encountered through the TeenFire site: Laura and Lisa Roecker, Joy Preble, Adele Griffin, Lisa Brown, Helen Ellis, Cameron Stracher, Ty Drago, Bekka Black, and more. I also met my wonderful editor Kelly Barrales-Saylor in person, as well as my publicist Paul Samuelson — and had a blast to boot!
May brought the release of We Hear the Dead, a blog tour, and several book events, including a joint event with the authors of Picture the Dead. I enjoyed a summer exploring the blogosphere and working on both a screenplay and a new manuscript (as well as revising an old one)—not to mention a fantastic vacation in Florida with the family.
This fall, my new 5th grade class and I opened a box from Scholastic that was full of copies of my book. That precipitated a lot of jumping up and down and shrieking, and not just from the kids! Then, over Thanksgiving, I dressed up in corset and neo-Victorian/steampunk attire to read from We Hear the Dead at Dorian’s Parlor, hob-nob with Elisha Kent Kane fans, and develop a fascinating new interest!
Think it couldn’t get better? Well, it did. Just a couple weeks before Christmas, I had an offer of representation from Sara Crowe of Harvey Klinger Literary Inc. That’s what I call a Christmas present! Yes, I broke out the champagne! (Actually, it was Prosecco, which I like better.) Now, I can’t wait to start working with Sara in the new year, whipping my manuscript A Pinpoint of Truth into shape and … uh, probably changing its name. (To my blogging buddies who’ve read this one – any ideas for a new title are very welcome!)
As we close out this year, I’d like to extend my thanks to all the new friends I’ve made through this blog this year. Do you know, I sometimes tell you guys things before I tell my offline friends and family? (I know I emailed blog friends about my exciting agent news before I picked up the phone to call my mom …) Thanks for being there!
Here’s to 2011!
(Jumping up and down) Awesome agent news and a great way to end 2010. I know that 2011 is going to be great for you. Blessings always, Buffy
I never knew about the caged graves of Catawissa. I always enjoyed crossing their pretty bridge.
Let’s create a myth:
The two caged sisters from Catawissas
dug a tunnel from Ashland to Centralias.
To this day they sit and pout
on coal stoked thrones
that fired the town.
They spew their gas all about
angry that they can’t get out.
OH MY GOD THAT’s AWESOME!!!! Congrats to you and Sarah Crowe is one lucky lady too. What a whirlwind year for you! *clinks champagne glass*
You can’t do better than have Sara Crowe as your agent. She’s the best. I’ve been with her since 2005 and in that time she’s sold fourteen novels for me, as well as five nonfiction books; and she’s handled my TV/Film options, negotiated deals with Marvel Comics, IDW, Universal Pictures and Disney. She is the best.
Best of luck with your novel!!!
congrats again Dianne – you know how happy I am for you and I can’t wait to see Pinpoint in print 🙂
What an amazing year, Dianne! Congratulations! We’re so happy for you!!
I’m thankful to have met you too, Dianne! I have learned a lot from you already and I enjoy the times we’ve had in The Practice Room. I will be around much more in 2011!
Congrats on the great news!
Just grinning…
Muchas congratulations! You’ve had quite the year, I envy you :).
hi miss dianne! for me im just real happy you and me got to be friends. i love coming at your blog cause you got the neatest stuff to say. i like how you share out all kinds of stuff even your family and sorcia and you got real neat guest bloggers to. wow im just real happy about that book. you had a really good year. i hope the next one could be lots more better.
…hugs from your blogger buddy lenny
Congratulations on a wonderful year! I’m so excited for you…and can’t wait to see what comes next….
I’m so glad we became blog friends this year…
Again, Congrats!!!
I love this post! What a year you’ve had–I’m so impressed! I’m so glad you started blogging!!