Thursday, April 02, 2009

Eighteen years ago today...

I got The Call: "This is Tracy Farrell from Harlequin Historicals. We love your book and want to buy it."

Cue the mental screams of overwhelming surprise and joy!

But whooo! Eighteen years! That is one long time.

What's changed since I first sold?

The first thing that comes to mind is the amount of PR authors are expected/encouraged to do (whether by their editors or peer pressure). Back in the day (when I was a young whippersnapper, I feel I should add), the biggest question was whether or not to take out an ad in RT and/or do bookmarks.

Yep, no internet, so no feeling that you should be promoting yourself over all it.

Apparently I sold in the Golden Age when it was a piece of cake to sell. Oddly enough, when I first sold, I was under the distinct impression that the Golden Age was in the 70's and 80's and I had missed the Boat of Easy Sales.

I started writing on an IBM Selectric (a typewriter, for all you current whippersnappers). Now, of course, I use a computer. But I still prefer to edit on paper.

My kids were in elementary school when I first sold. They're all grown up now, finished their post-secondary education and gainfully employed.

Some things haven't changed. Writing is still both agony and ecstasy for me. Bad reviews do not get easier to take. I just get over them faster - although that's taken eighteen years.

5 comments:

Amy Ruttan said...

Happy Anniversary. :D

Eighteen years?? I remember reading your books when I was in Highschool. You're an inspiration for all us newbies in this industry. :D

Kimber Chin said...

Happy Anniversary Margaret!

I second Amy's thoughts about you being an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your talent with us!

Margaret Moore said...

You're welcome, but oh, man, now I am feeling really, really OLD.

I'll just go pull up the rocking chair and tell you about the first pitch I made at my first RWA conference back in '88....

Shari Anton said...

Happy Anniversary, Margaret! If it makes you feel better, you're even an inspiration to some of us who've been around for awhile :).

Kaye Manro said...

Happy Eighteen, Margaret! You certainly are an inspiration for us newbies! We may have a harder time getting that contract, but we also have the internet to network, and authors like you to inspire us.

Congrats on all the years, all the books.