I am extremely excited to announce that I am now represented by the amazing,
super-agent, Pam van Hylckama Vlieg of Foreword Literary Agency!!
Every story comes from someplace. A dream, a song, maybe a life experience. My story came to me from a photograph. A simple picture of an enchanting castle at night. But not any castle. It was the same castle they based Cinderella’s castle off of. And if you know me at all, you know I am a Disney freak. I started writing CINDERELLA’S GLASS STILETTO February 2012 and sent out my first query in July. This book almost wrote itself.
But I’m getting way ahead of myself, because this book? This was book FOUR.
I started writing seriously in 2008, after my father was diagnosed with liver cancer. Writing helped take me away from the harsh reality that my dad was dying. That one day I’d wake up and he’d be gone. I was almost twenty-one at the time. Instead of crying day in and day out, I focused my energy on something creative. Writing seemed to be the ticket. I remember how much my dad hated the sound of my fingers banging on the keys. (Fun Fact: I am the fasted one-handed typer you’ll ever meet. Yes, I type with one hand. My left.)
My first book finished at about 70, 000 words. To me, it was the best book since Twilight. You can cringe, but Twilight was just coming out in the movies and that’s all everyone talked about. Plus, I was new to the writing/publishing scene, what did I know?
Anyway. I had the book, what came next? Google and I became best friends as I learned all about the publishing world and agents. Dear Lord Baby Jesus, agents were complicated, and queries? Kill me now. Long story short, I queried the book, got loads of rejections, cried all the time because, you know, sick dad and someone telling me my writing sucked was not a good combination.
In 2009, I discovered critique partners, YAY!
CPs were, by far, the best thing I have ever done for my writing. After lots of searching, I found two awesome-sauce girls, Ryann and Dawn. In October my dad passed away and I wrote book numero two, which was better than the first but still not good enough. I hadn’t mastered the whole show vs tell thing.
2009 and 2011 I got engaged and married to the love of my life. Wrote and queried book three. I also became a member of WrAHM Society on Facebook. From there, the best thing *ever* happened. I joined a critique group, Mistresses of the Written Word, consisting of six amazing women–Tristina, Lisa, Heather, Feaky (Tamara), Carrie & Amber.
When I started writing Cinderella’s Glass Stiletto, I knew something was different. I had that “feeling” and my girls went crazy over it. Then I got pregnant and my little boy sucked the talent out of me. Somehow, I still managed to polish CGS and queried the hell out of her. This time around I also entered contests. TONS of contests and I’ll say, I got really, really lucky because contests got me A LOT of requests.
In December 2012, Feaky and Jessa had a contest called PitchMAS. Of course I entered. Hello, she’s my CP. Lucky for me, I received a couple requests, one of which came from Pam van Hylckama Vlieg, who requested a partial.
At the end of the month she replied and asked for the full. At first I was all…
But then I took a deep breath and chillaxed.
What were the chances? So slim.
Then 2013 hit and the craziness came in full force. On January 9th I was admitted to the hospital, 5 weeks away from my due date. Long story short, my little boy who was supposed to be born the day before Valentine’s Day was going to come now. I had him January 10th and we spent the first two weeks in the NICU.
Fast Forward to February, Mason finally is home and I get a Tweet from Pam that she emailed me. I couldn’t get to the computer fast enough. She loved CGS and wanted to talk to ME about revision ideas. Apparently I was way denser/blonder than my CPs, who were certain she was going to offer representation. I didn’t get my hopes up. This business is way too tricky.
February 5th – A.K.A The Anniversary of Day my husband and I met A.K.A The Call Day
It still seems like a blur to me, especially with all the madness of having a brand new baby (FYI, Babies are totally lucky!!), but after giving me her thoughts and ideas on CGS, she offered and I was totally speechless, because, like I said before, I really wasn’t expecting it. I thought we’d do an R&R. But Pam is awesome and she loves my book, so that makes her even better!! After nudging other agents and with a lot of thinking and praying, I ACCEPTED. I HAVE AN AGENT!!!! Woohoo!!!!!
Everyone says to dream big but set small, attainable goals for yourself. So thank you, Pam, because being a client of yours is a dream come true and only the beginning of my writing career and a long, happy relationship together. ::HUGS:: I’m Italian, we’re huggers!
Thank you my CP Group/Mistresses – You have stood by me, read the same scenes a hundred times and kept me going through rejections and rough patches. You make me a better, stronger writer. You push me out of my comfort zone and intimidate me with your awesomeness. I love you all.
Ryann , my sweet, sweet southern belle. You’ve been by my side since the beginning, reading everything I write, even if it’s not exactly your style (::cough:: Scarlett). You are the sister I’ve never had. We have so much in common it’s insane and I can’t wait till May when you come down and we can celebrate at the happiest Place on Earth!!
A HUGE thank you to the Beta Readers I had for CGS. Each of you saw something different from the other. And you all gave me hope and inspiration to keep going no matter what. Also, my non-writerly family members, Jill & Jessie and Amber for reading and loving CGS. You rock.
Most importantly, Thank you to my husband and mother for encouraging me to pursue my dreams, even if it doesn’t come with an income or health insurance.
Lastly, to my dad. I know you would have loved to see the day I finally got an agent, but I know you’re smiling down at me from heaven and for that, I’ll forgive you for leaving me to be with Jesus. I love you and miss you every day. We’ll see each other soon, but not too soon, I still have too much to accomplish in this world.
CIAO
Angela
The husband and I are stoked and anxiously awaiting February as I roll into my third trimester. OF course the dogs aren’t thrilled to share the attention with an attention grabbing infant, but they’ll learn to deal.
