Signed, Sealed, and Delivered

I've been holding this news in for two weeks and it's been killing me! I've almost burst several times wanting to tell everyone . . . well, now I finally can!

Two weeks ago, Valor Publishing offered Lynn Parson & I a contract for Teaching Special Spirits!!! Yes, that means it's finally going to see the light of day (or at least the fluorescent lighting of a book store!).

I emailed our revised submission to Valor on September 28th at 10:41 am. That evening at 5:42 pm, I received an incredible phone call from Tristi Pinkston (Valor's Acquisitions Editor) offering us a contract! Seven hours after the submission!

The moment: My friend Kelly and I had just walked out of Hobby Lobby craft store and were crossing the parking lot when my cell phone started to ring. I looked at the display and saw Tristi Pinkston's name. My first thought was, Hmm . . . Tristi doesn't normally call me. I wonder???

So I answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hi, Danyelle," Tristi said.

"Hey Tristi," I replied back. Then I cut right to the chase. "So, what's up? You don't usually call me on my cell."

"Well, I was just wondering if you were busy in June - you know, for some book signings and things."

"Really? Are you serious? Really?" Then I couldn't speak. I started sobbing like a baby. Right in the middle of the Hobby Lobby parking lot. Kelly caught onto what was happening really quick, and pulled me into a hug. I still don't know if her poor coat has dried off from all those tears. When I could talk again, Kelly led me around to her car and shoved me into the passenger seat, while I continued plying Tristi with question after question about what happens next.

It was truly an incredible moment. One of those Wow experiences you never forget.


Lynn's Call: Next, Tristi called my co-author Lynn, who was at a protest rally in front of her city hall. I'm absolutely totally serious people. She was holding signs and everything. Her phone started to ring and she saw a Utah area code. She knew it wasn't my cell phone. But she does have kids who go to BYU, so she answered. And was absolutely floored to hear Tristi on the other end of the line, introducing herself and telling Lynn how much she looked forward to working with her on Teaching Special Spirits. Of course, Tristi was also wondering about all the noise in the background. Lynn explained she was at a protest rally, but not to worry because they were out there protesting a group who wanted their city hall to stop having prayer before their meetings. They both laughed and soon ended the call. When Lynn hung up, she started jumping up and down, telling her hubby and friends about her new contract. Another incredible moment, this time etched in Lynn's life.

Within a few hours, BJ Rowley had our contracts in our inboxes. Lynn and I spent an hour on the phone, reading through it, laughing (ok - giggling like teenagers getting ready for their first prom), and ready to celebrate.

I signed the first set of contracts, mailed them to Lynn . . . who signed the contracts and mailed them to Valor . . . who signed the contracts and they are now back in the mail to us. Yippee! Life is happy, wonderful, and exciting! Teaching Special Spirits will be out on June 15th, 2010.

And two weeks later, I still get all teary-eyed and just think, "Wow. This is so unreal."

But it is real. That's the really incredible part.

Come check out my author website. www.DanyelleFerguson.com