Crazy October

October has always been my favorite month of the year: autumn, Halloween, hot chocolate, apple cider, sweaters, leaves changing, blazing fires in the fireplace, the promise of snow… what’s not to love? (Yes, I’m aware that almost none of my favorite October things actually occur in southern California. Thank goodness for sense memories, is all I can say.)

Well, this year, I think I had one of my most exciting Octobers ever.

October 1st, I got “The Call.” An agent I had queried called to offer me representation for my middle grade novel Above World. A coworker snapped a photo of my grinning face while I was still on the phone, then videotaped me jumping up and down, dancing, and telling everyone in the studio afterward.

October 5th, I got a second offer. Just as jubilant an occasion, but tempered with “Oh, crap — now I have to actually decide.

October 8th, I announced my happy, happy agent-signing news and allow myself to finally celebrate for real.

October 9th, first thing in the morning, I got revision notes for my novel. My celebrating lasted less than 24 hours. :)

October 10th-12th, I freaked out, generally speaking, and could not even open my novel file.

October 13th-25th, I revised. And revised. And shifted to half-time at work. And continued to revise. And eventually turned in my first-ever agent revisions.

October 29th-Nov 1st, I went to World Fantasy Con…and mostly talked about agents.

October 26th-Nov 1st, I worked on synopses for future books and turned them in to my agent.

From start to finish, October was a crazy, amazing, terrifying, and wonderful adventure. November? You’re really gonna have to bring it.