Friday, December 11, 2009

Massive Shout Out

None of us will ever accomplish anything excellent or commanding except when he listens to the whisper that is heard by him alone.
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hearing that whisper takes time and then steel determination. When the moon whispers it is nothing more than the glint of small light off the waves of possibility, a thin thread, a path through thorns. No one ever got to the top of anything and said, "Wow, that was easier than I thought it was going to be." The reverse is true. All dreams have a price and it is usually much higher than we ever expected to pay... or ever expected we could pay.

So it is no small thing to discover someone who has heard their dreams and followed.
I am constantly amazed and humbled by the writing talent out here in blogging world and I cannot let this year go by without shouting out some of these wonderful people. The following is not a comprehensive list, just a list of those bloggers I follow or am connected with whose path inspires me to never never stop hoping.

1. Katie Ganshert from her self title blog katieganshert has had a massive end to her year. On November 11th she landed none other than the fabulous literary agent Rachelle Gardner from Word Serve Literary. Check out her post on THE CALL here. Her novel is currently sitting with 'acquisitions people' at a publishing house. I wish her the very best in placing that book and can't wait to hear details of a signed contract with the right publishing house and the books' upcoming release date. She is proof that full time motherhood and teaching cannot stop a writer who wants to :)

2.Elana Johnson also from a self titled blog (maybe I should self title mine?) elanajohnson also ended her year with a bang. She landed literary agent Michelle Anderlman of Lynn C. Franklin Associates in Nov 2009. Congrats and I look forward to details of the books' release date :)

3.Caroline from carolinebyline took a massive leap of faith this year and quit her day job to pursue her love of children's writing. The gamble paid off big time, this year she landed Michelle Humphrey of Sterling Lord Literistic. I wish May.B all the best as she goes on submission. You inspire me girl!

4. K.M. Weildland of WordPlay released yet another fantastic historical novel this year. Behold the Dawn was released Oct 1st 2009. Congrats Katie! All reports are that the book is doing wonderfully. And a special thank you for being the first author who took me up on an offer of an interview when I had like 13 followers :) Keep those books coming girl.

5. Lisa and Laura from Lisa and Laura Write (two sisters who totally crack me up btw. How can you not support anyone who wears pink Ugg boots?) also had a great end to a massive year. In March of this year they signed with the fabulous Catherine Drayton of Inkwell Management. AND then followed that up in Oct by selling their amazing novel 'The Haunting of Pemberly Brown' to Source Books. It will be available for release in Spring 2010! Congrats girls and I can't wait to by the book. Did I mention I was available for a blog tour? :)

6. Sarah from Sarah with a Chance definitely had a chance and proved it by signing with agent Suzie Townsend of Fineprint Lit. Congrats Sarah. The blog break up worked fine then, hey? Oh, and I just got word from the itunes people. They care. Really. They are sending Twizzlers your way :)

7. Karen from Following the Whispers followed her dreams all the way to publication. She release her memoir titled Following the Whispers earlier this year. The book has done very well and placed as a finalist in the New Mexico Book Awards. Karen you are testament to the truth of happiness in spite of pain. Keep on singing! And all the best with that new WIP. And thanks for the mentoring this year. My writing thanks you too :)

8. Erica Vetsch from On The Write Path released another new book this year, The Bartered Bride AND signed with fab agent Rachelle Gardner. Congrats on both the book and that wonderful and very busy agent :)

9. Jody Hedlund from the self titled blog jodyhedlund also signed with Rachelle Gardner from Word Serve Literary. Her historical novel sold to Bethany House in a three book deal, the first of which, The Preacher's Bride, is due for release in 2010. Her blog is an open diary to the world of publication and a wealth of direction and encouragement. Congrats girl and thank you for the open look at the path to publication.

10. Carrie or CKHB as she is better known from Heim Binas Fiction has out on request a full manuscript, and she is currently doing deals with the universe for the agent to offer representation and later for a book deal. Carrie is an honest, tell-it-like-it-is blogger who never ceases to get me thinking. I wish you all the very best with both the agent and the universe. Please let me know if you need ideas for tattoo designs :)

I am also aware of two other bloggers and friends who have request for full manuscripts currently sitting with the agents of their dreams. Though I am not at liberty to name these people, can I just say I admire both of you (I think you know who you are) and I am chatting with The Big Guy on your behalves :)
All the best and I can't wait to shout both of you out in the VERY near future.

If I follow your blog, but I missed your great news this year I apologize. Please, please list yourselves in the comments section.

So What about you? What is your claim to fame for the 2009 year? And don't say you don't have one. If you managed to keep writing this year and have not yet trashed your dreams or pulled all your hair out then THAT COUNTS! :) Let me know what you got up to!

PS- please forgive me if I am absent from some blogs this month. Things are a little crazy with packing and moving into a new house by the 23d of DEC with two small children under foot, but I am trying to visit as many blogs as I can :)


47 comments:

  1. This has been a year of abundant blessings! I'm so happy for all the ladies. They are a great inspiration to keep stretching for your dreams. I can't wait to read all their books, with the exception of Erica- I read her fabulous book!

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  2. That's a beautiful, inspiring post you got in here
    keep it up!!

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  3. Congratulations to everyone! That's a pretty darn good year I'd say :) And congratulations to YOU TOO Tab, because, well, you just deserve it.

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  4. Well, Thanks, Tab!! I loved reading through that list! Celebrations are SO much fun. :)

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  5. Aw shucks! Thanks Wendy :)

    Katie- you deserve it.

    Thanks for stopping by Maha

    Me either Tamika.

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  6. What an AWESOME list! I think your list just totally proves that agents ARE still accepting writers and that dreams CAN totally come true! Thank you for sharing this! It is very inspiring. And please don't worry about hitting the blogging rounds. . .we'll all be here when you get back to normal life!

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  7. I love this list because it encourages me to no end! To see people's journeys and their successes always helps to keep me going. :)

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  8. Thanks Jody. And thanks for the awesome blog you keep that lets us all in on what goes on after you sign.

    That is how I feel too Sherrinda. Just knowing others made it makes it seem possible hey.

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  9. Um, well...I got profiled by my local what's-going-on-around-town newspaper. They printed one of my poems ("Joan of Arc") and ran a picture of me and an interview. On the other side of the page was a feature about a new hair salon. Talk about hitting the Big Time! :-D

    I got Sunday Roasted by David McMahon at Authorblog. This concludes my list of achievements for 2009.

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  10. Oh that is so cool fireblossom. I will go check that out. Getting a poem printed is a big deal. I am still trying for that one. Good for you :)

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  11. Looks like 2009 was a good year for many after all! Yea!

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  12. Tabitha, you are amazingly creative! Must be the relationship with that mystical moon!

    What a lovely gesture!

    Patti
    www.pattilacy.com/blog

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  13. What an incredible list! It is so encouraging to other writers to hear the success of people they admire and follow in the blogging world. Thanks for sharing that list, Tabitha.

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  14. This year's success? Simply starting to write again. That's the best thing of all.

    Plus, three flash fiction acceptances and two blog contest wins. Icing on the cake.

    Congrats to all the wonderful writers you've highlighted! And to you, Tabitha. May your publication journey reach that point sooner rather than later! (Good luck with the move, too!)

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  15. thanks Tabitha! I love the way you are so generous with the kudos and the information. I look forward to checking out these authors. Best of luck with your move - don't worry about us, just look forward to when on Dec. 24 you can say you lived to tell about it (and then do :)

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  16. I love all the success you hear about around here. Congrats to all of them. As for me, I'm very happy with what I've done this year. I'm one step closer to realizing my dream, and I can't complain about that.

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  17. Thanks so much for including me on you list! And man, I haven't been stalking, er, following some of these people! So thanks for the links too. :)

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  18. What a great inspirational list of bloggers and their accomplishments. You are a great friend to keep track of it all. Congratulations to them all!

    Helen
    Straight From Hel

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  19. Aw, thanks! I love your blog, too... I read and appreciate it more often than I comment, you know? Off to "follow" everyone on your list who I don't ALREADY follow!

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  20. What a great celebration- I love reading the success stories!

    Good luck with your move- that's hectic, isn't it?

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  21. What a great post of positive and inspiring news! Congrats to everyone you mentioned. 2010 is going to be amazing, I just know it. :)
    Click to read Karen’s Blog

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  22. Congrats to everyone!! Good luck with your packing and poor you having to do it in Dec!!!!

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  23. Hey, Tabitha! This is a great idea! Congrats to everyone. They definitely deserve a shout.

    Gotta go check everyone out now...

    Have a great weekend! Peace to you as you move in the heat!

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  24. Okay, I just found your blog today, (I don't know how I missed it) so I had to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your posts. So I hope you don't mind that I'm following you now (and I hate how much that makes me sound like a stalker).

    As for accomplishments-sadly, I haven't done much. I did start my draft this year, but since it's still in the editing stage it doesn't feel like much of an accomplishment. I guess the best thing I've done is start a blog and connect with other writers. You're right, there's SO much talent out there in the blogosphere, and reading about their struggles and triumphs has been a HUGE motivation. So I'm glad I can add you to my list and keep up with you as you continue into next year. Thanks!

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  25. That's so sweet of you to name everyone! Congrats to all them for their awesome perseverance. I hope each and everyone of those bloggers sell their books. :-)

    Good luck with the moving! Be careful and have fun. LOL I don't know what you're going to do with the munchkins though...heehee!

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  26. This year's major accomplishment was writing a novel for the first time in my life. Something I've wanted to do for ages but finally just forced myself to do and it was so liberating writing it that now I'm in editing heaven (which I anticipate being 1/2 of the major accomplishment for next year -- the other half getting it published!). These writers sound fantastic, thank you for suggesting them, will be visiting them soon! Good luck with the move, I will keep fingers crossed for everything going really smooth :-)

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  27. Congratulations to all these writers!

    I love your posts, Tabitha--the imagery is always so beautiful. I am very excited about a few manuscripts, particularly the one I am editing right now. I am going to break out of my comfort zone in 2010 and go for it!

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  28. Tabitha,
    Thank you so much for this. You are a lovely person and are so kind and generous with your time (especially in the midst of a move with two little ones. I've done that several times...many headaches followed).

    You've given me a few other people to go check out. Thanks!
    Caroline

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  29. Like Simon I'm just back to really writing again. I don't like the idea of being unemployed but I believe I am embarking on a new career that has always been one of my big dreams. Next year I look forward to seeing my name on your list because I have something going on with my book.
    Lee
    http://tossingitout.blogspot.com/

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  30. Tabitha! Thank you for the shout out. It is so much fun to celebrate with friends, and this list is such an encouragment.I can't wait to see what 2010 will bring!

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  31. WOW! I am proud to say that I follow a lot of these bloggers that you mentioned. A well-deserved congratulations to all of them! Thanks for sharing their wonderful accomplishments and I hope I will hear about many, many more to come in the new year!

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  32. Great shout outs! I was thinking of all my friends had accomplished this year as well. It's our turn next right? Fair is only fair. I'm thinking all good thoughts and streamlining my dreams for next year. Ya never know...

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  33. I have an award for you at my blog! Thanks for the shout outs! I'll have to give them all a try. :)

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  34. I'll be back, don't have time to check out all these lovely blogs right now.

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  35. Love hearing of others' accomplishments! Thanks for the new blogs Tab. I'm following. Have a wonderful weekend!

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  36. Thank you so much for the shout-out, Tabitha! Do you know what's amazing? All the support, love, and encouragement in the blogging community. I'm so glad I "know" you, and I can't wait until I can do a post featuring YOUR good news.
    You're awesome! Thank you! (I'm going to check out all these writers you linked to!)

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  37. i stopped by from Abby Annis's blog. i love your "about me" description. hoping i can stop by again.

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  38. Well, I signed with my agent, the wonderful and fabulous Christine Witthohn back in September, so I'd have to say that was the high light of my year :-)

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  39. I love seeing friends successes! I'm pretty sure yours can't be too far off :) Good luck with the move!

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  40. Great
    Now as for me... The best I've done this year is to create my blog and meet so gorgeous peeps along the way!

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  41. That WAS a fun list! I'm still waiting on my news...should get it sometime in the next two weeks. Rest assured I will share immediately if it is good. :-)

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  42. Fab shout out. I love Elana Johnson & Lisa & Laura. The others I will visit & can't wait!

    And my claim to fame for 2009? Losing 1 friend. Almost losing another friend. And almost losing a brother. So far my grandma is still with us. Yes, what a year!

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  43. Thanks you guys for visiting and the comments. I hope you do go check out these other blogs if you have time. They are amazing people and wonderful writers :)

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  44. Wonderful to see writers on their way to success! Congratulations everyone!!

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  45. It's nice to hear of so many successes. Your turn will come - that's a certainty.

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  46. Thank you, Tabitha, for inviting me stop by your blog twice this here. It's been a pleasure "meeting" you!

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