Seanan McGuire (seanan_mcguire) wrote,
Seanan McGuire
seanan_mcguire

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It was DAW or die, and we chose DAW.

Two years ago today, I got out of bed (way too early), put on clothes (because nudity is frowned upon on public transit), and went to work. I don't usually remember what I was wearing on any given day, but this one, I do: jeans, bright yellow tank top, pink-and-yellow Chimera Fancies pendant that reads "fairy changeling this is all a dream." It was an ordinary start to what seemed likely to be an ordinary day.

Two years ago today, The Agent was shopping the Toby Daye books, trying to find just the right house for my debut series. I mean, really, we knew what Just The Right House was: DAW Books. It was the very first publisher we'd been in contact with, after being referred there by one of their existing authors. They had exactly the right sort of atmosphere, and they'd published a lot of books I've really loved. I wanted to work with these people. All I could do was hope that they wanted to work with me.

Two years ago today, my phone rang. Caller ID said that it was The Agent—that's actually what her number is saved as in my phone book, because I am sometimes a little bit bizarre about such things—so I excused myself to take the call.

The Agent said three words to me. "We got DAW."

This was followed by a lot of other information about contracts and money and publishing schedules and blah blah blah fishcakes, because I had really checked out completely. Out of the conversation, out of body, out to lunch, buh-bye. I made all the appropriate noises of assent, and managed to sound like I wasn't crying, because years of fake-it-til-you-make-it has made me really, really good at that sort of thing. (Severe back injury plus chronic pain issues plus "suck it up" equals I can sound perky and happy about my situation while being consumed from the toes up by a giant snake. It's awesome. Also sort of bad, because my automatic response to trauma is frequently "gosh, what fun.")

Eventually, the call ended. I went outside. I called Vixy. I made horrible shrieky bat-noises, causing dogs all around San Francisco to bark themselves hoarse, run in circles, and slam into trees. Pigeons lost the ability to fly and splattered down on the pavement like really disturbing rain. Vixy, upon determining that I was shrieky with joy, not distress, made suitable noises until I calmed down enough to tell her what was going on. Then she started shrieking, too. It was a shrieky day.

Two years ago today, I sold the first three Toby books. Today, I have three framed cover illustrations on my living room walls, and five framed covers hanging scattered through the rest of my house. I have books on the shelf with my name on them, and published reviews in places like Locus and the Onion A.V. Club. I have a contract for two more Toby books after those first three, and my fingers crossed for more after that.

Two years ago today.

Wow.
Tags: good things, gratitude, i love my editors, personal superhero, publishing news, so the marilyn, toby daye
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Yaaaaaaaaaaay.
Glee.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. May there be many more such types of anniversary (one for every book - hey, you could go for every day an anniversary!)
...my head would explode.

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Thank you for appreciating it, instead of running screaming!

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dornbeast

7 years ago

spectralbovine

7 years ago

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spectralbovine

7 years ago

Yay! Cool deal!
I'm still ecstatic.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! you are a shining inspiration ^-^
Thank you. :)
That really is just so amazingly cool. I'm also selfishly glad that there's so many Toby books forthcoming, because I want to know more!
Trust me, me too. ;)
Congrats!!!! Here's to more Toby *raises glass*
Yaaaay!
Happy anniversary.

Catherine
Thank you.
Go you!
Yessir!
WOOHOO!! Happy Awesomeversary, lady. *hugs*
Thank you! *hugs*
Congratulations! Merry happy anniversary!
Thank you.
Happy Anniversary! :-)
Thank you!

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I don't sleep nearly enough.

I'm good at being professional with The Agent...at least when Alice isn't involved.
Happy Tobiversary! :D
SQUEE!
Happy anniversary and congratulations all over again!
Thank you. :)
:) :) :D
BOX OF SCORPIONS.
Well done ye! Well deserved squee...

(BTW, http://keristor.livejournal.com/60576.html)
Ooooooooooo, neat!
It hasn't been - oh wait. Yes, it has. WOW. Time flies - and only more awesome is in sight.

Go you. GO. YOU.
Yay!
Yay all over again. :)
It's been fun. :)
Yay!
Glee.
Happy anniversary!! May there be many more shrieky days ahead for you (and for us, your readership)!
Gosh, I hope so.
Happy well-deserved anniversary. May you receive enough contracts to allow you to quit your day job ahead of schedule.
That would be WONDERFUL.

kyburg

7 years ago

Did you see the AV Club review of your other self's book, BTW?
Yes.
Wednesday 4th Feb 1987. 4pm. I had been at the dentist, and I walked home with my mouth numbed by Novocain. Walked into the flat, and the phone rang. It was my agent; she'd sold my first proper novel. I couldn't actually talk to her, on account of mouth numbed by Novocain, but some days you just never forget...
They change the world.
And a very merry publish-versary to you!
Thank you!
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