It was DAW or die, and we chose DAW.: seanan

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.

ladyfox7oaks

May 13 2010, 17:52:13 UTC 7 years ago

New comment

Adding my .02 cents' worth of Squee here! (The other $6.97 +tax will be at the Borders this weekend... I need a "Proper" copy of 'A Local Habitation', after all!)

seanan_mcguire

May 14 2010, 02:20:31 UTC 7 years ago

SQUEE!

rollick

May 13 2010, 17:52:38 UTC 7 years ago

And speaking of A.V. Club reviews, the Feed review posted today:

http://www.avclub.com/articles/mira-grant-feed,41097/

May 14 2010, 02:21:04 UTC 7 years ago

There was squealing and dancing in the aisles. Also, calling for the finest muffins and bagels in the land.

angel_vixen

May 13 2010, 18:13:10 UTC 7 years ago

<happy Snoopy dance!>

And many more such joyful days to you!

AngelVixen :-)

May 14 2010, 02:22:26 UTC 7 years ago

Thank you. :)

gwynnega

May 13 2010, 18:15:36 UTC 7 years ago

Yay!! Happy bookdealversary!!!

May 14 2010, 02:22:40 UTC 7 years ago

Thank you!

jongibbs

May 13 2010, 18:23:16 UTC 7 years ago

Happy Sale-aversary :)

May 14 2010, 02:22:56 UTC 7 years ago

martianmooncrab

May 13 2010, 18:25:27 UTC 7 years ago

Its a Good Day to celebrate!

May 14 2010, 02:23:08 UTC 7 years ago

Yes. Yes, it is.

saffronrose

May 13 2010, 18:45:54 UTC 7 years ago

and a happy two years it has been for your readers!

May 14 2010, 02:32:56 UTC 7 years ago

Glee. :)

raelee

May 13 2010, 19:04:46 UTC 7 years ago

Two years. Man, it seems like just yesterday. How time flies! Happy Getting DAW Anniversary!

spectralbovine

May 13 2010, 21:04:18 UTC 7 years ago

That's because...it was yesterday.

*Giacchino STING*

7 years ago

brightlotusmoon

May 13 2010, 19:28:46 UTC 7 years ago

That is awesome. Yay you!

If my mother-in-law hadn't lied to me about Stephen King liking my manuscript, I would have made those same shrieky sounds. Maybe I would have rid the neighborhood of squirrels!

May 14 2010, 02:38:07 UTC 7 years ago

Your mother-in-law...wait...WHAT?!

sheistheweather

May 13 2010, 19:33:07 UTC 7 years ago

That is so freaking fantastic, Seanan. Congratulations, and may bookish fortune continue to smile upon you and your literary progeny.

May 14 2010, 02:38:28 UTC 7 years ago

iwishthat

May 13 2010, 19:41:45 UTC 7 years ago

Wow, two years :D Happy DAW Anniversary!

May 14 2010, 02:38:45 UTC 7 years ago

artbeco

May 13 2010, 19:56:20 UTC 7 years ago

Never doubted you'd get published, really. It's so easy to have complete faith in the outcome when the writer is as good, stubborn, driven, brilliant and crazy as you are. ;)
*massive hugs*

May 14 2010, 02:41:32 UTC 7 years ago

Your faith has always been something I treasure.

stagemanager

May 13 2010, 20:30:58 UTC 7 years ago

Time flies!

I am a bad fan. I still haven't finished R & R yet.

But your CDs are on heavy rotation on my computer, so hopefully that makes up for it.

But I'm really looking forward to Feed. (I'm more of a zombie guy than a fae guy, anyway.)

May 14 2010, 02:42:04 UTC 7 years ago

Hey, as long as you bought it, I consider you an awesome fan, personally.

Deleted comment

May 14 2010, 02:42:24 UTC 7 years ago

Happy Rachel makes me happy! It's synergy!

sleary

May 13 2010, 23:30:45 UTC 7 years ago

Happy anniversary!

May 14 2010, 02:42:44 UTC 7 years ago

beckyh2112

May 13 2010, 23:41:32 UTC 7 years ago

Sometimes it amazes me when I read anniversary posts. I've been following you for longer than you got DAW, and that really doesn't register a lot of the time.

*breaks out the confetti and champagne, pours a toast to the hostess with the mostest* Please no guacamole.

May 14 2010, 02:43:05 UTC 7 years ago

Awwwwwwwwww. But it's so green...

amanuensis1

May 14 2010, 00:23:23 UTC 7 years ago

*noogies you fondly*

May 14 2010, 02:43:28 UTC 7 years ago

*is noogied oh noes*

vincentursus

May 14 2010, 00:25:24 UTC 7 years ago

Happy Anniversary. ^_^

May 14 2010, 02:44:07 UTC 7 years ago

fullcontactmuse

May 14 2010, 01:22:55 UTC 7 years ago

That makes a good day a wonderful one! Here's to many, many more books from you. :)

May 14 2010, 02:44:19 UTC 7 years ago

Here's hoping!

wendyzski

May 14 2010, 01:40:21 UTC 7 years ago

picked up my copy of FEED today while waiting for Teddy and Tom at the train station. (They were in for Costumecon). I have a hug for you from him. Yes, the world is the size of a grapefruit.

May 14 2010, 02:44:35 UTC 7 years ago

...yes. Yes, it is.

cleothyla

May 14 2010, 02:17:25 UTC 7 years ago

Congratulations and well done! You do write the most amazing books and I am looking forward to each release.
To tell you the truth, I wasn't too sure about Feed as I'm not really into Zombies and horror and such. But you wrote it in a way that was intelligent and interesting. I cried quite a bit while listening to it and now must get a print copy so I can get all the bits I missed.