Tuesday, July 21, 2015

I have a book deal!


Interesting Engineering's photo.


Well who said that hard work and perseverance don't pay off?

For the past two years I have been working like a dog to kick start my dream of becoming a children's author.

I have been turned down more times than I care to mention (and that was simply on the road to finding an agent), taken more courses, worked at my craft almost 7 days a week and finally, that work has paid off!

My debut middle grade novel, It's a Mystery, Pig-Face! has been bought by New York Publishing House Sky Pony Press and will be released as part of their Fall 2016 list. The announcement came out in Publishers Weekly today, which is the equivalent, for you sports people out there, of having your trade to the New York Giants placed in the Sporting News.  Big Stuff!
 
 
Alison Weiss at Sky Pony Press has bought Wendy McLeod MacKnight's debut, It's a Mystery, Pig Face!, a middle-grade novel in which an 11-year-old girl finds a bag of money in a baseball dugout and enlists the help of her best friend and annoying little brother to discover who lost – or maybe, stole – it, in a town brimming with suspects. Publication is planned for fall 2016; Lauren Galit at LKG Agency did the deal for world rights.
 
 
 
Now the hard work begins, as I begin another round of edits with them and learn the ins and outs of marketing.

I want to seriously thank each and every one of you who have cheered me on during this journey!  This past Spring was particularly tough; I don't mind sharing that I was feeling quite down and depressed and wondering if I had made a terrible mistake in leaving my job to pursue this dream.

I guess it is always darkest before dawn, since if May was a terrible month for me, June shone brightly and put many things in my life in perspective. 

I am genuinely proud of myself, knowing how much work this has taken and will take in the future. It is a testament to hard work and the pursuit of excellence; I always believed I could do it and I wanted it to be the best book it could be and supported by a publishing house that would nurture both me and my book and I have that in Sky Pony Press in spades!

For those of you who are interested, I have also re-launched my website wendymcleodmacknight.com, where I will be posting regularly on my writing journey and providing useful information to other aspiring writers.

I will still be posting here regularly on the other ephemera of my life! 

Again - a heartfelt thanks. Many of you have taken a real personal interest in my writing and dream and that interest will never be forgotten!


MWAH!

Wendy


 

58 comments:

  1. WOW!!! Best news of the day! Congratulations Wendy. I'll be buying a copy and bragging that I "know" the author. You are very inspiring and I love your perseverance-which I need to emulate.

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  2. YAY! It's official, finally. Again, I am not surprised at all, but very pleased for you, knowing a bit of the hard work you've put in + talent, of course. We do love this title and can't wait to learn the significance! What is the mode of celebration??

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    1. Quiet tonight but ongoing I think! Took so long to be able to aannounce it!

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  3. Eugue! That's hurray in Latin. Today you deserve all the accolades that we can bestow on you. What wonderful and exciting news! Can't wait to purchase a copy for my granddaughter. And since she can't read yet, I'll be able to enjoy it also when I read it to her. Just know that it will be entertaining and well written. Hope that the celebrations have begun.

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  4. HIP HIP HOORAY!!! Wonderful news Wendy and look forward to having a 1st Edition volume embellishing my bookcase!

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    1. I am trusting you will lead Chicago contingent and perhaps children's book signing at lions den!

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    2. Arranements well underway...crowd will be SRO.

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    3. Arrangements underway....arraignments pending.

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    4. Arrangements underway....arraignments pending.

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    5. Arrangements underway....arraignments pending.

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  5. A BOOK OF REVELATION Well, as the original Anne Girl would put it from an original good book, "Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning." Painful work and lessons, but the hardest things are often the most important and value. More than enough sermonizing. Let's get this official online party started. Well done WMM! Chuffed to bits for you and hope you already have the champers chilling for next milestone. Looking forward to your name on a cover...

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    1. Thanks so ,ugh! You certainly helped keep me going!

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  6. About fucking time!!! You go girl.

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  7. I smiled when I read the title of this post! That's amazing news and I'm SO happy for you!! :)

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  8. Congratulations!!! I am so so excited for you! I also want to read your book! Having taught middle school reading and english, I happen to enjoy reading that level! I am so thrilled for you, and thank you for sharing your journey with us!!!

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  9. Congratulations!! This is so exciting!!

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  10. Congratulations! Fabulous news...and you so deserve the deal.
    Cannot wait to read the book!

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  11. Congratulations! That's so exciting for you, and I have enjoyed reading your insights on this whole process. You will be a famous authoress yet. :)

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    1. Ha! Well I will be famous in my own mind, that's for sure! thanks so much!

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  12. Congratulations! That's so exciting for you, and I have enjoyed reading your insights on this whole process. You will be a famous authoress yet. :)

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  13. Congratulations Wendy, that's wonderful news! If you don't mind, I'm going to pass this on to my son, who is writing a novel. I know he will find it very encouraging.

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    1. Please do! I have come to the conclusion that it is all hard work and persistence. (But then, I guess I knew that in my old life too!) and developing a thick skin to the rejection!

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  14. Absolutely fantastic! Congratulations, Wendy!

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  15. I'm so proud of you! And I can't wait to read it!

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    1. Thanks Fred! Will keep you posted! And anew york publisher may be more excuses to visit nyc!

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  16. So happy for you

    Congratulations, Wendy.

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  17. Over the moon for you! Absolutely love the title and can't wait to read it. I'm lifting my wine glass to you tonight. Salut!

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  18. Wendy! I'm so, so excited for you!! Congratulations x1,000,000! I'll be first in line to buy it for my kiddo/myself and our school library! Cheers!

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  19. You. Rock. I am so excited for you. Well deserved, and bravo for making it through the tough time. That's hard to do.

    I am so excited to order a autographed copy for my own little ones who are nearing their middle grades years!

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    1. I think the timing will be perfect with your little ones! Thanks for the kind words - they mean so much!

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  20. Congratulations dear Wendy, what an accomplishment. I'm so excited for you and your future. Even though we have never met, I'm super proud of you too! xo

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  21. Congratulations. Always knew this would happen for you.

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  22. Congratulations, Wendy! That's wonderful news. As the mom of boy/girl 11 year old twins, I will happily purchase your book when it becomes available. I'm assuming I will be able to purchase it in the US? If you plan any book tours to the Midwest near Chicago, let us know.

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    1. Thanks cmg!!!! It is actually being published in the US so that will be the big sales spot! And I ever get to Chicago - will definitely let you know!

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  23. Oh my goodness! Where have I been that I have missed this wonderful, wonderful news?. You have my most heartfelt congratulations for this most spectacular accomplishment. This achievement was earned by your talent, determination and your amazing ability to keep finding the light. Did I say that I am so happy for you? I hope it means another trip to NYC! So well done Wendy!

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    1. Hi! Thank so much for the kind words!!! I will definitely be in NYC in February for a conference (what about this crazy thing of only traveling to NYC in the winter - it must stop!) See you soon!

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  24. You know how very proud we are of you! Xoxo Don't ever think leaving your job was a mistake....imagine yourself there now! I see you and you are so much more free, healthier, and happier writing. And you will live longer too.

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  25. Sorta late to the party but I am so proud of you. I can't wait to go to the bookstore and see your book on the shelf! Champers is in order!

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  26. Congratulations Wendy!
    I had no doubt you would persevere and succeed. I can't wait for another NYC visit!

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  27. Doing handsprings for you. Sending a toast, keep those fat royalty checks coming!

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  28. CONGRATULATIONS!!!! I cannot wait to read it!

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  29. I'm SO HAPPY for you! Congratulations!!!

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  30. This is the precise weblog for anybody who needs to seek out out about this topic. You notice so much its almost arduous to argue with you. You positively put a brand new spin on a subject that's been written about for years. Nice stuff, simply nice!

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