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Pinch me, please. I finally got THE CALL, and I’m still floating atop the clouds. On Monday, July 11, 2011, I was hosting a writer’s retreat with a few dear friends. One of our writing sisters was unable to attend, and though we knew she was there in spirit, we wanted more. Annette Blair, the one published friend among us, suggested Jeanine call in at 8pm to share a toast with a glass of wine for a productive week.

Annette insisted the three of us be in the same room so we could clink glasses and share the spirit of the evening.

8:13 rolls around and the phone rings. I answer, expecting Jeanine, and hear a strange woman’s voice on the other end. I’m thinking a sales call, solicitation, and darn, we’re going to miss Jeanine’s call. Annette comes flying into the room, with Jeanine on her cell phone, and yells, “don’t hang up. Do NOT hang up.”

Stop, look, and listen. Lynn, Annette and I stare at each other, and I ask the woman to repeat her name.

“I’m LeeAnn Lessard with Lachesis Publishing, and we would like to buy your book. Annette mentioned the anthology the four of you were planning to write. I spoke to my partners, and we would love to publish your book...”

Needless to say, mouths gaped, eyes widened, as we realized the three unpublished writers were stepping through an open door into publishing, together, at the same time!! A year ago, we said 2011 would be our year, but we never expected the calls to come on the same day. We always felt connected to the Universe, and what better proof than starting our published careers together.

SISTERS OF SPIRIT (working title) will feature Annette Blair, and introduce Lynn Jenssen, Jeanine Duval Spikes, and moi, Christine Mazurk. It’s an incredible opportunity to get our names out there, and we’re embracing it with joy in our hearts.

We met with the VP of the publishing company on Wednesday 7/20/11 and are now under contract. We are officially authors and we have an official deadline.

The anthology, separate stories that are tied together with a theme, will showcase each of our individual styles, but mesh with a short beginning (the set-up) and a short wrap-up to pull it all together. Check back often for updates as we progress.

The book is scheduled to debut in early 2013, but there is a strong chance it might publish in late 2012. I’ll keep you posted as we move along.

LeeAnn ended the call by inviting each of us to submit our individual manuscripts separately. My agent, wasting no time, queried PASSION’S RACE on Monday 7/18. More to come on that later.

My feet still have not touched the ground, but I know in my heart, this opportunity would never have been realized without hard work, persistence, and the support of great friends and my amazing family – my husband being my greatest fan. I’m no longer just a writer, I’m an author! I have the fortitude to beat my set deadline, and I look forward to holding in my hand a book with my name on the cover.

Happy July, my friends, enjoy what I will now think of as Christmas in the summer!

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