I promised some good news, Dear Reader. The life of an author is lots and lots and LOTS of no. Especially when the author is bullheaded.
Like me.
It takes doggedness to get people to say yes, and those yeses are the building blocks of good news. I’ve always wanted to see my name listed with a famous author or several. We nobodies dream of rubbing shoulders with somebodies, because maybe their writing juju will rub off on us.
Last week, Humanities Tennessee invited me to be a featured author at the 2015 Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. Along with the likes of these people. Right here.
The Southern Festival of Books is one of the oldest author-to-reader book events in the country. It isn’t the first time I applied to a festival and was ignored or told no. I submitted Not Without My Father to several such events this year.
But to be invited to one of the longest-running book festivals in the United States? And see my name listed with sensations like Rebecca Wells and Scott Westerfeld?
I’VE BEEN PEEING MY PANTS. FOR DAYS.
If you’re anywhere near Nashville on October 9 – 11, 2015.
If you’re looking for an excuse to be there.
Come see whether I can hold my stuff together
with the Big Dawgs.
Because I think I’ll embarrass myself every time I turn around and bump into another writing idol.
GOOD NEWS #1:
I’M A FEATURED AUTHOR
AT THE 2015 SOUTHERN FESTIVAL OF BOOKS
This good news is only the beginning……………I have more………….stay tuned.
45 Comments
That is excellent. One of the best book festivals. Congratulations!
I don’t think I’d gotten this news when I saw you last week.
WOW… Scott Westerfeld! That’s a big deal, Andra, congratulations!
They get a ton of big deal authors. I’m not who people will be coming to see, but I hope to make an impression on a few people.
You’ll be fine. You have a vision and you are doggedly (arf!) pursuing it. My hat is doffed and my smile is wide.
And my email is down. I got your message. I’ll respond as soon as it’s back up.
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How wonderfully awesome!
It’s a start. 🙂 I’m part of an even bigger submission team in the spring, and I hope we’re going to hear something positive soon.
*Jumpy claps* YAY YAY YAY!
That’s EXACTLY what I did when I read the invite. 🙂
Congratulations! You’ve worked hard and slogged through with your goals clearly in mind. You’ll be great!
Still a long slog, but these little victories make it worth it.
See? See? See? Haven’t we all been telling you that the hard work would eventually begin to pay off? So, so happy for you! Congratulations!
I still have a long way to go for a real pay off, but this is a professional endorsement I’m thrilled to have. I embarrassed MTM in public when this message came through.
YAHOO!! You ARE one of the big DAWGS, my dear! 🙂
You gotta play with the big dawgs for a shot. 🙂
Wonderful! Keep the good news coming.
Several more things to share.
Congratulations. All good news.
Thanks, John.
Congrats. You’re tres ya-ya now!
I thought that as soon as I saw her name. I really loved the first Ya-Ya book.
Woo hoo!!! Fantastic news, Andra!
More to come. 🙂
Did you ever think that just maybe those other authors might be equally excited to rub shoulders with you? -Best
I’m sure they will be when they meet me, Scott. 🙂
Maybe this is the beginning of your “Mark Christopher” stardom? Break a leg and enjoy.
Ha. Wouldn’t that be something?
So excited for you! Waiting patiently for more good news!
I’ve been hoarding good news for several months now. I should probably release them as they come. It might help me focus. 🙂
This is terrific and about DAMN time! Woohoo!
I celebrate what I can.
Congratulations, Andra! This is amazing!
You’re amazing!! So proud of your appearance on Jenny McCarthy’s radio show today.
This is about YOU! (But thank you)
How exciting, Andra. This is a wonderful invitation and I think you will be a delightful addition! And you say you have even more good news? You’re on a roll!
Several more things. I can now officially announce the next one, though I’m not going to do a big announcement post on Friday……….actually, I can officially announce two more things where I’d been awaiting loose end tie-ups.
Congratulations! You’ll do great! 🙂
I hope so, Heather.
Oh Andra!!! Congratulations! That’s SUCH great news!!! So glad they invited you to be there. And for the record, the Big Dawgs need to hold their stuff together with you. Your book has touched many people!!!
I’d love for this to be a vehicle to help it touch many more. The message is important.
Fantastic! So proud of and happy for you!
Thank you! Hope you’re having fun in Eastern Eur. 🙂
Well done, Andra! Go you!
If it helps… in the list you featured, yours is the only name I know! 🙂
Excellent news,Andra! And well deserved!!
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