Friday, October 05, 2007

Making a Literary Life Friday: Dream Big

Dream big. Do it. Imagine the most wondrous vision for your literary life.


Allow yourself to fantasize an outrageous scenario where you land the agent of your dreams and she works with you to make your manuscript the best it can be. It feels pretty good, doesn't it? Then picture the day she tells you she's sending your manuscript out to multiple houses, to editors who've refined some of your favorite books. Now dream a little bigger. You can see it, right? Imagine some of these editors -- whose careers you've tracked for years -- want to buy your treasured book. Are you tingling yet? Go with it, it's your ultimate fantasy. Now imagine that your book sells and the fantasy editor who's just bought it tells you she's excited to be working with you. I know, I know it's a stretch after all of these years of rejections, but try it. Dream big.

PUBLISHERS MARKETPLACE
3 October, 2007
Fiction: Debut
Amy MacKinnon's TETHERED, about a young mortician -- with her own damaged past -- who finds herself at the center of a investigation and a sordid underworld when she unwittingly identifies a body which leads to consequences almost impossible to imagine, to Sally Kim at Shaye Areheart Books, in a significant deal, at auction, by Emma Sweeney (world).mailto:.lkaplan@randomhouse.com

Lisa
Show don't tell: words to live by. How's this for showing? In this success, Amy has shown me what counts, her feedback to me: hook, stakes, and beautiful writing. Can it be that simple? And that complicated? Blog readers, please realize, this dream is possible. It's all about keeping the bar high.

To me, Amy is an inspiration. I am blessed to have her in my life.

Amy
There have been three points in my life when a long-held dream came true. The first was marrying my husband, the second, becoming a mother to children who exceeded all of my hopes, and now this. Thank you to the women of my Writers' Group for your respective roles in this fairy tale. Your support means everything.

Hannah
Amy's journey is one of hope and dedication. She wrote, learned the craft, wrote more, found a writers' group/readers, wrote, edited, wrote, learned more, found a different writers' group, learned more, wrote, wrote, wrote. Then she pitched, waited, waited, rewrote, waited, waited... and has a tangible achievement that is beyond well-deserved. She carried her hope, fostered it, nurtured it, breathed life into a dream. Watching her do so has been a joy and an honor.

Lynne
Just like she cried on the day I told her about my deal, I wept when she told me about hers. Amy MacKinnon--generous writer and friend--you deserve this dream come true. Enjoy every minute of your success! We are so proud of you.

36 comments:

Gail said...

Amy!!! You deserve this!!! You earned it! You're an inspiration! CONGRATULATIONS!!!

And all of you at The Writers' Group deserve praise for the support you provide one another. A beautiful thing to see.

Therese said...

Who would not want to have a writers' group like this one?

Congratulations again, Amy, for crossing that magical line! Well done.

(My tail is still wagging on your behalf!)

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, Amy! Looking forward to reading this first of many books of yours.
M

kristen spina said...

Oh Amy, I am actually wiping the tears from my eyes. You did it. With hard work, grace and generousity of spirit. I can't wait to watch the rest of it unfold.

Lisa said...

Congratulations Amy. You've been such friend to all of us. I could not be happier for you and I am so excited to see this fairytale come true for you.

Anonymous said...

as we New Yorkers say....
only the strong survive!
i never doubted her for a second...

shout out from the Big Apple...

xxoo susan

Judy Merrill Larsen said...

Tremendous! I just love it. Welcome aboard! Now, remember to enjoy the ride.

Larramie said...

Amy, upon first learning this news, I smiled with joy. Now though, after reading this post, tears fall with pride because your dream has just begun.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!

My first thought was, "unbelievable," but then realized, no it's not!

It is, however, awesome! Wicked awesome!

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

I'm so thrilled to be able to share this with each of you. Thank you for your support along the journey, my load has been made lighter by it. Some of you I know already, others I hope to meet next year!

Amy

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Amy! I'm wondering why Lisa's post was altered since this morning.

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

I don't know. I've always wanted to be described as quirky.

Amy

Shauna Roberts said...

Congratulations, Amy, on your wonderful news, and congratulations to the rest of your group for their good work in helping you reach your dream.

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Thank you, Shauna. How did you find time to coment with all of those boxes left to unpack? Once you get a minute report back on the best bookstores in your neck of the woods. Thanks again@

Amy

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

CONGRATULATIONS AMY!!!!!

That is so wonderful! I can't wait to buy your book! It sounds incredibly fascinating! Woo Hoo! That Publisher's Marketplace blurb was so awesome! I'm doing a little happy dance for you. Sooooo, when you start doing your book signings, you will have to come down to the DC area! I want an autographed copy of your book - and I'll buy you a couple of drinks!

Eileen said...

Pop the cork on the champagne- and not the cheap sparkling wine variety- go BIG.

Anonymous said...

Amy,
You just made my day.

I am delighted for you and wish you every success. Couldn't have happened to a nicer person. And now I'm off to the Pub Market place to read more.
Congratulations and I'll do a bhangra for you later tonight. [ Ask Hubby what a bhangra is.]

Usman

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Ello, thank you! I lived in DC for years, within a stone's throw of the Folger Shakespeare Theater. I absolutely intend to go to DC. Let's make plans to meet.

Eileen, my husband brought home a bottle Tuesday night for us and sparkly Sprite for the kids. I think they're more excited than I am. Did you find that with your family when Unpredictable sold?

Reality, I couldn't wait for you to read this. See? WE can do it. Thank you for the dance!

Amy

jennifergg said...

WAHOO! Congratulations!!!

And you writers seems to be on a roll and hot hot hot...are you taking new members? I'm wondering if success is contageous? Hoping???

In all seriousness, the gifts you offer all us blog readers are fantastic, and I thank you. Keep up the good work!

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Jennifer, I think you're doing just fine on your own with Road Map to Holland due out next spring. But anytime you're in our neck of the woods, stop by. And thanks for your good wishes and sharing our joy.

Amy

John Robison said...

That is really great news. And you're at the same publisher as me! Shaye is part of the Crown division. Best of luck to you, Woof!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Amy, you got a date!

So happy for you!

Sustenance Scout said...

Amy, Looking forward to your first signing at Tattered Cover Book Store in Denver! I'll be there in line. And yes (in response to your last comment to me), I'm learning so much from you and your fellow bloggers here. I'd love to say I'm a teacher but I only present to a few classes this semester and next as part of my stint as an associate with the Rocky Mountain Women's Institute. But I am a mom and writer who's still learning the ropes on both fronts after many years in the trenches, so I truly appreciate all your insights and suggestions along the way. Congratulations!!

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

John, thanks for the warm welcome to Random House. They publish some of my favorite authors. I hear they're going to have another on the NYT's bestseller list, a memoir called Look Me In the Eye. Congratulations!!! Can't wait to see you at Buttonwood Books.

Ello, I'll buy the first round!

SS, it would be an honor if I were sent to Tattered Cover; it has quite the reputation. All the better if I had a blog buddy in the audience. I think all you do qualifies you as a teacher.

Amy

Hank Phillippi Ryan said...

"Hook, stakes and beautiful writing."
I read your wonderful thought, I wrote it down, I taped it to my computer. Thank you.
Amy, you worked so hard. You are so--authentic.
Sometimes the world just works the way it should.

xox Hank

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Thank you, Hank. Funny thing, I was reading Face Time when I learned about all of this. I consider it a good luck talisman.

I look forward to seeing you at Taste of GRub!

Amy

mohanley5 said...

Amy...I am so happy for you! I also saw your name in the Inside Track/Boston Herald. I'm looking forward to reading your book, and congradulating you in person at Taste of Grub.

Your writer's group is just amazing! Your dedication to each other, and commitment to the craft of writing is incredible. You all deserve all of the great things that come your way!
PS...I have another Roland Merullo book to recommend..."A Little Love Story"...I think you will love it.

Enjoy the rewards...you deserve them!
Mo

olufunke grace bankole: said...

amy, what wonderful news!congratulations!!! i'm excited to watch your journey unfold.

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Mo, I can't believe you saw that in the Inside Track. When I see you at Taste of Grub, I will have your book and then some. I promise! Can't wait to see you.

I&E, thanks for coming along the journey. I look forward to watching yours unfold as well.

Amy

Anonymous said...

This is SO awesome! Congratulations and I can't wait to read this book! This writing group has the magic touch...I'm in awe of all of you. :)

Melissa Amateis said...

CONGRATULATIONS, AMY! You completely deserve this. Bask in your newfound success!

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Mardougrrl, thanks for your good wishes. And my writer friends are kind of magical, aren't they?

Melissa, after the year we've both had, I imagine it's your turn next. I'm keeping everything corssed for you.

Amy

jennifergg said...

Amy, you remember all of our books, all of our stories. I think there's a lesson in that: consumate grace. Thank you for showing us the way!

Carleen Brice said...

Well, I sure am late to this party! But CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Whoo hoo, Amy!! Very, very cool! And your book sounds fascinating. Oh yes, do come to the Tattered Cover! All us Denver girls will take you out somewhere fun.

Lynne Griffin and Amy MacKinnon said...

Jennifer, of course I remember your book. I have friends waiting to read it.

Carleen, 2008 will be our year! Orange Mint & Honey out in February, Tethered out sometime in the fall. How exciting!

Amy

Carleen Brice said...

Cheers to 2008!