Holy demons from H, E, double hockey sticks, Batman!

Personal Demons hits shelves two months from today!

And

And

And

That's all I have to say.

PERSONAL DEMONS release date!

I've been waiting.

It's something that you have to get used to in publishing. The thing about that is, patience is a virtue I seem to be seriously lacking. I'm an instant gratification sort of person. I WANT STUFF NOW! When I think about why waiting is so tough, it really boils down to control and keeping busy. When I hand my project off to someone else, I have no control, and it's maddening. So maddening, in fact, that I can't focus enough to work productively on other projects and I end up obsessing and pulling my hair out.

But those of you in the publishing mill know that things tend to move slowly. You write your book and submit to agents. Then wait.

An agent takes you on and submits your book to publishers. And you wait.

A publisher buys your book. And you wait.

You wait for your editorial letter. (Though, my seriously cool editor was rocket fast with mine.)

You wait for your contract. (Just got mine yesterday. Here's me signing! Yay!!)

You wait for your cover art. *drums fingers and blows out a sigh*

Your copy edits. *folds arms across chest and taps toe*

Your pub date. *clenches teeth and wonders what the…*

What…? I have a pub date? REALLY!!!

So, I'm waiting for one less thing now. =) The official (but may possibly change) release date for Personal Demons is SEPTEMBER 14, 2010!!! Yay!

I was going to put a ticker on my blog but Sprout, who does all the cool publishing tickers, just went out of business =( Trying to figure out Widgetbox. Ticker coming soon!

Still, it's very exciting, and each step makes it feel a little more real. But I'm still dying to see what they come up with for a cover. *bites nails*

So, I'm passing the time working on Original Sin. My crit partner and agent have it and they're always spot-on with their feedback, so I can't wait to see what they say. My contract for Original Sin (that I just signed! *throws confetti*) says the delivery date is June 1, so that gives me some time to smooth out the rough spots.

What are you waiting for? Something special? Like, maybe my March Debut Contest? Some amazing YA debuts this month! Don't miss your chance to win one!

Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore!

So WOW! The whirlwind continues. Book deal, Christmas, New Year, my birthday--but now it’s become a cyclone. I got an email from my seriously cool editor, Melissa, today. She’s planning a September release for Personal Demons. Which, in her words, “means great things about the excitement in-house, but it also means that you and I have some hectic times ahead of us.”

This is very exciting and a little scary. They said “Fall 2010” when they bid at auction and I was thinking December—maybe… I never dreamed SEPTEMBER. I’m now very thankful that I have the first draft of Original Sin (book 2) done, because I’m kind of off to the races, it seems. Release of book 2 is scheduled for July 2011 and book three May 2012.

I’ve actually not come back to the real world yet. I’m being a total slouch and am still on a celebratory vacation (since 12/21, the day of the auction). I have a feeling I might come crashing back to reality when I get home.

But it’s been a wild ride. I’m holding on with both hands and laughing my a$$ off. (Part of my vacation has been riding real roller coasters. o_O)

How’s your 2010 so far? Any good holiday stories? New Years Eve parties? Lampshades?