Good News, Monday!

So I got some good news last week.

First off, I found out that the paperback version of The Department went back to press for its second printing! It evidently happened a while ago, and I'm just finding out now, but hey, I'll take good news whenever it happens!

Second of all, I got my copy of the latest issue of Hallmark magazine, and Time of My Life is featured as a "must-read." In fact, they call it, "A fantastic, often funny novel," and let's be honest, anytime that someone deems your work "fantastic," you're pretty freaking happy about it.

Also, I wanted to give a shout out to Therese Walsh, whose book deal (made by my fabu agent, Elisabeth Weed) was written up by Liz Smith in the NY Post!! Whoohoo! Teri's situation and deal are just one more example of why it pays to befriend, not compete, with fellow writers. A few years ago, she approached me about becoming a contributor to Writer Unboxed, and I was flattered at her request (and knew that it would help boost my visibility before the release of my debut novel). A few months ago, when she'd completed her first novel, she asked for an agent referral, and I was more than happy to help her out by referring her to mine. Voila - a "major deal" as reported by Publishers Marketplace.

I've said it a dozen times here before but I'll reiterate: we are not in competition with each other, we should simply be in competition with ourselves to be the best possible writers we can each be. I am thrilled for Teri; I'm thrilled for my agent, and yeah, let's also be honest: their success is also mine, as the more established my agent becomes, the better off I am as her client. So it's a boon to everyone.

On that note, I'm taking the week off of blogging to hang with my family on our vacation. (Unless I get more good news, in which case, I'll post it!) :) Also, I'm working off of my laptop so I don't have some of your email addys, but I know that a few of you asked if I'd be game to do Q/As for your blogs for the TOML release, and the answer is YES! Now is the perfect time for me to take a few hours and answer questions, so if YOU have a moment, send them over!

Hope everyone has a wonderful end to their summer (sob), and I'll be back after Labor Day!