I’ll be studying here this summer!

I’ve heard people say that overnight success takes years in the making. These past few weeks I had an a torrent of good news that left me reeling for breath. How I love that word, reeling! Since I started writing seriously, I had the goal of finding a literary agent that would love my work so much, they’d be passionate to share it with the world. I queried two books. The first one I queried a few years ago wasn’t ready to go into the world. I had a great reception for the query and the first chapter (I even won the First Chapter Contest at Storymakers!), but ultimately, I didn’t find representation. I kept writing, and learning, and attending conferences, and getting up at 4 in the morning to get some quiet writing time, and submitting, and critiquing, and receiving critiques, and  writing some more. Writing and reading every day, all the time. Last year I started querying THE REEL WISH, my Latina Irish dancer novel. I had a great request rate too. I had dozens of full manuscripts being considered by agents. A wonderful agent even called me and suggested that

I earn the silver medal for the Honor! Isn’t it a gorgeous design?

I revise and resubmit. I did. I wrote a different book: ON THESE MAGIC SHORES. I submitted that book to Lee and Low’s New Vision Award. I started my MFA program at VCFA. I found out I was a finalist for the New Visions. I received two offers of representation in the same week! And then another one. I sent a crazy query to a new agent that felt like a perfect match. Twenty-four hours later she offered representation. I found out I won the New Vision Award Honor. I found out I was accepted to the summer residency in Bath Spa. I could finally announce that I’m now represented by Linda Camacho from the Prospect Agency!
Again, I’m reeling with happiness and gratitude! And then on Tuesday, Barcelona won 3-0 against Bayern Munich, and Messi did this!

Isn’t it a work of art? And then I found some audio from Polanco, one of my favorite ESPN commentators. Even if you don’t understand the language, the emotion with which he talks about this goal reflects how I feel about signing with an agent, winning the Honor, and making it into Bath Spa!

My dear friends, my cup runneth over. I’m so humbled by all the words of support during these years trying to achieve these goals! I expect many trials ahead. My road in this writing career is just starting! I’m so excited to keep working and writing books and sharing my stories with the world. I only have a tiny Mother’s Day wish: to be able to call my mom and tell her my wonderful news. I can’t do that anymore. I just hope that she’s smiling in Heaven, celebrating these goals that are also hers. Happy Mother’s Day to all the wonderful women who make this world a wonderful place and who made these dreams of mine come true!