MS is off!

So, here is an interesting, marvelous story. I met one of the publicists for Deseret Book at Lisa Mangum's book launch about a month ago. After a genial conversation, topics turned to what we each do. I mentioned that I'm a senior editor and writer for an international magazine with a subscription of over 900,000 (Ok, I just said the name of the magazine; some of you know what it is, but I'm trying hard not to use that 'name' as a chip--wouldn't be prudent), which she already knew, and that I write epic fantasy.

So she asked me to pitch my book to her. I did. She was intrigued and asked me to send it in to her to review. When I asked how much, she said the entire thing.

Ok, I was very excited at this point. But, as she was very honest with me that Deseret Book and Shadow Mountain don't have an epic fantasy line or any plans to, I wasn't sure what would happen. She is an avid writer herself and very talented, so I hoped that at least she'd give me good feedback.

It was better than I could have even imagined. This is the part where I convey the facts as related to me, not tooting my own horn, but sharing what was a fantastic and humbling response.

She shared my work with her boss. They both concluded that they couldn't convince the powers that be to go into epic fantasy publishing. They also both agreed that my book was very good and was worthy of more. So she offered for the two of them to send it on to other publishers on my behalf.

This is the point where I'm certain Heavenly Father is involved and I am being blessed. How often does something like this happen? I mean, aside from the fact that my new publishing contact and her boss are just totally awesome, and I hope my work is good (what self-respecting author, aware of all great talent in the world, really feels 100% confident their work is really, really good? Well, maybe you do, but I'm always worried about it and not certain. Some of you have read my work and can comment better than I can.), but they are going beyond the call of duty here.

Perhaps my work speaks for itself. Perhaps they are just really that awesome. Perhaps they were inspired to do this. Perhaps this is one of those once in a lifetime deals that just sort of happen.

Lots of perhaps's. I don't know exactly why it happened, except that I know I'm receiving some extraordinary blessings, and my faith leads me to believe that the big guy upstairs is smiling upon me. It certainly is very unusual, and I certainly don't think I 'deserve' this kind of treatment. But, boy, it feels really good.

Ok, so I'm not published yet, and that is a long road, and a ways away. Still, this is doing wonders for my happiness meter.