Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Welcome, Christine!

Christine Marciniak and I have been friends since 4th grade. We had open classrooms. Ah, the joys of experimenting on school children with educational fads. Oops, topic. Christine has been writing for as long as I can remember. And as long as I can remember, I've been reading those drafts and waiting eagerly for her first book to be published. Good news -- Christine's first book was recently acquired! She agreed to sit down and answer some questions about her path to publication; look forward to more interviews as more publication milestones occur. Liz B: Can you tell us a bit about the book? Christine: When Mike Kissed Emma is about, well... about when Mike kissed Emma. Emma has the 'perfect' boyfriend and hopes to play opposite him in supporting roles, in the school musical. She wants to sing a romantic song with him and dance with him. But Emma gets the lead and the leading man is the school loner "Biker Mike". As they get to know each other she realizes that maybe the rumors about him and his past are jut that - rumors - and then...well, you guessed it - Mike kisses her. And suddenly Emma has to figure out if her 'perfect' boyfriend is really so perfect and if maybe there's more to Mike than she ever suspected. Liz B: How did you find your publisher? Christine: I had tried this story with several agents - and one seemed interested, but thought the plot needed to be punched up a bit. I did that and the agent turned it down, saying she thought the story was a bit too old fashioned. A member of my critique group mentioned Wild Rose Press and their new Climbing Rose Line for teens and I decided to submit. Oddly enough my punched up story line was too risque for them and once I toned it down, they accepted it. Liz B: How did you find out they wanted to publish the book? Christine: It was Columbus Day and the kids were home from school and I was checking my e-mail. I saw one from Wild Rose Press and I thought - oh, here it is, the rejection and I steeled myself to open the e-mail. It took about three readings for me to process that they were saying yes! Liz B: What's your next step? Christine: Well, I just got the cover design today - they designed that based on answers to a questionnaire I filled out and on November 21st I expect to get a revision letter. Then I'll have 30 days to make the changes. The book should come out in the spring of 2009. Liz B: It's a great cover; and wow, you'll have a busy holiday season. I look forward to hearing more about your path to publication. Christine blogs at The Simple and the Ordinary and Simply Put.

20 comments:

jama said...

Congrats to Christine on the book, and thanks for the interview!!

christine M said...

Thanks so much Liz! And you know you truly were there at the beginning of When Mike Kissed Emma - you're the one who pointed out it was a separate story to begin with. So double and even triple thanks!

christine M said...

Jama - Thanks for the congrats!

Anonymous said...

That was neat to read about Christine's path to publication.

Christine, congratulations!

tanita✿davis said...

Oh, congratulations, Christine!
It's so amazing to read -- and reread and reread -- that first "yes!" It blows your mind every time.
Cheers, and best of luck with finishing the revisions and getting on to the next project!!

christine M said...

Thanks Susan and Tadmack! You're right - that first "yes" is a mind blower!

PJ Hoover said...

I am so excited for this book to come out, and I love the cover! It's perfect!

christine M said...

Thanks PJ!

Anonymous said...

Great interview! And I LOVE your cover! Can't wait to read your book.

Kim Baccellia

Patty Palmer said...

Congrats, Christine! Love the cover and the storyline. Can't wait to read it. All the best...

christine M said...

Thanks Kim and Patty. It is a great cover isn't it?

MotherReader said...

Gotta love success stories - and books about musicals. I'll be looking for it.

Melissa Walker said...

I love the "path to publication" story, and am intrigued by the cover questionnaire! Great interview.

Vivian Mahoney said...

Wahoo! Love how it took awhile to process the e-mail was a yes! Congrats!

christine M said...

Thanks MotherReader, Melissa and Vivian - it's been a wild ride! And yes, my brain didn't process that "yes" in the e-mail right away. :)

Anonymous said...

Look forward to hearing more about this book...I love "road to publication" posts!

And are you talking about Matawan, NJ? My husband grew up there...

christine M said...

Thanks! And yes, we're talking NJ here. Small world!

christine M said...

Liz - thank for all of this - really! And I've even given you a cool blog award!

Jim Danielson said...

Great interview and spring 2009 is right around the corner!

I second Vivian's "WooHoo!!!"

And I love WMKE!

christine M said...

Thanks Jim! You're one of the select few who know the story!