Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Just got the news!!!!!

My story made it into Chicken Soup for the Soul: Thanks Mom Edition!!!! I am so excited!!!!!!

Little backstory...the piece that made it in is something I wrote a couple years ago. I don't write many essays or memoir type stuff. I haven't lived an exciting life...so there aren't many topics to write a memoir about! But I guess my mom situation was a bit on the unusual side. I never really thought it was...it was my life...it was what I was used to. My mom basically took off when I was 3, my brother 1-1/2. We did see her in the summer though. But we were real lucky....our dad remarried pretty soon after the divorce and she has been beyond amazing. We have called her mom since the beginning (though she tells us she and our dad never prompted us to). She took care of us and never once in my entire life did I feel like a step child. Even after she and my dad had a baby...my half brother was treated no better (actually, he complains incessantly that I am the favored child!)

So anyway, the piece is about my step mom and how important she's been to me and how in my opinion, being a mother has nothing to do with biology.

I submitted this piece to CSFTS after finding the call for submissions listed somewhere on the internet. I sent it off and forgot about it. Till the email came. I've been back and forth with them over the past couple months...but until today....I was never told "Yes, You're in!"

I'm very excited about this!! I didn't tell my mom (step mom) about the piece. She has read it before but I never told her it was being considered for CSFTS. Publication date is set for the end of March and I think it would be a lovely Mother's Day gift!

I will get $200 and 10 copies of the book! Not bad!!!

And.....you know how every story in CSFTS has a quote from someone famous on the page??? Yeah....when they sent me the final edited version of the story for my approval...the quote on my page: OPRAH!

19 comments:

  1. This is incredible!!! Those books are the big-time. This is a huge stepping stone...when you put that in your queries, agents and editors will really sit up and take notice. And your stepmother is really going to be touched. I actually want to read it...as a soon-to-be stepmom myself. Congratulations!!! And OPRAH was your quote? Cool! You should send her a copy with a note enclosed.

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  2. Congratulations! That's totally fantastic!!

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  3. That's awesome! Good for you Stephanie!

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  4. Wow! That's amazing - congratulations!!!!

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  5. Yayy! How exciting for you and your "mom." Very proud moment, and awesome way to get your name out there!

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  6. Congratulations- I'm sure your stepmom will cry a few tears when she finds out!

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  7. Fantastic!! And yes, that is an amazing Mother's Day gift. Precious.

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  8. Holy Cow!!! That's awesome! Such a great Mother's Day gift! I'm sure she's going to love it!

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  9. Congratulations!! I can't believe you stopped dancing and screaming long enough to write a post! :) This is a great honor (IMO) and will certainly help push you towards that book deal. :) Right on!!

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  10. Thank you guys!!!!! I've been back and forth with them and I was pretty sure I made it in...but I just couldn't celebrate till I got the definite "yes"!!!

    Stephanie...awesome idea...I think I will send Oprah a copy!!

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  11. That's fantastic! I am truly thrilled for you. :-)

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  12. So happy for you!!!!!
    Mega congrats!!

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  13. I've read the piece I think...it's fantastic.

    Congrats! That's truly one of the coolest things EVER!

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  14. Yay! I'm so buying a copy!:) That story makes me cry every time I read it!:)

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  15. :) Thanks ladies!! Tracey, I think you have read it!

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