I have news!
Four years ago, in November of 2015, I had a story idea. It was a risk for me. Something totally different. But something that FELT like a story I should commit to. It was a fun idea. An idea that had me excited. I desperately wanted to explore the characters and the world and the why.
In November of 2017, after two years of drafting and rewriting and working with beta readers and my agent to polish it up, the manuscript went out to publishing houses on submission.
Submission was an adventure, friends. So many ups and downs, inbox stalking, feelings of angst and terror, faith and hope, and then nope, and then it happened! My story fell into the right hands. An editor who got it. Who loved it. Who wanted to turn my story into a book and put it on a shelf. In November of 2018, she made an offer. My journey is proof that November is a magical month for book nerds.
And because publishing ticks away hours and minutes and weeks in ways that make very little sense to the rest of us, seven months after the initial offer, I signed the contract.
And (so long as there are no hiccups, cross your fingers!), I get to tell the world all about my brand new YA fantasy on Tuesday.
I’ll wait until the official announcement goes live and then I’ll plaster it all over my social media. I also have a newsletter that will go out with a bunch of fun details about my crazy ride with this story, and a very special giveaway to celebrate.
I don’t want you to miss out, so I’ll drop my links below. It would be such a privilege to celebrate this very special announcement with my Go Teen Writers family! Thank you for sticking with me through the wait.
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Shannon Dittemore is an author and speaker. Her books include the Angel Eyes trilogy, a supernatural foray into the realm of angels and demons, as well as the fantastical adventure novel Winter, White and Wicked. Its sequel, Rebel, Brave and Brutal is due out January 10, 2023.
Shannon’s stories feature strong female leads grappling with fear and faith as they venture into the wilds of the unknown. She’s often wondered if she’s writing her own quest for bravery again and again.
It’s a choice she values highly. Bravery. And she’s never more inspired than when young people ball up their fist and punch fear in the face.
To that end, Shannon takes great joy in working with young writers, both in person and online at Go Teen Writers, an instructional blog recognized by Writer’s Digest four years running as a “101 Best Websites for Writers” selection.
For more about Shannon and her books, please visit her website, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
Woot, woot! I love stories of when perseverance and patience pay off.
Congratulations, Ms. Shannon. :0)
Thank you, Samantha!
Yay! I’ve been waiting for this announcement. 🙂 I look forward to hearing more!!!
It’s been forever in the making, hasn’t it? Thank you for being patient with me!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to learn more about it!
THANK YOU! Cross you fingers that all goes as planned on Tuesday!
Congratulations! That’s so exciting! 🙂
SO EXCITING! Thank you, friend.
Woohoo!!! Congratulations! I can’t wait to see the announcements!!?
ME TOO! Crossing all my appendages that things go as planned!
Yay! So exciting!
Very yay! Thank you for being excited with me.
Yay! Congratulations! All your hard work has paid off.
THANK YOU. It’s been crazy and I’m so grateful!
OK, so am I the only one who noticed her Slytherin sweater? Love it!
YOU noticed it, Elizabeth! Ten points to your house of choice!
Yes! Go Ravenclaw!
Congratulations! I’m stoked up for you even though we’ve never met. Cheers and good writing!
Thank you so much, Jack! These days it seems most of our introductions our online anyway, right?
Congrats!! Can’t wait to hear more 😉
keturahskorner.blogspot.com
And I can’t wait to tell you!
Wooooh! Way to persevere!!
Thank you, friend! Persevering is hard, but so, so worth it.
Congratulations! That’s so awesome. I can only imagine how amazing it must feel to finally sign that contract. Good luck with the rest of the process!
Yes! It was a great relief! That’s how I’d describe it.
This is such happy news! CONGRATULATIONS!!! I cannot wait to hear more about it. 😀
Such happy news, yes! Thank you, Christine!
Ahhh! I’m dying to hear about this new project! I somehow hadn’t found your newsletter, so thank you for linking us to that. I’m excited to get your personal updates, along with all the lovely advice you share here 🙂
THANK YOU, Hannah! The announcement is live on all my social media accounts with a little video in my Instagram stories. I’ll be sending my newsletter out late tonight, so there’s still time to sign up!