#PitchMAS Success Story #6: Vicki Leigh @vleighwrites

We're so happy to bring you yet another awesome success story! This one not only includes a publishing contract, but an awesome agent as well! Woot! 

HUGE congratulations, Vicki! 

Now, we'll let Vicki take it away! You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, her website, and Goodreads! 

The short version:
In July 2013, I participated in Pitchmas. All total, I received partial requests from six agents and three full requests from editors. After completing a R&R for Alison, an editor at Curiosity Quills, she excited me with an offer of publication! At that time, I queried a few agents, requesting help negotiating the deal with Curiosity Quills, and was absolutely thrilled when Sarah Negovetich offered representation! And on December 16th, I signed the paperwork with Curiosity Quills. Thanks, Jessa and Tamara, for hosting such an amazing event. Pitchmas helped make my dreams come true! 

The long version:
Now that things are official, and I've sent my first round of edits to my editor, I can finally share my success story with you all! (I can't believe I'm writing this post.)

Last July, I participated in Jessa and Tamara's fantastic event called Pitchmas. For those of you who don't know what that is, head over to their website right now and check it out. You won't regret it, because all this good news I'm about to share can come down to one word - Pitchmas.

All total, I received partial requests from six agents and three full requests from editors during the event. Which was freaking amazing in itself. After lots of squealing, I sent off my submissions to these nine fantastic publishing professionals and waited like a kid the night before Christmas for their responses. Would they like it? Those that had partials, would they ask for more?

A few weeks later, Alison, an editor at Curiosity Quills Press, told me she loved my story but wanted a few changes before she could make a final decision.

Um, can we say AWESOME??!! 

There are three types of responses you can receive from agents/editors: 1) No, 2) Please revise and resubmit, or 3) Yes, I love this! Two of them are positive. And I just got a request for an R&R. My first one ever.

I spent days working with my critique partners, pouring over her notes and making changes to my manuscript like my feet were strapped to a bomb if I didn't finish fast. After my CPs liked my new changes, I sent it back to Alison. 

And then a few weeks later, everything changed: She not only loved my changes, but she excited me with an offer of publication! 

Immediately, I queried a few more agents, seeking help negotiating the deal with Curiosity Quills. (Don't underestimate the fantastic-ness of agents, you guys. They are so incredibly wise and they know the business.) Again, I got three more requests for my full manuscript, one of them being the absolutely amazing Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary Agency.

A couple days later, I signed the contract with Sarah, and on December 16th, I signed the paperwork with Curiosity Quills. 

What a ride, let me tell you. A terrifying, exciting ride. 

If you have a chance to participate in Pitchmas this year, I so recommend it. Doing so literally changed my life. 

Thank you, Jessa and Tamara, for hosting such an amazing event. Pitchmas helped make my dreams come true!