That First Sale, Sandra Elzie

Don't you love hearing about the success of others? Makes you believe you can still achieve your own dream. Sandra Elzie shares her own story. She is a member of Georgia Romance Writers and a lovely person.


That First Sale, or Doing The Snoopy Dance
By: Sandra Elzie

How many stories of first sales have you heard? Ten? Fifty? Even if you’re not the one telling that story, it’s interesting to hear how others reached their goals, even though there’s always a little bittersweet taste in your mouth that someone else “made” it and you’re still on the trail. All I can say is applaud the success of others because others will applaud for you when your day arrives. The great thing about publishing is that someone doesn’t have to lose in order for you to win. With perseverance you can both win.

My story started in 2001 when my husband threw down a gauntlet challenging me to give up half of the time I spent reading and watching television and spend that time writing that great novel that I had been telling everyone was rattling around in my head. He informed me that I didn’t have to be retired to write a book. At least he wasn’t mean when he told me to put up or shut up, but I suddenly realized that he was right…again. (Darn it!) He promised to support me in the quest of my dream and he has been faithful to his word.

Over the next seven years I wrote twelve manuscripts…although I must admit that some of the earlier ones will forever remain in my files and not on the shelves of bookstores in America. I can now laugh at all the mistakes I made in my first manuscript, but those mistakes were necessary. Each one was a step to bring me closer to the day “THE” call came.

In my case, I had received so many rejection letters that I decided to send in three of the four chapters I had written on my WIP and get the rejection letter process going. Eight days later I received a letter asking (for my first time) for a full manuscript. Actually, that would have also been a Snoopy Dance occasion, but I was at 14,000-words and had implied it was finished at 60,000. Yikes! For the next nine days my husband was a bachelor and on the morning of the ninth day, we drove to the post office and mailed it.

Two months later I got up, had my coffee and then Avalon Books changed my life with one little phone call. Believe me, if it can happen to me, it can happen to you. Ever heard that before? Believe it.

If you don’t give up and quit, one morning when you least expect it, the phone will ring and someone on the other end will praise your manuscript and tell you they want to publish it. That day will be etched in the granite of your memories for the rest of your life.

Here are a few tips that helped me and even if you’ve heard some or all of them before, it never hurts to be reminded.

* Set a goal and write it down
* Write or edit or outline…DO SOMETHING every day
* Participate in seminars, workshops, and training classes
* Be part of a team…it’s more fun. Get in a Critique group and learn as you help others and they help you.
* NEVER give up on your dream
* Occasionally put on your Pink Fuzzy Slippers and practice the Snoopy Dance so you’ll be ready when the phone rings and you make your first sale.

For unpublished writers, all I can say is hang in there and don’t give up. I know it’s a lot easier to say than to do, but take every bit of encouragement that your fellow writing partners give and keep writing and keep sending off chapters.

My first sale is The Diplomatic Tutor, coming in October 2009 from Avalon Books and I want to publicly thank my critique partner Debbie Kaufman and my faithful wonder-husband, Richard. As the saying goes, without them…

So, your writing assignment for today is to share with everyone about your journey toward your goal or maybe you’d be willing to share your first sale, your first mile marker, so-to-speak.


Well, ladies and gentlemen, time to share or ask questions!