Woot, Woot for Keli Gwyn!

If you don't know Keli, I'd be surprised. For the past few years she's been interviewing romance writers over at Romance Writers on the Journey.
She even interviewed ME at one point.
Keli is an encouraging, wonderful person. She sends gifts, creates First Sale Scrapbooks (I have one, it's waiting still for that sale, lol), and tries to support writers in different ways.

I just found out that Keli has SOLD a book! You can read her call story HERE. She's been working toward this goal for a long time.

How long have you been writing? Are you aware of the averages regarding the amount of manuscripts written and the number of years that pass before a sale is obtained? Do the stats challenge you or depress you?

Congrats Keli!

Comments

Debra E. Marvin said…
Isn't it great to hear Keli's news?

I feel like I've put my time in too...who knows? We just have to be optimistic and keep at it. I think tenacity is one major key to success.

Jessica, we're in this for the long run, right? Your announcement will come and I'll be woot-wooting for you as well!
Linda Kage said…
It's always so wonderful to hear these kind of happy stories. Thanks for letting us know so we can congratulate her.
Tamika: said…
I'm so happy for Keli! Author news keeps me encouraged:)

I've only been writing seriously since 2009, so I know the journey is just beginning for me.
Jessica Nelson said…
Debra, you're so sweet! I'd love to hear a woot out of you because you seemed so quiet and nice when I met you. :-) Thanks for stopping by, and yes, it's super exciting to hear her news!

You're welcome, Linda!

Hey Tamika, author news encourages me too. I started in 2006 so I know that it could be soon or I could still have more years to go.
Erica Vetsch said…
I'm so happy for Keli. She is truly one of the nicest women I've ever met.

I think if I had known how many books I would write, how much I had to learn, and how long the journey would seem when I set out, I'd have been at first daunted, then determined.

If I had known how the floodgates would open after that first sale, I would be, and AM truly humbled.
Crystal Collier said…
Yay for Keli! My books are on hold, although I really feel a book isn't "seasoned" enough until it's been nagging at you for at least a few years. Call it a maturity thing.
So pumped for Keli. She truly is an amazing woman.

Been writing seriously for three years.

I forge ahead no matter the stats, trusting in God's plan.

~ Wendy
Melissa said…
I actually don't know Kelli but she sold her book! That's awesome! Congratulations to her!
Hi Jess -

Congrats to Keli!

I don't allow the number of years I've been writing or the statistics to depress me. My motto: Prayer, Patience, and Perseverance.

Blessings,
Susan :)
Keli Gwyn said…
Wow, Jessie! I just discovered your post and am blown away by your incredible show of support and encouragement. I'm blushing, too, at the kind words from you and your visitors. Thank you seems inadequate, but I do thank you and appreciate you oodles and bunches.

I look forward to sharing in happy dances for each one of you--and I do a rather energetic one. Just ask my cats. =)
Tana said…
I'm going to be first in line to buy her book. I can't wait to hear more details about her book deal! CONGRATS Keli!
Kara said…
I just found Keli's site and am so excited to hear the news. It's neat to share in peoples sucesses and I must admit it give me a little kick in the rear. I've been writing seriously for about 4 years, but in the middle I got pregnant, we moved, and decided to homeschool. But now I find myself finally settled to get serious again!
Diane said…
I am so happy for her and the exciting news! :O)
Jill Kemerer said…
I love Keli and was so happy to hear her news!! It's uplifting to see someone so talented and encouraging get a book contract. I can't wait to read it!

And I can't wait to shout and celebrate when you have the same news to share!
Deb Shucka said…
It's always wonderful to hear that someone has reached their goal, and to be able to celebrate with them. Very wonderful news.
Jessica Nelson said…
I agree, Deb!

Jill, and I'll be excited for you too!

Kara, wow, that's a lot happening! Good for you though with getting back to it. :-)
Jessica Nelson said…
Me too, T. Anne!

Keli, I appreciate you! You completely deserve this, so stop blushing. :-) And I'm not surprised to hear about that dancing. Heeheee!

Good for you Susan!
Jessica Nelson said…
Erica, I have to agree that Keli is super, super nice. :-) Also, the floodgates DID open for you! That was pretty awesome.

Happily, I like your expression "seasoned". Definitely something there to think about.

Melissa, thanks for stopping by. It's an exciting time!

Wendy, it does feel like forging, right?
Caryn Caldwell said…
That's so great!

As for the stats, they were depressing at first, but now that I've been on the journey for a while they make me feel not so bad about not getting published immediately. Plus they give me hope because the numbers, while higher than I'd like, are still totally doable.
Emily Conrad said…
I'm brimming with optimism for some reason tonight. Well, I know what the reason is: I just feel so blessed and so certain that God has just the right plan in motion for me and my book. I'm happy for Keli that her time is now, and I'm looking forward to the day I can post congrats to you in a comment with a ridiculous number of exclaimation points!!!! (Yes, more of them than that.)
:)
jdsanc said…
Way to go Keli!
As for the statistics, I'm not aware of them. Don't want to be. Keeping my distance from that baby. But, I know those years will pass anyway, that I will be closer to my goal if I keep plodding and plotting along. However, I prefer to do it without knowing what I'm up against. We're already up against quite a bit, right?
Jessica Nelson said…
You're right about the years passing, jd. They go so fast that before you know it, you'll be pubbed. :-)

Emily, me too!!! I'm excited for whatever comes your way this year. :-)

Caryn, it's true they can be depressing. Like you said though, they also make me feel better. LOL
Anonymous said…
Yes, I'd read about Keli and it's fantastic to see all her supporters. I've been writing for a long time but just starting to submit my short stories. I've got a ways to go but love to hear of others successes who are above me on their journey.
Terri Tiffany said…
I am so so happy for Keli!! She has had a journey for sure.
I am not depressed yet--as long as I am alive, I have a chance:)
Dara said…
Heh. I've been writing since I was 12. So more than half my life :P

Haven't been serious about it though except the last two or three years. And I'm not depressed...I think with the new technology and the growth of eBooks, more opportunities will be available. At least I'm trying to be optimistic (a trait that's hard for me, LOL).

Congrats to Keli!
How exciting! Congrats to Keli.
Tabitha Bird said…
that is wonderful news!

As for stats, I have to say that I like to be ignorant about them. I don't want to know. Odds and percentages are just numbers. they do not take into account that I am Tabitha Bird or that I serve an awesome and very BIG God. Stats make me doubt. They make me feel smaller than I am or larger than I want to be. They do nothing for me and so I stay away.

Thanks for visiting my blog :)
Karen Lange said…
Congrats to Keli! Hooray! :o)
Keli Gwyn said…
Thanks again for the many wonderful comments and congratulatory messages. You have no idea how much they mean to me. I treasure each and every one.
Congrats, Keli! Enjoy all the moments!
I am very happy for Keli, and WE ARE NEXT, right???

The statistics encourage me, because they give me hope that it's never too late to succeed!

Love
Jen
Jennie Allen said…
Yeah Keli! Fun to celebrate together! thanks for the heads up.
Nancy said…
Those kind of statistics would probably depress me if I read them. But I am very happy for Keli. Good for her and her perseverence.
Cascia Talbert said…
Good for her! I don't think I would be able to find time to write a book.
Jessica Nelson said…
Cascia, it def. takes time. She's pretty prolific too, and I admire her discipline.

Nancy, yep, I think perseverance is key. :-)

You're welcome Jennie!
Jessica Nelson said…
Jeanette, I hope so!! They encourage me too...

You're welcome Keli. ;-) You're a blessing to so many!

Tabitha, what a wonderful point! I love how you worded that!
Patti Lacy said…
May God use Keli's every word.
I can't wait to give her a big ole hug at our next writers' gathering.

God's using your words, too, Jessica. I just love your writing, your encouragement, your strong, clear voice.

Though publicity and churning out another proposal have SO CUT into my blog time, know that I am praying for God to use you and your writing in a PERFECT way.

Blessings,
Patti

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