Project Person // A publishing update

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For anyone new around here: I’ve written an historical fiction novel that I’ve been hoping to traditionally publish. For those interested in this process, here’s what I wrote about landing an agent, and these are my in-process thoughts about “going on submission”. And now, here’s where it stands:

My agent’s name popped up on my phone during the intermission of the middle school musical, so I ducked into the hallway to take his call. “You’ve got a book deal! And I think you’re going to like it,” he said, promising to email it over, telling me to call him the next morning to discuss. 

By the time I returned to the auditorium, the second act had begun. All the lights were off, and I was sitting front-and-center, with little singing superheroes locking their please-love-me eyes with mine.  

So, I endured an entire hour of middle school theatre with an unread book deal in my inbox. 🫠

…The curtains finally closed, and I got to open that email right there in the auditorium. The editor had written the kindest letter alongside details like royalty rates, advance payments, and release dates. And, I read that it was actually a two-book deal, which I didn’t even consider as a possibility.

Honestly, it was reading that line in the offer that made me tear up, as that made me feel like an author.

My agent was right—I liked it!

I’m tempted to hedge or downplay my excitement so I don’t look like an idiot or a jerk or just so I don’t cosmically jinx it all. But this whole process has felt like a gift—even the hard parts—and honestly, I am just straight up excited right now. I love the editor. I love the opportunity. I am so honored and grateful. And I can’t wait to get this book outta my Google Docs and into the world. 

The novel I initially submitted will be released next May (like, 2026. The publishing industry, man!). TBD Book Two—not a sequel, but a different story altogether—will follow a year later.

So HOW IN THE WORLD DOES IT TAKE THAT LONG TO PUBLISH A NOVEL THAT’S ALREADY WRITTEN, you ask? 

Well from what I’m learning, the publisher has a release schedule that’s been set for a long time already, so part of the problem is just finding room to fit in a new book. But then there’s also more editing to be done. I’ll get “an editorial letter” from my developmental editor this July, and then I’ll have a few weeks to make some changes. We will then send it off to copy/line editing, start working on the cover design, finalize the actual title, and create the marketing plan.

I also have to start working on that TBD Book Two, as that manuscript is due the same month Book One releases, so that will also help the time pass quickly. They keep saying it will be here before I know it!

I originally started this Project Person email series as a way to practice writing and build an email list in hopes of securing a publisher (here’s the first one I sent!), but it’s turned into a really fun opportunity to connect with so many of you. I have a few more Project Persons to share in the months ahead, but then I’ll likely take a little break as I enter my novel writing/editing cave before reemerging next spring.

Thanks so much for following along. Writing is my form of external processing, and I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to share all of these words with you.

-Callie

Here’s a screenshot of the list I wrote before I started writing my novel, highlighting my favorite things about my favorite books. I used this as a guide for writing my own.

My agent told me to take a timeless photo of me signing the contract, but lol it was a Docusign, so here’s that timeless photo for all posterity. 

And here’s the current back-of-the-book blurb, although I’m sure it will change plenty:

 🪩 Meet Your Fellow Email Subscribers 🪩

Christina Ketmayura, brand designer at The Fig Studio and owner of minimalist baby book company Tokki Goods. (Both of these websites are gorgeous 😍.)

Karen Shumaker, a high school teacher in Arkansas who is always leading some kind of project to make people feel loved (ie. collecting hundreds of notes and gift cards for teachers and students affected by the Apalachee school shooting last fall).

Next week, I’ll share the story of my all-time favorite marketing genius and the surprising business he just bought. Stay tuned!