by Kimberly Lang, author of The Secret Mistress Arrangement
I received my Call on May 2, 2008 (at 10:48 a.m.– not that I made a note of it or anything.) Eight months later, here we are, and The Secret Mistress Arrangement is on the shelves in the UK. The last eight months have seemed like an eternity and a flash of lightning at the same time. Odd, I know, but the time between sale and shelf is not an idle one for a newbie writer – oh, no. There’s all kinds of things to do, so many things to learn. There were line edits, Dear Reader letters, bios, contracts, websites, promoting and networking… oh, and I wrote two more books. I was so busy learning the biz, I didn’t have time to obsess over the book I’d already sold.
(Okay, so that’s a total lie. There was plenty of obsessing over that book. Heck, clicking over to Amazon just to see my name/cover and remind myself it was all true was practically a full-time job!)
I’m very lucky that the Harlequin/Mills and Boon writers are the nicest group of people on the planet. Not only did they answer many, many questions along the way, they never once complained about my over-excitement about well, everything.
Of course, somewhere in the middle of all this, I started to feel like a writer. A real writer. So much so, that I started to feel comfortable about answering the question, “So what do you do?” with “I’m a writer.”
Not having a book was a problem, though, because the next questions were “So what have you written? Where can I get it?” That lead to the uncomfortable moment where I had to say, “Well, it’s not out yet. I won’t be out until 2009.” In the awkward silence that always followed, I could almost hear them think “Of course you think you’re a writer, dear. You and everyone else.” before they beat a hasty retreat from the strange girl with delusional ideas.
Not anymore, though! It’s 2009 and my book is here! On actual paper with a cover and everything. It’s much easier to tell people I’m a writer now, because when they ask the next questions, I can smile confidently and say, “The Secret Mistress Arrangement is available on the Mills and Boon site now, and will be on sale on eHarlequin in March.”
That, my friends, is very, very cool. I can’t quit grinning about it.
Kimberly
**Don’t forget: My excitement bubbles over into the need to give away prizes! I’m running two contests on my website (www.booksbykimberly.com) to celebrate being an honest-to-goodness writer…
Congratulations, Kimberly. I can only imagine what it must feel like to see your name on the cover of your book. I’m looking forward to reading it when it’s released here in the States.
Chris.
Congratulations, Kimberly! Wow! What an amazing feeling to see your very own book for sale on-line! I’ll be excited to read it when it is on the shelves in the U.S.A.
Tren
Yes, Kim, it’s here and it’s absolutely fabulous! What a cover. I want one just like that :pout: And on Borders last time I looked I think your book was no. 1! Perhaps it’s the zebra striped top
Anyways, enjoy the buzz. Can’t wait to read it.
Robbie
I’m so excited for you and I can’t wait to read this book! Enjoy every last second of this experience!
Kira
Hey, Kimberly! Everything you’ve said, that’s me too.
I still have a few months before the ink-and-paper baby arrives, but I can’t wait. And it *has* gone fast so far. Lots to do, including writing other books. 
You should be excited. It’s a fabulous story.
I’m caught in moderation again. Congrats, Kimberly!
I’m so excited for you, Kimberly! It’s been fun riding the roller coaster with you. Enjoy it!
And I’m partial to the zebra bikini, myself.
I actually have a copy of your UK version. I bought it off eBay (and arranged with the seller to get your next one too). I’m taking it to the Caribbean with me so I’ll have something good to read on the beach while the cabana boy brings me fruity drinks with paper umbrellas.
Congrats on all your success! I too have enjoyed the ride with you.
Congrats, Kim! As you know, I spied the book early on… and I enjoyed my copy
Thanks, everybody. I am pretty excitable these days.
The zebra bikini seems to be a winner all around!
What a gorgeous cover – and the story’s fab too!
Kimberley,
Congratulations on the release of your first book! May there be many, many more and may the thrill of it never lessen (I don’t think it does).
What a terrific cover!
Good luck with those next books.
Annie
Kim, my copy arrived today from the UK and I can’t wait to read and review it. The cover is wonderful, I loved the dedication to your husband and like you “I’m a hopeless romantic”.
As for M&B and Presents authors and readers, they are definitely an incredible group and I’m so proud to call them my friends.
Speaking of wonderful authors, I stopped by The Writing Playground and applaud all of you on your efforts to raise money through the auction and encourage everyone to stop by the site.
Congratulations Kim. It IS a beautiful feeling, and it only gets better. You’re an ambassador for romance like the rest of us now, and you can hold up your head and crow about it when people ask what you do! (A bit like being a geisha.)
That gorgeous cover will be out here in Aus soon and I can’t wait to get my hands on it.
And I agree with lovely Marilyn about the Writers Playground. Everyone should drop by for a visit!
anna
Y’all are making me blush…
I (heart) my job…
Congratulations Kimberly! What a great story!
Celebrate and enjoy!
Marian Pearson Stevens
Congratulations, Kimberley. This first book is very special and the start of a long career. And the zebra bikini is wow!
Congratulations, Kimberly!!
>I (heart) my job…
LOL! That’s great!
All the best,
Gail
What a fab story, Kimberley! Keep grinning and keep writing!
What a great feeling to be able to know you are a “real” writer. (You knew it all along of course, but now you have the delicious proof!)
That’s a great story. What an exciting eight months that must have been!
Maisey