The Pregnant Presents Writer’s Call, by Maisey Yates
60 Comments December 21st, 2009 in author, writing Posted by AmyOn Dec. 1, Maisey Yates got a wonderful early Christmas present — The Call from Harlequin Presents! Please welcome Maisey with her Call story!
by Maisey Yates
I’ve always wanted to write, but I haven’t always known exactly what I wanted to write. That changed when I was pregnant with my second son and I picked up my very first Harlequin romance, a Presents by Miranda Lee. I was hooked.
In that year I think I read over three hundred Presents. I couldn’t get enough of them. I loved the glamour, the passion and the seduction. And I decided I wanted to try to write one. But when I went to Harlequin’s website site and saw the guidelines for submission I was so intimidated at the thought of trying to submit that…I just didn’t try. Until I saw the announcement for the Instant Seduction contest.
I sat down to write my chapter and synopsis and after a couple of weeks, with butterflies in my stomach, I entered my chapter into the contest. That step was the confidence boost I needed to start writing a manuscript that I could get ready for submission the traditional way.
By the time the contest results were announced a couple of months later, I had finished a complete manuscript. I didn’t get any feedback from the Instant Seduction contest, but by then I felt absolutely committed to the manuscript I had completed, and I sent the partial all the way from Oregon to the Richmond office.
In the months that my manuscript waited in the slush pile, Harlequin held the Feel the Heat contest for Modern Heat. I entered that contest as well, and again, got no feedback other than the standard form letter. I was feeling pretty dejected at that point! I wasn’t sure what hope the Manuscript I’d sent had with two contests behind me and no personalized feedback to show for it.
But, only a week later I received a letter from the United Kingdom. I had been waiting seven months at that point and, as I opened the letter with (very) shaky hands, I anticipated a rejection.
I spent the next month or so working on revisions with the help of my lovely critique group and my patient (and gorgeous!) husband. After much agonizing, I resent my partial with (still) shaking hands.
A couple of months later another letter landed in my mail box. This time a request for the full manuscript. I was (and sort of still am) totally shocked. So much so that I literally couldn’t speak, and as my husband can attest to, that is an unusual turn of events. I imagine he must have thought I was somewhat crazy when I came running into the house waving a letter in the air, unable to string two words together.
I sent the full manuscript and three weeks later, received another revision letter, this time in my inbox. I was so excited that it wasn’t a rejection I set to work right away getting the revisions done, once again with my lovely critique group offering me much cyber support.
About six weeks after returning those revisions I got yet another revision letter. And at this point I’m just feeling eternally grateful for my editor’s patience! After completing those I sent them (yeah, hands still shaking). I had a feeling that this would be it. Three rounds of revisions. It had to be rejection or acceptance.
So I cringed every time of opened my email and jumped every time the phone rang. And then, on December 1st, I got up and checked my email first thing. There was one from Jenny Hutton sitting in my inbox. She asked if she could call me and talk about the manuscript sometime that morning. And after squealing and jumping up and down (as best as a woman who is eight months pregnant can), I calmed down enough to get the phone and tell my husband my editor was going to call. Well, it may have come out more like “Ohmygoshohmygoshohmygosh!! She’s going to Call me!!!”
And then the phone rang at 8:00 am and a woman with a very lovely, sophisticated accent asked to speak to me. And then she offered to buy my book. Of course I said yes.
It’s a dream come true to write for Presents. I’m a true fan of the line and seeing my name on (here in the US) that white cover with the red stripe and the very beautiful people in the circle makes me absolutely giddy. In fact, I foresee being completely giddy for the next few years.
Tagged with: Maisey Yates • romance writer Call stories60 Responses to “The Pregnant Presents Writer’s Call, by Maisey Yates”
- 1 Pingback on Dec 21st, 2009 at 12:04 pm
- 2 Pingback on Dec 22nd, 2009 at 8:02 am
- 3 Pingback on Dec 22nd, 2009 at 3:14 pm
Congratulations Maisey. Your story offers such hope for us all. Can’t wait to read your story.
Congratulations, Maisey!
What a terrific story!
How fantastic, Maisey!
Best wishes for a long and successful career.
Hugs
~Monique~
Congratulations, Maisey! You are proof that perseverance pays off. You didn’t let the lack of feedback in the contests stop you — and look where you are now! I’m so thrilled for you.
Thank you to everybody! *checking pulse* Yep. Still giddy.
Its such good news Maisey and sounds so exciting getting the call. Dying to read it!
Congratulations, Maisey.
Thanks for sharing your call story and showing us that perseverance pays. Can’t wait to read your book.
Chris.
Congratulations Maisey – that’s a lovely story.
Thanks for sharing that wonderful story, Maisey! Congratulations on selling your book…and having a baby. Two life-changing events happening so close together. You’ve got to be due any day now.
Very soon, Laurie! She’s an impatient little girl. I’m only hoping she’s not a Christmas baby.
Looks like you got your Call recently too! Congrats on your book!
Sarah, thank you too!
Congrats, Maisey, on your call – and your impending daughter! Loved your story.
I’ve said it before, Maisey – but some things are worth saying over again – so Congratulations on your sale and I really hope it will be the first of many. Welcome to the Presents family of writers.
I’ll be looking out for news of both your ‘new productions’ – the book and the baby just as soon as you have time to tell them. (Though I suspect that time is something you’re going to have very little of in the near future). I hope your daughter is wonderfully healthy and brings you lots of joy
I was going to add Happy Christmas, but it looks as if that’s pretty well assured already.
Kate
Awww…too sweet! Now, don’t make the pregnant woman cry! Time is certainly a luxury around these parts.
I have two boys…both in diapers…already, and soon we get to add a newborn! Sleep shall be a thing of the past.
And I’ve said thank you before, and I’ll say it again too.
Thank you!
Congratulations Maisey, what a wonderful call story.
Can’t wait to see you story in print – it’s definitely on the “to buy” list!
Maisey – I love the “The Call” stories and yours was great – it brought a tear to my eye! Huge, huge congratulations and I can’t wait to read your book! And as Kate Walker said – we probably don’t need to wish you a happy Christmas! – but I hope you have a great one anyway, and the new baby arrives safe, sound and healthy. Take care. Caroline x
Yay Maisey! A tear in the eye of this Kiwi too. Once again HUGE congratulations to you, m’dear. You’re the best inspiration I know for the power of just quietly getting the work done and waiting patiently for your moment. Here’s a huge glass of something sparkling and non-alcoholic to your success and lots and lots and lots of books.
Jackie
Hey Maisey,
Didn’t I tell you about a year ago, after reading ‘one’ of your stories that I was officially your first Irish fan? And that when you were published I’d expect a signed copy in the post? Well, not much more I can say is there?
So very thrilled for you and yours that Santa came early. You deserve this and I know that we’re all about close to bursting with the excitement of seeing your shiny new book on the shelves next year.
Fantastic call story, love love love it.
Aideen.
Congrats, Maisey. What a great call story! And, from knowing you just over e-mail, I think the giddiness is going to stay with you through your entire career with M&B.
Looking forward to seeing your book in print!
Abbi
Susan, thank you so much! That means a lot.
Caroline, now you’ll make me cry, really.
You too Jackie!! And Abbi, I’m usually giddy about something or other, so I suspect you’re right.
Aideen, yes, I do remember you laying claim to the title of my First Irish Fan.
It meant a lot then and it means a lot now.
My Captcha is President Whines…hehehe.
Thanks for sharing your call story, Maisey. Huge Congratulations on your sale – and the soon to arrive addition to your family.
Hey Maisey,
please add my congrats to the list. I’m so happy and excited for you. No tears here, just that idiot grin. AGAIN! And to everyone eager for Maisey’s book to hit the shelves… buy it, you won’t be disappointed.
Robyn
Congratulations Maisey on a fabulous Call story and the first published book of many!
You deserve every bit of the wonderful success that is coming your way.
Robyn, you’re a peach! I’m fond of your idiot grin, even though I’ve never seen it.
Anne, thanks so much for your kind words.
Thanks to you too, Jane!
Maisey, what can I possibly add to everything that’s already been said?
Well nothing, really
– except that every one of us guys knew it was only a matter of time, a case of ‘when’ and not ‘if’ that Call came. I’m sure this is only the first of many, and I feel so privileged to be amongst the few who have shared in this wonderful journey of yours.
And I really do hope that your post on The Call serves as a timely and encouraging reminder that perseverance is truly the key for anyone hell-bent on achieving their dream. It’s a wonderful story, and a true inspiration to us all.
Needless to say, I send you my hugest congratulations and I’m counting the days until August!
Cyber hugs, naturally
Jilly
Jilly,
Thank you so much! And you know, I’m still so very proud of you too!
Congrats Maisey on your Call! Your hard work certainly paid off. Can’t wait til it hits the shelves!
=)
Coming late to the Call Party, but here I am! Awesome Call story, Maisey and once again, many congrats. Your journey is an inspiration to us all. May it be long, adventurous and filled with yummy, scrummy alphas!
All the very best,
Maya
Great call story, Maisey. It’s as satisfying as a good ‘Presents’. Congratulations!
Great call story Maisey – and lovely to see you in the flesh, so to speak! You look absolutely thrilled in the photo.
Good luck with both productions!
XX
Maya, Christina and Christine, thanks so much!
And LOL about the photo. I absolutely REFUSED to have my picture taken. Too pregnant. So it’s just a coincidence that I had taken one in front of my bookshelf a couple months ago…
Maisey,
Congratulations!
As a long time reader of HPs I am always on the look out for new authors.
HPs are in a class my themselves and you are enjoying a fabulous group of authors!
Have a very Merrry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Oh-Oh! I just found a couple of typos in my post and there is no “edit” function on this board.
My previous post should read: “by themselves” and “joining a fabulous group.”
So sorry!
Lidia, thanks so much and no worries about the typos! (I am the queen of them. No. Really.)
Hi Maisey
Congratulations! Having read about your call on Jackie’s blog, its lovely to hear that your journey has a happy ending. Congrats also on your impending bundle of joy – you must be over the moon.
Janette
Congratulations Maisey! That’s such an exciting story, and I’m sure your little girl is already picking up the writing vibes.
Looking forward to reading your book!
All the best
anna
Congrats again Maisey! You obviously worked hard to achieve your dream and it’s so wonderful to see persistence paying off! Can’t wait to read your baby!
Rach!
Hooray, Maisey! I love that story–such a lesson in persistence. Can’t wait to hold your book in my hands!
Thanks, thanks, thanks and thanks again!
It means so much to me to hear that there are people looking forward to reading my book.
Congratulations Maisy! I can’t get enough of call stories. Enjoy every moment of it.
Regards
Tina
Maisey–I just love Call stories!
Huge congrats to you! It will be a date engraved on your memory for all time (mine was Sept 15, 2006 at 10:03 a.m.). 
Enjoy every moment of it!
Gosh, nearly missed this, so busy Christmas shopping!
Thanks for a great ‘Call’ story, Maisey – and it just goes to show that patience is most definitely a virtue, with all those scary rounds of revisions and requests. I can’t wait to read the result!
Jx
What a fabulous call story!! Congratulations, Maisey. May you have a long and fabulous career with Presents!
Robbie
Congratulations, Maisey! That’s a great call story! Can’t wait to buy your first book……
And more thanks from me.
Thanks for stopping by, Maureen!
Yay! Maisey, that’s a wonderful story!! Congratulations!!
Mira
Congrats Maisey – I loved reading your call story
Double Congratulations Maisey, revel in the joy, it has been a long journey. Now your name will added to the list of our famous authors. Eagerly awaiting your book….LOL J.
Double congratulations. Your call story is inspiring. Can’t wait to read the published book.
I’m a bit late here Maisey but I just wanted to say thanks for sharing your story. Congratulations again!
What a wonderful story! Congratulations, Maisey! I look forward to reading your books!
Trenda
So pleased for you, Maisey.
Also looking forward to reading the book that gave you your wonderful call story. Each and every call story I’ve ever read gives me that huge lump in my throat and tears in my eyes–yours is no exception.
Much love,
Joanne
Amazing job Maisey, especially while caring for 2 toddler boys and a girl soon to come.
You’ve accomplished so much and you deserve this!
Cheers to your books!
Thank you Maisey for sharing your call story, it’s brilliant!
Massive congrats to you for achieving your dream, I can’t wait to buy your book.
Maisey congratulations!!
Your Call story is inspirational. Add me to the list of those who will follow your career.
All the best on the safe arrival of your daughter!
Must say many more thanks again! For the Call congrats and the best wishes on the delivery.
It all means a lot to me.
Congratulations, Maisey!
A great story – wishing you many many years if happy writing