This post is overdue, as I was offered rep right before Thanksgiving, but I’m still celebrating nearly two months later! I signed with a clever champion for my YA fantasy, Mabel the Ordinary, a Portland mystery with strong mental health aspects that I’ve been fine-tuning over the past couple of years (among other projects). Mabel is the book I was preparing to write in my last post. I’ve loved creating this world full of magic, witchy shops, fierce besties, mysterious boys with purple eyes, and a main character with anxiety.

After making it official with a contract, Gina and I dove into fine-tuning Mabel to make my book sparkle for publishing houses. Next up is going “on sub” to editors, a step that’s both nail-biting and thrilling.

Whatever happens from here on out, Mabel was written from the depths of my heart to those who want to be the main character – who try so hard to be “normal” – but are bogged down by the slam-slam of their heart and the pinching of their lungs. I’m proud of this gritty book. I’m proud of myself.

~Chelsea