How’s that for turning Heidi Klum’s well-known Project Runway line on its head? :happysun

So there have been some interesting & exciting developments recently.  Last week, I shared my idea for a new trilogy for Harlequin Desire, set in the the world of high fashion.  I called it “Project:  Passion” to give it that Project Runway feel.  (Duh. :howyoudoin )

As mentioned, I’d just spoken to Editor C about what my next Desire project should be.  And while “Project:  Passion” didn’t come up at the time, I thought it had some merit, so I worked on it over the weekend, wrote up a quick one-page pitch, & e-mailed it to Editor C with a little note that said, “Um…I know this is completely different than the ideas we discussed, but whatcha think?”

His quick reply was, “You like this idea better than the one we discussed & want to work on it instead?”  I said, “I like this one, but I like the other one, too.  I can go either way—it’s totally up to you.”  He said, “N’kay. I’ll be in touch.”

Two days later, I was just sitting down to check e-mail when the phone rang.  So almost simultaneously, I read a note from Editor C saying, “We love this idea & want to go with it” while in my ear, Agent Extraordinaire is saying, “I just got a call from Editor C—they made an offer on your ‘Project:  Passion’ trilogy.”

So here’s where I hurt myself a little bit, bending around to pat myself on the back… :cool

When I spoke to Editor C about what I should work on next, he informed me that he’d finished reading SECRETS, LIES & LULLABIES & was about to start the line edits.  That’s pretty much the official acceptance of a manuscript…if they weren’t going to accept it, I’d have gotten a big, fat, “We have a problem…” :patrick2   But since they didn’t have a problem, that meant my last contract with Harlequin Desire had been fulfilled.

Came up with the “Project:  Passion” idea over the weekend, pitched it on Monday, & by Wednesday I had a new contract offer.  That’s only four whole days of being without a contract.  Two if we’re talking “business days.”  And let’s, shall we?  Technically two whole business days between contracts.

Of course, now that all is said & done, I’m banging my head against the wall just a little bit, because I got caught up in the wave of my own brilliance & left absolutely zero down time for myself.  And I really need down time between books. :slamdesk

But there you have it—a brand new sale & new Harlequin Desires from Moi on the horizon. :cheer

There are still a few details to iron out, but I’ll fill you in on those as I get them.

Milk. It does a body DAY-UM good.

I’ve dug another tunnel out of this joint & am over at the Brava Authors blog today, revealing some fun news & a brand new cover.

You’ll see it again down the road, when I make the official announcement here at WIPs and Chains, but if you’d like a sneak peek, you know where to go… :devil