Tuesday, December 13, 2011

So, I have some news

On my way home from the Big Smoke yesterday, I found myself consigned to the vestibule area of the train. Me and five silver-haired gentlemen of indeterminate age. We all settled in with our books and our blank stares as the trained rocked and rolled its way toward Fibrotown. All of a sudden, the man sitting next to me announced loudly that Australia had nine wickets down and 29 runs to make to win the second test with New Zealand. It took me a few moments to realise he was wearing headphones (hence the loud voice) and was plugged into the game.

We all smiled and nodded and went back to our books and blank stares.

Several minutes later, he announced loudly that someone or other might be LBW and a decision was pending. Silence. "No, it's all right," he said. We all smiled and nodded, though, little by little, we were being drawn into the game.

We got a ball by ball rundown over the next five or ten minutes, much smiling and nodding, before Australia's last batsman was consigned to the dressing rooms and it was all over. The man next to me turned off his radio, wound up his headphones and no more was said from that point on.

He'd related his news. We'd all politely shared in it. There was no more to be said.

I relay this tale because I have some news. Up there with the most exciting news I've ever had.

My first novel will be published by Pan Macmillan in 2013. Title to be confirmed. Date to be confirmed.

But it's happening. And, yes, I am beside myself.

I hope that you are all smiling and nodding along with me.

I'll be sure to share updates (loudly) as they come to hand.

[image: via weheartit]

106 comments:

  1. Huge smiles! And what a brilliant way to convey your news.
    Congratulations xx

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  2. You are living the dream!! Congratulations!! So well deserved. Sign me up for a copy.

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  3. Wow - now that is wonderful news. How exciting. xo

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  4. Linda's comment made me laugh out loud.

    Congratulations! That is awesome news.

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  5. Congratulations!!!!!!! (definitely deserves overuse of exclamation marks)

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  6. Howzat!!! Al that is such great news - yay!!! Never doubted it would happen. Sign me up for a copy, too.
    x
    Megan

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  7. Wow!!! Congratulations. That is wonderful news. Can't wait to get my hands on it!

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  8. Yay!!! Oh well done. Very happy for you!
    Jx

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  9. Hahaha! What a great seguey, no wonder you're getting a book published... :D

    Congratulations!

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  10. So, so happy for you. HUGE congratulations!!!!

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  11. Woooohooo! Can you hear that?

    Such awesome news, Al. Well done, you; it's richly deserved. xx

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  12. Fantastic news and what an exciting way to deliver it - cannot wait to hear more details as they unfold / can be revealed!

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  13. Huge news!! Yay and double yay!. Well done.

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  14. That's fantastic news. Can't wait to read it!

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  15. I am indeed smiling and nodding and being drawn in. Huge congrats Alison, you work hard and are very talented and it is very much deserved.

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  16. Novel writing news AND cricket commentary. All my Christmases have come at once. Congrats x 1000!!!So proud. xxx

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  17. Wow that is super-fantastic-amazing news!!! Congratulations Al!! What a lovely Christmas present for you. You are really an inspiration :-)

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  18. Oh, happy day, Al! That's just wonderful news. Congrats. Can't wait to read it!

    xxx

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  19. Congratulations! You'll definitely have to keep us updated on the release date so we can all be lining up for it on the big day.

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  20. Only one word could adequately convey my joy for you, my pride in you, my admiration for your talent and tenacity: Woot!

    Woot!

    x

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  21. who gives a shit about the cricket...when you had that bombshell to drop! whooooo hoooo to you!!! well done xx

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  22. Wow oh wow!! That is just about the most stunning news ever!!

    Cogratulations seems like such a small word.... but there it is for you anyway.

    Can't wait to hear more about the book... and possibly some handy hints from someone in the know about how to get an agent/get published? Just a little request.....!

    Well done you!

    Sarah.

    http://happygoluckygohappy.blogspot.com/

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  23. I have much mudita for you, Al. Much.

    Well DONE. xxxx

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  24. Smiling and nodding - nope.
    Grinning and SQUEEEEING - YEP.

    That is so exciting!
    I cannot wait to read it.
    Yay you!!!!!!!!!

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  25. Well done I love Happy news.
    Is it a book about cricket?

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  26. Bravo Al, that is most excellent news. Sending a virtual high five, hug AND champagne. xx

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  27. THAT is FABBO news..and a worthy way to celebrate might be...ummm
    Squeeeee
    congrats Al!
    Look out Booktopia, get ready for this new fiction author!
    Denyse

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  28. Wow! Congratulations, that's so very exciting and what a fabulous achievement. I can't wait to learn more about it : )

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  29. Brilliant!! How lucky they are to have you. I CAN NOT wait to read it xx

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  30. Definitely smiling. Definitely nodding. And definitely waiting anxiously. Good for you!

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  31. Excellent news. Congratulations Allison.

    Love & stuff
    Mrs M

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  32. Congratulations - have always said you and your sisters are the Austen sisters of now. How exciting!!!

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  33. Much more than just 'smile and nod' here! I am stoked for you! How damn EXCITING! Although 2013 is just too far away!!!!

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  34. Yay!!! So happy for you. Congratulations. I hope you are celebrating with a big bottle of champagne :)

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  35. Congrats Al!
    I cannot wait to hear more!

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  36. Congrats Al!
    I cannot wait to hear more!

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  37. You know I'm not much into cricket myself, but you've just smashed the ball for a clear six, and I'm so happy for you! x

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  38. As the kids say... awesome-sauce!! Can't wait to hear more!

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  39. Huge congratulations and a standing ovation. Fabulous news : )

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  40. How exciting!! Congratulations!

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  41. Congratulations! That's seriously fabulous news.

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  42. Nodding and smiling so vigorously my head my fall off! Congrats!

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  43. Am not surprised, because you are cool. x Andrea

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  44. If you don't mind I might break the decorum and jump around the room hooting! That's such wonderful news!!!!
    I never thought anything could be more exciting as new babies being born, but new books - it turns out - are just thrilling. X

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  45. Super exciting news!! So happy for you. There really is nothing nicer than seeing someone's dreams coming to fruition :-)

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  46. Wonderful news! Patience and diligence pays off in the end :)

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  47. I haven't stopped smiling since I read your news. So truly deserved by you. xx

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  48. You guys are amazing. Thank you so much!

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  49. Congratulations and hope the next steps (editing) come easy for you...yeehaa!

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  50. That's nothing to keep quiet about!! Amazing news. Wow....novelist ;) x

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  51. Congrats Al! Can't wait to see it all come to fruition. Fantastic news.

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  52. How exciting! and what a way to end the year. Your cheeks are sure to get sore from the grin you have on.

    Love hearing good news. xx

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  53. Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! That's fantabulous news, Al!!! Put me on the waiting list! So thrilled for you! xxx

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  54. Woooo hoooo!
    Congratulations - that is brilliant news.
    Very loud-voice-on-the-train worthy.
    :-)

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  55. Wow that's fantastic news!!!! So happy for you! Can't wait to read it!

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  56. nodding … smiling … doing a little jig! HOORAY for you … can. not. wait! and congratulations too. xt

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  57. Bloody awesome news. Definitely an occasion for bubbly! I am very happy for you!

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  58. So you've gone and done it! Here's a pat in the back wishing you bunches of congratulations. You deserve it. I can just imagine the excitement. Woo hooo.... You're on your way.

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  59. Big smiles and nods here and actually a little tear. I know I barely know you, but I'm just going to say it, I'm really proud of you! Your work ethic is an inspiration and you deserve every little bit of success that comes your way. I can't wait to read it.

    (Although I am slightly disappointed that you're not having the baby I expected when I saw the title. I'll get over it though.)

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  60. Wow!!! Congratulations! That is AMAZING news!
    xx

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  61. Say it louder!!!!

    Well done, well done, well done!

    Congratulations, Allison! It's wonderful that your beautiful writing will touch even more people, what a gift!

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  62. Congratulations!!!! Welcome to the PanMac family xx

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  63. You rock Al Tait ... please remember us when you are famous ;)

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  64. Awesome!! Congratulations, you!! That is something to be incredibly proud of!

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  65. After our conversation the other day, Lexie is still convinced you are having a baby - with that many congratulations, it must be so, apparently.

    Well done Al, I am more than proud. Cannot WAIT to get it on my shelf.

    (And the cricket thing - that would've been me...)

    xx

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  66. I am so excited for you and so proud to know you! Where do I pre-order my signed copy???

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  67. Oh wow, that is soooo exciting! Good on you, Allison. All that hard, hard work has paid off. Yah, for you. Can't wait to read your lovely, shiny new book in 2013. xx

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  68. That is brilliant!!! I can't wait to rush out and buy out.... I guess I'll be waiting a while but my lordy, I'll be queuing up as soon as I can....

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  69. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!
    OMG I am so excited for you!! Congratulations Al!!
    (Please note overuse of exclamation points displaying my excitement)

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  70. YAY! that's super exciting. much better than a cricket play by play. awesome!!

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  71. Congratulations! That's wonderful news - far more interesting than the cricket :-)

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  72. OMG!!! That is awesome news hun!
    Excellent so happy happy for you
    looking forward to reading it i am :-) xxxxxxxxxx

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  73. Congratulations Allison. Very exciting news and what a wonderful opportunity. Look forward to hearing more about it. N x

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  74. Congrats Al! Fantastic news! So happy for you. From another Al xx

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  75. When I hit the comments button, there were 86 comments there already! Do you think everyone is excited or what? Congratulations, Allison. See you at the book signing somewhere!

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  76. AWESOME news!! Congratulations Allison - can't wait to read it!

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  77. And you thought you would just slip that in quietly at the end??

    Congratulations! What an amazing achievement!

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  78. Congratulations!
    Look forward to hearing more details. In the meantime, enjoy that thrill.

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  79. You made it! That's exciting news.Can't wait to see that cover and synopsis. Tether yourself to the ground...you might float away.

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  80. Congratulations! That's fabulous news. Can't wait to hear more.

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  81. Congratulations!! What wonderfull news! Well deserved.

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  82. So glad you have spilled the beans! This was the best piece of news I heard in 2011. Hands down. I couldn't be more happy for you x

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  83. Oh Al, I'm very tardy to the party here but congratulations! What fabulous news. You must be stoked! Doing a happy jig in Hobart for you. J x

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  84. How fantastic! Congratulations darling. Well done. Way better than the cricket! And I can't wait to read it!

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  85. Congratulations! How very exciting for you.

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  86. Well done! I am so happy for you. Here's to your continued success.

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  87. ZOMG! How exciting. Congratulations.

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  88. Wow! That's so wonderful, congratulations. And how lovely of you to indulge an old bloke in his obvious passion for cricket, when you were likely bursting with excitement yourself. Kudos to you Allison.

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  89. That's fantastic! Very exciting news, congratulations!

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  90. Congratulations!!! Looking forward to the updates : D xxx

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  91. Fantastic news and well done, I can't imagine the hard work you've had to do to get here, but who cares you are here now! Yay!!!!! Can't wait to read it.

    Nicole x

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  92. A single Tweet and I found myself here - among friends too! What caught my eye was the 2013...first book thing.. You see... Me too. I also see your dream news was as early as Dec 2011. Me too...! So I ask... IS 2012 NOT THE SLOWEST BLOODY YEAR EVVVVVER!!!

    I will be watching and waiting... and waiting... and waiting. Nice to know someone's in the same boat. We can blog/promo one day before May maybe (I'm May):))

    jennjmcleod.com

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