So…I signed a traditional publishing deal
I’ve been so quiet about this for so long, I’m still wrapping my brain around what’s actually happened.
I signed my first traditional publishing deal.
Just typing that feels surreal as a grin so wide my cheeks are hurting fills my face.
When I decided to step into this space, I only wanted an outlet for my healing to manifest itself. With my two hands, I learned how to write books, market them (honestly…still learning that), and keep going and building in my own little corner of Beyonce’s internet. I had no clue what I was doing, just a story in my head and a dream.
When I initially decided Indie publishing would be my path, the decision was grounded in wanting to control what I could control. You put out a book, you hope thousands upon thousands of people will read it. Your timelines are all your own. Traditional publishing forced me to step out of my comfort zone and lean into a process that I’m wholly out of my realm, outside of writing the story. There’s more learning, more collaboration, more openness to a side of the book industry I never thought I’d be a part of.
But I stepped out on faith.
Because while I tend to count myself out a lot of the time, I recognize my stories deserve whatever exposure lies outside of my locus of control. And that brings me here.
I’m so over the moon about his deal, not just because I HAVE A TRAD DEAL LOL, but because of the story I get to write because of it.
If you’re familiar with my works, you know I love to delve into tense family dynamics, crying (lots of crying), high-stakes drama, etc. But with this book deal, I get to step into rom-com. And I’ve been giggling ever since I started it. It’s light and fluffy, while putting a hilarious spin on some of our favorite book boyfriend tropes. I’m trading emotional damage for ALL the shenanigans.
Yes, I’m still working on Wesley and Lynn, and I hope to have it to you all before this trad release. But I’m equally thrilled to bring you Novah and Sean.
[insert high-pitched squeal here]
I can’t believe I have a traditional book deal. I’m still pinching myself.
With love,
Alexandrea LeChelle
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Sweet Freckled Olives
