A number of months ago in my capacity as the chairman of the Silken Sands conference here on Pensacola Beach, the president and I invited Beverley Kendall to be our keynote speaker as we both knew her and adore her. She accepted and indicated to me that her friend, Grace Bradley, an editor with Ellora’s Cave was interested in coming along to support her. I was thrilled when Grace agreed to take pitches while she was at our conference.
I started communicating with Grace on twitter as well as by email. She is a super nice person and I enjoyed all of our on-line interactions. When I was actually able to meet her in person, I was even more delighted as she certainly lives up to her on-line persona. If anything. she’s more gracious and lovely in person than she is on-line (which is a treat because I’ve met some folks who I thought were witty on-line who were as dull as dirt in real life and weren’t very nice, to boot).
Anyway, I pitched a story to Grace at Silken Sands. I figured I had nothing to lose and even if she ultimately said no to the manuscript, I would still have this cool friend because there was no way I was going to be upset if she turned it down. I totally understand the business end of this writing career. Some stories aren’t going to get a yes from the place you want them to be. Well, lo and behold, Grace liked the story and she agreed to let me be part of her posse of writers. I’m over the moon to have signed a contract with Ellora’s Cave. I may be jumping the gun by announcing this but they sent me a contract and I signed it and mailed it back. So, hopefully, it’s all good.
The story has an awesome new name that Grace came up with. It fits the story line perfectly. It’s now called Hot Pursuit. and I can’t wait for you all to read it.
Jillian Chantal 
So happy for you. You did a great job with Conference and put a lot of work into it. This is a positive example of :”What goes around, comes around.” Rita
By: Rita Bay on May 15, 2012
at 9:12 am
Thanks Rita. It was a great Conference and I don’t take all the credit for that. We had some short hard workers to help me.
By: Jillian Chantal on May 15, 2012
at 9:34 am
Mega Congratulations. Elloras Cave is a much sought after publisher. Let us know when the release is scheduled.
By: Lavada Dee on May 15, 2012
at 11:17 am
Thanks Lavada. I’m sure I will. Hard for me to keep my mouth (read typing fingers) shut!
By: Jillian Chantal on May 15, 2012
at 1:13 pm
Congratulations! So happy to hear this news! The title is definitely intriguing, too.
LindaC
By: LindaC on May 15, 2012
at 5:27 pm
Thanks Linda. I love the title. Grace was brilliant to think of it.
By: Jillian Chantal on May 15, 2012
at 5:33 pm
Congratulations! You are you full of good news lately. And well deserved.
By: shaylacy on May 15, 2012
at 6:11 pm
Thanks Shay. I’m worried about the over-abundance of edits coming. Lol.
By: Jillian Chantal on May 15, 2012
at 6:28 pm
Woohoo!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m SO happy for you. And that title sure pops! This is a very exciting collaberation–you and Ellora’s Cave. Congratulations, Jillian!
By: Laurie Ryan on May 15, 2012
at 8:26 pm
Thanks Laurie! The title is soooo good. I am so not good at titles. Thanks to Grace for this one.
By: Jillian Chantal on May 15, 2012
at 8:36 pm
Well, there you go…Writing Marvel strikes again! So happy for you!
By: katepatrick on May 15, 2012
at 9:57 pm
Thanks, Kate. I’m done submitting for the moment. Don’t want to get too carried away.
By: Jillian Chantal on May 16, 2012
at 7:05 am