Celebrating My First Book Contract: A Writer’s Journey & Imposter Syndrome.

This week I was thrilled to announce I have a two book contract with Wombat books. Two early readers and I am absolutely thrilled. So thrilled and excited I have plastered the internet with the news. I may have gone a bit over board ?

As writers we work alone. Writing, editing and thinking. Most of the work we create never sees the light of day. Dealing with rejection becomes a way of life. It can feel like a waste of time. I’m sure from the outside it looks like it. But writing is not just a calling. It’s a craft. A skill. And like any skill it requires practice.

For the last few years I have been writing picture books. I have had success by being awarded an ASA/CA mentorship in 2024. I was also matched in the ASA’s Picture Book Matchmaker. My pitch resulted in a request from the publisher to see the manuscript. To date, there have been no contracts. Yet.

So when I decided to enter my first attempt at an early reader into Wombat Books open submission in February this year, I did so with zero expectations.

You can imagine my shock when they asked to see the manuscript!

Months of rewrites followed and creating another book for the series, and I was offered a contract.

Throughout the process I felt like the success of this story was unearned. It was my first attempt at an early reader. I had completed several junior fiction courses but hadn’t made it happen. I felt like an imposter.

Imposter syndrome strikes again. And this is why we have writing groups. ( imposter or impostor? Both are correct so for consistancy on my blog I choose imposter! Despite AI underlining it. I choose to ignore AI)

Without my kidlit community I wouldn’t have submitted this story. Without my fabulous critique buddies I would have given up on the edits and rewrites. Without their support and encouragement I would have failed to see that all my work on picture books had been the rehearsal for this moment. And without the perseverance of Wombat Books to get me over the line, I wouldn’t have made it.

So even though we create in solitude – we succeed as a community!

That’s why I have plastered the internet with my success. Not just for me, but for all the kidlit community.

I promised myself a new website with my first contract so stay tuned while I try to make that a reality.

I can’t wait to hold my books in my hands!

Stand by for even MORE plastering of the internet!

Thank you

Jacinta Lou